The period of assimilation after the Compromise of 1867 saw the Jewish community in Hungary split into several factions. Those who accepted assimilation more readily had, in many respects, let go of some old traditions. We call them the Neolog community. This movement also became independent in Győr with the community building its own synagogue. The synagogue, the Jewish temple is the congregation’s house, a community space, a home where the members of the community may meet. The Neolog community had built its synagogue and school by 1870. The building was designed by Károly Benkó, with a central floor plan, dome and organ.
The synagogue you see here has a central floor plan, and served as a model for later similar Hungarian synagogues, such as the one in Szeged. The interior is beautifully decorated, in keeping with the Art Nouveau style of the time, while also accentuating Jewish traditions. As idol worship is prohibited in Judaism, no humans or animals are depicted in the interior, and only plant motifs are applied. The gallery was designed for the ladies, from where they could follow the service without "disturbing" the gentlemen. The school next to the synagogue was a 4-year elementary and religious school, which operated until 1942. By 1927, however, Jewish population in Győr had increased so much that the building had to be extended. The community then enlarged the space with new staircases and a winter temple.
Today the synagogue and the school buildings are jointly used by the Széchenyi István University and the Rómer Flóris Museum of Art and History. As the building has amazing acoustics, concerts are often organised here, as well as museum performances, guided tours and other music events, always attracting large audiences. The school houses the University's music department, while the synagogue serves as the University Concert Hall.