Visiting the Synagogues of Istanbul
If you would like to visit the Synagogues of Istanbul, or would like to attend services, please read the following information. You can visit the synagogues only after having secured an appointment - at the latest 24 hours before the visit - by contacting the synagogue foundation or the office of the Chief Rabbinate during office hours (Mon-Thu: 9:30-17:00; Fri.: 9:30-13:00). Please accept this routine as part of a very important duty - that of taking care of the patrimony – where the synagogues and worshippers inside have in the past been attacked. If you see below the contact number of the synagogue foundation's please call them directly to take appointments for your visit, otherwise call the office of the Chief Rabbinate to coordinate your visit with the other synagogues whose contact numbers are unlisted. Please send your passport number and full name in advance to the relevant office and carry your passport with you for security checks during your visits to all synagogues. Service Times for Synagogues
- Daily prayers start at 7:30 AMin all synagogues.
- Shabbat services start at 8:00 AM at all times.
- Friday afternoon Shabbat services start according to sundown hours. Approximate hours can be found below.
- If carrying a passport on Shabbat is not possible, please point this out when contacting the relevant Synagogue offices or Rabbinate.
- For eating kosher in our city, please call the restaurant in advance for reservations or call (within office hours) before 24 hours if you plan to eat in one of our social aid institutions.
Approximate Service Starting Hours (*Daylight saving time differences added)
Month | Friday Evening (PM) | Saturday Evening
(Motsae Shabbat) | | January | 4:30 - 5:00 | 5:15 - 5:47 | | February | 5:05 - 5:40 | 5:50 - 6:20 | | March | 5:40 - 6:10 | 6:21 - 6:52 | | April* | 6:15 - 7:40 | 7:59 - 8:22 | | May* | 7:45 - 8:15 | 9:01 - 9:07 | | June* | 8:15 - 8:20 | 9:01 - 9:07 | | July* | 8:20 - 8:15 | 9:07 - 8:54 | | August* | 8:05 - 7:25 | 8:47 - 8:08 | | September* | 7:20 - 6:40 | 7:57 - 7:21 | | October | 5:25 - 4:55 | 6:10 - 5:30 | | November | 4:50 - 4:25 | 5:27 - 5:05 | | December | 4:25 - 4:30 | 5:03 - 5:10 | You con choose one of the following options for: Eating Kosher in Istanbul - The Metsouyan at the Merit Antique Hotel in Laleli
(0 212-513 93 00) - The Cartoon Restaurant at the Cartoon Hotel in Taksim
(0 212-238 93 28) - Robelyu - A Kosher snack cafe on the Asian side,
near the Caddebostan Synagogue
(0 216-385 71 81) Or you can have your Kosher meals at the: - Or Ahayim Hospital in Balat
(0 212-292 04 60) - Ihtiyarlar Yurdu in Haskoy
Old Age Home
(0 212-238 94 94 / ext 112) -
Barinyurt in Galata
Old Age Home
(0 212-249 79 37) The Neve Shalom Synagogue
Built and opened in 1951 and the scene of a tragic terrorist attack in 1986, it is the largest synagogue in Istanbul where most of the religious ceremonies are held. The Neve Shalom is open to the public for morning visits during the weekdays and for Shabbat prayers every Saturday morning. Contact: The Neve Shalom Foundation
Tel.: 0-212-293 62 23 or 0-212-244 15 76 The Ashkenazi Synagogue
Located near the Galata Tower, it is the only active Ashkenazi Synagogue open to visits and prayers. Founded by Ashkenazim of Austrian origin in 1900, it is the last remaining synagogue among a total of three built by Ashkenazim. Visits con be made during weekday mornings and for Shabbat services on Saturday mornings. Contact: The Ashkenazi Syn. Foundation
Tel.: 0-212-243 69 09 or 0-212-244 29 75 Italian Synagogue
(Kal de los Frankos)
Built by the "Comunita Israelitico-Italiana di Istanbul" in 1931. This Synagogue has been rebuilt when the one initially built in the late 1800's was torn down and it is active since then. Only open for Shabbat prayers on Saturday mornings, it can be visited during weekday mornings as well. Contact: The Italian Synagogue Foundation
Tel.: 0-212-293 77 84 Maalem Synagogue
Located in the northern slopes of the Golden Horn near the Old Age Home in Haskoy, it is the only remaining one of the many synagogues of the area since the 1960's. It is open for visits only during weekdays and Shabbat Services are held regularly. Contact: Mr. Tastasa
Tel.: 0-212-225 28 78 Bet Israel Synagogue
Located in Sisli and part of the Neve-Shalom Foundation, it was initially built in the 1920's and enlarged into its present size in the early 1950's due to the majority of the Jewish population moving to that area. The most populated and active Synagogue today, the Bet-Israel can be both visited or joined for prayers after taking necessary appointments. Contact: The Neve Shalom Foundation
Tel.: 0-212-293 62 23 or 0-212-244 15 76 Etz Ahayim Synagogue
Located in Ortakoy, near the European leg of the Bosphorus Bridge. When the previous synagogue burned down in 1941 with only the marble Aron-ha-Kodesh remaining, the new synagogue was rebuilt on the location of the then midrash. Visits can be made with previous appointments and both weekday and Shabbat services can be attended likewise. Contact: The Ortakoy Syn. Foundation
Tel.: 0-212-260 18 96 Yenikoy Synagogue
Located in the north of the Bosphorus in the area called Yenikoy where the Jewish population is lately increasing, this Synagogue, said to be built by Kamondo in the late 1800's, has been lately activated by the renewed presence of Jewish people in the area and only Shabbat prayers are held. Contact: The Chief Rabbinate
Tel.: 0-212-243 51 66 The Ahrida Synagogue
Located in Balat near the Golden Horn, built by Jews of Ohri (Macedonia) more than 550 years ago and recently renovated during the Quincentennial Celebrations in 1992, the Ahrida Synagogue is known foremost by its boat-shaped bimah. It can only be visited during weekday mornings. Contact: the Balat Foundation
Tel.: 0-212 523 74 07 (during office hours) Yanbol Synagogue
Built by Jews of Yanbol, Bulgaria, in the Byzantine period, the synagogue has been rebuilt in the 18th century. It is one of the two remaining ancient synagogues of the Balat area. Contact: the Balat Foundation
Tel.: 0-212 523 74 07 (during office hours) Bet Avraam Synagogue
Located just behind the Main Train Station in Sirkeci. It is the Synagogue nearest to the Sultanahmet–Hippodrome area and can be reached by foot easily for Shabbat services. Appointments should be secured from the Chief Rabbinate.
Contact: The Chief Rabbinate
Tel.: 0-212-243 51 66 Kal Kados, Corapci Han Synagogue
Located in an historical office building and built by Russian Jews in the 1880's with the help of Count de Kamondo, the Synagogue is open for daily prayers during weekdays. Contact: The Chief Rabbinate
Tel.: 0-212-243 51 66 Bakirkoy Synagogue
This synagogue has been active since the late 1800's for the Jews of the area, but with the decrease in the Jewish population it is only open far Shabbat services. Contact: The Chief Rabbinate
Tel.: 0-212-243 51 66 Hemdat Israel Synagogue
Located in the area called Haydarpasa-Kadikoy on the Asian side, it was opened in 1899. Visits and participation to prayers are possible after contacting the Chief Rabbinate. Contact: The Chief Rabbinate
Tel.: 0-212-243 51 66 Bet Yaakov Synagogue
Located an the Asian side of the Bosphorus in the area called Kuzguncuk, just beside a Greek Orthodox church, it was built in 1878. The Jewish population of Kuzguncuk having moved away, it is kept alive by worshippers whose families originated there. Shabbat services on Saturday morning are held regularly. For visits please contact the Chief Rabbinate.
Contact: The Chief Rabbinate
Tel.: 0-212-243 51 66 Bet Nissim Synagogue
Built in 1840s in Kuzguncuk with its Ehal-ha-Kodesh dating from the end of 18th century, it was restored and reopened to the public. Visits are possible through appointment from the Chief Rabbinate. Contact: The Chief Rabbinate
Tel.: 0-212-243 51 66 Caddebostan Synagogue
Built in 1961 due to the increase of the Jewish population in the area, the Synagogue is the most populated one on the Asian side of the city and visits and participation in prayers is possible by contacting the Chief Rabbinate. Contact: The Chief Rabbinate
Tel.: 0-212-243 51 66 Hesed Le Avraam Synagogue
Located on the biggest of the Princes' Islands, called Buyukada (Prenkipo), the synagogue is open only during the summer when the majority of the Jewish population, of Istanbul comes to spend their summer months. Boats and sea-buses commute regularly from various points in Istanbul to Buyukada. For Information and appointments please contact the Chief Rabbinate. Contact: The Chief Rabbinate
Tel.: 0-212-243 51 66 Bet Yaakov Synagogue
Located an the island called Heybeliada (Halki), it was built in 1953 because in the 1940's there were more than 250 Jewish families passing their summer months on the island. Contact: The Chief Rabbinate
Tel.: 0-212-243 51 66 Burgazada Synagogue
There were few Jewish families in the 1950's in Burgaz (Antigone), but in the 60's the need to have a Synagogue arose and permission was taken in 1968 to build one. It is open for services only during summer months, like the other synagogues of the Princes' Islands. Contact: The Chief Rabbinate
Tel.: Contact: 0-212-243 51 66 | 
