synagogue of Westhoffen

The Synagogue of Westhoffen is one of the best-preserved reminders of a once-thriving Jewish community in the Bas-Rhin department of Alsace. It stands on Place de la Synagogue in the heart of the village, about fifteen kilometers west of Strasbourg, and tells the story of several centuries of Jewish life in the region.

How did a synagogue end up in this small Alsatian village?

Jewish presence in Westhoffen can be traced back to at least the 17th century, with a prayer room already recorded in 1626. Over the following decades the village grew into one of the most significant Jewish communities in all of Alsace: by 1765 nearly 300 Jewish residents lived there, a striking number compared to neighboring villages of similar size.

A first synagogue was built in 1760, but the growing congregation soon outgrew it. In 1860 the town council decided to replace it with a larger building, and construction was completed in 1868 — the same synagogue that still stands in Westhoffen today.

What will you see inside and outside the building?

The synagogue stands out from the surrounding Alsatian village architecture. It was built in the neo-oriental style that became popular among 19th-century synagogue architects across Western Europe, featuring crenellation-like openings and an entrance portal topped with arches evoking Middle Eastern design. This choice of style was meant to visually connect the building to Judaism's Near Eastern roots while distinguishing it from the churches nearby.

Inside, the layout follows the traditional Ashkenazi synagogue plan: a women's gallery running along three walls, a bima (the raised platform for Torah readings), an aron ha-kodesh (the ark holding the Torah scrolls), and an original liturgical cabinet, all of which have survived intact. These features make it possible today to picture how religious life unfolded for the local congregation.

In 1990 the synagogue was officially listed as a French historic monument (monument historique), recognition of its architectural and historical importance well beyond the village itself.

When should you visit, and how?

The synagogue is not a museum with daily opening hours — it is most easily visited during the European Heritage Days (Journées Européennes du Patrimoine) held every September, when the building typically opens to the public, often with a guide explaining the history of Westhoffen's Jewish community and of Alsatian Jewry more broadly. Outside that window, it is worth checking with the local municipality, since occasional themed tours or talks are organized as well.

The village of Westhoffen still preserves the recognizable layout of its former Jewish quarter. Walking its streets, visitors can spot traces of houses that once belonged to Jewish families, making the synagogue a natural stop on a broader route dedicated to the Jewish history of Alsace.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the synagogue located? It stands on Place de la Synagogue in Westhoffen, in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region in northeastern France.

Is the synagogue open to visitors all year round? Not on a daily basis — the easiest time to visit is during the September European Heritage Days, when the building is opened to the public.

What makes this synagogue distinctive compared to others in the region? Its neo-oriental architectural style, with details inspired by Middle Eastern design, and its well-preserved interior featuring a women's gallery, a bima, and an aron ha-kodesh.

How large was Westhoffen's Jewish community at its peak? At its height in 1765, the community numbered close to 300 people, making it one of the most important Jewish communities in Alsace at the time.