Stately Greek Revival temple enhanced by age stands before you. This is Ohel Rachel Synagogue. It is located on North Shaanxi Road in Shanghai. This magnificent building whispers tales of a vibrant Jewish past in this bustling city.
Ohel Rachel Synagogue means “house of Rachel” in Hebrew. The Sassoon family built the Ohel Rachel Synagogue. They made their fortune in Shanghai. Sir Jacob Sassoon built it in memory of his beloved wife, Rachel. He ensured her name would forever resonate within these walls.
Completed in 1920, it was consecrated in 1921. Ohel Rachel quickly became the religious center for Shanghai’s Sephardic Jewish community. Sephardic Jews have Spanish and Middle Eastern roots. Their history goes back to the Spanish Inquisition of 1478.
The synagogue’s design reflects this heritage. Sir Jacob drew inspiration from London synagogues established by Spanish and Portuguese Jews. Bevis Marks Synagogue and Lauderdale Road Synagogue served as architectural models. Ohel Rachel stands as a testament to their legacy.
When it opened, Ohel Rachel Synagogue was the largest synagogue in Asia. It could hold 700 people. That was how many Sephardic Jews lived in Shanghai at the time. Imagine this place filled with music and voices.
Inside, grand crystal chandeliers sparkled. Highly polished wooden pews gleamed. Thirty Torah scrolls from Baghdad rested here. Marble pillars framed the entrance to the Ark. The Ark is the Jerusalem-facing sanctuary where the Torah is stored. Rabbi Hirsch consecrated the synagogue. However, he left later because he was unhappy with all the wealth at Ohel Rachel Synagogue.
Ohel Rachel was more than just a place of worship. It was a community center. A library stood here once. Also there was a ritual bath and a Jewish school. Children played soccer on a field between the school and the synagogue.
During World War II, the Japanese occupied Shanghai. They used Ohel Rachel as a stable. The Toeg family, members of the congregation, bravely stored the Torahs. They also stored the pews during the war. After the Japanese left, the family helped clean the synagogue.
In 1952, the Toeg family sent Ohel Rachel’s Torahs to Israel. The government took over the synagogue. For years, it served as a warehouse and office space.
But the story doesn’t end there. In 1998, a promise was made to protect Ohel Rachel. Then Shanghai Mayor Xu Kuangdi agreed to restore and reopen the synagogue. The rededication happened during President Clinton’s visit in 1998. First Lady Hilary Clinton and Secretary of State Madeline Albright attended.
Since 1994, the Ohel Rachel Synagogue has been protected. Today, Ohel Rachel Synagogue occasionally hosts services for major holidays. The legacy of Rachel Sassoon lives on.