Agudas Achim Synagogue

Agudas Achim Synagogue in Zürich is an Orthodox house of prayer in the Wiedikon district, just west of the city centre. It belongs to a congregation formed in 1912 by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, and it shows how varied Jewish life is in Switzerland's largest city.

What is Agudas Achim?

The Hebrew name roughly means "union of brothers". Jews who arrived in Zürich from Eastern Europe in the early twentieth century, many of them escaping pogroms, set up the congregation. It still keeps an East European liturgical tradition and a strong Polish Hasidic influence. Zürich has several separate Jewish communities: the large Israelitische Cultusgemeinde (ICZ), the Orthodox Israelitische Religionsgesellschaft (IRG), the liberal Or Chadasch, and Agudas Achim.

What does the building look like?

The present synagogue dates from 1960, and the congregation moved in during the early 1960s from premises nearby. It is a plain, practical building set among Wiedikon's residential blocks. Do not expect a grand facade or dome like the great nineteenth-century synagogues; the interest here is a living community rather than a museum piece.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The address is Erikastrasse 8, 8003 Zürich. Wiedikon lies west of the main station and is well served by trams and buses, so the synagogue is a short ride or walk from the centre. The surrounding streets also hold other Jewish institutions, including kosher shops and restaurants.

Can you visit?

This is an active place of worship, not a ticketed attraction. Going inside requires contacting the congregation in advance, and access rules are set by its board. From the street you can see the building and the security that protects Jewish sites in Switzerland. An attempted arson attack on a Zürich synagogue in 2024 explains why access is controlled. Be discreet, do not photograph worshippers arriving, and respect Shabbat and holidays, when services last for hours.

When should you come?

If you only want to see the neighbourhood, avoid Shabbat (Friday sunset to Saturday night) and Jewish festivals. To learn more about Jewish Zürich, combine a walk through Wiedikon with other sites tied to the community's history.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Agudas Achim Synagogue? At Erikastrasse 8 in the Wiedikon district of Zürich.

When was the congregation founded? In 1912, by immigrants from Eastern Europe.

How old is the current building? The synagogue dates from 1960, and the congregation settled there in the early 1960s.

Can tourists go inside? It is a working Orthodox synagogue. Entry must be arranged with the congregation beforehand.

How does it differ from other Zürich synagogues? It follows the East European tradition with Polish Hasidic influence, whereas the ICZ is the largest community, the IRG is Orthodox and German-oriented, and Or Chadasch is liberal.