Etz Chaim Synagogue (Athens)

The Etz Chaim Synagogue in Athens, Greece, is a Sephardic synagogue located in the city's historic Jewish quarter. Founded in 1904, it served as the primary synagogue for the Sephardic Jewish community of Athens, who primarily spoke Judeo-Spanish (Ladino). Its establishment reflected the growth of the Sephardic population in the city during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The synagogue's architecture is a blend of traditional Sephardic design elements and local Athenian influences. It played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of the Sephardic community, providing a space for worship, communal gatherings, and Jewish education.

During the Holocaust, the Jewish community of Athens, including members of Etz Chaim Synagogue, suffered greatly. Many were deported to concentration camps. While the synagogue itself was not destroyed, its community was decimated.

After the war, Etz Chaim Synagogue reopened and continued to serve the surviving members of the Sephardic community, albeit a much smaller one. Today, it remains an active synagogue and a vital part of the Jewish heritage in Athens. It serves as a reminder of the rich Sephardic history in Greece and a testament to the resilience of the Jewish community. Efforts are ongoing to preserve the synagogue and its historical records.