The Kadoorie Synagogue, Porto

The week of Portuguese mobility foresaw a fantastic program that went from activities at school, elaborated in the classroom and in collaboration with teachers and students from all schools; visiting places linked to the Jewish community in Porto and Lamego; preparing and visiting an exhibition about a Portuguese hero of the Second World War: Aristides de Sousa Mendes; sharing, inclusion and socialization activities: surfing.

One of the places to visit in Porto was the Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue, the house of the Jewish community in Porto. It is the largest synagogue in the Iberian Peninsula whose construction started in 1929, having been inaugurated in 1938.

The name of the synagogue is linked to its founder, Captain Artur Carlos de Barros Basto, who was converted to Judaism, becoming an important Jewish leader and the creator of the Israeli Community of Porto. He was a hero of World War I and helped refugee families of World War II. The Portuguese American actress Daniela Ruah is his great granddaughter in law!