Love attending Friday night services at the Great Synagogue. The Choir is amazing. Really lifts you up spiritually to get you into Shabbos.
The Great Synagogue
Modeled after the Jewish Holy Temple, Jerusalem’s Great Synagogue is a majestic structure located on King George Street in the center of town. The Great Synagogue was established in 1982 after the adjacent Heichal Shlomo building could no longer contain the throngs of worshipers who were turning up for Sabbath services every week.
The Great Synagogue is dedicated to the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust, as well as Israel’s fallen in the 1948 War of Independence. Services in the main sanctuary on Shabbat and holidays are regularly led by top hazzanim (cantors) in the old Ashkenazi style.
The sanctuary houses breathtaking stained-glass windows and a magnificent chandelier hanging above the ark, and the acoustics effectively transmit the professional choir’s renditions.
There is also a Sephardic synagogue in the building, and a collection of contemporary mezuzah cases that is among the largest in the world. Those who enjoy the old-world splendor of Ashkenazi liturgical music are advised to stop by on a Saturday morning for Sabbath services – it’s a rare treat.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 62 traveler reviews"Dont Bother! Not “Great” in any manner"
I have traveled the world over (now at over 60 countries). Seen synagogues in almost every country I have been to. This is an embarrassment. Should just be torn down and an actual “great” synagogue built. Once you compare the great synagogues In Budapest or some of the great temples...
MoreI have traveled the world over (now at over 60 countries). Seen synagogues in almost every country I have been to. This is an embarrassment. Should just be torn down and an actual “great” synagogue built. Once you compare the great synagogues In Budapest or some of the great temples in the US, you realize how embarrassing this synagogue is. As my grandmother would have said - this is a “shandah” (embarrassing but much stronger word).
Less"“The pretty good synagogue”"
PROSn• Important religious structure of Israeln• Seat of the Chief Rabbinatesn• Interesting architecturen• Iconic famous buildingn• Large religious prayer Sanctuaryn• Extensive mezuzah box collectionn• Apparently free accessn• Centrally locatednnCONSn• Building not new but upkeep goodn• Not a critical & central tourist attractionnnMY EXPERIENCEn“I visited this place” on the last day of the “sand-of-the-season” of...
MorePROSn• Important religious structure of Israeln• Seat of the Chief Rabbinatesn• Interesting architecturen• Iconic famous buildingn• Large religious prayer Sanctuaryn• Extensive mezuzah box collectionn• Apparently free accessn• Centrally locatednnCONSn• Building not new but upkeep goodn• Not a critical & central tourist attractionnnMY EXPERIENCEn“I visited this place” on the last day of the “sand-of-the-season” of the Passover festival. I had heard that there was a fantastic and spirited celebration of thanksgiving for the famous ancient Biblical Exodus from Egypt. That was certainly the case- the fantastic unbelievably enthusiastic raucous rapturous singing of the praises and the rejoicing was almost contagious even for me. Hundreds of people sang and danced and prayed and communed together as free Jews serving their Lord in their ancient ancestral homeland- write a sight to behold and write an event to experience and I hope that you find my many photos to be “helpful.”nnTIPSn• Maybe best to go on a guided tourn• Try to go to a religious service there
Less"Inspiring "
