THE PROGRAM

01 / WHY

One of the most rare and significant findings of Jewish archaeology was discovered in Aegina island in the 19th century: a mosaic with rich geometric patterns and two Greek inscriptions that identify the mosaic floor as to belonging to a 4th century CE synagogue. 

The mosaic is at a dangerous state of damage and neglect and requires urgent preservation and protection.

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The mosaic is mostly damaged. Maintenance operations were carried out in 1989. The situation is made worse due to its proximity to the sea and its exposure to environmental conditions.

The planned works aim to repair the damage and to protect it. Your support of this program has been urgent and much needed!

The team of Yvette Nahmia Messinas and Dr. Elias Messinas, in cooperation with the Eforate of Antiquity of Piraeus and the Islands of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and NGO ECOWEEK, have departed on a program for the preservation of the mosaic of Aegina ancient synagogue. The program started in 2018 and is scheduled to be completed in 2020.

Join the Friends of the Mosaic Floor of the Aegina Synagogue to help support the preservation of the mosaic for future generations!

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We thank all the friends around the world who supported this campaign and made the realization of the vision possible!

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02 / WHERE

Aegina: an island in the Saronic sea known for its pistachio. An hour-boat ride from Pireas, the 15,000-residents island attracts more than 70,000 visitors in the summer months and holidays. The island is also known for artists, intellectuals and authors, who have made Aegina their second home - like the author of 'Zorba the Greek' classic Nikos Kazatzakis whose house in Plakakia is still standing. 

One of the most popular sites on the island, one that greets the visitors on their way from the port of Aegina, is the site of Kolona and the Archeological Museum with rare treasures.

One of these treasures, is the mosaic located at the entrance to the Museum, moved here after its original site behind Avra Hotel was rebuilt. 

The mosaic was discovered by the German archaeologist Ludwig Ross in 1829. It belonged to a synagogue dating from the c. 4th CE, and was adorned with geometric patterns and two inscriptions in Greek. At the east wall there is an apse, where according to tradition, the Torah scrolls were kept during service.

In 1932, archaeologist Belle Mazur studied and published the mosaic in 1935. 

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Monuments such as the mosaic enrich the local history and culture and attract tourism which supports the local economy.

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03 / WHO

Yvette Nahmia Messinas Greek-born  spends her summers in Aegina since childhood. Yvette holds a Masters in Jewish Civilization from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and blogs in the Jerusalem Post and in her blog From Jerusalem with Love. 

Dr. Elias Messinas, Greek-born architect, holds a degree from Yale and a Ph.D. from the National Technical University of Athens on the History and Architecture of the Synagogues of Greece. Elias has designed a number of private houses in Aegina, and has initiated a waste recycling program with the Municipality of Aegina. With his team he renovated the Monastirioton and Yad Lezikaron synagogues in Thessaloniki, and Yavanim synagogue in Trikala, and in 1995 completed a study of the synagogue in Veroia funded by the Getty Grant Program. Elias' books include The synagogues of Salonika and Veroia (Gavrielides Editions, Athens) and The Synagogues of Greece (Bloch Publishing Co., New York). Elias' website

Elias and Yvette have initiated programs in the past, including the creation of friendship park Athens 2004  in Israel, and NGO ECOWEEK.

The team of the Eforate of Antiquities of Piraeus and Islands of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.

NGO ECOWEEK with the mission to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainability, initiates programs for preservation, sustainable design and circular economy in Greece, Israel and around the world. www.ecoweek.org
 

HOW CAN I HELP

CAMPAIGN

In 2018, a campaign was launched to raise awareness and to collect the funds to protect the mosaic.

The campaign is led by Yvette Nahmia Messinas and architect Dr. Elias Messinas, in cooperation with the Eforate of Antiquities of Piraeus and the Islands of the Ministry of Culture and Sport.

An international community of Friends of the Mosaic Floor of the Aegina Synagogue was created to support this effort.

Friends like Elda, Leon, Annat, David and Zaklin, W Young, the Greek Community of Jerusalem and Leon for caring and for supporting our campaign!

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We wish to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Samuel-Makis Matsas for answering our call and for generously undertaking to finance the protection of this important monument and to help preserve it for the present and for future generations!

BUDGET

Exhibition & Event : 3,000 EURO
Includes: Preliminary survey, preliminary study, drone video, exhibition curation and printing, graphics for program,  exhibition opening and website. Final cost.

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Preparation Phase: 1,600 EURO

Includes: Preliminary architectural, engineering, survey work, and program, to lay the ground for the planning of the protective roof.

Planning & Implementation: Cost undisclosed
Includes: Architectural, Engineering and implementation of the protective roof  and foundations. Will be undertaken by Mr. Samuel-Makis Matsas, thanks to his generous response to our campaign.

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Preservation works: Estimated at 30-35,000 EURO

Will be undertaken by the Eforate of Antiquities of Piraeus and the Islands of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports.

CAMPAIGN UPDATE

PHASE #1: LAUNCH EXHIBITION & EVENT
received 3,000 EURO
of 3,000 EURO goal
supporters: 42
campaign closed: August 2019
Thank you for successfully completing this phase!

 

PHASE #2: PREPARATION PHASE
received 1,617 EURO
of 1,600 EURO goal

supporters: 15
campaign closed: February 2020

Thank you for successfully completing this phase!

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PHASE #3: PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION
amount undisclosed
supporters: 1
campaign closed: February 2020

This phase will be undertaken thanks to the generous leadership of Mr. Samuel-Makis Matsas.

Thank you for successfully completing this phase!

GET IN TOUCH

aeginamosaic@ecoweek.org

PRESS

MEDIA & REFERENCES on the Mosaic of the Synagogue of Aegina

We thank our media partners and the press for spreading the word!

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• PHOTOGRAPHIC ALBUM event of 7/8/19

• VIDEO OF EXHIBITION OPENING EVENT ON 7/8/19 - courtesy of AEGINA PORTAL

• DRONE VIDEO about the mosaic - 07/19

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• ALEF Η διατήρηση του ψηφιδωτού της αρχαίας συναγωγής της Αίγινας: φάση τρίτη -  Τεύχος 78  08-09/2020 σελ. 14-15 

• SARONIC MAGAZINE Η διατήρηση του ψηφιδωτού της αρχαίας συναγωγής: Η επόμενη φάση -  Τεύχος 89  2/11/20 σελ. 30 

• AEGINA PORTAL Εγκρίθηκε η τεχνική έκθεση συντήρησης του ψηφιδωτού δαπέδου Εβραϊκής Συναγωγής στο Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Αίγινας - 08/20

• KIS Εγκρίθηκε η τεχνική έκθεση συντήρησης του ψηφιδωτού δαπέδου Εβραϊκής Συναγωγής - 08/20

• ALEF H διατήρηση του ψηφιδωτού της Αρχαίας Συναγωγής της Αίγινας - φάση 2η 11/19 pp. 14-15

• WORLD JEWISH TRAVEL The exhibition on the Aegina Mosaic 09/19

• ERMIS Athens College Alumni Magazine To Ψηφιδωτό της Αίγινας (Τεύχος 68, σελ. 52) 09/19

• HELLENIC STUDIES CENTER Campaign to Save Rare Synagogue Mosaics on Aegina Island Greece 3/9/19

• ARCHAEOLOGY & ARTS Ancient Synagogue Mosaic Floor in Need of Conservation 30/8/19

• THE JEWISH CHRONICLE Greek bid to rescue ancient mosaic 30/8/19

• WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS A precious discovery in Greece: An ancient synagogue 29/8/19 video

• THE GREEK HERALD Campaign to save rare 1700-year-old Greek island synagogue mosaic 28/8/19

• DANILFINEMAN Campaigners bid to save lots of uncommon 1700-year-old Greek island synagogue mosaic 28/8/19

• GREEK REPORTER Campaign to Save Rare Synagogue Mosaics on Aegina Island, Greece 28/8/19

• TIMES OF ISRAEL Campaigners bid to save rare 1,700-year-old Greek island synagogue mosaic 28/8/19

• GREECE OUTSIDE IN Exhibition opening on the Mosaic of Aegina in Greek island near Athens​ 18/8/19

• TORNOS NEWS Exhibition opening on the Mosaic of Aegina in Greek island near Athens​ 18/8/19

• EUROPEAN JEWISH CONGRESS Race to preserve rare mosaic of ancient Greek synagogue​ 15/8/19

• JEWISH HERITAGE EUROPE Greece: Campaign underway to preserve & protect mosaic floor of 4th century CE synagogue on island of Aegina 14/8/19

• MOSAIC A Rare and Ancient Mosaic from a Greek Synagogue Goes on Display 14/8/19

• AGADE Race to Preserve Rare Mosaic of Ancient Greek Synagogue 13/8/19

• SCOOP NEST Race to Preserve Rare Mosaic of Ancient Greek Synagogue 13/8/19

• JERUSALEM POST Race to Preserve Rare Mosaic of Ancient Greek Synagogue 13/8/19

• JERUSALEM POST The Mosaic of Aegina 13/8/19

• ΟΛΒΙΑ ΠΟΛΙΣ Έκθεση για το Πρόγραμμα Συντήρησης και Προστασίας του Ψηφιδωτού στην Αίγινα, υπό την αιγίδα του Δήμου Αίγινας και της "Ολβιας" 12/8/19

• GREECE Race to preserve rare Mosaic of Ancient Greek Synagogue 12/8/19

• FROM JERUSALEM WITH LOVE Experience the event for the Mosaic floor 11/8/19

• SARONIC MAGAZINE Tα εγκαίνια της έκθεσης για το Ψηφιδωτό της Αίγινας 9/8/19

• EPIXEIRO Με μεγάλη επιτυχία πραγματοποιήθηκαν τα εγκαίνια τις έκθεσης για το ψηφιδωτό της Αίγινας 9/8/19

• KIS Eκδήλωση στην Αίγινα για τα Εγκαίνια Έκθεσης για το Ψηφιδωτό της Αίγινας 8/8/19

• TO PARON THS KYRIAKHS To ψηφιδωτό της Αίγινας 8/8/19

• AEGINA PORTAL Eκδήλωση για την Προστασία του Ψηφιδωτού στο Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Αίγινας 7/8/19 incl. video of lectures

• SKAI RADIO Interview with Elena Papadimitriou 4/8/19 at 16:00

• ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΗ Στις 7 Αυγούστου η έκθεση για την Προστασία ψηφιδωτού σε εβραϊκή συναγωγή στην Αίγινα 4/8/19

• THE WORLD NEWS Αρχαία Συναγωγή στην Αίγινα: Διατήρηση και ανάδειξη του ψηφιδωτού (ΒΙΝΤΕΟ) 2/8/19

• IEFIMERIDA Στις 7 Αυγούστου η έκθεση για την Προστασία ψηφιδωτού σε εβραϊκή συναγωγή στην Αίγινα 2/8/19

• KATHIMERINH Έκθεση για το Πρόγραμμα Συντήρησης και Προστασίας του Ψηφιδωτού στην Αίγινα 2/8/19

• SUPER B Aίγινα: Eκθεση για την Προστασία του Ψηφιδωτού σε Εβραϊκή Συναγωγή 2/8/19

• AGGREGATOR Στις 7 Αυγούστου η έκθεση για την Προστασία ψηφιδωτού σε εβραϊκή συναγωγή στην Αίγινα 2/8/19

• GALATZ RADIO Interview with Shimon Parnas 2/8/19 (36:11-45:37)

• LOVE GREECE Mosaic Conservation and Protection Program in Aegina 1/8/19

• LOVE GREECE Πρόγραμμα Συντήρησης και Προστασίας του Ψηφιδωτού στην Αίγινα 1/8/19

• iNEWS GR Έκθεση για το Πρόγραμμα Συντήρησης και Προστασίας του Ψηφιδωτού στην Αίγινα 31/7/19

• EΠΙΧΕΙΡΩ Έκθεση για το Πρόγραμμα Συντήρησης και Προστασίας του Ψηφιδωτού στην Αίγινα 31/7/19

• AEGINA PORTAL Εκδήλωση για την Προστασία του Ψηφιδωτού της Συναγωγής της Αίγινας στο Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο 30/7/19

• SARONIC MAGAZINE Γιατί να Υποστηρίξουμε τη Διατήρηση του Ψηφιδωτού Δαπέδου της Αρχαίας Συναγωγής στην Αίγινα  24/7/19

• FROM JERUSALEM WITH LOVE 15/7/19

• RADIO 1 Interview with Yaron Enosh 5/7/19

• GEGONOS.NET H Αρχαία Συναγωγή στην Αίγινα: Διατήρηση και Ανάδειξη του Ψηφιδωτού της Συναγωγής 07/19 

• EL Εργασίες συντήρησης στην Αρχαία Συναγωγή στην Αίγινα 15/5/19

• ZOUGLA.GR  H Αρχαία Συναγωγή στην Αίγινα: Διατήρηση και Ανάδειξη του Ψηφιδωτού της Συναγωγής 14/5/19

• ALEF H Αρχαία Συναγωγή στην Αίγινα 04/19 pp. 24-25

• TRIPADVISOR Museum of Aigina, mosaic floor of Synagogue

• WIKIPEDIA Mosaic Floor of a Jewish Synagogue in Greece - 300 CE