Eliahu Hanavi Synagogue

Here is the most recent updated as of Dec 30, 2025: it’s open and “free” but be prepared to be asked for both a “donation” inside for the synagogue plus a bakshish (tip) for the “aman” (guard) who takes you in. No one speaks English and no one is offering any sort of educational or historic tour. They took my passport, asked me to fill out the paper work others have mentioned etc. All very unnecessarily suspicious and bureaucratic (like everything else in Egypt.) also sadly it seems to be closed to actual Egyptians and only available to those with foreign passports regardless of their religion (even though this is a question I was asked.) I highly recommend a visit though for those committed to Jewish history.

A comprehensive guide to the synagogue for 2025. I was here in October 2024 and I was told the hours were wrong and entry wasn’t permitted and any photos of the guards around the compound or even of the outside of the synagogue were forbidden. So this time I went in April 2025 and the first day I showed up an hour before the closing time on maps and the guard said to come tomorrow at around 10am. I came at 11am today and someone took my passport and disappeared for 5 minutes, realizing he made photocopies of my passport. Then I stepped through security, I wouldn’t recommending bringing anything, and filled out a questionnaire about my name, nationality, date of visit, and religion. He barely looked at the form and gave me my passport. There was a lovely woman named Rasha who was my tour guide. She is working there since her father used to be one of the caretakers decades ago. She speaks perfect English and can answer all questions about the Synagogue. This tour was free and so was entry, but I encourage tipping for generosity. No “gifts” are required like at the Maimonides Synagogue in Cairo. It is right off of the main road and you have to pass some militarized police at every corner, but just confidently ask you want to see the Jewish Synagogue for Tourism and I recommend going closer to the beginning hours near 10am, and always expect someone could arbitrarily say come tomorrow instead. The actual synagogue is stunning. I went when it was being cleaned (pictured) and truly it is kept in pristine condition, much better than all of the roads and buildings in the area for that matter. Pictured are all of the features still present (the only bummer is apparently they have a Torah Scroll but it is locked away not for public viewing). Fun fact- apparently there are 10 Jews still in Alexandria, all elderly women!

I passed by this wonderful synagogue daily in the 1970s and 1980s and saw it fall in disrepair, it was heartbreaking. Now I’ve traveled 1800 miles to see it restored to its past glorious existence. It was the most emotional experience to get into the sanctuary, put my kippah on and recite the Shema with my daughter. You need to bring your passport with you to enter and ask if Abdel Nabi can show you around, he can show you the offices and records.

Not allowed to enter or take photos. Unnecessarily suspicious behavior from the guarda with a lot of security at the gate although on google maps it was decalared "open"

Wonderful place. Had it all to my self

It's free to enter, but you'll first have to be approved (on the spot), you must give your passport and fill a small questioner and than you will be granted entry, but always under the watchful eye of the guard.

I use to pray in that Synagogue in the 50's....My dream is to go back some day to pray a SHEMAE..... And hope to find my friend ISAAC HOLLY which I have not seen for 67 years since I left to come to Panamá

Planning to be open again after full restoration maybe at the end of November, 2019