Rykestrasse Synagogue

The synagogue is located in Rykestraße Rykestraße 53 in the Berlin district of Prenzlauer Berg ( Pankow ) in the so-called Kollwitz neighborhood. Since its re-opening in 1953, it is with the 2000 comprehensive ( after reconstruction 1200) places the prayer room, the largest synagogue in Germany.

History

Planning and beginnings

Although in the Rykestraße was not directly center of Jewish settlement, the road is due to the synagogue for the former flourishing life in the Berlin community. The Jewish community of Berlin, where he built a synagogue, as another church was needed due to the influx of Eastern European Jews, especially in the north- east of Berlin next to the New Synagogue. At the synagogue, the funeral procession, which led the Jews transition from Kollwitz Platz to the Jewish cemetery on the beautiful Allee at funerals began.

The building of the synagogue was built in 1903 /04 according to the architect Johann Hoeniger in neo- Romanesque style. This was preceded by an elaborate approval process. The inauguration took place after ten months of construction on September 4, 1904 just in time instead of the High Holy Days of the year 5665. On the installation of an organ was omitted in view of the differences in the Jewish community, but a future location was planned during construction. In the year of the inauguration was the VI in the front house. Religious school of the Jewish community set up with up to 500 students. In 1926, the Jewish School Association opened the III. Private elementary school of the Jewish community in the building, having already there found a primary school since 1922.

Prenzlauer Berg was until the beginning of the Nazi terror regime as a center of Jewish life.

Period of National Socialism

Although Jewish life publicly came to a standstill by the Nazi regime, the need grew for Jewish events, which was taken into account as long as possible in the synagogue Rykestraße. This is also the primary school was extended. A traditionalization began in 1934, when a new liturgy was introduced for the Friday evening - two years later for Saturday morning.

The synagogue stood in the courtyard of the street only narrow plot in a typical inner-city residential area in Berlin, which prevented complete destruction during the Kristallnacht pogrom in 1938. Neighboring properties should not be endangered by destruction. However, the interior of the synagogue was desecrated, rabbis and community members were deported to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

After April 1940, the last service was held, the synagogue was abused by the confiscation by the army garrison administration from May 1940 as a depot and stables. The III. Elementary school in the front house was confiscated after the summer holidays in 1941 for the German field post and forcibly closed. The remaining students could be taught even to the forced closure of all Jewish schools on 30 June 1942 in various alternative quarters of the Jewish community.

After the liberation of Germany by the Nazi regime by the Allies Jews were in the front building of the synagogue temporarily housed from Eastern Europe ( Displaced Persons ), who had survived the regime. On July 29, 1945, the first couple were married after the Holocaust by Rabbi Martin Riesenburger.

Time of the GDR

As the only surviving synagogue in East Berlin was consecrated after extensive renovations on August 30, 1953 by Giant Burger again. After the construction of the Berlin Wall, it served the East Berlin Jewish community as a synagogue and became the center of Judaism in the GDR. In 1961 the municipality had 3,000 members. 1966 died Giant Burger. Since then, one had to rely on external rabbi. Cantor of the congregation is Ingster since 1966 Oljean. Around 1990 the community numbered only about 200 members.

In addition to a renovation in 1953, there was another in 1957. Due to greater storm damage more in need of repair 1967-1978.

After the reunification

Since the fall of 1999, is located in the former primary school teacher, the house of Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, whose mission is to promote Jewish life in Central and Eastern Europe.

A window and door renovation was carried out in the years 2000 to 2003.

The 100th anniversary on September 12, 2004 to the invited the chairman of the Jewish Community of Berlin, Albert Meyer, became a remarkable event, attended by Federal President Horst Köhler, the Israeli Ambassador Shimon Stein and Berlin's mayor Klaus Wowereit attended.

2004 should be held in the synagogue the surrender of the Moses Mendelssohn Award. As the honored for their commitment winner Hilde Schramm, founder of the Foundation " Return ", which promotes living in Germany, Jewish artists and scientists, the daughter of Albert Speer 's, but this was rejected.

Architects for about three years of renovations until 2007, Ruth Golan and Kay Zareh. It was placed much emphasis on developing the original state from 1904 to approach again. These difficulties have arisen since the original state was hardly recognizable. So the building was in the early 1990s in nor brown and white, iron candlesticks were temporarily painted with gold paint. The exterior renovation promoted the Berlin Senate with 2.3 million euros, for the interior restoration, there was a further 3.1 million euros from lottery funds.

On 31 August 2007, the synagogue was opened simultaneously with the start of the Festival of Jewish Culture again. The opening ceremony was also attended by Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble and Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, in part.

The vast number of worshipers today comes from the territory of the former Soviet Union. The synagogue Rykestraße regarded as liberal- conservative.