Perhaps the name Jacob Kaplan rings a bell. The Place Jacob Kaplan is named in honor of Jacob Kaplan. He was a prominent French rabbi. He served as Chief Rabbi of Paris and France.
Jacob Kaplan was born in Paris in 1895. He died in 1994 at the age of 99. Kaplan served as Chief Rabbi of Paris from 1950 to 1980. He also served as Chief Rabbi of France from 1955 to 1980.
The Place Jacob Kaplan is in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. More precisely it lies in the Chaussée-d’Antin quarter. The square is located at the intersection of several streets. These are Rue La Fayette, Rue Laffitte and Rue de Provence. The nearest metro station is Le Peletier on line 7.
The Place Jacob Kaplan is not very big. It is a triangular area. It measures 36 meters in length and 21 meters in width. The square was created in 2000. It was named after Jacob Kaplan at the same time.
Kaplan was deeply involved in interfaith dialogue. He engaged with leaders from other religious communities in France. For his efforts, he received the Légion d’honneur. This is France’s highest civilian decoration.
During World War I, Kaplan served in the 411th Infantry Regiment. He fought in the Battle of Verdun and was wounded in 1916. For his service, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre 1914-1918.
After the war, Kaplan resumed his studies. He received his rabbinical diploma in 1921. Later, he became rabbi in Mulhouse in 1922. In 1928 he became rabbi of the Nazareth Synagogue in Paris. In 1933 he was appointed rabbi of the Grande Synagogue de la Victoire.
During World War II, Kaplan played an active role. He opposed discriminatory measures against Jews. He worked with the Grand Rabbi of France. He helped to save many Jewish people. Kaplan was arrested but released the same day for a ransom.
After the war, Kaplan focused on rebuilding the Jewish community. The Nazis had decimated it. In 1948, he co-founded the École Yabné. This was together with Rabbi Élie Munk and Grand Rabbi Henri Schilli.
In 1967, Kaplan was elected to the Académie des sciences morales et politiques. He remained active in the Jewish community. He also published various works. Jacob Kaplan is buried in the Parisian cemetery of Bagneux.
The Place Jacob Kaplan is a reminder of his legacy. A commemorative stamp was issued in 2005. A medal was edited by the Monnaie de Paris in 2007. The Jacob Kaplan Park was inaugurated in Lyon in 2009. This square serves as a tribute to a man who dedicated his life to his community. He strived for understanding between different faiths and showed courage during times of adversity.