Zohorei Chamah – Founded in 1908 by Rabbi Shmuel Levi

IT’S TIME TO PRESERVE A

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For well over a century, the Zohorei Chamah Synagogue (“The Sundial Building”) has shone on the Jerusalem skyline, enriching the lives of residents and visitors from the world over.

Year after year, this landmark synagogue on Jaffa Street opposite the Mahane Yehuda market has been open from dawn each day for the thousands of Jews of all ages and backgrounds who come to daven, study in the Beis Medrash, and enjoy a hot or cold drink. And for the past century, its extraordinary handcrafted sundial has prominently signaled the precise time for prayers and each minute of the day.

For over 100 years, 100% of the Zohorei Chamah Synagogue’s operating expenses have been covered by individual donations. To this day, descendants of its founder Rabbi Shmuel Levy have voluntarily overseen the upkeep of the building. Today, the decaying structure has begun to be renovated. Your help is needed in the crucial efforts to keep this rare treasure alive for generations to come!

When Belarus-born Rabbi Shmuel Levy immigrated to Jerusalem from the US at the start of the 20th century, he made tireless efforts for six years, including travelling to America, to fundraise the construction of a 3-story building to serve as a free hostel for immigrants. At completion in 1914, the rabbi’s creation became the tallest building in Jerusalem. Its upper floor housed the Zohorei Chamah (“Sunrise”) Synagogue, primarily for those who worshipped at vatikin (sunrise), as well as a Beis Medrash study area.

Several years later, the building would be topped by a jewel in its crown: a brilliantly precise 16-foot (5-meter) vertical sundial, designed and built by watchmaker Rabbi Moshe Shapiro, who personally mastered astronomy by studying the writings of Maimonides and the Vilna Gaon. The sundial revolutionized the lives of Jerusalem worshippers, giving them the exact time for vatikin, for afternoon mincha prayers, to bring in Shabbat, and more. Prior to the sundial’s creation, they’d had to climb Jerusalem’s hills to observe the hour of sunrise and sunset.

SECURE THIS JEWEL FOR PRESENT & FUTURE GENERATIONS

Throughout every single day of Jerusalem’s dramatic last century, a netz minyan has taken place at the Zohorei Chamah Synagogue. Today, the shul is enjoying a renaissance of vitality, alive each day and night with over 2000 people of all ages and walks of life. Record numbers of “regulars” and passersby arrive each weekday to join a minyan from netz through mincha and ma’ariv, & the Beis Medrash is active at all hours. Shabbat at Zohorei Chamah is an amazing experience for young and old, including women filling their own special places in the shul. Most importantly, it is a place where the elderly, poor and lonely can always enter and feel at home.

How you can help...

The antiquated structure is in need of repair and remodeling. The narrow steps are hazardous, the rooms are overcrowded, the restroom facilities are woefully inadequate, and the building is not handicapped accessible.

In a labor of love throughout the years, descendants of founder Rabbi Shmuel Levy have voluntarily devoted their time and labor to keeping the Zohorei Chamah Synagogue repaired, clean and open to all.

Today, the Wolman and Borek families are spearheading a major effort to repair, remodel and revitalize the building. Over the past year, this project has transformed the shul and the Beis Medrash. Yet, a great deal remains to be done!

A place where the elderly, poor and lonely can always enter & feel at home.

JERUSALEM’S LANDMARK ZOHOREI Chamah SYNAGOGUE GOES ON SERVING THOUSANDS OF JEWS EACH DAY WITH T’FILOT, BRACHOT & TORAH LEARNING.

To continue – and to restore its splendor for generations to come,

To carry out urgent repairs on the historic building and prepare for its next century of vital activity, we need you to help restore and vitalize the Zohorei Chamah synagogue in these crucial undertakings.

Your contribution will go towards the restoration & development of the Zohorei Chamah Synagogue. Honor family members or the memory of your loved ones with generous donations for now and the future!

Please contact Pesach Borek at zohoreichamah@gmail.com for further details.

American Friends of Zohorei Chamah is a non-profit 501c3 organization. All gifts are tax-deductible.

Donations by Zelle: ZohoreiChamah@gmail.com

Donations by check: American Friends of Zohorei Chamah, 1315 East 12 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11230

תהילים קכח: יְבָרֶכְךָ ה’ מִצִּיּוֹן וּרְאֵה בְּטוּב יְרוּשָׁלָ‍ִם כֹּל יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָ

Psalm 128:5 – May Hashem bless you from Zion, and may you gaze upon the goodness of Jerusalem, all the days of your life.

Planning of the renovations is carried out under the guidance of professional restoration architects and engineers. The Zohorei Chamah Synagogue is recognized as a Heritage Site by the Council for Conservation of Heritage Sites in Israel. www.zohoreichamah.org