It’s a site of a wealth of Israeli history, a focal point for regular outreach and hospitality efforts, and a growing exemplar for ahavat Yisrael and achdut. And this remarkable institution sits in the middle of … Tel Aviv?
The Great Synagogue of Tel Aviv was designed by prominent Israeli architect Yehuda Magidovitch in 1922-1923 and completed in 1926, after the organizers received a large donation from Baron Edmond James de Rothschild. The synagogue has been considered a central cultural landmark in Tel Aviv for over 100 years and has hosted legendary cantors, rabbis from all denominations, and Israeli presidents, prime ministers and other leaders. The synagogue has also hosted tens of thousands of Jewish life-cycle events and attracts nearly 1.5 million visitors each year.
The synagogue recently formally launched a renovation campaign, with a gala event for the renewal of the Great Synagogue in Tel Aviv held on March 20. The gala was attended by Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai and featured a video address by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Rabbi Yitzhak Bar Ze’ev has been the rav of the Great Synagogue for the past 10 years. The Jewish Link interviewed Rabbi Bar Ze’ev by email, to learn more about this iconic institution and the renovation campaign.
How many members does the synagogue have?
The Great Synagogue of Tel Aviv does not have regular subscribers, as it is open to everyone. Nevertheless, over 100 regular worshippers attend the synagogue every Shabbat, and during the week, around 400 people participate daily in prayers and events.
In addition, special events take place at the synagogue throughout the year as part of its routine—evenings of dialogue, concerts, Chanukah candle lightings, holiday prayers, Selichot, lectures and a variety of activities. These are not one-time events, but rather an ongoing expression of the synagogue’s mission—to be a cultural, educational and spiritual center for all the city’s residents and its guests.
It is important to remember that most residents of Tel Aviv are not religious. The synagogue’s success lies in the fact that not only religious people come through its gates for regular prayers, but thousands of secular individuals attend as well—for Shabbat prayers, Shabbat meals and the wide range of special events.
How would you define the mission of the synagogue?
The Great Synagogue is an institution that connects past and present, tradition and progress, religious and secular communities. On one hand, it serves a vibrant community and regular worshippers. On the other hand, it is open to the general public and holds a wide and diverse range of activities: emotional Selichot services in both Ashkenazi and Sephardic styles with thousands of participants, dialogue evenings between secular and religious individuals, concerts, lectures, bar mitzvah celebrations, public holiday events and more.
As part of the planned renovation, a youth and community hall will also be established—a kind of modern congress hall that will serve for dialogue, cultural and educational activities. The goal is to strengthen the connection with the younger generation and to foster around the synagogue a diverse, participatory, and creative community centered on spirituality, culture and Jewish identity.
How will the renovation of the synagogue enhance its mission?
The renovation of the synagogue is a historic opportunity to breathe new life into the place—not only to preserve its glorious history, but to make it more relevant than ever.
The renovation will include the establishment of an advanced heritage and visitors center, which will offer an interactive and innovative experience: exhibits, VR, rotating displays, and the story of Jewish Tel Aviv through the generations.
The visitors center will focus on schoolchildren and teens preparing for their bar or bat mitzvah—from all across Tel Aviv and the country—and will offer them a fascinating experience that brings them closer to their roots and to the heritage of Israel. This is a vision of a modern, living heritage center that will position the Great Synagogue as a leading destination for Jewish and cultural education in Tel Aviv.
In addition, classrooms will be built for Torah reading and cantorial training, a unique municipal choir, a new events hall and a kosher restaurant—enabling the venue to also host family celebrations, community events and public conferences—and to become an active and open cultural center in the heart of the city.
Additionally, I will add that in recent years, Tel Aviv has become a major destination for young olim (immigrants making aliyah). Many families from the U.S., France and other parts of the world are making their home in the city. The Great Synagogue is already deeply involved in welcoming and supporting them. We assist olim who are in the process of giyur, host Shabbat meals for young professionals, singles and olim, and foster a sense of belonging.
As part of the renovation, we are expanding these efforts. A dedicated giyur (conversion) classroom will be built, along with a new hall for communal meals, transforming the synagogue into a true spiritual home for olim from all backgrounds.
How did the synagogue secure the impressive donations for the renovation?
The renovation is estimated at approximately 100 million NIS. The Tel Aviv Municipality contributed about half of that amount—an unprecedented move that reflects recognition of the synagogue’s status as a first-rate municipal, cultural and historical institution. Patrick Drahi (French-Israeli businessman and owner of Sotheby’s and the i24 news network) donated an additional 20 million NIS, motivated by a sense of mission toward Jewish heritage and as part of his vision to strengthen Jewish identity in the modern world.
We are currently raising the remaining 30 million NIS from the wider public and additional donors.
Does the synagogue organize Shabbat home hospitality for visitors?
Absolutely. This is done in order to bring hearts closer and connect people to tradition in a warm and personal way.
Guests—tourists from around the world, Israelis from the center and periphery, secular and traditional—enjoy an uplifting prayer service at the synagogue, followed by a meaningful Shabbat meal in a welcoming, open, and embracing atmosphere.
Does the synagogue offer tours of its historic building?
Yes. We offer tours for groups and individuals—in Hebrew, English and other languages—that present the rich history of the synagogue and of Jewish Tel Aviv.
Upon completion of the renovation, an advanced visitors center will open, offering a fascinating experience: digital exhibits, personal stories, displays of rare documents, and formative events from the history of the State of Israel. This center will turn the Great Synagogue into a central site for tourism, education and heritage in the heart of Tel Aviv.
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Isaac Tzahi Cohen of Fair Lawn, a passionate advocate for the shul, offered an additional perspective on the shul and its essential role in Tel Aviv. He shared with The Jewish Link: “I became good friends with Rabbi Bar Ze’ev in 2012 as we both used to live on the more northern side of Tel Aviv and attend the same kollel and synagogue—he as a newly married rabbi from Yeshivas Hevron, and myself as a single guy working for a startup. Once I got married and my wife and I left Tel Aviv, Rabbi Bar Ze’ev took the leadership role at the Great Synagogue, and I have been supporting him ever since.
“My parents actually got married in the Great Synagogue of Tel Aviv as it used to be a very affordable wedding hall back in the early ‘80s. Obviously, Tel Aviv has changed throughout the years, and so has the affordability. The shul really connects Jewish people from all walks of life—religious and secular, people just starting out and billionaires, Sephardic and Ashkenazi, Torah scholars and people who have limited knowledge—everyone just feels welcome there.”
Interested to learn more? Please get in touch with Cantor Shlomo Pivko, president of the Great Synagogue of Tel Aviv, at [email protected]
Harry Glazer is the Middlesex County editor of The Jewish Link. He can be reached at [email protected] and he welcomes reader feedback. If this news story inspires you to support the renovation of the Great Synagogue of Tel Aviv, Harry will be happy to hear it. And he can put you in touch with Rabbi Yizhak Bar Ze’ev.
