No two synagogues are alike. Each has its own unique history and characteristics, which are often reflected in the design of the synagogue itself.
Many older synagogues mirror the architectural trends of the era they were constructed in, such as Romanesque arches, intricate Moorish carvings or Gothic stained glass windows.
Historic synagogues often offer tours for Jewish history buffs and architecture lovers alike. Thanks to the wonder of social media, you don’t need to book a flight to see some of the world’s most impressive synagogues. A simple scroll through Instagram can serve as a virtual visit to synagogues from Mumbai to Mexico City.
Here are a few of the synagogues that we’ve loved sharing on our Instagram feed:
The Jubilee Synagogue (also called the Jerusalem Synagogue) in Prague, Czech Republic
The interior of the Jubilee Synagogue
This reconstructed tribute to the Gwoździec Synagogue in Warsaw, Poland
Beth Sholom Congregation in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
Yanbool Synagogue in Istanbul, Turkey
Shaare Shalom Synagogue in Kingston, Jamaica
Templo Libertad in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Kazinczy Street Synagogue in Budapest, Hungary
Ben Ezra Synagogue in Cairo, Egypt
East Midwood Jewish Center in Brooklyn, New York
The Synagogue de la Ghriba in Djerba, Tunisia
Grand Synagogue of Edirne in Edirne, Turkey
The Moscow Choral Synagogue in Moscow, Russia
The Synagoge Rykestraße in Berlin, Germany
Szeged Synagogue in Szeged, Hungary
The Old Synagogue in Plzeň (Pilsen), Czech Republic
The Synagogue of Bukhara, Uzbekistan
The Sofia Synagogue in Sofia, Bulgaria
The Synagogue Justo Sierra 71 in Mexico City, Mexico
The Great Synagogue of Rome
Princes Road Synagogue in Liverpool, England
The Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue in Mumbai, India
An interior shot of the Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue
The Subotica Synagogue in Subotica, Serbia
The Plum Street Synagogue in Cincinnati, OH
The Dohany Synagogue in Budapest, Hungary
The Beth El Synagogue in Kolkata, India
The Maghen David Synagogue, also in Kolkata, India
The Bradford Tree of Life Synagogue in West Yorkshire, England