The Hurva Synagogue in Jerusalem

After years of renovation and reconstruction works, the "Hurva” Synagogue stands in all of its magnificence at the center of the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. Its history starts in the beginning of the 18th century, when Rabbi Yehudah HeHasid arrived at Jerusalem at the head of a group of Ashkenazi Jews. At the courtyard of this place they planned to build a synagogue, but their Muslim creditors chased them away, and ever since it was called the "Hurva” (the Ruin). The "Hurva” Synagogue was rebuilt in the mid 19th century and according to testimonials it was magnificent. At the time of the conquest of the area during the Israeli War of Independence the "Hurva” Synagogue was demolished again. In the spring of 2010, a historical justice was done here and the "Hurva” Synagogue was rebuilt for the third time. The remains of the previous structure were integrated into the new one and the interior of the "Hurva” Synagogue was reconstructed with the help of written testimonials and old photographs. Also were reconstructed the magnificent wall paintings which describe places such as Rachel’s Tomb, the Cave of the Patriarchs, Tiberias and Safed.