By the end of 18th century in the Otoman Empire, the Rav-A-Rashi was Moshe Halevi. He
declared to the Otoman Empire Sultan Abdulhamid II the need for a Synagogue for the Jewish
poeple settled in Asian part.
So Sultan Abdulhamid II permitted to build a synagogue in these years on the terrain of Asmanaga in Kadiköy which is in the Asian part of Istanbul.
This synagogue was built in Austrian style because of the austrian architect. Baroness Clara Hirsch was the biggest donator for the completion of the building. This is the reason why she has been rememberd every Yom Kippur.
This synagogue was named «Hemdat Israel». The word Hemdat is coming from the Sultant Hamit's name which means Thanks. The local Jews of that time were grateful to their Sultan by giving the meaning of his name to the synagogue.
By the begining of 1999 the synagogue has been restaored by «Haydarpasa Hemdat Israel Jewish Communtity». This restoration took more than one year and has been succeeded to renew as same as before.
Afyer completing the restoration of the synagogue of february 2000, in the feast of Tu- Bishvat, 100th anniversary of the synagogue is celebrated by a large jewish population together with its communituy presidents and members of Beth-Din and the mayor of Kadiköy, as well as participation with the representatives of other religions.
Thank God that this synagogue reached to 100th anniversary with a wonderful celebration.
«Member of Kadiköy Hemdat Israel Jewish Community»
(source : The edition of Haydarpasa'da geçen 100 yilimiz)