(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

The cornerstone laying ceremony for Beit Knesset Tiferet Yisrael in the Old City of Jerusalem took place on Monday in the presence many officials, including Housing Minister Yoav Galant, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ze’ev Elkin, Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon.

Since its founding in the late 1860s, the Tiferet Yisrael Shul was one of the most prominent landmarks of the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem and the heart of the chassidic community in the city. Until the middle of the 20th century, the Tiferet Yisrael Shul served the Ashkenazi Chassidic community that lived in the Quarter.

During the War of Independence, an important position and an observation point were erected on the roof of the synagogue, leading to face-to-face battles with the Arab Legion until the fall of the Quarter and the explosion of the two major shuls, the Churva and Tiferet Yisrael.

Even though the shul was destroyed in 1948, it was liberated in the 1967 Six Day War. The site was once again the center of pilgrimage, with many wishing to rehabilitate it and rebuilt it.

The Company for the Rehabilitation and Development of the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem has been active for many years in many areas of planning, initiating and executing projects, including the restoration of Tiferet Yisrael.

Four years ago, archeological excavations were carried out by the Antiquities Authority, led by archaeologist Oren Gutfeld, during which a variety of archaeological finds were discovered, including a Bayis Sheni weight that apparently belonged to the Kohen Gadol’s family mentioned in the Talmud. In the past year and after the completion of the archaeological excavations, the Jewish Quarter Rehabilitation and Development Company evacuated about 3,500 tons of material and stone manually so as not to damage the site, and construction work is now underway.

The shul’s restoration work will begin this week, and it is expected to reach a height of 25 meters. The works are expected to be spread over four years. In the first stage, the construction work will focus on three underground floors, ten meters below the ground, and the lower level will serve as an exhibition of antiquities and mikvahs that were discovered on the site. On top of the 3 levels, the Tiferet Yisrael Shul will be rebuilt, as mentioned above, to a height of 25 meters. The total cost of the project is estimated at NIS 50 million.

Minister of Housing Yoav Galant: “Today, when Israel’s self-defense capability is in its hands, we swear that events like the destruction of the shul will not return. As a proud Jew, I cannot allow a magnificent shul to remain in barren near Har Habayis for more than 70 years.”

Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ze’ev Elkin: “The Tiferet Yisrael Shul is a symbol of our power in the Old City, and the whole story of the shul has already begun to raise funds for its construction is a story of Jewish daring. It is not coincidental that this shul and the Churva Shul served as positions for fighters who defended Jerusalem during the War of Independence, and both shuls were destroyed by the Arab rioters.

“I am pleased that the Jerusalem Ministry of Heritage has taken a leading role in this important project and I thank the other partners. Just as we restored the Churva Shul, we also restored the glory of Israel.”

Deputy Minister of Health MK Rabbi Yaakov Litzman: “The Rebuilding of the Great Shul of Tiferet Yisrael Ruzhin is a moving message to Jerusalem and the Ruzhin Chassidim in particular … Today I visited the Rebbe of Boyan, shaliach of the Ruzhin dynasty, who praised the important position and praised the moves to rebuild the shul. I congratulate Minister Yoav Galant for his great privilege in redeeming the place, and this is a continuation of his activity in order to settle and build the land.”

Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Leon: “The laying of this cornerstone, the State’s decision to restore the glory of Tiferet Yisrael to its glory, is an expression of honor.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)