Abraham Avinu Synagogue

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Abraham Avinu Synagogue in Hebron was built by Rabbi/Hakham Malkiel Ashkenazi in the Jewish Quarter of Hebron in 1540. This domed structure represented the physical center of the Jewish Quarter of Hebron, and became the spiritual center of the Jewish Community there and a major center for the study of Kabalah. It was restored in 1738 and enlarged in 1864.

In 1929, residents of the Jewish Quarter of Hebron were murdered and raped and their homes destroyed by their Arab neighbors during the 1929 Hebron massacre after incitement by Muslim clerics.

Jordan took control of the area in 1948, and after this time a wholesale market, trash dump and public toilet were placed on the site of the Jewish Quarter. A goat and donkey pen was placed on the ruins of the Synagogue.

After the Six Day War in 1967, Israel regain their control over the West Bank; including Hebron. This allowed Jews to return to the Jewish Quarter in Hebron. In 1976 the Israeli Government ordered evacuation of the animal pen, enabling the remnants of the synagogue to be uncovered, and the Synagogue was rebuilt.

Today, with the synagogue rebuilt, it is used each Friday night by the Jewish residents of Hebron to hold prayer services. The synagogue is also opened to visitors (and tourists) each day of the week where they can learn about the history of the synagogue as well as hold private services.