The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities recently announced the completion of restoration work in one of the oldest Jewish temples in Egypt and the world: the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Located in the religious complex in Old Cairo, Ben Ezra Synagogue was named after Abraham ben Meir Ibn Ezra, a Jewish scholar and philosopher from Spain, known for his extensive contribution to medieval art, sciences, and theology. The synagogue was first built in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 19th century. The building was also restored several times throughout history. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the temple was originally a Coptic Orthodox church, known as the al-Shamma’in Church. However, it was later sold in 882 AD to the Jewish community. Aside from its cultural significance, the temple houses documents offering insight into the lives of the Jewish community in Egypt. The temple is also known for being home to the ‘Cairo Genizah’, a collection of books, scrolls, and manuscripts about the Jewish community, accumulated over a span of 850 years. It also chronicles the intermingling of Jews with Christians and Muslims, mainly in Cairo. Today, the…
