Porto, central synagogue. Its official name is Kadoorie Mekor Haim ("Source of Life"). Yet, the Kadoorie family from Hong Kong keeps to call it the "Laura Kadoorie synagogue"
Sir Elly Kadoorie’s wife, Laura Kadoorie (née Mocatta), was a descendant of Portuguese Jews who were forced to flee the country during the Inquisition. After Laura passed away, her children and husband wanted to honor her memory. Because she had deep roots in the region, they heavily funded the construction so the local community could finish the building.
For many decades empty thanks to a coalition of wills between the Portuguese state and the scum of society specialized in making anonymous denunciations, the synagogue is now more than alive. It serves as the vibrant headquarters of the Jewish Community of Porto.
