The historic synagogue dates back to 1723. There are Shabbos services on a regular basis. During the second world war the synagogue was severely damaged and looted by members of the Dutch Nazi Party (NSB). After the war the synagogue was rebuilt and it reopened in 1947. After an extensive renovation in the 1980s, it regained once again its historic splendor and now welcomes many groups on tour interested in Jewish culture and history.

The collection of antique parochot is the pride and joy of the Leiden synagogue. A parochet is the ornamented curtain that covers the Aron Kodesh ( ark which contains the  the torah scrolls). The Jewish Community has published a fascinating book on the history of the Leiden parochot and can be purchased at the Jewish Community or at the NIK bookstore in Amsterdam.

The Leiden Jewish Community includes the following cities and communities:
Leiden, Ter Aar, Alkemade, Alphen a/d Rijn, Benthuizen, Bodegraven, Boskoop, Hazerswoude, Hillegom, Katwijk, Koudekerk a/d Rijn, Leiderdorp, Leimuiden, Lisse, Nieuwkoop, Nieuwveen, Noordwijk, Noordwijkerhout, Oegstgeest, Rijnsaterwoude, Rijnsburg, Sassenheim, Valkenburg, Voorhout, Voorschoten, Warmond, Woubrugge, Zevenhoven and Zoeterwoude.

Guided tours
The Jewish Community of Leiden offers guided tours for groups. For more information, please mail or call +31 71 512 5793.