Launch of France’s Jewish Heritage Program and Reopening of the Great Synagogue of Metz
The reopening of the Great Synagogue of Metz on October 26, 2025, marked both the completion of a two-year restoration project and the national launch of France’s new Jewish Heritage Program, created by the Fondation du patrimoine with €5 million of funding provided by the Edmond J. Safra Foundation.
The new program aims to preserve and revitalize Jewish heritage sites across France—an often-overlooked yet vital part of the nation’s cultural patrimony. The Metz synagogue, built between 1848 and 1850 in a Neo-Romanesque style by architect Nicolas-Maurice Derobe, is the first site to benefit. Its restoration symbolizes the renewal of one of France’s oldest Jewish communities, whose roots in Lorraine stretch back more than a thousand years.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by more than 600 people, brought together national and local officials, religious leaders of all faiths, and members of the diplomatic corps. Among them were Chief Rabbi of France Haïm Korsia, Chief Rabbi of Metz Bruno Fiszon, Mayor François Grosdidier, Prefect Pascal Bolot, and Patrick Weiten, President of the Moselle Departmental Council.
“This reopening is an act of the Republic”, said Patrick Weiten, highlighting the integration of Jewish heritage into France’s civic identity.
François Grosdidier called the synagogue “a jewel of our common heritage”, recalling Rabbi Élie Bloch, who saved more than 400 children of Metz during World War II.
Chief Rabbi Haïm Korsia added: “To renovate is to be humble before history, while giving it new breath”.
Grand Rabbi Bruno Fiszon praised the community’s determination: “When we saw the synagogue deteriorating, we did not lower our arms or our eyes — we rolled up our sleeves”.
Alexandre Giuglaris, Director at the Fondation du patrimoine, emphasized the program’s broader impact: “This restoration of a shared treasure is the result of a fruitful collaboration—an exemplary partnership from start to finish. It transmits our shared history and strengthens the powerful ties between the Jewish community and this region of France, which have endured for twelve centuries. Heritage unites us and commits us to the future”.
The Edmond J. Safra Foundation stated: “The restoration of the historic synagogue of Metz is the very first project under the Jewish Heritage Program launched by the Fondation du patrimoine, which the Edmond J. Safra Foundation is honored to support. This commitment continues a long-standing tradition of support for historic sites and projects linked to the Jewish community of France—a cause cherished by Edmond J. Safra, who was profoundly attached to France and to its spiritual and cultural legacy. We applaud the Fondation du patrimoine’s exemplary dedication to preserving heritage connected to Jewish history in France, which this program so powerfully embodies”.
With Metz as its inaugural project, the Jewish Heritage Program now begins a new chapter in preserving France’s Jewish landmarks—renewing them as living centers of faith, memory, and culture.
Read more about the event and the Jewish Heritage Program:
- Après deux ans de travaux, la grande synagogue de Metz a été inaugurée, Le Républicain Lorrain
- “On est dans un véritable joyau”, France 3 Grand Est
- La grande synagogue de Metz rouvre après deux ans de restauration, Times of Israel
- Inauguration de la grande synagogue de Metz, Tribune Juive
- “The reopening of the Synagogue is an immense joy“, Actualité Juive
