Dorpssynagoge
This Dorpssynagoge is an abandoned synagogue in a small village in Belgium. It was built in 1928 and abandoned in 1995. Today the holy building is in a bad state. There are no financial resources available for the plans to save the building.
This small Belgian village started to grow in the early 20th century. Many people from Antwerp came here to live or spend their holidays. Among them were Jewish diamond dealers. They worked in Antwerp’s diamond industry and wanted homes away from the busy city. Many of these families came from Amsterdam.
In the beginning, Jewish services took place in a private house. But soon, there were too many people. A real synagogue was needed. In 1928, this beautiful synagogue was built. Architect Jan Frans Beirens designed the building. It was the only synagogue in Belgium built outside a city. A year later, a school opened to train young rabbis.
Second World War
By 1942, around 700 Jewish people lived in the rural village. But the Second World War changed everything. The Nazis killed hundreds, and many survivors never returned. Some moved to Israel, the United States, or Switzerland in the 1960s. The once strong community became small again.
The building is special. It has a red brick front with a blue stone plate that shows Hebrew text. A large stained glass window with the Star of David is the highlight. Glasswork artist Cotteleer made it. Inside, the layout is traditional: a vestibule, a holy room, and the most holy room.
Restoration began
Still, the synagogue stayed in use until 1995. After that, the building started to decay. But in 2007, good news came: it was named a protected monument. Restoration began. However, only the structure itself was safeguarded against collapse; because of insufficient funds, other tasks were delayed. In the end, the synagogue deteriorated, and rescuing the building appeared to be more challenging than ever.
