Posted By richards on February 5, 2015
Just six months old at the time of writing, the Atrid Synagogue on the edge of Talpiot-Arnona is a phenomenon.
New congregations have been opening in that neighborhood at an increasing rate in the past 20 years, and they all seem to attract their regulars without substantially reducing the numbers in existing synagogues an enigma in itself. But most continue in makeshift premises such as schools, kindergartens, and youth clubs, holding out for the something financial that might turn up to promote building on a permanent basis. Indeed, visitors to the area looking for somewhere to pray need to ask around.
By contrast, the large, built-from-scratch, modern, Atrid Synagogue stands assertively with grassy surrounds on its own plot of land. Its something financial came from upfront donors on a very generous scale. They duly named it after one of the deceased Moroccan sages, Rabbi Isaac Deri whose acronym, ATRID, contributed to the name of the synagogue.
The main entrance leads into a spacious glass-chandeliered entrance hall, whose decorative themes include its 2014 foundation events, and its sense of purpose. The latter prominently displayed - states exactly what its doing in the neighborhood.
Sephardi-Moroccan-French in both manner and mode of prayer, Atrid should be a place where all types of people can join in and feel spiritually enriched where worshippers should be able to pray with joy in a Sephardi synagogue that comes to terms with realities of modern life. With educational and cultural events for all age groups, it carries the objectives of enabling the synagogue youth to lead the services with confidence, helping new immigrants acclimatize and feel at home within Israeli society and be physically user friendly to those with physical disabilities.
To which might be added, provider of a three quality mikvaot (ritual immersion baths), one for utensils, one for men (operated by a 10-shekel slot turnstile), and one for women. Men are quaintly enjoined to keep their discreet distance when the women's ritual bath is opened at nighttime. Hitherto, those requiring those facilities had to go outside the neighborhood.
The main synagogue seats more than 200 men and upstairs, over 120 women. It was virtually standing room only on the Friday night of my visit, though a kindly gentleman immediately approached with an offer of a seat in a row that Id overlooked.
The short derasha (sermon) given by its charismatic French-trained, Israel-experienced Rabbi Yaakov Levi blended erudite scholarship with topical issues.
The interior dcor is stunning without being showy. Its main theme is the broad-leafed tree, and one is boldly embroidered on the ark curtain. Another emblazoned on the eastern wall bears memorial golden plaques celebrating the lives of the deceased. It is filling up so quickly that plans are afoot to put up another tree.
The ark itself is surrounded with motifs representing the Biblical characteristics of the twelve tribes. In contrast to many Ashkenazi synagogues, there are no images of life creatures, in keeping with a very strict interpretation of the Second Commandment against images.
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The Atrid Synagogue in Talpiot-Arnona, Jerusalem
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