LET’S REBUILD TOGETHER LARISSA’S SYNAGOGUE

The Synagogue of Larissa, symbolically named “Etz Hayim” (The Tree of Life), where the city’s jewish life has been “blossoming” for more than 160 years, is today a ruin at risk of collapse. The old building after enduring earthquakes, natural disasters and the corrosive humidity of Larissa, has serious static problems and it is not safe anymore.

The Synagogue of Larissa, symbolically named “Etz Hayim” (The Tree of Life), where the city’s jewish life has been “blossoming” for more than 160 years, is today a ruin at risk of collapse. The old building after enduring earthquakes, natural disasters and the corrosive humidity of Larissa, has serious static problems and it is not safe anymore.

The Synagogue of Larissa is one of the oldest buildings of the city, an example of traditional architecture and a monument of great historical and cultural value. It has a “strict” exterior appearance but the interior is beautiful and imposing in its all-white bright simplicity.

The Synagogue of Larissa is one of the oldest buildings of the city, an example of traditional architecture and a monument of great historical and cultural value. It has a “strict” exterior appearance but the interior is beautiful and imposing in its all-white bright simplicity.

It was built in 1866 in the heart of the Jewish neighborhood of a traditional Sephardic community which had been remarkably active for centuries in Larissa.

It was built in 1866 in the heart of the Jewish neighborhood of a traditional Sephardic community which had been remarkably active for centuries in Larissa.

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.

HOW YOU CAN MAKE YOUR DONATION

THERE ARE 3 WAYS, CHOOSE YOURS

Donate with Eurobank Live Pay.
Do not forget to write in the “Notes” field:

FOR THE RESTORATION OF LARISSA SYNAGOGUE

DONATE WITH EUROBANK LIVE PAY

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 WITH EUROBANK LIVE PAY

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

Do you have any question?

Do not hesitate to contact us. We will be glad to contact us!!!
Kentavron 29, Jewish Martyrs of the Holocaust Square, 41222, Larisa, Greece
+30 2410532965
Mon - Fri: 10:00 - 14:00