Synagogue of La Chaux-de-Fonds

Synagogue of La Chaux-de-Fonds
French: Synagogue de La Chaux-de-Fonds
The synagogue in 2008
Religion
Affiliation	Judaism
Rite	Nusach Ashkenaz
Ecclesiastical or organisational status	Synagogue
Ownership	Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Baden
Status	Active
Location
Location	63 Rue du Parc, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchâtel
Country	Switzerland
Location of the synagogue in the Canton of Neuchâtel
Geographic coordinates	47°06′03″N 06°49′27″E
Architecture
Architect(s)	Richard Kuder
Type	Synagogue architecture
Style	Byzantine Revival Romanesque Revival
Date established	1830s (as a congregation)
Groundbreaking	1894
Completed	1896
Specifications
Dome(s)	One
Dome height (outer)	32 m (105 ft)
Materials	Brick
Swiss Cultural Property of National Significance
Official name	Synagogue
Reference no.	3980
[1]

The Synagogue of La Chaux-de-Fonds (French: Synagogue de La Chaux-de-Fonds) is a Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 63 Rue du Parc, in La Chaux-de-Fonds, in the Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland.[2]

The synagogue was opened in 1896 and was listed among the Cultural Property of National Significance. It is also part of the La Chaux-de-Fonds 19th-century urban ensemble listed as a World Heritage Site.[3]

Architecture

The synagogue was built in a Byzantine Revival style with Romanesque Revival elements.[3][2] The cross-shaped casement is topped by a 32 m high (105 ft) cupola.[3] The interior of the building is adorned with rich paintings.[3] The organ, made by Kuhn from Männedorf, is no longer in service.[3]

History

In 1833, the Jewish community of La Chaux-de-Fonds started worshipping in a private residency.[2] A first synagogue was built in 1863 and consecrated by Rabbi Moïse Nordmann from Hégenheim, Alsace.[2]

The new synagogue was built between 1894 and 1896 by architect Richard Kuder.[4] The foundation stone of the new building was laid on June 28, 1894.[2] The synagogue was consecrated On May 13, 1896, by Rabbi Jules Wolff.[2][3]

See also

• History of the Jews in Switzerland
• List of cultural property of national significance in Switzerland: Neuchâtel
• List of synagogues in Switzerland

References

1. "Synagogue in La Chaux-de-Fonds". Historic synagogues of Europe. Foundation for Jewish Heritage and the Center for Jewish Art at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. n.d. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
2. "Zur Geschichte der Synagoge". Alemannia Judaica (in German). Retrieved February 16, 2019.
3. "Synagogue, La Chaux-de-Fonds". orgues-et-vitraux.ch (in French). Retrieved February 16, 2019.
4. "The Rue du Parc synagogue in La Chaux-de-Fonds". blog.nationalmuseum.ch. Retrieved December 22, 2020.

Bibliography

• Epstein-Mil, Ron. Die Synagogen der Schweiz. Bauten zwischen Emanzipation, Assimilation und Akkulturation: Fotografien von Michael Richter (in German).
• Beiträge zur Geschichte und Kultur der Juden in der Schweiz. Schriftenreihe des Schweizerischen Israelitischen Gemeindebunds. Vol. 13. Zürich: Chronos Verlag. 2008. pp. 222–227. ISBN 9783034013987.

External links

Media related to Synagogue (La Chaux-de-Fonds) at Wikimedia Commons

• Synagogue de La Chaux-de-Fonds on YouTube (in French)