When was Ben Ezra Synagogue built, and where is it located?

Nestled deep within the winding alleys of Coptic Cairo, the Ben Ezra Synagogue is the oldest Jewish temple in Cairo, dating back to the 9th century AD. Though today it primarily serves as a tourist attraction following the departure of most of Egypt’s Jewish community in the 1950s—after the founding of Israel and the Free Officers’ Revolution—the synagogue remains a significant site in the history of Judaism.

In the 19th century, a remarkable discovery was made here: a vast collection of documents known as the synagogue’s treasury. These records detail the history and transactions of Cairo’s Jewish community dating back to the 11th century, providing one of the most comprehensive accounts of medieval Jewish life anywhere in the world. These invaluable documents are now preserved at Cambridge University in England.

Legend has it that the synagogue was built either on the very spot where the Pharaoh’s daughter found baby Moses hidden among the Nile reeds or on the site of the ancient Temple of Jeremiah.

What is a Synagogue?

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, a synagogue is best described as a place where Jewish people gather for prayer. In ancient Greek, the term “synagogue” means a place where Jews receive religious teachings and come together to worship God.

The Ben Ezra Synagogue in Cairo, originally known as El-Shamieen Church, is located today just behind the famous Hanging Church in the Old Cairo district.

The Synagogue once housed an ancient copy of the Old Testament, believed to have been written by the prophet Ezra (Al-Azir). Tradition also holds that the site is where the basket containing baby Moses was found and taken by the Pharaoh’s wife.

Originally, the Ben Ezra Synagogue was a Christian church. In 882 A.D., the Christians sold it to the Jewish community to pay the annual taxes imposed by the Muslim rulers of the time. Abraham Ben Ezra, who had arrived from Jerusalem during the reign of Ahmed Ibn Tulun, purchased the building for 20,000 dinars.

Over the centuries, the synagogue underwent several restorations and renovations. The current structure dates back to 1892, rebuilt after the original building collapsed. Designed in the basilica style—a rectangular shape—the synagogue has two floors: the ground floor is reserved for men, while the upper floor is for women. The main entrance is located on the north side.