THE “Ets Hayim” SYNAGOGUE OF LARISSA IS PREPARING TO OPEN ITS DOORS!
The reconstruction of the Synagogue of Larissa began in October 2019, marking the start of an arduous yet inspiring journey filled with challenges, setbacks, and unforeseen obstacles. It required relentless dedication by three successive Community administrations, the committed Project Committee, and a team of skilled engineers and technicians. At the same time, our Community and its members made a tremendous effort to ensure that our communal life remained strong despite being deprived of our “spiritual home” for five years.
This project would not have been possible without the generous financial support of the Region of Thessaly, the German Government, the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, other Jewish communities, and various Jewish organizations abroad.
The heartfelt contributions of hundreds of individuals were just as vital and deeply moving. This included members of our community, former community members and their descendants now living elsewhere, members of other Jewish communities in Greece and abroad and many non-Jewish friends, who embraced this sacred cause and encouraged many others to do the same!
All of them, all of you, answered our urgent call even before major funding was secured, enabling us to begin the project and to continue through every challenge. Thanks to your generosity, our Synagogue has been rebuilt—almost from the ground up—into a safe and functional temple while preserving its cherished historical character.
We extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you!
Now is the right time for those who were unable to contribute earlier—and those who wish to offer additional support—to help us complete the finishing touches.
Every donation is a mitzvah!
SYNAGOGUE INAUGURATION – SAVE THE DATE
To mark the reopening of our Synagogue, we are organizing a joyous three-day celebration from June 13 to 15, 2025 including:
· Friday, June 13: Kabbalat Shabbat
· Saturday, June 14: Morning service and the same evening festive dinner and dancing in an event hall
· Sunday, June 15: Official opening ceremony at noon
This will be a momentous occasion for our Community, Greek Jewry, the local population, and all the supporters and donors who helped bring this ambitious project to life.
We eagerly look forward to welcoming you to this historic event, as our beloved Ets Hayim Synagogue once again becomes the beating heart of Jewish life in Larissa!
LET’S REBUILD TOGETHER LARISSA’S SYNAGOGUE
Until now, it has operated continuously under the guidance of wise Rabbis as the second home for all Community members. It hosted all our prayers and festivals, ceremonies and gatherings.
Until now, it has operated continuously under the guidance of wise Rabbis as the second home for all Community members. It hosted all our prayers and festivals, ceremonies and gatherings.
It also hosted community activities, open to the local authorities and non-Jewish friends, such as events for Holocaust Remembrance Day. Moreover, in recent years, it has become a popular destination for visits of schools, students and groups of Jewish tourists from all over the world, as well as a favorite subject for theses and research papers.
It also hosted community activities, open to the local authorities and non-Jewish friends, such as events for Holocaust Remembrance Day. Moreover, in recent years, it has become a popular destination for visits of schools, students and groups of Jewish tourists from all over the world, as well as a favorite subject for theses and research papers.
During the Nazi occupation, it was looted and used as a stable by the conquerors. Nevertheless, it was reconstructed with love by the Holocaust survivors and continued to keep the Community alive. Etz Hayim is the only Synagogue, out of 7 once existed in the city, which has survived.
During the Nazi occupation, it was looted and used as a stable by the conquerors. Nevertheless, it was reconstructed with love by the Holocaust survivors and continued to keep the Community alive. Etz Hayim is the only Synagogue, out of 7 once existed in the city, which has survived.
The beautiful, simple, imposing building, with the enormous historical and cultural value, severely damaged by its 160 years of life, was delivered in October 2019 to the hands of experts, who studied its static adequacy in order to start support works. The findings were disappointing because, apart from the visible damages, numerous other invisible problems arose, so the building was assessed inadequate and dangerous. The Synagogue was completely emptied and has been temporarily supported, expecting the funding to continue the restoration works recommended by the team of experienced engineers.
The beautiful, simple, imposing building, with the enormous historical and cultural value, severely damaged by its 160 years of life, was delivered in October 2019 to the hands of experts, who studied its static adequacy in order to start support works. The findings were disappointing because, apart from the visible damages, numerous other invisible problems arose, so the building was assessed inadequate and dangerous. The Synagogue was completely emptied and has been temporarily supported, expecting the funding to continue the restoration works recommended by the team of experienced engineers.
THIS IS HOW LARISSA’S SYNAGOGUE LOOKS TODAY
Since the Synagogue has been closed for more than a year, the Rabbi, the Board and the members of the Community make every possible effort to keep the religious life and traditions alive: services are performed at the small Community Center, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were celebrated under a tent at the school yard, weddings and other events are hosted in hotel halls… the Jews of Larissa have been extremely inventive until their beloved Synagogue becomes again the center where the heart of Jewish life beats…
Since the Synagogue has been closed for more than a year, the Rabbi, the Board and the members of the Community make every possible effort to keep the religious life and traditions alive: services are performed at the small Community Center, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were celebrated under a tent at the school yard, weddings and other events are hosted in hotel halls… the Jews of Larissa have been extremely inventive until their beloved Synagogue becomes again the center where the heart of Jewish life beats…
The restoration of “Etz Hayim” Synagogue is linked to the very effort of the historical Jewish Community of Larissa to continue to exist. However, it is a project of huge costs (approximately 450.000€) that the Community of Larissa is unable to afford. For this reason, with the help of the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece (KISE), we turn for help to the Greek and global Jewish world, to organizations and individuals, asking for financial support for the restoration of this monument of Jewish heritage.
The restoration of “Etz Hayim” Synagogue is linked to the very effort of the historical Jewish Community of Larissa to continue to exist. However, it is a project of huge costs (approximately 450.000€) that the Community of Larissa is unable to afford. For this reason, with the help of the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece (KISE), we turn for help to the Greek and global Jewish world, to organizations and individuals, asking for financial support for the restoration of this monument of Jewish heritage.
The names of all donors will be published on a special scrapbook. The names of sponsors (from €500), great donors (from €2.000) and benefactors (from €10.000) will be engraved on a special sculpture that will be created and unveiled at the re-opening ceremony of the Synagogue.
The names of all donors will be published on a special scrapbook. The names of sponsors (from €500), great donors (from €2.000) and benefactors (from €10.000) will be engraved on a special sculpture that will be created and unveiled at the re-opening ceremony of the Synagogue.
The goal and hope of the Jewish Community of Larissa is that this project will be completed shortly and the “Etz Hayim” Synagogue will again become the religious home and epicenter of the Jewish life in Larissa.
The goal and hope of the Jewish Community of Larissa is that this project will be completed shortly and the “Etz Hayim” Synagogue will again become the religious home and epicenter of the Jewish life in Larissa.
Every donation for this purpose is valuable and beneficial
Every donation for this purpose is valuable and beneficial
Let’s all contribute and help to restore Larissa’s synagogue.
Let’s all contribute and help to restore Larissa’s synagogue.
Donate with Eurobank Live Pay.
Do not forget to write in the “Notes” field:
FOR THE RESTORATION OF LARISSA SYNAGOGUE
Donate using Paypal
Donate by bank deposit
Do not forget to write in the field “Notes for recipient”:
FOR RESTORATION OF LARISSA SYNAGOGUE
| BANK EUROBANK | SWIFTCODE: ERBKGRAA Account Num. 0026.0023.52.0200293655 ΙΒΑΝ: GR1002600230000520200293655 |
| NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE | SWIFT/BIC: ETHNGRAA Account Num. 397/200948-02 IBAN: GR4301103970000039720094802 |
Donate with Eurobank Live Pay.
Do not forget to write in the “Notes” field:
FOR THE RESTORATION OF LARISSA SYNAGOGUE
Donate using Paypal
Donate by bank deposit
Do not forget to write in the field “Notes for recipient”:
FOR RESTORATION OF LARISSA SYNAGOGUE
| BANK EUROBANK | SWIFTCODE: ERBKGRAA Account Num. 0026.0023.52.0200293655 ΙΒΑΝ: GR1002600230000520200293655 |
| NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE | SWIFT/BIC: ETHNGRAA Account Num. 397/200948-02 IBAN: GR4301103970000039720094802 |
