The story of the Rue Legouvé synagogue
This place owes its existence to one man: Rav Shmuel “Moulé” Azimov.
Rav Shmuel Azimov (1945-2014), known to everyone as “Moulé”, led Chabad Lubavitch of France. Throughout his life he opened study houses, schools and community centres across the country, and shaped entire generations of French Jewry.
Towards the end of his life, illness gradually took away the use of his legs. On Shabbat one travels only on foot — and the walk to the Marais study house, where he had spent so many years, had become too long for him.
The community’s answer was simple and direct: if he could no longer go to the synagogue, the synagogue would come to him. A place of prayer was opened close to his home, at 8 Rue Legouvé. It is the one you walk into today.
After Rav Azimov
For years, Rav Chalom Halimi kept this place alive — its prayers and its open door. Since 2026, Mr Mendel Mani has taken over its direction and continues the story.
This page will grow: archive photographs, memories and accounts from those who knew Rav Azimov and the beginnings of the synagogue. Do you have a photo or a story? Message us on WhatsApp.