Synagogue of La Chaux-de-Fonds

Synagogue in the canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Byzantine Revival
Romanesque Revival

Date established1830s (as a congregation)Groundbreaking1894Completed1896SpecificationsDome(s)OneDome height (outer)32 m (105 ft)MaterialsBrick

Swiss Cultural Property of National Significance

Official nameSynagogueReference 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]

References

^ "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.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Zur Geschichte der Synagoge". Alemannia Judaica (in German). Retrieved February 16, 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Synagogue, La Chaux-de-Fonds". orgues-et-vitraux.ch (in French). Retrieved February 16, 2019.
^ "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.