Maghain Aboth Synagogue

Maghain Aboth Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Southeast Asia, located at 24/26 Waterloo Street in the Rochor planning area of Singapore. Completed in 1878 for the Baghdadi Jewish community, it is a neoclassical building gazetted as a National Monument in 1998. The synagogue remains an active Orthodox place of worship and a key heritage landmark near the Bras Basah and Victoria sub-zones, reflecting Singapore's multicultural history.

Visitors can expect a well-preserved neoclassical synagogue set along Waterloo Street, with a symmetrical facade, columns, and a tranquil interior prayer hall featuring a central bimah and ark. The compound includes the synagogue building and adjacent community facilities. Visits are typically by prior appointment and may include a guided explanation of the building's architecture, heritage displays, and Jewish traditions. The surroundings are urban and central, close to museums and civic district landmarks.

Built in 1878 to serve the growing Baghdadi Jewish community, Maghain Aboth Synagogue replaced an earlier synagogue on Synagogue Street. Construction was funded with support from prominent community members including Manasseh Meyer. It is the oldest surviving synagogue in Southeast Asia and was gazetted as a National Monument on 27 February 1998, recognizing its architectural and historical value.

The synagogue is the central Orthodox Jewish place of worship in Singapore and a focal point for Jewish religious life, festivals and community gatherings. It represents the heritage of the Baghdadi Jewish diaspora in Singapore and contributes to the multicultural character of the Waterloo Street and Bras Basah precinct alongside nearby churches, temples and museums.