The Hurva Shul (translation: The Ruin Synagogue)
One of the most impressive synagogues in the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem was originally built in the 16th century, but was destroyed by the Ottomans. The synagogue became known as the Hurva, which means The Ruin, because its erconstruction in the early 19th century was begun and then abandoned- leaving the damaged shul a ruin for several decades. It was finally finished in the 1850s.
On May 28, 1948, the Palestine Post reported the synagogue had been razed by Arabs.
When Israeli forces recaptured the Old City in June 1967, they found the only thing left of the Hurva was a single arch. The Hurva synagogue was a ruin again.
The arch was kept as a war memorial until 2010 when the synagogue was restored to its former glory.
The Hurva synagogue has come to symbolize Jerusalem’s indomitable spirit and the Jewish people’s tenacious desire to claim its rightful land.
This painting is my attempt at capturing this symbolism.
30” by 40” acrylic painting on canvas-
Available
