The Synagogues of the Exile

Enter the sumptuous setting of a work of Art and History devoted to the majestic, centuries-old synagogues of Europe. This book is an invitation to travel, an odyssey through time and space, to the furthest reaches of the Old Continent, to capture the soul of these sanctuaries and preserve their memory. Silent witnesses to a glorious past, each building reveals its splendours and mysteries, bearing a history that is intertwined with that of the Jewish people. Illustrated with 180 previously unpublished photographs, this book reveals the splendour of 80 European synagogues from 17 countries, as well as 5 architectural gems from North America. Each image, capturing the essence of these places of worship, is accompanied by an erudite text tracing the history of the Jewish communities in each country and the architectural genesis of these exceptional buildings. From the sumptuous Great Synagogue of Budapest to the flamboyant synagogues of Venice, from the elegant twins of London and Amsterdam to the imposing Victoire de Paris, from the almost hidden sanctuaries of Italy to the gilded reflections of the Spanish Synagogue in Prague, echoing its alter ego in New York, not forgetting the forgotten masterpieces of Romania: each stone, each ornament, each stained-glass window tells an epic story of faith, exile and rebirth. Through these sacred dwellings we can read the great History of the Jewish people, witnessing its resilience and the richness of its communities, which have shaped, century after century, a spiritual and architectural heritage of unequalled beauty. The photographs exalt the solemnity of these places, revealing the subtle play of light, the depth of colour and the majesty of the vaults and facades. The texts by Bérénice Foussard Nakache and David Abitbol enrich this tribute by evoking the daily life of Jews through the ages, the genius of the architects, the choice of materials, but also those ‘little stories’ that weave the soul of each synagogue. Book features : 320 pages of rare elegance Format: 31 x 31 x 3 cm Sewn binding, a guarantee of longevity and prestige A book to contemplate, read and pass on, a bridge between memory and wonder, where art and history merge in a celebration of European Judaism. Read more