Yu_Aw_Synagogue
Yu Aw Synagogue
Abandoned synagogue in Herat, Afghanistan
The Yu Aw Synagogue (Persian: کنیسای یوآو) is located in the Momanda neighbourhood of the old city of Herat, in western Afghanistan. The area was once known as Mahalla-yi Musahiya, or the "Neighbourhood of the Jews". It is the only synagogue in Herat that has been preserved with most of its original characteristics, although it is currently in a state of disrepair.[1] There is no definitive date of construction of the synagogue. When Israel was founded in 1948, the estimated 280 Jewish families that lived in Herat began leaving. As of 2021, there are no Jews in Afghanistan.[2][3]
In 2020, Al Jazeera reported that part of the complex was restored by the local government in 2009.[4] It is the only synagogue in Herat that has been preserved with most of its original features. Although badly damaged, it was recently converted into an infant school. There are 3 other synagogues in Herat,[5] in a more advanced state of disrepair, two had been converted to schools and one to a mosque.[6] Not far from the synagogue there is still a mikvah (ritual bath) formerly called Hamman-e Yahudiha, which has been converted into a hammam for Muslim men. There is also a Jewish cemetery that contains around 1,000 graves.[3]