Get to know us
You can freely visit the Historic Synagogue every day except Saturdays and holidays of the Jewish calendar.
Free Entry
We appreciate donations
Identification is required
Self-guided tours
We offer written material in English and Spanish with all the details about the building and its symbols.
The Historic Synagogue
Justo Sierra
Wedding of Rosa Katz and Benjamín Cemaj, February 1955.
Photo: Fam. Cemaj
Brief History
The Nidje Israel Synagogue at Justo Sierra 71 is the first Ashkenazi synagogue and community center (for Eastern European Jews) in Mexico. It belongs to the Ashkenazi Kehilá, which was founded in 1922. It was inaugurated in 1941, in the midst of World War II, and from then on became the center of community life for Yiddish speakers for more than twenty years, hosting numerous weddings, bar mitzvahs, dances, and both Jewish and family celebrations until the Jewish community relocated to other neighborhoods such as Hipódromo, Condesa, Álamos, among others, marking a new phase in community life. After a period of neglect and solitude, the synagogue was rescued through a respectful and loving restoration, reviving it from 2010 as the Historic Synagogue—a space open to the general public that offers a variety of Jewish cultural events for the education and enjoyment of its visitors. Inside the synagogue, there is a small exhibition where you can learn more about the restoration process and the work that was undertaken.
Wedding of Rosa Katz and Benjamín Cemaj, February 1955.
Photo: Fam. Cemaj
The building
The Historic Synagogue of Justo Sierra 71 is a unique space in the Historic Center of Mexico City. Its façade, constructed from tezontle and cantera stone and adorned with Star of David carvings on its doors, invites visitors to step inside and discover a piece of the country's Jewish history. The earliest synagogues in Mexico were modeled after others; immigrants did not want to forget their past and, in a sense, brought it with them into their new diaspora. In this instance, a synagogue from Šiauliai (known as Shavel in Yiddish), Lithuania was replicated according to the wishes of the primary benefactor who hailed from that city. It was far more than just a place for prayer: this building served as a hub for charitable initiatives aimed at addressing the community's needs. Countless weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, and other family and community celebrations were held here, among many other events. In addition to this translation, you might be interested in exploring the rich architectural heritage of other historical sites in Mexico City, or learning more about how immigrant communities have preserved their cultural traditions in their new homes.
Spectacular entrance to the shul or synagogue with the original 1940s floor.
Photo: Zony Maya.
The Restoration
The Nidje Israel Synagogue was the center of Ashkenazi community life in Mexico from its inauguration in 1941 until the 1960s, when people began to move to other neighborhoods such as Condesa, Hipódromo, Álamos, Narvarte, and others. In the 1970s, there were still a few families living in the city center who kept this space alive, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. In the 1980s, the Herrera family—who adopted the synagogue for a time—brought it to life for a few more years, generously organizing a midday prayer service, which was difficult to sustain. When work began to restore the historic center, the Ashkenazi Kehillah decided to restore the synagogue to return it to its original splendor and share it with anyone interested in learning about a synagogue and Jewish history and culture in the country. We opened our doors in January 2010. Fortunately, the internal structure was intact—despite being an area subject to earthquakes and humidity—so the restoration focused on the murals, electrical work, woodwork, and plumbing. It took place from 2008 to 2009, and we reopened our doors in January 2010. Since then, we have carried out an enormous effort to promote our culture. The photos shared here give us a general idea of the process, from the beginning, when the synagogue showed clear deterioration, to how, thanks to the tremendous work of many people who, with love and dedication, managed to restore the building's shine and luminosity.
Our Neighborhood
The Historic Synagogue is located in a fascinating area of the Historic Center, not the one most recommended by tourist guides, but a more local, authentic, and treasure-filled neighborhood. We're a few blocks from the Zócalo, in the heart of old Mexico City. It corresponds to what was the university district before the creation of the National Autonomous University of Mexico campus, and on the edge of the old La Merced neighborhood, where Lebanese, Armenian, Spanish, and Jewish immigrants, among many others, converged. We're two blocks from the Abelardo Rodríguez Market and its impressive murals created by Diego Rivera's students; a block and a half from the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso, one of our favorite buildings in the city center; we're across from the Loreto Garden and the beautiful Manuel Tolsá fountain, among many other treasures that can be enjoyed on foot. We're also surrounded by shops selling fabrics, ribbons, clothing, and other colorful stores.
Facade of the imposing Colegio de San Ildefonso, once a Jesuit school and now one of the city's finest museums. Its courtyards feature incredible murals by the great masters. It's a block and a half from the Historic Synagogue.
Photo: Monica Unikel-Fasja
Meet our team
Jorge Abraham
Gobernador
Mónica Unikel-Fasja
Dirección
Vania Martínez
Asistente de Dirección