The synagogue in the Swiss town of La Chaux-de-Fonds, in the Jura Mountains near the border with France, kicks off a year of celebrations for its 120th birthday with two concerts of klezmer music by the David Bursztein ensemble, March 19 and 20.
Anniversary events continue into next year, with more concerts, lectures, guided tours and an exhibition. The events are free and open to the public.
Designed in neo-Byzantine style by the Strasbourg architect M. Kuder and located in the city center, the synagogue, which is landmarked as a monument of regional importance, has an ornate interior (designed by local architect Gustave Clerc) and a tall central cupola — 32 metres in height — with a brightly colored tiled roof, topping an octagonal tambour with 24 windows.
The Jewish community web site describes it as a “symbol of the success and integration” of the Jewish community.
The synagogue was inaugurated May 13, 1896, at a time when the local Jewish community numbered about 900 people. Today the number had dwindled to under 300.
See more details and full program of anniversary events here
See details about the architecture and history of the building (in French)
See detailed history and photos of the synagogue (in German)
See a Swiss TV video about the synagogue