Arlon Synagogue

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Arlon Synagogue
French: Synagogue d'Arlon
Synagogue Arlon.jpg
The Arlon Synagogue in 2019
Religion
Affiliation Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational status Synagogue
StatusActive
Location
LocationRue de la Synagogue, Arlon
Country Belgium
Belgium relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Location of the synagogue in Belgium
Geographic coordinates 49°40′59″N5°49′07″E / 49.683126°N 5.81873°E / 49.683126; 5.81873
Architecture
Architect(s) Albert Janot
Type Synagogue architecture
Style Romanesque Revival
Date established1818 (as a congregation)
Completed1863
Spire(s)Two
Invalid designation
Official name French: Totalité de la synagogue sise rue Saint Jean à Arlon
Type Major Heritage Building of Wallonia
Designated28 November 2005
Reference no.81001-CLT-0041-01

The Arlon Synagogue (French : Synagogue d'Arlon) is a Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in the town of Arlon, in the south of Belgium. It was built in 1863 and was the first synagogue in Belgium whose construction was funded primarily by public funds. On 28 November 2005, the synagogue was classified as a Major Heritage Building of Wallonia.

Contents

History

There have been Jewish families in Arlon since 1808 but a synagogue was not built until 1863. [1] [2] Designed by Albert Janot in the Romanesque Revival style, it has two slim side towers and a tall central arch over the portal and rose window. [2] It was the first synagogue in Belgium whose construction was funded primarily by public funds. [3]

During the Second World War, many Jews were deported from Arlon but the synagogue itself was spared destruction. [4] The building was turned into a straw depot. [4] On 28 November 2005, the synagogue was classified as a Major Heritage Building of Wallonia. [5]

Between April 2014 and September 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. [2] The building was subsequently repaired with the support of a local Islamic community and other support. [2] [6] [7] The Association des Musulmans d’Arlon raised around €2,400 towards repairs. [2] [8] It's administrator Dr. Mohamed Bouezmarni stated 'Everything is a matter of priority. It’s true, we haven’t got a mosque but it is more urgent to help the synagogue that falls apart'. [8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Prat, Georges François (1873). Histoire d'Arlon. Arlon, Typ. et lithographie de P.-A. Bruck. p. 84.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Belgium: Synagogue in Arlon reopens after five years following fullscale restoration". Jewish Heritage Europe. October 7, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  3. ↑ "La synagogue". Ville d'Arlon (in French). Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Massart, Baudouin (2016). Au-delà du souvenir, la communauté juive d'Arlon aujourd'hui[Beyond the memory, the Jewish community of Arlon today]. ASBL Mémoire d'Auschwitz.
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. ↑ "Arlon: la synagogue restaurée a été inaugurée". www.vivreici.be (in French). November 19, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  7. ↑ Rabbi Jacob, Jean-Claude (April 2020). "Arlon's Jewish community". Morasha. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  8. 1 2 Hoare, Liam (October 1, 2015). "How An Attempt To Save a Synagogue in Belgium Led To Jewish-Muslim Cooperation". eJewishPhilanthropy. Retrieved April 4, 2025.


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