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Origin and history

The synagogue of Dijon, built between 1873 and 1879 in a neo-Byzantine style, replaces several temporary places of worship used by the Jewish community in Dijon since the 19th century. Its architecture is inspired by the Parisian synagogue on the Rue de la Victoire, with a central nave, two sides, and an octagonal dome decorated with stained glass windows from Eugene Oudinot. Jules Schanovki's sculptures and Leniept's paintings enrich his interior decor, while an Ed Kahn foundation, engraved on an adjacent building, bears witness to local patronage.

Jewish history in Dijon dates back to the 12th century, with dedicated districts such as the Jewish street (now Buffon Street) or the Rue de la Petite-Juiverie. The community, often persecuted, experienced repeated expulsions until the 15th century, before disappearing until the French Revolution. In the 19th century, Alsatian families settled in Dijon, increasing the community from 50 families in 1803 to 100 in 1869. The current synagogue, inaugurated in 1879, symbolizes their anchor, despite the upheavals of the Franco-Prussian war that delayed its construction.

During the Second World War, the synagogue was a place of memory for the 376 Jews recorded in Dijon in 1941, many of whom were deported during the 1942 and 1944 raids. Rabbi Elie Cyper, resistant, died in deportation in 1944. After the war, the community re-established, integrating Sefarades in the 1950s-1960s. Classified as a Historic Monument in 1989, the synagogue remains a symbol of resilience, welcoming 240 families of various origins (Maghreb, Alsace, Eastern Europe).

The building, owned by the Jewish Cult Association of Dijon, benefited from restorations, such as that of its dome in 2000-2001. Its windows, twelve in reference to the tribes of Israel, and its architectural elements (tourels, dome) illustrate the Romano-Byzantine influence. The Ed Kahn Foundation, mentioned on a dedicated building, recalls the commitment of local patrons to its preservation.

Historical sources, such as the works of Eugene Fyot (1928) or Michel Hilaire Clément-Janin (1879), document the medieval Jewish presence in Dijon, marked by financial loans and persecutions. The charter of 1384 of Duke Philip the Hardi had temporarily authorized the installation of 52 Jewish families, but only about fifteen actually settled. These archives shed light on community dynamics before the final expulsions of the 15th century.

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