Zumeimira

Hurvat Zmimrah

Hurvat Zmimrah

Ancient synagogue and ruins on the Golan Heights


Hurvat Zmimrah (originally Khirbat Zmimrah), also Zumeimira, is an archaeological site in the center of the Golan Heights, where the remains of a Jewish[1] settlement from the Talmudic period and an ancient synagogue[2] were discovered.

Remains of the ancient synagogue

Geography

The ruins are located about six kilometers south of Katzrin, two kilometers north of the meeting point of Nahal Zavitan with Meshushim River, and above the steep western bank of Nahal Zavitan.

Archeology

Relief of a lion near the synagogue
Remains of an oil press

The archeological discoveries on the site include the remains of an ancient synagogue, with architectural items typical of synagogues in the area, such as: ashlars and column capitals.[1] other findings are building walls and at least two oil presses.[1]

A basalt tablet with an engraving of a seven branched menorah and the four species was also discovered at the site, as well as a relief of a lion, which probably decorated the Torah ark in the building.[2]

Another synagogue from the Talmudic period was also discovered in the ruins of Asallia, about two kilometers north of the site.


References

  1. "בתי כנסת עתיקים בגולן- אומנות ואדריכלות". The Bornblum Eretz Israel Synagogues Website (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-03-31.

Further reading


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