The synagogue was founded by Jews of
Austrian origin in 1900. The current site of the Ashkenazi Synagogue was originally home to the Österreichischer Temple, also known as the Austrian Temple. This edifice, built in 1831, reflected Austrian architectural sensibilities and was a hub for the Ashkenazi Jewish community in the 19th century. Unfortunately, a catastrophic fire in 1866 destroyed the structure, leaving a void in the spiritual life of the local Jewish population. It is also the last remaining synagogue from a total of three built by
Ashkenazim, as the population of
Ashkenazi Jews accounts for four percent of the total
Jewish population of Turkey. Visits to the synagogue can be made during weekday mornings and for
Shabbat services on Saturday mornings. The synagogue holds weddings,
bar mitzvahs and other religious ceremonies in the Ashkenazi tradition. Rabbi Dr. David Marcus, who also established the Jewish school Bene Berit, served as Rabbi and spiritual leader until his death in 1938. Rabbi
Mendy Chitrik, chairman of
Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States, has served as the rabbi of the Ashkenazi Synagogue since 2003. == Gallery ==