Neve Shalom Synagogue

The synagogue is located on Büyük Hendek Avenue, midway between the Galata Tower and Şişhane Square. The Neve Shalom Synagogue is the largest Sephardic synagogue in Istanbul. It is regarded as a traditional centre by the city’s Jewish community. Neve Shalom meaning “oasis of peace” in Hebrew, was opened for service on 25^th March 1951 due to an increase in the Jewish population in the Galata neighbourhood. It was designed by two young Turkish Jews, Elyo Ventura and Bernar Motola. The synagogue has been a target of terrorist attacks on three occasions. The first was in September 1986, when terrorists armed with guns and grenades staged a terrorist attack against worshippers in the synagogue leading to the death of 23 worshippers. The second terror attack took place in 1992 and the Hezbollah was suspected to be behind this bomb attack. On Saturday 15^th November 2003, a car bomb exploded right outside the synagogue during a bar mitzvah service. Hundreds of people were wounded and over a dozen killed. The synagogue is open for service on Shabbats, Bar Mitzvahs, funerals, weddings and other Jewish ceremonies.