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Origin and history

Obernai Synagogue, located at 43 rue du Général-Gouraud, is an emblematic building of Alsatian Jewish heritage. His presence was attested as early as 1454, but the present neo-Roman-style building was rebuilt in 1876 by architect Jacques Albert Brion, trained in the Fine Arts of Paris. It replaces a Baroque synagogue built between 1749 and 1752 by Baruch Weyl, general servant of the Jews of Alsace, on the site of an old synagogue whose stone dated 1696 remains in use. The building was decommissioned around 1875 before being transformed into a dwelling, however, retaining remains such as the holy arch and the rostrum.

During World War II, between 1940 and 1944, the synagogue was desecrated by the Nazis, while Alsace was de facto attached to the Third Reich. It was re-opened in 1948 after the Liberation. In 1984 its facades on courtyard and on street, as well as the west wing staircase with its ramp and a carved console, were inscribed in historical monuments. These architectural elements, bearing witness to his past, underline his historical and cultural importance.

The history of this place reflects the upheavals of the Jewish community in Alsace, marked by periods of prosperity and persecution. The synagogue, originally funded by Baruch Weyl in the 18th century, illustrates the ancient anchoring of Jews in the region, as well as their contribution to the local heritage. Its architecture, combining Baroque and neo-Roman styles, and its inscription as historical monuments make it a major site to understand the religious and social history of Alsace.

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