The Ohel Yitzhak Synagogue was built in 1900, 19 years after the establishment of Neve Tzedek, the first Hebrew neighborhood outside Jaffa, and a decade after the construction of the Neve Shalom neighborhood, where it was built. It was led by Rabbi Shneur Zalman Slonim, who was appointed to open a house of prayer and a ritual bath (mikveh) on site.

The building was erected in a prominent location on the north side of the neighborhood, without a fence or a buffer to separate it from the street. For many years it served as a synagogue and house of study – an important public building in the life of the Neve Shalom community. Although in recent years it has ceased to fulfill its purpose and remains orphaned and neglected, the building has retained its historical and cultural significance. It is one of the most magnificent synagogues in the neighborhood. Its exterior is congruent with the traditional local Jaffa building style, while the interior is very rich and preserves the tradition of decoration prevalent in Eastern Europe.

Over the years the building was abandoned, and its condition has deteriorated; it suffered from severe wear and tear, and was ultimately left without a roof to protect its contents.

A corner building, it enjoys high exposure. Due to its location in the vicinity of other listed buildings, and despite its poor physical condition, its historical significance and architectural quality are high both as a single, stand alone building, and as part of a compound.

Project description:

Rescue and conservation work.