Guide
Early Synagogue Donors and Benefactors
3rd Century BCE–7th Century CE
By Carol Bakhos
As is the case today, those who contributed financially and materially to the establishment, maintenance, and restoration of functional and decorative aspects of the synagogue were often honored in stone and mosaic inscriptions, usually by name but sometimes anonymously. Non-Jewish authorities were sometimes praised in a similar manner. For more on synagogue inscriptions, see WALL PAINTINGS AND MOSAICS.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Special Treatment for a Donor
Luke 7:1–5
After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and…
Primary Source
First Berenice Inscription
In the year [?] 3, on the 5th of Phamenoth, in the archonship of Arimmas son of . . . , Dorion son of Ptolemaios, Zelaios son of Gnaius, Ariston son of Araxa . . . , Sarapion son of Andromachos…
Primary Source
Second Berenice Inscription
Year 55. Phaoph 25. At the gathering of the Festival of Tabernacles during the terms of office of the archons: Cleandros son of Stratonicos, Euphranor son of Ariston, Sosigenes son of Sosippos…
Primary Source
Third Berenice Inscription
The year 2 of Nero Claudius Caesar Drusius Germanicus Imperator on 6 Choiak:
It has been decided by the community [synagōgē] of Jews in Berenice that those donating towards…
Primary Source
Greek Inscription from Xenephyris, Egypt
On behalf of King Ptolemy and Queen Cleopatra his sister and Queen Cleopatra his wife, the Jews of Xenephyris dedicated the pylon of the prayer hall [proseuchē] during the presidencies of Theodorus…
Primary Source
Greek and Latin Inscription on Marble Tablet from Ostia, Italy
For the safety of the Emperor. Mindius Faustus with his family built and made [it] from his own gifts, and set up the ark for the holy law.
Source: JIWE 1.13