Synagogue of Arlon 

Arlon, a Gallo-Roman city, is endowed with a very ancient Jewish community. Indeed, traces of Jews in Arlon can be found as early as the 12th century. However, this small community boasts of other notable distinctions. It is home to the first synagogue built in Belgium (Royal Decree of December 16, 1863), representing a significant milestone in the history of relations between the Jewish community and the authorities of our country. Designed by architect Albert Jamot, the synagogue was inaugurated on September 22, 1865. Yet, in 1865, there were only 149 Jews recorded in the registers.

Nonetheless, this number represented nearly 2% of the population of the municipality. Most of them originated from the Northeast of France (Alsace-Lorraine) and mainly worked as horse and cattle traders.

The history of the Jewish community in Arlon includes some colorful personalities, among which the journalist Camille Cerf stands out. He later became a businessman and administrator of the Pathé Nathan and Lumière companies, as well as a great benefactor of the city of Arlon. Another notable figure is Abraham Oungre, who served as the officiating minister from 1868 to 1910, with his son Louis becoming the general director of one of the largest charitable foundations in the world.

The Jewish Community of Arlon was established de facto in 1834, but official recognition came in 1876 through the Royal Decree of February 7. The community initially consisted of about 20 members, but by 1888, had grown to 216. This number remained nearly unchanged until 1940. Following the war, the community reconstituted itself with around a hundred members. Unfortunately, it has since declined to about forty individuals today, including members from neighboring areas (Longwy and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg).

The synagogue, located on "Rue de la Synagogue", is one of the first important buildings in Arlon built in a neo-Romanesque style. It has recently been renovated (in 2019).