Ohel Rachel Synagogue, Historic synagogue in Jing'an District, Shanghai, China
Ohel Rachel Synagogue is a Greek Revival building located at 500 North Shaanxi Road, identifiable by its Ionic columns and distinctive portico. The interior features marble pillars and wooden pews that define the classical character of the space.
Jacob Sassoon built this structure in 1920 to honor his wife Rachel, creating the largest Jewish house of worship in the Far East at that time. The building represents an important chapter in the Jewish presence across Asia.
The synagogue served as the center of Sephardic Jewish life in Shanghai, with the grounds housing a library, ritual bath, school, and sports facilities. These additions reflected how important the community considered this gathering place.
The building opens for major Jewish holidays and special occasions, though visits require advance arrangements through local authorities. Plan ahead if you wish to see the interior, as access is limited to designated times.
During the 1930s and 1940s, the building sheltered around 17.000 European Jews who benefited from Shanghai's open immigration policy. This chapter makes the location a significant site for refugee history in Asia.
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