Great Synagogue of Europe
Encyclopedia
The Great Synagogue of Europe, formerly known as the Great Synagogue of Brussels, is the main synagogue
in Brussels
, Belgium
which was dedicated as a focal point for European Jews in 2008.
The building was designed in 1875 in a Romanesque
-Byzantine
style by the architect Desire De Keyser and constructed in 1878. It is located at 32 Rue de la Regence in Brussels. The synagogue survived the Holocaust in which 25,000 Belgian Jews died. Its chief rabbi is Albert Guigui and there are approximately 15000 persons of Jewish faith in the city (as of 2008).
It was dedicated as the "Great Synagogue of Europe" on 4 June 2008 by President
Jose Manuel Barroso and two of Europe's leading rabbis who signed a document of dedication. The ceremony also involved signing by the European Choir and the reading of a Prayer for Europe. Their prayer wished for EU leaders to act justly in creating a spiritual union and to ask for happiness for European citizens.
The act was of a more political nature, as in the 19th century, responding to the Age of Enlightenment
, Great Synagogue
s were built in many capitals of Europe to show that Jews were full and free citizens. This is something the Jewish community now wished to show at a European level. It is hoped that the building will become a focus for Judaism in Europe, as St. Peter's Basilica
is for Roman Catholics.
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
which was dedicated as a focal point for European Jews in 2008.
The building was designed in 1875 in a Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
-Byzantine
Byzantine architecture
Byzantine architecture is the architecture of the Byzantine Empire. The empire gradually emerged as a distinct artistic and cultural entity from what is today referred to as the Roman Empire after AD 330, when the Roman Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire east from Rome to...
style by the architect Desire De Keyser and constructed in 1878. It is located at 32 Rue de la Regence in Brussels. The synagogue survived the Holocaust in which 25,000 Belgian Jews died. Its chief rabbi is Albert Guigui and there are approximately 15000 persons of Jewish faith in the city (as of 2008).
It was dedicated as the "Great Synagogue of Europe" on 4 June 2008 by President
President of the European Commission
The President of the European Commission is the head of the European Commission ― the executive branch of the :European Union ― the most powerful officeholder in the EU. The President is responsible for allocating portfolios to members of the Commission and can reshuffle or dismiss them if needed...
Jose Manuel Barroso and two of Europe's leading rabbis who signed a document of dedication. The ceremony also involved signing by the European Choir and the reading of a Prayer for Europe. Their prayer wished for EU leaders to act justly in creating a spiritual union and to ask for happiness for European citizens.
The act was of a more political nature, as in the 19th century, responding to the Age of Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
, Great Synagogue
Great Synagogue
Great Synagogue or Grand Synagogue may refer to:* Sardis Synagogue, Manisa, Turkey - The complex was destroyed in 616 AD by the Sassanian-Persians....
s were built in many capitals of Europe to show that Jews were full and free citizens. This is something the Jewish community now wished to show at a European level. It is hoped that the building will become a focus for Judaism in Europe, as St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
is for Roman Catholics.
See also
- Religion in the European UnionReligion in the European UnionThe most common religion in the European Union is Christianity, although many other religions are practiced as well. The European Union is officially secular, though some member states have state churches: these are Malta , Greece , Denmark , and part of the United Kingdom - England...
- History of the Jews in EuropeHistory of the Jews in EuropeJudaism in Europe has a long history, beginning with the conquest of the Eastern Mediterranean by Pompey in 63 BCE, thus beginning the History of the Jews in the Roman Empire, though likely Alexandrian Jews had migrated to Rome slightly before Pompey's conquest of the East.The pre-World War...
- Conference of European RabbisConference of European RabbisThe Conference of European Rabbis is the primary Orthodox rabbinical alliance in Europe. It was founded in 1956 on the initiative of British Chief Rabbi Sir Israel Brodie, and its current executive director is Aba Dunner...