The synagogue is named after the medieval rabbi and biblical commentator Rashi, who was born and died in Troyes.

The European University Rashi Institute, (French: L'Institut Universitaire Européen Rachi), located opposite the synagogue, is a research institute independent of the synagogue focused on Jewish studies, Semitic studies, and Monotheism.

He studied Talmud at a yeshiva in Worms, a Free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire.

In 1285, Champagne was annexed by King Philippe IV of France, which led to the persecution of the local Jewish community.

In 1288, thirteen Jews in Troyes falsely accused of blood libel were burned at the stake.

[3] Following the Franco-Prussian War and the German annexation of Alsace-Lorraine, a Jewish community returned to Troyes as Ashkenazi Jews from Germany moved to the city.

It was opened by author Elie Wiesel and Chief Rabbi of France Samuel Sirat.

Carved into the stone arch is an excerpt from Psalm 118, verse 9, which reads: « פִּתְחוּ-לִי שַׁעֲרֵי-צֶדֶק; אָבֹא-בָם, אוֹדֶה יָהּ », translated to Open to me the Gates of Righteousness I will enter into them, I will give thanks unto the LORD.