Malta’s First Jewish Centre, Including Synagogue And Kosher Restaurant, To Open In Heart Of Sliema
Malta’s first Jewish centre is set to open in Manuel Dimech Street, Sliema, in place of a former post office, after the project was approved by the Planning Authority.
Chabad of Malta, a local Jewish group, has long been planning to set up this project as the “heart of Jewish life in Malta”.
It will have a synagogue, a kosher restaurant, an educational centre, a rooftop sukkah, a mikvah bath and a visitor centre to introduce Jewish history and culture to Jews and non-Jews alike.
The building’s design itself is intended to invoke a sense of Maltese heritage while retaining a modern touch.
Chabad of Malta are encouraging people to donate to see this project through and their website states they have received €112,185 so far.
An artist's rendition of the proposed synagogue
MaltaToday reported that the project has now been approved by the Planning Authority on condition that the entire premises, besides the restaurant, must be exclusively used by the Jewish community and cannot be sold to third parties without a new permit.
However, an obligation to pay €74,000 in parking space compensation has been waived, after the PA accepted Chabad of Malta’s argument that the synagogue will only be used on the Sabbath and that Jewish faith forbids the use of cars on that holy day.
They said the majority of its members live in Sliema, which means they can walk to the centre, while most Jewish tourists tend to stay in the same area too.
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