Synagogues in the Islamic World: Architecture, Design and Identity

347 Pages·2017·37.321 MB·English

by  Mohammad Gharipour (editor)

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‘This book covers a remarkable geographic range and explains Sephardic Jewish
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architecture in its cultural contexts. Readers who think of Jews and their visual arts as N
primarily Ashkenazic will have much to learn from these essays, composed by Muslim, A
Christian and Jewish specialists in a spirit of inquiry and collaboration.’ G
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Carol Herselle Krinsky,Department of Art History,New York University
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Explores the design and development of synagogues
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in the Islamic world
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This beautifully illustrated volume looks at the spaces created by and for Jews in areas T
under the political or religious control of Muslims. Covering regions as diverse as H
Central Asia,the Middle East,North Africa and Spain,it asks how contextual issues and E
traditions influenced the evolving architecture and design of synagogues.Revealing how I
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they reflect the culture of the Jewish minority at macro and micro scales, from the city L
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to the interior, the book also considers the patterns of development of synagogues in
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connection with urban elements and monuments.
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Key Features:
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•Uniquely explores the elements and concepts applied in the design of synagogues in O
the Islamic world R
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•Shows connections between Jewish and Islamic architecture and the collaboration D
among Muslims and Jews in the design and construction of synagogues
•Takes an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach,providing a new setting for the
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analysis of Islamic architecture O
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•Addresses historical,social,urban and architectural aspects of synagogues throughout A
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the Muslim world including Iraq,Afghanistan,Morocco,Egypt,Spain,Turkey, M
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Tunisia,Iran and India
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Mohammad Gharipour is Associate Professor at the School of Architecture and Planning at Y
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Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. He has authored and edited numerous books R
including Persian Gardens and Pavilions (2013), Urban Landscapes of the Middle East (2016) and IP S Y N A G O G U E S
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Calligraphy and Architecture in the Muslim World (co-edited with Irvin Cemil Schick, Edinburgh U
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University Press,2013). I N T H E I S L A M I C W O R L D
Coverimage:SinagogaDeSantaMaríaLaBlanca©mtrommer/Bigstockphoto.com
Coverdesign:www.hayesdesign.co.uk ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, AND IDENTITY
ISBN978-1-4744-1171-4
EDITED BY
edinburghuniversitypress.com M O H A M M A D G H A R I P O U R
Synagogues in the Islamic World
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Synagogues in the
Islamic World
Architecture, Design, and Identity
Edited by
Mohammad Gharipour
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Edinburgh University Press is one of the leading university presses in the UK.
We publish academic books and journals in our selected subject areas across the
humanities and social sciences, combining cutting-edge scholarship with high
editorial and production values to produce academic works of lasting importance.
For more information visit our website: edinburghuniversitypress.com
© editorial matter and organization Mohammad Gharipour, 2017
© the chapters their various authors, 2017
Edinburgh University Press Ltd
The Tun—Holyrood Road
12 (2f) Jackson’s Entry
Edinburgh EH8 8PJ
Typeset in 10/12 pt Trump Mediaeval by
Servis Filmsetting Ltd, Stockport, Cheshire,
and printed and bound in Spain by Novoprint
A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 978 1 4744 1171 4 (hardback)
The right of the contributors to be identified as authors of this work has been
asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and the
Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003 (SI No. 2498).
The publisher is pleased to acknowledge the support from the Center for Jewish
History and from the Cahnman Foundation for the publication of this book.
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Contents
Figures and Tables vii
Introduction 1
Mohammad Gharipour
Chapter 1 Architecture of Synagogues in the Islamic World: History
and the Dilemma of Identity 6
Mohammad Gharipour
Chapter 2 Prologue—Historic Relations between Muslims and Jews 19
Reuven Firestone
PART I SYNAGOGUE AND THE URBAN CONTEXT
Chapter 3 Synagogues and the Hebrew Prophets: The Architecture of Convergence,
Coexistence, and Conflict in Pre-modern Iraq 31
Ethel Sara Wolper
Chapter 4 Reflection of Sacred Realities in Urban Contexts: The Synagogues of Herat 51
Ulrike-Christiane Lintz
Chapter 5 Synagogues of the Fez Mellah: Constructing Sacred Spaces
in Nineteenth-century Morocco 73
Michelle Huntingford Craig
Chapter 6 Emotional Architecture: Cairo’s Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue
and Symbolism’s Timeless Reach 94
Ann Shafer
PART II SYNAGOGUE AND THE CULTURAL CONTEXT
Chapter 7 The Prevalence of Islamic Art amongst Jews of Christian Iberia:
Two Fourteenth-century Castilian Synagogues in Andalusian Attire 127
Daniel Muñoz Garrido
Chapter 8 The Ottoman Jews of Nineteenth-century Istanbul and the Socio-cultural
Foundations of the Yüksek Kaldırım Ashkenazi Synagogue 145
Meltem Özkan Altınöz
Chapter 9 The Architecture and Ornamentation of the Nahon and Bendrihem Synagogues
of Tangier: Modernization and Internationalization of the Jewish Community 161
M. Mitchell Serels
Chapter 10 Synagogues and Sacred Rituals in Tehran: An Ethnographic Analysis
of Judeo-Persian Identities and Spaces 185
Arlene Dallalfar
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CONTENTS
PART III ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN
Chapter 11 Decorating Synagogues in the Sephardi Diaspora: The Role of Tradition 207
Vivian B. Mann
Chapter 12 Djerbian Culture and Climate as Expressed in a Historic Landmark:
The Case of El-Ghriba Synagogue in Djerba, Tunisia 226
Nesrine Mansour and Anat Geva
Chapter 13 Synagogue Architecture in Kerala, India: Design Roots, Precedents,
Tectonics, and Inspirations 248
Jay A. Waronker
Chapter 14 Immigrants’ Sacred Architecture: The Rabbi Meir Baal-Haness
Synagogue in Eilat, Israel 271
Anat Geva
Chapter 15 Epilogue—Sensitive Ruins: On the Preservation of Jewish Religious Sites
in the Muslim World 293
Susan Gilson Miller
Bibliography 299
About the Contributors 319
Index 323
vi
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Figures and Tables
Figures and Tables
Figures
3.1 The Great Synagogue of Baghdad 33
3.2 Map of Baghdad 35
3.3 Exterior view of Dhu’l Kifl 36
3.4 Minaret of Dhu’l Kifl 37
3.5 Plan of the Ezekiel Synagogue 39
3.6 Interior of Dhu’l Kifl 40
3.7 View of Al-Qosh 41
3.8 View from the courtyard facing south in the Nahum Synagogue 41
3.9 View facing west, showing the women’s section in the Nahum Synagogue 42
3.10 View facing south from the courtyard entrance of the Nahum Synagogue 42
3.11 Ark in the Nahum Synagogue 43
3.12 Courtyard of the Nahum Synagogue 44
3.13 Dome of the Nahum Synagogue 45
4.1 Herat, 2005, elevated view from the northwest 52
4.2 The Jew named Hakim (i.e., physician) Nehoray Nur-Mahmud 53
4.3 The Qandahar Gate in Herat, Afghanistan 55
4.4 Map of Herat 55
4.5 Radiating axes of a typical qala (fort) construction layout 56
4.6 Attarbashi house (style: Qajar; built 1850–90) 57
4.7 Section of the Attarbashi house (2010) 58
4.8 Tehran’s Jewish quarter known as Sar-e cal 58
4.9 Map of the Jewish Quarter’s center showing the four synagogues,
the Jewish mikva (bathhouse), and the stores formerly owned by Jews 59
4.10 Access upgrading in the Old City of Herat, 2008 60
4.11 The Mullah Garji, or Mullah Ashur Synagogue, in 1973 62
4.12 The Hariva School, formerly the Mullah Samuel or Mullah Shamawel
Synagogue. Entrance and courtyard after restoration in 2009 62
4.13 Interior view of the Hariva School after restoration by the Aga Khan Historic
Cities Programme in 2009 63
4.14 The Gol Synagogue or Gulaki Synagogue converted into the Hazrat
Belal Mosque 63
4.15 Courtyard after conservation of the Mullah Yoav Synagogue 64
4.16 Floor plan and section of the Mullah Yoav Synagogue with the mikva (ritual bath)
in the center beneath the synagogue’s courtyard 65
4.17 The Mullah Yoav Synagogue: roof repairs during the Aga Khan Historic Cities
Programme in 2007 66
4.18 The Mullah Yoav Synagogue in 2007: interior of main hall after conservation
showing restored frescoes 67
4.19 The Mullah Yoav Synagogue: interior of the richly painted main prayer hall 67
4.20 The Mullah Yoav Synagogue: interior view looking towards the heikhal (ark), 2009 69
5.1 One side of the heikhal (ark), Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Danan Synagogue, Fez mellah 74
5.2 Map of the Fez mellah 75
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FIGURES AND TABLES
5.3 View of the aisles and contemporary tevah (pulpit), Synagogue Al Fassiyine
in the Fez mellah 79
5.4 Stucco wall decoration, Synagogue Al Fassiyine in the Fez mellah 79
5.5 Ladies’ gallery, Synagogue Al Fassiyine in the Fez mellah 80
5.6 Interior view of tevah (pulpit) and ladies’ gallery, Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Danan Synagogue,
Fez mellah 81
5.7 Interior view showing the tevah (pulpit) and heikhal (ark), Rabbi Shlomo Ibn
Danan Synagogue, Fez mellah 81
5.8 Close-up of the tevah (pulpit) showing its wrought iron canopy, Rabbi Shlomo Ibn
Danan Synagogue, Fez mellah 82
5.9 Floor plan and elevation from eastern pisé wall to the tevah (pulpit) over the cellar
showing the incremental growth of the Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Danan Synagogue 83
5.10 Close-up of the mikva (ritual bath), Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Danan Synagogue, Fez mellah 83
5.11 Entrance to the Debada Synagogue 85
5.12 Interior of the Debada Synagogue 86
5.13 Plan and interior of the synagogue in Dar al-Ma from The Synagogues of Morocco:
An Architectural and Preservation Survey 87
6.1 The Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 95
6.2 ʿAdly Street, downtown Cairo, showing the synagogue in the center 96
6.3 Cairo’s Ismailiya District, 1907, with synagogue site marked 98
6.4 The Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue, outline superimposed on 1930 cadastral map
of Ismailiya District, Cairo 99
6.5 The Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue, ground floor plan 100
6.6 Interior and heikhal (ark) wall in the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 101
6.7 Ark of the Sha’ar Hashamayim 102
6.8 Ark crest in the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 103
6.9 Ark platform, the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 103
6.10 Ladies’ gallery in the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 104
6.11 Heikhal (ark) wall in the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 105
6.12 Frieze around the mezzanine of the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 106
6.13 Dome showing original painted ornamentation in the Sha’ar Hashamayim
Synagogue 107
6.14 Mezzanine of the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 108
6.15 Stained-glass windows in the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 108
6.16 Gilded frieze in the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 109
6.17 Rear courtyard and annex of the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 110
6.18 Façade overlooking the street of the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 111
6.19 Façade ornamentation, the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 112
6.20 Reconstruction of the “Court of Israel” in the Temple of Jerusalem 114
6.21 Ark with tree-shaped lamp in the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 115
6.22 Entrance to the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 117
6.23 Door handles in the Sha’ar Hashamayim Synagogue 119
7.1 Map of Cordoba showing the location of the synagogue in red 129
7.2 View of the Calle Judíos showing entrance to the synagogue on the right 130
7.3 Map of Toledo showing location of the synagogue in red 130
7.4 View of the exterior of the El Tránsito Synagogue 131
7.5 Drawing of the El Tránsito Synagogue by Palomares, 1752 131
7.6 Monumental entrance to the Silva House, Toledo 133
7.7 Detail of ornamentation showing the coat of arms of Samuel ha-Levi 134
7.8 Ceiling of the Hall of Comares in the Alhambra 135
7.9 Interior of the El Tránsito Synagogue 136
7.10 Ornamentation of the upper part of the prayer-hall, El Tránsito Synagogue 137
7.11 Fountain of the Lions, Alhambra 138
7.12 Representation of the gate of Jerusalem on the southern wall of the Cordoba
Synagogue 138
7.13 Arabic inscription on a honeycomb decoration panel, Cordoba Synagogue 140
7.14 Arabic inscription frieze around the prayer room of El Tránsito Synagogue 141
8.1 Cover of Time Magazine, April 10, 1972 146
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FIGURES AND TABLES
8.2 The Tofre Begadim Synagogue, exterior view, Istanbul 149
8.3 Religious composition of Galata, nineteenth century 150
8.4 The Yüksek Kaldırım Ashkenazi Synagogue, exterior view with horseshoe arch 150
8.5 The Yüksek Kaldırım Ashkenazi Synagogue, interior view 151
8.6 The Yüksek Kaldırım Ashkenazi Synagogue, interior view 151
8.7 Dome of the Yüksek Kaldırım Ashkenazi Synagogue 152
8.8 The Yüksek Kaldırım Ashkenazi Synagogue, Azara 152
8.9 Santa María La Blanca, a former synagogue, Toledo 153
8.10 El Tránsito Synagogue, Toledo 154
8.11 The Cordoba Mosque, Cordoba 157
8.12 The Madrasa of Köprülü Mehmed Pasha, Istanbul 158
8.13 The Sirkeci Train Station, August Jasmund, Istanbul 158
9.1 Map of Tangier and its synagogues, ca. 1900 162
9.2 Tangier street 165
9.3 Charity boxes dedicated to various communal funds 166
9.4 Courtyard of the Nahon Synagogue 167
9.5 Entrance to the Nahon Synagogue 168
9.6 Wall and ceiling of the Nahon Synagogue featuring the Mudéjar work 169
9.7 Chandelier in the Nahon Synagogue 170
9.8 Tevah (pulpit) of the Nahon Synagogue placed against the wall to allow for
additional seating 170
9.9 Interior of the Nahon Synagogue, showing the colored glass above the doors 171
9.10 Bimah (pulpit) of the Nahon Synagogue 171
9.11 Ark of the Nahon Synagogue 173
9.12 Ark of the Nahon Synagogue 174
9.13 Rimonim (Torah finials) of the Nahon Synagogue 175
9.14 Rimonim (Torah finials) of the Nahon Synagogue 176
9.15 Chandelier in the Nahon Synagogue 177
9.16 Tevah (pulpit) in the Bendrihem (Sha’ar Rafael) Synagogue 178
9.17 Exterior of the Bendrihem (Sha’ar Rafael) Synagogue 179
9.18 Exterior of the Bendrihem (Sha’ar Rafael) Synagogue 180
9.19 Heikhal (ark) in the Bendrihem (Sha’ar Rafael) Synagogue 180
10.1 Daniel Naby (Daniel the prophet) ziggurat and tomb in Susa 188
10.2 Mirror work inside the Tomb of Daniel Naby 188
10.3 Windows and filtered light in the Ettefagh Synagogue 190
10.4 Carrying the Torah from the heikhal (ark) to the bimah (pulpit) in the Abrishami
Synagogue 191
10.5 Jewish-themed carpet covering the bimah (pulpit) in the Abrishami Synagogue 192
10.6 Jewish-themed carpets in the Abrishami Synagogue 192
10.7 Mikvah (ritual bath) in the Abrishami Synagogue 193
10.8 Sabbath service in the Hakim Synagogue 195
10.9 Chairs and lights surrounding the bimah (pulpit) in the Ettefagh Synagogue 197
10.10 Ceremonial Hall in the Ettefagh School, now converted into an examination room 198
10.11 Ettefagh students at a Bat-Mitzvah ceremony 198
10.12 Tile mosaic in the Yusef Abad Synagogue 200
10.13 Hebrew inscription in the Yusef Abad Synagogue 201
11.1 Christ among the Doctors, panel from a Spanish altarpiece, early fifteenth century 207
11.2 Plan of Fortress of Babylon in the twelfth century, Fustat 208
11.3 Decorated boards from the Ben Ezra Synagogue, Fustat, eleventh–thirteenth
centuries 210
11.4 Torah Ark panel from the Ben Ezra Synagogue, Fustat, eleventh century 211
11.5 Interior of the Santa María Blanca Synagogue, Toledo, thirteenth century 212
11.6 Interior of the Isaac Mehab Synagogue, Cordoba, 1314–15 213
11.7 Interior of El Tránsito Synagogue, Toledo, 1357 215
11.8 Synagogue in Lorca, first half of the fifteenth century 216
11.9 Rug from a Spanish synagogue, fourteenth century 217
11.10 Synagogue scene, Sarajevo Haggadah, 1320–60 218
11.11 Synagogue scene from the Barcelona Haggadah, ca. 1370 219
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