Arlon Synagogue

The Arlon Synagogue (French: Synagogue d'Arlon) is a Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in the town of Arlon, in the south of Belgium. Established as a congregation in 1818, the synagogue was completed in 1863 and consecrated in 1865. The Arlon synagogue is the first synagogue that was built in Belgium.[1] Today religious services are rare, as the majority of Jews have left Arlon.

Arlon Synagogue
French: Synagogue d'Arlon
The Arlon Synagogue in 2019
Religion
AffiliationJudaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue
StatusActive
Location
LocationRue de la Synagogue, Arlon
CountryBelgium
Location of the synagogue in Belgium
Geographic coordinates49°40′59″N 5°49′07″E
Architecture
Architect(s)Albert Janot
TypeSynagogue architecture
StyleRomanesque Revival
Date established1818 (as a congregation)
Completed1863
Spire(s)Two
Invalid designation
Official nameFrench: Totalité de la synagogue sise rue Saint Jean à Arlon
TypeMajor Heritage Building of Wallonia
Designated28 November 2005
Reference no.81001-CLT-0041-01

History

Designed by Albert Janot in the Romanesque Revival style, the synagogue was completed in 1863 with two slim side towers and a tall central arch over the portal and rose window.[2] The synagogue was spared destruction during the Second World War, but the building was turned into a straw depot.[3] The synagogue's concierge kept the Torah scroll safe during the war.

On 28 November 2005, the synagogue was classified as a Major Heritage Building of Wallonia.[4]

Between 2014 and 2019, the synagogue was closed, during major structural renovations caused by moisture and dry rot that compromised the structure of the building, leading to the collapse of a vault. The building was subsequently repaired with the support of a local Islamic community and other support.[2][5][6]

See also

References
  1. "La synagogue". Ville d'Arlon (in French). Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  2. "Belgium: Synagogue in Arlon reopens after five years following fullscale restoration". Jewish Heritage Europe. October 7, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  3. Massart, Baudouin (2016). Beyond the memory, the Jewish community of Arlon today. ASBL Mémoire d'Auschwitz.
  4. "Totalité de la synagogue sise rue Saint Jean à Arlon". Aménagement du territoire, Logement, Patrimoine et Énergie (in French). Wallonie service public SPW. November 28, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  5. "Arlon: la synagogue restaurée a été inaugurée". www.vivreici.be (in French). November 19, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  6. Rabbi Jacob, Jean-Claude (April 2020). "Arlon's Jewish community". Morasha. Retrieved May 31, 2024.


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