Synagogue libérale Keren Or

What secrets does a Ray of Light hold? Here, at 15 Rue Jules Vallès in Villeurbanne, stands the Synagogue libérale Keren Or. Its name, meaning “Ray of Light” in Hebrew, hints at a vibrant history. The Synagogue libérale Keren Or isn’t just a building. It represents the evolution of Liberal Judaism in Lyon. Its story begins long before this modern structure, back in 1981 with the Liberal Israelite Community of Lyon. This first attempt at a liberal community unfortunately closed in 1985. However, the spirit of liberal Judaism was rekindled in 1990. The community was reborn under a new name, the Communauté juive libérale (CJL). Supported by Rabbi François Garaï of Geneva and Rabbi Daniel Farhi of the Mouvement juif libéral de France, the CJL began to flourish. They hired their first rabbi in 2001. By 2002, the community had grown to almost 180 families, holding services at 7 quai Jean-Moulin. Another significant chapter unfolded in 2012. The CJL merged with the Liberal Jewish Union of Lyon (UJLL). This merger led to the name we know today: Keren Or. The Synagogue libérale Keren Or finally found its permanent home here on Rue Jules Vallès in 2015. The community celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020, marking three decades of growth and commitment to a modern, inclusive form of Judaism. Today, the Synagogue libérale Keren Or stands as a testament to its evolving history. It embraces gender equality, interfaith dialogue, and contemporary research alongside traditional Talmud Torah study. Led by a team including Rabbi René Pfertzel, Rabbi Haïm Casas, and Rabbi Daniela Touati, Keren Or continues to shine its ray of light on the Jewish community of Lyon.