Helsinki Jewish Congregation

"Helsinki's oldest synagogue built at the beginning of the 20th century for the small, but present community of Jewish traders in Helsinki. The design of the synagogue is reminiscant of 19th centruy European synagogues with rounded arches, 3 floors and tall dome. To quote the synagogue itself: "The wall facing Jerusalem at the end of the central aisle is a vault (apsis), painted bright blue and decorated with golden stars. The vault contains a cabinet, the holy ark or Aron Hakodesh, covered with an embroidered curtain. The cabinet houses the Torah scrolls, the texts of Five Books of Moses. The sculptures depicting lions, other animals, and plants in a decorative folk art style that surround the cabinet were, according to tradition, brought from the first prayer room in Finland, which was at Suomenlinna Fortress. On the arch above the ark are sculptures of two lions carrying the Tablets of the Law, which are surrounded by Classical acanthus leaves and rose decorations. In front of the vault is a reader’s pulpit. Underneath the cupola in the middle of the hall on a raised platform is the reading table, the bimah, above which hangs a big chandelier. The interiors are preserved exceptionally well except for the balcony railings, which, however, have now been restored back to their original look. When the congregation centre was built in 1961, the main entrance of the synagogue was moved to the side wall." Entrance is only permitted to those of Jewish decent or those who have been invited by a member of the congregation. Contact the synagogue authorities for more information. "