Etz-Ahayim synagogue It is unknown when the original synagogue was built, but it is estimated to be before 1703. The synagogue was totally destroyed by fire in 1941 with only the marble Aron Kodesh remaining intact. The synagogue was subsequently rebuilt. After the establishment of Israel in 1948, most of the Jewish population emigrated The synagogue is closed. It is located on the main street. As I walked up to it and pointed my camera to take a picture, 2 policemen pointed there guns at me and appoached. They spoke almost no English, but said "no photos".