Beth Yaakov Synagogue, 19th-century Jewish place of worship in Geneva, Switzerland.
Beth Yaakov Synagogue, at 11 Place de la Synagogue, was built in 1859 to a design by Jean-Henri Bachofen mixing Moorish Revival and Byzantine Revival elements, with Moorish arches at the entrance. The bimah stands in front of the Torah ark, opposite the main entrance, rather than in the centre of the hall, and women's sections flank both sides of the prayer room.
The building was constructed in 1859 by architect Jean-Henri Bachofen for an Ashkenazi Jewish community. It was created during a period when Geneva's Jewish population was expanding and required new spaces for worship.
The congregation follows the Reform rite, adopted when the building was completed in 1859. The bimah and the Torah ark stand together in the rear apse, facing the entrance, and the pews are arranged in rows as in a church. Women sit in galleries on both sides of the prayer hall and above the entrance porch.
The building is located at Place de la Synagogue in the city center and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors should know that regular services take place and it is possible to register for special events.
The building is recognized as a Class B Swiss cultural property, which emphasizes its special value to regional history. This classification protects the structure and its architectural features for future generations.
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