Mordechai Navi Synagogue

Synagogue in Yerevan, Armenia

40°09′58″N 44°30′50″E / 40.16611°N 44.51389°E / 40.16611; 44.51389ArchitectureDate establishedc. 1840s (as a congregation)Completed2011

Mordechai Navi Synagogue (Armenian: Մորդեխայ Նավի սինագոգ, lit. 'Mordechai Navi synagogue'), also called the Mordechai Navi Jewish Centre,^[1] is a Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 23 Nar Dos Street, in the central Kentron district of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. The synagogue was opened in June 2011.

Background

The Mordechai Navi Synagogue is the only synagogue in Armenia.^[1] It is located on 23 Nar-Dos Street of the central Kentron district. It is headed by the Chief Rabbi of Armenia Gershon Burstein.^[2]

The Jewish community in Armenia has a history of 2,000 years, when first Jewish groups settled in Armenia after the destruction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. However, currently the Jewish population in Armenia is around 100 only. Rima Varzhapetyan-Feller is the head of the Jewish community in Armenia since 1996. According to Varzhapetyan, Jews rarely had problems in Armenia.^[1]

History

It was opened in June 2011, with the financial assistance of the Armenian businessman David Galstyan.^[3]

Antisemitic attacks

The synagogue and Yerevan's Jewish community has been targeted in several vandalism incidents.^[1] On 15 November 2023, a vandal poured fuel on the synagogue's door, setting the building on fire. No serious damage was reported and no one was in the building at the time. Videos of the incident were shared by news outlets in Azerbaijan, against whom Armenia has fought several wars. The attack was condemned by Israeli ambassador to Armenia Joel Lion. The following day, Armenian authorities opened an investigation.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Armenia opens probe into arson attack on synagogue". Times of Israel. 16 November 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
^ Jewish community leader in Yerevan
^ Face-lift for Jewish Center in Armenia