Gleaming in the sunlight stands Templo Israelita Ohel Yaacov a beacon of faith and history. This is more than just a building. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Sephardic Jewish community in Sāo Paulo.
The Templo Israelita Ohel Yaacov has a rich history that began in 1924. The community laid its first cornerstone on Rua Abolição. The original synagogue building was completed in 1928 and inaugurated in 1929. Over time the community grew and needed more space. Nelson Benbassat won a competition in 1958 to design a new synagogue building.
In 1959 the community laid the cornerstone for the rebuilt synagogue. Many families helped including the Safra family in 1961. This was due to an influx of Sephardic Jews from the Middle East. The Templo Israelita Ohel Yaacov became a central point for them.
But the story does not end there. In 2003 the synagogue on Rua Abolição closed due to the sale of the land. The building was demolished in October 2005. Religious services moved to a rented space on Rua Caçapava. It was located in the B’nai Brith building.
The community persevered. On August 21 2008 they laid the cornerstone for a new synagogue on Rua Cravinhos. The first phase of this new location for Templo Israelita Ohel Yaacov opened on May 9 2012. The Templo Israelita Ohel Yaacov has carried several names over the years. It was once known as the “Sephardim Community of São Paulo”. It was also called the Israelite Sephardic Community of São Paulo. In 1946 it was the Israelite Temple of the Portuguese Rite. From 1958 it was known as the Brazilian Israeli Synagogue Shaar Hashamaim. Finally in 1963 it became the Templo Israelita Brasileiro Ohel Yaacov. This name remains to this day.
The original synagogue on Rua Abolição had a unique design. It featured a landscaped area at the front. Side stairs led to a double door entrance with an arch. A circular stained-glass window with a Maguen David adorned the facade. The men’s section was on the first floor and the women’s section was on the upper floor. The benches faced the central corridor similar to Sephardim synagogues. A large space on the side allowed children to play and meetings to take place. The rebuilt synagogue occupied the former yard. Large colored stained-glass windows illuminated the interior.
Today the Templo Israelita Ohel Yaacov on Rua Cravinhos is a vibrant center. It spans 2705 square meters. It includes a synagogue for 580 people and a smaller one for 100 people. There is a party room for 500 people. It also houses teaching rooms lecture centers a library and an auditorium. You can also find a living area an Institute of Music a Kolel for young people and an after-school program. The original stained-glass windows from the Rua Abolição synagogue have been restored and are displayed here.
As you stand here take a moment to appreciate the resilience and dedication of this community. The Templo Israelita Ohel Yaacov stands as a symbol of faith history and community spirit. It serves as a reminder that even through challenges faith and tradition can endure and flourish.