A presence that dates back to ancient times:

After the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem (in 70 CE), Jewish communities implanted in Marseille, then along the Rhone valley before reaching Clermont-Ferrand. In the fifth century, the Jewish Quarter is located around the current street Fontgiève (meaning fountain of Jews) and at the foot of the hill Montjuzet (which means mountain of the Jews). Fontgiève remains the area of Jews during the Middle Ages. From the fourteenth century, we lose track of them. It is likely that following the plague and persecution, they disperse before leaving the Kingdom where they are banned in 1615. In the late eighteenth century, they settled back, still in the neighborhood Fontgiève ...

A modest place of worship:

Under the Second Empire, the Jewish community in Clermont entrust the care Jarrier Louis François (1829-1881), architect of the city, transforming the "home Roger" in place of worship. The synagogue of the Four-Passports will be inaugurated March 20, 1862. Modest size (6m 11m), the building would pass almost unnoticed if not Jarrier had tripartite facade with a central body with a fake stone of Volvic. The door, flanked by two pilasters, is surmounted by the inscription "Temple" and crowned with a pediment at the center of which is a decorative inlaid in white marble surrounded by foliage. Above, two bays pierced the wall in the tables are topped by the Act. They are maintained and enhanced by two side curls which a string is attached.

The breath of Safed mysticism:

In the early days of the occupation, the synagogue underwent regular attendance.

Rabbi Andrew Chekroun says:

"The rabbinical seminary of Paris had fallen to Chamalières under the leadership of Rabbi Maurice Liber, with a handful of students (including André Chekroun) ... Around the seminar and the humble synagogue Four-Passports, regrouped families Alsatian refugees often ... Despite or because of the tragedy, Judaism has rarely been so at Clermont-Ferrand-occupied such a degree of fervor and excitement ... For those who lived through that unforgettable atmosphere, Four-Passports synagogue was the first breath of mystical Safed masters that hung over the Auvergne. "

With the first roundups of Jews in late 1942, the synagogue ceased to be popular. It opened its doors at the end of the war.

The synagogue today:

In 1966, the Shrine is transferred into an apartment Blatin Street and the synagogue of the Four-Passports is sold. It then undergoes big changes: a floor is installed at the rostrum while the furniture is shipped Blatin street. In 1990 the synagogue was sold again. One patron bought it as a gift to the Jewish community of Clermont-Ferrand, too poor it can not be restored. Only existing synagogue in Auvergne, located almost midway between Bordeaux and Lyon, this building should become a memorial dedicated to the memory of the righteous Auvergne and development of Jewish culture in the Auvergne.

Now high in 2006 of obtaining its inclusion in the inventory of historical monuments, it expects a revival in which a whole team working for ten years.

Renaissance worthy of its status as true place of Jewish memory of Auvergne.