CNN Interview About the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue

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People often ask me, ‘well, it’s not really as exciting as Indiana Jones, now is it?’
I reply, ‘to an archaeologist, yes, it certainly is!’

— Zahi Hawass

This past Monday, I went for the third time to visit the synagogue of Moses Ben Maimon in Old Cairo, because my friend Ben Wedeman from CNN and I wanted to show the image of its restoration to the world.

Ben Wedeman of CNN interviews Dr. Hawass about the restoration of the synagogue. (photo: Jennifer Willoughby)

I visited the synagogue with Ben to observe the progress of the restoration work and conduct an interview about it, which aired on CNN. I was glad to be able to share with the world the wonderful work that is being done to restore historical monuments here in Egypt.

This synagogue’s unique design makes it an important historical landmark, but it is also valuable because it is very close to the hearts of all Jewish people. It was a place they could come to ask for blessings and healing from Moses Ben Maimon, the Jewish leader to whom the synagogue is dedicated. Moses Ben Maimon, known also as Moses Maimondes or Rabbi Moshe, was an influential physician and philosopher who lived in Cairo during the 12^th century AD. His synagogue retained its significance even after Rabbi Moshe’s body was moved to Palestine, and continued to function as an important place of worship and study.

In its long history, the synagogue has suffered serious damage from the effects of earthquakes and rising ground water. Since restoration work began this year, the conservationists have faced great difficulties with the water levels and drainage, and I was glad to see the systems they have implemented are dealing with these problems very well.

The interior of the synagogue during restoration work. (photo: Jennifer Willoughby)

The synagogue is composed of three sections: one area dedicated to prayer and rituals; one for the cenotaph of Moses Ben Maimon, which includes a small area for people to come and pray for healing, as well as a shaft for purification; and a third section that consisted of rooms for supervisors, and for women to observe prayers.

When I came on Monday, I was pleased to see the wonderful restoration of the prayer area, including the beautiful new altar. I could see that they have installed new ceilings in the prayer room and the outside walls look great. The restoration of the outside is complete, and the interior is looking better all the time. I was especially impressed with the restoration of the wooden doors, which look like new.

When I saw how well the work was going, I decided to announce that we hope to open the refurbished synagogue in time for Rabbi Maimonides’ birthday at the end of March, 2010. I think it would be a great moment if we were able to celebrate his birthday in the restored synagogue.

The best thing about this work is that there is a mosque right next to the synagogue, and I was very happy to see that all the people in the neighbourhood were glad to see the synagogue being restored. I think all Egyptians want to see this important historical monument restored and again become part of the community.

I think the positive response of the people and the CNN footage showing the amount of work that has been done over the last few months is a good answer to those people who say the SCA does not care to preserve all of the monuments. We have many projects underway to conserve all kinds of historical monuments, including this beautiful and significant Jewish landmark, the Moses Ben Maimon synagogue.