Synagogue de la Paix in Strasbourg

The construction of the Great Synagogue of Peace was inaugurated on March 23, 1958. It has about 1,700 seats. Visitors have included Moshe Dayan and Golda Meir. Traditional symbols of Judaism can be found in the building, such as: the vast vault is supported by twelve columns evoking the twelve tribes of Israel: the first two frame the exterior portal, and the ten located inside recall the Ten Commandments. The main front consists of a continuous network of stars of David, a monumental work of ironwork, at the base of which begin the metal portal, whose leaves are decorated with the emblems of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Holy Ark, located on the stage (“Al memor”) is a round sanctuary in wrought iron and above a large Star of David is placed horizontally on five thin columns. On the pediment is an inscription in Hebrew: “Do we not all have the same Father?” The curtain of the Holy Ark is a vast Aubusson tapestry cartoon by the famous tapestry artist, Jean Lurçat. 
Known as the Jerusalem of France, Strasbourg is an active, highly organized, intellectual Jewish community of about 16,000 people. Most of the chief rabbis of France have come from this center of Jewry, which has deep roots in the province of Alsace. That's why Alsace is considered the cradle of Judaism in France.