List Of Active Synagogues


Abuhav
Zefat’s most beautiful shul. Built in the 1490’s according to Kabbalistic outlines by the students of R. Yitzchak Abuhav, it was destroyed in the 1837 earthquake, except the wall with the ark containing the Torah scroll written by R. Abuhav. Daily Sunrise minyan; Shabbat sunrise and 7:30am minyan; early Shabbat afternoon mincha minyan. Sephardic.

Alsheich
(Sephardic). Historic shul. Daily Shacharit and Shabbat minyans. Sephardic.

Ari-Ashkenazi

Built after the Ari’s death on the site where the kabbalists of Zefat originated the Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat service (“Lecha Dodi,” etc.) Daily minyans three times a day, Shacharit at 6:15am. Shabbat morning at 8:00. Famous painted olive-wood ark.

Ari-Beit Midrash
Next to the Ari-Ashkenazi. Formerly the shul of the Ashkenazi chief rabbis of Zefat. Daily minyans, shacharit at 6:30am.

Ari-Sephardi
The site where the Ari actually prayed. The small side room is said to be where the Ari learned secrets from the prophet Eliyahu. Shabbat evening and morning minyan at 7:30am.

Avritsch
(Sephardic) Site of earthquake miracle event. Once known as “the Baal Tshuvah Shul.” Shabbat minyans only, shacharit at 8:00am.

Bannai
Named after the Mishnaic sage is buried there. Afternoon classes for boys; Very early Shabbat eve minyan. Sephardic.

Beirav
Formerly the “Mizrachi shul,” now the “Carlebach minyan” featuring the Friday night extravaganza. Shabbat morning at 8:00am and early Mincha at 1:45pm. Hallel with musical instruments during Chol HaMoed and sometimes on Rosh Chodesh.

Breslov
New large synagogue in the Breslov Chassidic community at the bottom of the old city, which has roots in Zefat since the early 19th century. Famous Friday night minyan. Daily minyans include a Shacharit sunrise minyan and another at 7:30am. Shabbat morning at 7:20

Caro
Said to be built on the site of the 16th century yeshiva of the famous chief rabbi of Zefat, compiler of “Shulchan Aruch” (Code of Jewish Law). Shabbat minyans, including an early Kabbalat Shabbat service in the summer and Shacharit at 7:30am. Sephardic.

Chabad Canaan
The largest synagogue in the north of Israel, plus three smaller rooms to accomodate the dozens of daily minyans. Shabbat morning at 7:45 and 10:00 (10:30 on Shabbat Mevorachin).

Chabad Old City (see Tsemach Tsedek)

Chernobyl
Under the aegis of the Skverer Rebbe. Now houses an English-speaking kollel. Daily Minyans including Shacharit at 7:30 and a Friday early Mincha at 1:30pm. Shabbat morning at 8:30

Chortkov

Recently rennovated chasidic shul. Shabbat morning at 8:45.

Gra
Tzfat finally has a shul, named after the Vilna Gaon, where they pray with the good ol’ Lithuanian-Askenazic order of prayers. Two minyans each for weekday Shacharit and Mincha; Shabbat morning at 8:00 and an early Mincha at 1:30pm.

Karlin-Stolin
(Chassidic) The ‘screamers.’ Shabbat minyans only.

Kossov
Reopened and renovated two decades ago by English-speaking Chassidic community. Daily minyans, including Shacharit at 8:00 and Maariv at 10:30pm. Usually the last Mincha in town. Shabbat morning at 9:00. The Biala Rebbe often prays there.

Lelov

Beatiful location at the end of the Artists’ Colony. Daily minyans, including Shacharit at 7:00 and every half hour thereafter until 11am, an early Mincha at 1:15, and a late Maariv at 9:30. Shabbat mornings at 9:00.

Mekarev
Recently reopened for the use of an American-style yeshiva. Shabbat evening ‘Carlebach’ minyan. Shabbat morning at 8:15

Minchat Yehuda
The home for the Tehilat L’David kabbalah yeshiva, around the corner from Ascent. All regular minyans plus a 2:00am-4:30am kabbalah session followed by immersion in the Ari Mikveh and a sunrise minyan.

Nadvorna
The second generation of Nadvorna Chassidic rebbes in Zefat has his doors open all week. Renovated mikveh. Shacharit at 7:00 during the week and 8:30 on Shabbat.

Sanz-Klausenberg
(Chassidic) Built during 1870’s. Today contains a Kollel (“Miphal Shas”), mikveh, and many daily minyans, including in the morning: every 20 minutes starting at 6am; and in addtition to the regular times, Mincha at 1:20 and Maariv at 8:30 and 9, and also 11pm in summer. Shabbat morning at 9:00. Very hot mikvehs.

Trisk
Beautifully renovated by the Bretzlov community. Weekdays-only minyans include Shacharit at 7am. Kollel and mikveh.

Tsemach Tsedek
(Chabad) Built by emissaries of the third Lubavicher Rebbe in the middle of the 19th century. Shabbat morning minyan is latest of all Old City shuls, starting at 9:30 (Shabbat Mevorachin at 10). Recently renovated. Daily minyans, shacharit at 9:00.