European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 14, 1995, Darmstadt, Hesse Egypt by the new York times a 15-year restoration of the Century old Ben Ezra synagogue in the old Cairo Section of the egyptian capital recently has been completed. The postwar growth of Arab nationalism resulted in a steady exodus of jews from Egypt so that fewer than 100 now remain from a population that numbered 75,000 some 50 years ago. The restored synagogue will not / function As a House of worship. Built in 1892, the synagogue is Best known As the site where the Cairo Geri Iza or storeroom trove of hebrew manuscripts books dating to the 10th Century was found in 1896. An additional 20,000 Are in new York at the jewish theological Seminary of America. A mix of jewish Christian islamic architecture the synagogue was an Active Houe of worship until the mid 1960s, when Cairo s jewish population began to dwindle. Since the 1960s, the synagogue has been in a state of decline from water damage caused by Rainwater seepage ground water that undermined the building is within the Walls of a fourth Century roman fortification called the fortress of Babylon the. Original synagogue referred to in the Ceniza documents was established about 950 . The restoration of the present Structure was led by Phyllis Lambert the director of the Canadian Center for architecture in Montreal. The synagogue now has carpeted floors in the islamic style Kuftic inscriptions on lamps panelling a Basilica like layout of a Nave aisles in the coptic Christian manner. The ornate Walls ceiling of the women s Arcade have been meticulously repainted. The synagogue which is free open daily is behind the coptic museum. Cairo s jewish synagogue above left has been under renovation for 15 years. The coptic museum is in the neighbourhood of the jewish synagogue. Is Pelor Jau gyr september 14-20, 7995 stripes Magazine 7 7
