Hechal Yehuda Synagogue

The Hechal Yehuda Synagogue, also commonly known as the Recanati synagogue, often referred to as the Seashell Synagogue because of its unusual shape resembling a seashell, is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located on Menahem ben Saruq street, in the city centre of Tel Aviv, Israel.

History

Hechal Yehuda is one of approximately 500 synagogues in Tel Aviv. It was built in memory of the Jewish community of Thessaloniki, which was almost completely destroyed during the Holocaust. It is named in honour of Yehuda Leon Recanati. The design is inspired by the seashells on the shores of the Greek city of Thessaloniki, which is the hometown of the wealthy Recanati family and the synagogue's architect, Yitzhak Toledano. The Recanati family donated the money for the synagogue.
The construction of the synagogue was completed in 1980, after both Toledano and Recanati had died. Today most worshippers at the synagogue are Greek-Sephardi Jews originating from Thessaloniki.

Architecture

The north bare concrete facade is decorated with bas-reliefs of traditional Jewish motifs and symbols, made by artist Yechezkel Kimchi, while the coloured-glass windows, that present motifs from Jewish holidays, were made by the local artist Josef Shealtiel. The shell-like design creates an internal space which enables the congregation to see and to hear from wherever they are seated. The synagogue, incorporating two floors, has room for 600 persons, 400 men and 200 women in separated galleries.