By staff writers

On 7 May the Ohel Rachel Synagogue was officially reopened as place of worship after 60 years. More recently the building was used as a museum.

Rabbi Shalom Greenberg, Director of the Chabad- Lubavitch of Shanghai, says that Chinese government approval has ensured continued communal use of the building through at least the summer, thanks to the 2010 World Expo.

The government’s decision allows for Friday evening and Saturday morning Shabbat services to take place at the synagogue. “We all wish to extend our appreciation to the Chinese government for this tremendous gesture,” said Rabbi Greenberg.

“It is truly special that this beautiful synagogue will be in regular use after having been idle for so long; that we will be using it during the Expo is monumental,” he added.

The synagogue, built by tycoon Jacob Sassoon in 1920, was used until 1952, with the exception of two years during World War II.

Since 1999 the community has been allowed access to celebrate Jewish festivals. A year before, then-U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and First Lady Hillary Clinton visited the synagogue to promote awareness of the landmark and its history.

The synagogue was listed in 2002 on the World Monuments Watch list of endangered buildings. Ohel Rachel used to be the home of 30 Torah scrolls, could hold over 700 people, and was the centre of Jewish life in Shanghai for decades.

Chinese officials, diplomats, local dignitaries, Jewish leaders and member of the Jewish community were on hand at the offi cial re-opening, gathered in the courtyard adjacent to the synagogue.