The Ramban Synagogue is the oldest active synagogue in the Old City of Jerusalem. Today it is located at the corner of Ha-Yehudim Street and the square in the Jewish Quarter. The Ramban Synagogue was built in the 13th Century. Its name is a shortened version of Rabbi ben Nachman, the founder, who immigrated from Spain in 1267.
Ramban, the man, was famous because he won a public debate in Spain to prove that Judaism was better than Christianity. Though the king had promised him freedom of speech, the local people were so mad at him that Ramban and his followers had to flee to Jerusalem. Since its establishment the Ramban synagogue has indeed functioned as its founders wished, with daily prayer services characterized by a fixed format, conducted in an unsophisticated, yet decorous and dignified manner, and a warm and accepting attitude to all congregants.
Some two years ago Rabbi Binyamin Lau was appointed as the Rabbi of the congregation, and since then the synagogue has undergone a dramatic expansion in numbers and activities. Many young families who have moved into the area have joined our ranks, and the study sessions and sermons conducted by Rabbi Lau attract huge crowds that fill the synagogue to overflowing.
The Ramban synagogue no longer functions merely as a place of worship. The increasing cultural, social and educational activities taking place, together with the rapid increase in the number of people wishing to participate in our activities, have rendered the current premises woefully inadequate. We have, therefore, embarked on a building project to expand the current synagogue to approximately double its capacity, with a significant increase in the proportion of places allocated to female congregants, together with provision for designated study and function rooms.
Over the years, the building has been the home to the Sephardi community, was converted into a mosque after being confiscated by a Mufti, and was used as a flour mill and a cheese factory. Today it is used by the Ashkenazi community.
After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the building was destroyed by the Arab Legion. As a result of the 1967 Six-Day War, Jews regained their right to the property, and 700 years after the Ramban revived the ancient building, the synagogue was reopened.
Over the years, the building has been the home to the Sephardi community, was converted into a mosque after being confiscated by a Mufti, and was used as a flour mill and a cheese factory. Today it is used by the Ashkenazi community.
After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the building was destroyed by the Arab Legion. As a result of the 1967 Six-Day War, Jews regained their right to the property, and 700 years after the Ramban revived the ancient building, the synagogue was reopened.
The Ramban Synagogue, Jerusalem
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Category: Jerusalem Synagogues - Rambam Synagogu