Video: Dr Zahi Hawass Talks About Restoration Works at the Jewish Synagogue of Moses Ben Maimon
In June 2009, work commenced on the restoration of the Jewish synagogue in Cairo dedicated to the important Jewish scientist Moses Ben Maimon, who was born in 1135 AD in Cordoba, Spain, but who died in Egypt in 1204. In a new video for Heritage Key by Sandro Vannini, Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities Dr Zahi Hawass speaks about the work, and why it’s vital for the history of Egypt.
Moses Ben Maimon was highly influential in the study of mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy, and even acted as private physician to Saladin, the Muslim sultan of Egypt and Syria from 1174-1193. Upon his death, his remains were buried in the synagogue – which was built in Haret al-Yahoud, or “The Jewish Quarter” of medieval Cairo – before later being reinterred in a town in Lower Galilee, Israel. The temple has fallen into serious disrepair – despite being declared an Egyptian antiquity in 1986 – due to a combination of earthquakes, ground water and haphazard previous restoration jobs, and repairs were urgently needed.
Dr Hawass shows us around the synagogue, where archaeologists painstakingly scrape, polish and sand wood and stone surfaces, and explains that a year-long study of the building had to be carried out before restoration could begin. There’s evidently much work ahead, but Dr Hawass hopes that the synagogue will be opened to the world by March 30 2010, in time for a Jewish celebration held on Moses Ben Maimon’s birthday. “We hope then that all the Jews who lived in this area can come back to their home and look at it again,” he says.
There are 10 Jewish temples in Egypt – nine in Cairo and one in Alexandria – all of which are to be restored in time as part of a wider national project. Hawass takes the opportunity in the video to address accusations that the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities is restoring these monuments only for political reasons: “Jewish temples are part of our history,” he states. “If we don’t care about the Jewish temples, we don’t care about our history.”
Video - Restoring the Jewish Synagogue of Moses Ben Maimon Featuring Dr Zahi Hawass
(Read the transcript of this video.)
Heritage Key has special access to some of the most important excavations in Egypt. Our ArchaeoVideos, many shot by eminent photographer Sandro Vannini, include interviews with Dr Zahi Hawass on the most current findings to date. For more insights from Dr Hawass watch our videos of the cave paintings of Gilf Kebir, the lost tombs of Thebes, discoveries at Dragu el Naga, the search for the elusive KV64 and be on the look out for our upcoming video on drilling into the Great Sphinx.
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Great video, it's refreshing to see the Jewish heritage of Egypt being championed in such a way, in a part of the world which has traditionally been, shall we say, reluctant to pay homage to its Jewish past.
Political reason or not I think this is a great project and can't wait to see all ten of them restored and open to public.
Yes, this isn't going to end accusations of political agendas, but it's a positive action - and a great video.
Thanks for your comment Vehamayvin. In response to your first point, I'd say I've not so much made an error as an understatement of Moses Ben Maimon's importance and influence here - although, to be fair, there is more detail on that on his Great Personality page, which is linked to in the blog. In response to your second point, it's my understanding that Moses Ben Maimon was only briefly buried in Egypt before later being reinterred in the Holy Land - again, this is mentioned in the blog. Hope this clears things up!
A quick update from the SCA: The official celebration marking the end of restoration work of the Moses Ben Maimon (Maimonides) synagogue located at the Jewish alley in old Cairo has been cancelled, announced Zahi Hawass secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). Hawass added that this cancellation came in the aftermath of the actions of Israeli authorities, who prohibited worshippers from praying in the Al-Aqsa mosque.
During his answers to several journalists concerning this issue, Dr. Hawass said that Egypt is always keen to preserve and protect its archaeological and cultural heritage whether pharaonic, Islamic, Coptic or Jewish. Egypt’s devotion to preserve its monuments on its land is also reflected in Egypt’s inhabitants of different faiths (Islamic, Coptic, Jewish) living in a harmonious atmosphere. It is a message to the whole world that there is not any difference between the religious monuments and places whether Islamic, Coptic or Jewish.
Dr. Hawass asserted that restoring the Moses Ben Maimon synagogue was carried out by Egyptian restorers and financed with a budget provided by the SCA without funding from there was foreign aid that helped finance the restoration.
He also denied all rumors saying that the synagogue will be transformed into a museum for Jewish collections, as Egypt has a very small amount of objects, and they are part of Egypt’s larger cultural heritage. “These artifacts will be put on display in several national museums now under construction in different towns in Egypt,” said Hawass.
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