Etz Hayyim Synagogue is the last remaining witness to 2,300 years of Jewish history on Crete and a testimony to the island’s multi-faith past at the intersection between Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Our projects and daily practices aim at making a contribution towards a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of the multivocal past and present of the Eastern Mediterranean:
Etz Hayyim is, on the one hand, an active synagogue which is open to everyone thus reviving the inclusive approach of the Ancient synagogue of the Hellenistic period. On the other hand, our historical, cultural and educational activities focus on the local and general Greek public in an attempt to broaden the narrative about Greek history and self-perception by highlighting Greece’s multicultural past in its Mediterranean setting.
At the same time, our activities and projects also aim at our many international visitors (about 30,000 per year), Jewish and non-Jewish alike, to further knowledge about and appreciation for the long and rich history of the Greek Jewish communities, which also most Jewish visitors are unaware of. The story of these native, Greek-speaking Jews, the Romaniotes, is an example of cross-cultural exchange and mutual cultural enrichment throughout the history of the Mediterranean. This story can contribute to promoting mutual appreciation, respect and understanding in today’s increasingly polarized and divided world.
