During our time in Old Cairo, we also visited the Ben Ezra synagogue. While the current building dates to a remodeling in the 1890’s, its predecessors date back probably another millennium. The Jewish story in Egypt didn’t end with the Exodus. There were thriving communities by the time Jesus’ family sojourned there and that continued until modern times. When the modern state of Israel was born, most Jews moved there, effectively ending their long presence in Egypt.
What makes this synagogue remarkable is that there were many old documents found there dating back as much as 1000 years, ranging from religious texts to everyday life. These documents have provided great insights into Jewish life and heritage over the centuries.
