Lost Synagogue of the Golan: 1,500-Year-Old Marvel Unearthed in Yehudiya Reserve
A stunning piece of Jewish history has reemerged from beneath the soil of the Golan Heights — a 1,500-year-old synagogue long lost to time and scholars alike. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority, working alongside the University of Haifa, announced the discovery on Sunday morning, calling it “one of the most significant archaeological findings in recent years.”
Rediscovering a Forgotten Sanctuary
The synagogue was uncovered deep within the Yehudiya Nature Reserve — a region already known for its basalt ruins and ancient Jewish settlements but whose precise synagogue site had eluded researchers for decades. The newly excavated structure, dated between the late Roman and Byzantine periods (1st century BCE to 7th–8th centuries CE), has revealed a breathtaking array of architectural elements: decorated lintels, basalt columns, and carved stone fragments that once framed a house of worship alive with prayer, debate, and Torah study.
Among the most striking features unearthed was the southern wall, meticulously built of ashlar stones — large, finely hewn blocks — punctuated by three distinct doorways facing Jerusalem, a clear indicator of Jewish architectural tradition. Near these entrances, archaeologists discovered two massive lintels, one elaborately ornamented, still resting close to their original positions after more than a millennium.
The Golan region, where the synagogue is located, was formerly a Jewish area during the Roman and Byzantine periods – from the first century BCE until the 7th-8th centuries CE. https://t.co/wo3KYWU58I#archaeology #byzantine #synagogue #ancient #golan
— Israel Hayom English (@IsraelHayomEng) October 5, 2025
The Mystery That Puzzled Generations
For years, historians knew that Yehudiya held remains from the Byzantine era, yet the synagogue itself had remained a ghost — hinted at by hundreds of scattered stones and carvings catalogued throughout the region but never traced back to their original structure.
That changed thanks to a patient, multi-year investigation led by Dr. Michael Ezband of the University of Haifa’s Institute of Archaeology.
“We began noticing an unusual concentration of decorated items and column fragments lying along a path in the abandoned modern village,” Dr. Ezband explained. “When we began digging, it became clear almost immediately — we had found the synagogue itself.”
Within days, dozens of artifacts emerged from the earth, culminating in the breathtaking revelation of the synagogue’s full southern wall. “Seeing those openings toward Jerusalem appear out of the dirt — it was like time had folded back on itself,” said one member of the excavation team.
And they've made a lot of awesome 3D models of sites that you can go through.
— Daniel | דניאל 🇮🇱 𓉱 (@DanitheSett) September 21, 2025
This ancient synagogue in Gamla, Golan Heights, dates back to the 1st century BCE.
(I recommend opening it on your computer for much higher quality) https://t.co/KUIIauEEih pic.twitter.com/Ok8Uuo9HrI
A Network of Jewish Life in the Golan
The discovery now joins an elite circle of roughly 25 ancient synagogues uncovered across the Golan Heights — each one a silent witness to the enduring Jewish presence in this volcanic plateau.
According to Dr. Dror Ben-Yosef, an archaeologist with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, the find “attests to the firm, thriving hold of Judaism in the Golan during the Roman and Byzantine periods.”
“These synagogues weren’t only places of prayer,” Ben-Yosef said. “They were centers of learning, discussion, and education — where Torah sages would teach and where the foundations of Jewish communal life were laid.”
A 1,500 Year Old Ancient Synagogue Discovered In The Yehudiya Nature Reserve In The Golan Heights
— Teddy Mcnabb (@McnabbTeddy) October 5, 2025
The Remarkable Discovery Was Announced By The Israel Nature And Parks Authority And The University Of Haifa Dr Dror Ben Yosef Of The INPA Said The Find Proves Jewish Residence… pic.twitter.com/cD4FxwnRMw
Preserving a Living Heritage
The Nature and Parks Authority has pledged to complete the excavation and restoration of the synagogue in the coming months and to open the site to the public, transforming Yehudiya into a destination for both hikers and history enthusiasts eager to walk where Jewish villagers prayed 1,500 years ago.
In a land where ancient stones often tell the story of identity, faith, and endurance, this rediscovered synagogue adds another chapter — one carved in black basalt, standing defiantly through centuries of silence to once again proclaim: Am Yisrael Chai.
