Zero Jews, one synagogue. Turkey to restore old shul

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan may never miss an opportunity to castigate Israel, but the man apparently has a softer side for his country's historical Jewish community. Ankara recently approved the reconstruction and rebuilding of the oldest synagogue in the city of Gaziantep, near the Syrian border.

Gaziantep had a thriving Jewish community for many centuries, but the last Jewish residents left the city in 1979. Some of them moved to Istanbul while others immigrated to Israel. The synagogue fell into a state of dilapidation. Interestingly, Turkey has chosen to restore the synagogue to its former glory at a time of heightened diplomatic tension with Israel.

According to Turkish law, new synagogues may be opened only with special permission from the regime. The local municipality received such permission and the synagogue is set to be dedicated in about three months' time. Dozens of Jews will return to the city to honor the occasion. Turkish officials have already hired a Jewish ritual slaughterer and kosher supervisor for the occasion. Erdogan himself is reportedly considering attending the event.

As part of the new synagogue's dedication, Torah scrolls that were transferred to Istanbul in the late 1970s will be returned to the synagogue's ark. Adel Arkadas Cohen, 68, who grew up in Gaziantep and made aliyah to Israel 33 years ago, is planning to attend the ceremony.

"It was hard for us to see the building abandoned and destroyed, and we're very excited," she told Israel Hayom on Tuesday. "I draw a distinction between relationships between politicians and those between people. When I visit the country where I was born, I do not encounter any signs of hatred."