"Perhaps it says something that in 2008 the European Union feels it appropriate to state formally that Jews are full and free citizens. Remember, in “Philosophical Dialogues” (1755) Moses Mendelssohn wrote of "the amalgamation of Judaism and the German spirit" -- and that seems to been an unachievable goal -- perhaps that's why 250 years later Europe is still feels the need to say Jews can be European... . jcm"
Great Synagogues were established across Europe in the 19th Century
The main synagogue in Brussels is set to be re-dedicated as the Great Synagogue of Europe.
The president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, is due to join chief rabbis from across Europe for the ceremony in Belgium's capital.
Correspondents say it is a symbolic move, but the organisers hope the synagogue will become the focus for pan-European Jewish events.
The synagogue is a Romanesque building dating from 1878 on Rue de la Regence.
It survived the Holocaust, during which nearly 25,000 Belgian Jews perished.
'Prayer for Europe'
The BBC's Dominic Hughes in Brussels says the dedication ceremony to mark the creation of a Great Synagogue of Europe will be a traditional one, but the event is more political than theological.
In the 19th Century, Great Synagogues were established in many European capitals, in response to the European Enlightenment - demonstrating that Jews were full and free citizens.
Now Jewish leaders want to make that statement at a European level, he says.
The ceremony of dedication, led by the synagogue's Chief Rabbi, Albert Guigui, will involve the reading of a specially-drafted "Prayer for Europe".
Among the guests will be the chief rabbi of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, Sir Jonathan Sacks, who will give a key-note address.
He will be joined by fellow members of the Conference of European Rabbis and several other leading figures from major European institutions, including Mr Barroso and at least 17 ambassadors.
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