The Debrecen Jewish Community is the largest rural Jewish community in Hungary, with nearly 1000 members. The first Jewish family settled in our city around 1840. After the initial difficulties, the number of the community increased, the community developed, and several synagogues, Jewish schools, gymnasiums, hospitals and social institutions were built. Before the Second World War, the majority of the community, which numbered 12,000 before the Second World War, were victims of the Holocaust. The war and the past regime led many to emigrate to Israel and America.
Two synagogues of the community survive. The synagogue of the Orthodox community was built in 1894 on Paschi Street, in the immediate vicinity of the historic city centre. It was designed by Jenő Berger, an architect from Debrecen. Its main façade is characterised by the entrance buildings supported by columns. The façades are late eclectic in style, mainly using elements of Romanesque architecture. In 2000 the roof and the exterior façade were renovated, while the interior is still to be reconstructed.
