This synagogue, over the course of its history, has seen generations of Tunisian Jews pray, celebrate life cycle events, and welcomed numerous rabbis as visitors and scholars.

Since the beginning of the 1980s, due to a decrease in the number of congregants, the synagogue closed its doors except for during the summer (July–August), when Jewish tourists visit the area on vacation.

In 1994, the synagogue was damaged by severe winter weather, leading to the collapse of the dome and structural danger to the rest of the building.

On the evening of April 11–12, 2002, the synagogue was ransacked, with holy books ripped and burned and other ritual objects damaged.

It is painted in blue and white, traditional colors for Judaism as well as for the village of Sidi Bou Said, which overlooks La Marsa.

The interior of the synagogue uses a unique circular heikhal (Torah ark) and a wooden Teba (Bimah) carved by famous local Cabinet makers.

It is said that the Bey of Tunis, a patron of the arts who had a vacation home in La Marsa, helped assist in the making of the Teba.

Due to these diverse roles, Rabbi Kalfon became an emblematic figure in Tunisian Judaism and in the life of the La Marsa synagogue.