The tiny Jewish community in Carpentras, France has issued an appeal for contributions to help complete renovation work on its historic synagogue, which this year is celebrating its th birthday, making it the oldest active synagogue in France and one of the oldest in Europe. In an open letter dated July 17, Meyer Benzecrit, president of the approx. Jewish community members told JHE Coordinator Ruth Ellen Gruber during a meeting in Carpentras August 24 that about 60 percent of the funds had been pledged β 40 percent from the state; 15 percent from the region; and 5 percent from the city.
A first part of the restoration β the renovation of the vaulted sanctuary ceiling, painted deep blue and sprinkled with stars β was completed in April. But other major work remains. It lists necessary repairs to the masonry, flooring, joinery, woodwork, ironwork, painting, and gilding, as well as to heating, electricity and other systems.
To enquire further about the renovations contact the Jewish community in Carpentras, Email : synagogue. The Carpentras synagogue was originally built in The ground floor of the complex includes two mikvehs β one which would have had heated water dating from the 18th century, and the other β reached at the bottom of a meter shaft β dating from medieval times.
It also includes two bakeries β one for daily bread, and the other for matzo. Both include the marble slabs on which the dough was kneaded as well as ovens. The matzo bakery includes machinery that was used to roll out and perforate the dough. The synagogue is a major tourism site in Carpentras, and signage for it is posted throughout the town.
Celebrations to mark the th anniversary of the synagogue include a series of concerts, talks and other events throughout the year, with proceeds going toward the renovation. Click here to find the schedule. There is also a Jewish cemetery in Carpentras β like the synagogue dating back to the 14th century β which was listed as a historic monument in Hidden behind a foot wall, it lies just outside town, across from the aqueduct designed by the same architect who designed the 18th century reconstruction of the synagogue and includes about legible gravestones, shaded by mature pine trees.
