Ben Ezra Synagogue
The Ben Ezra synagogue as it is stands now was constructed in 1892, and completely restored in 1989-94. The 1892 structure replaced the structure dated to the mid-eleventh century. The building has two stories; the gallery for women is on the second floor. As in the church, the sanctuary is at the east end. The central part of the synagogue is dominated by a platform for reading the Torah. West of the platform, closer to the door is a "bench" marking a holy spot associated with Moses. This synagogue is perhaps most famous as the site where the Geniza documents were discovered. The Geniza documents provide much detail of the life of the Jewish community in al-Fustat from the eleventh to the thirteenth centuries.
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