The Beth Yaakov Synagogue is located in the heart of the city of
Geneva
, neighboring_municipalities= Carouge, Chêne-Bougeries, Cologny, Lancy, Grand-Saconnex, Pregny-Chambésy, Vernier, Veyrier
, website = https://www.geneve.ch/
Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevr ...
. It has also been known as the Grande Synagogue. It was built between 1858 and 1859 for the
Ashkenazi Jewish community, which comprised about 200 people at the time of the synagogue's construction.
Architecture
The architecture a mix of
Moorish Revival architecture and
Byzantine architecture. The
synagogue was designed by the Swiss Architect Jean Henri Bachofen. At the entrance one can see Moorish style Arches. The platform for reading of the
Torah
The Torah (; hbo, ''Tōrā'', "Instruction", "Teaching" or "Law") is the compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, namely the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In that sense, Torah means the ...
(the
bimah) is located in front of the
Torah ark
A Torah ark (also known as the ''Heikhal'', or the ''Aron Kodesh'') refers to an ornamental chamber in the synagogue that houses the Torah scrolls.
History
The ark, also known as the ''ark of law'', or in Hebrew the ''Aron Kodesh'' or ''aron ha- ...
, opposite the main entrance. This style was adopted later in the history of world Synagogues, since the Bimah was usually built in the middle of the congregation. Women have their own sections on both sides of the prayer hall. The building has been registered as a
Historic monument (Switzerland) In Switzerland, the designation as a historic monument is intended to protect a National Heritage Site such as a monument or a building notable for its history or architecture. The list is kept by the organization for Cultural heritage protection i ...
because of its architecture.
Photo gallery
File:RoyLindmanBethYaakovSynagogueGeneva 002.jpg, Rabbi's entrance
References
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/switzerland/geneva-grande-synagogue.htm
Ashkenazi Jewish culture in Switzerland
Ashkenazi synagogues
Synagogues in Switzerland
Buildings and structures in Geneva
Religious buildings and structures in Geneva
Synagogues completed in 1859
Moorish Revival synagogues
Byzantine Revival synagogues
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