Jerusalem – New Western Wall Tunnels Synagogue Opened

Jerusalem – A remarkable new synagogue within the Western Wall tunnels complex which took 12 years to build was dedicated and opened on Monday night following the traditional Hanukka candle lighting ceremony in the Western Wall plaza.

The synagogue, which was funded by donations from the Delek Foundation and Delek Group owner Yitzhak Tshuva, is deep inside the complex and is adjacent to the area above which the ancient Jewish temples on the Temple Mount stood, and the inner sanctum of the Holy of Holies in particular.

The subterranean synagogue has a dramatic feel to it, with low arched ceilings and walls of ancient stones on all sides, and a unique spherical, metal ark to house Torah scrolls.

The ark’s walls are formed of the words and sentences of the “Shema Yisrael” prayer and the Biblical Book of the Song of Songs cast in metal and running the entire circumference of the sphere, topped by a cast metal sculpture of the burning bush.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation stated that the synagogue “will be open to anyone who desires to study and connect to the synagogue” and that prayer arrangements for it will shortly be published.