New Synagogue In Berlin
52 31 '29 "N 13 23' 40" E / 52.5247, 13.3944
The New Synagogue (Neue Synagoge in German) Oranienburger Street, located in central Berlin , is not, despite its name, a modern monument. It is a building with a significant emotional meaning for the Jewish population of Berlin, and a remarkable public monument of the second half of the nineteenth century. Because of fears of vandalism, anti-Semitic and terrorism , it is subject to ongoing monitoring.
Summary |
In the mid-nineteenth century, the Jewish community of Berlin had greatly increased. Around 1860 , it had about 28,000 members. The synagogue was then unique in Heidereutergasse, near Hackescher Markt in the center of Berlin, and no longer offered enough space. The Jewish community then acquired in 1856 of land overlooking the street and Oranienburger launched in April 1857 a competition for architects to build a new synagogue. The architect Eduard Knoblauch , member since 1845 of the Academy of Fine Arts of Prussia , won the contest. It was already known to the community, as he had previously restored the old synagogue and built the hospital Jew. But Knoblauch was seriously ill and must give way to his friend Friedrich August Stler , "the architect of the Prussian kings" that run the majority of the work and to whom we owe the interior.
The construction work begins after the laying of the foundation stone on 20 May 1859. The richtfest (feast celebrating the end of the shell) is celebrated in July 1861. It was then that the delays will accumulate. The interior is extremely expensive and the war with Denmark in 1864 lead to many disturbances. This is only for the Feast of the Jewish New Year on September 5 1866 (26 Elul 5626 the Jewish calendar ) that the synagogue is inaugurated. The Minister President of Prussia , the future Chancellor of the Reich , Otto von Bismarck was present at the ceremony.
Eduard Knoblauch in his plans, had incorporated elements of style Moorish , drawing especially from the Alhambra of Granada in Spain. This style stood out, and always stands out buildings around Prussian style, but not so great for building a synagogue in the middle of the nineteenth century.
The dome located above the main entrance hall and covered in gold leaf, peaks at exactly 50.21 m and forms a visible mark gloss far distance from the building. The faade facing the street is 29 m wide, and depth of field is 97 m. The facade facing the street Oraninburger is richly decorated with shaped bricks and terracotta , accented by the ceramic color. Behind the front building, about 15 degrees off axis due to the particular shape of the land, are the vestibule , the prsynagogue and great room. The costs that were estimated at 125 000 Taler , totaled 750,000 in reality Taler.
The great hall of the synagogue contains 3,000 seats, 1,800 men and 1,200 women. The colorful interior is illuminated by strikingly light from side windows and glass domes. The big new technique involves the heavy use of metal structures , visible at the pillars supporting painted, and invisible to the construction of the ceiling of the room and the great dome.
Theodor Fontane wrote in 1865 in the journal Kreuzzeitung "about the construction of the synagogue:" .. To all who are interested in new architectural solutions, we recommend a visit to this rich Jewish house of God, which erases away by its magnificence and grandeur all that Christian churches have so far shown ... ".
The day after the inauguration, the National-Zeitung "wrote:" ... The new house of God is the pride of the Jewish community of Berlin. It is also an ornament for the city, one of the most creative outstanding modern architecture in the Moorish style and one of the most magnificent buildings that have been built in recent years. "
Operation and Destruction
Antisemites consider this new synagogue with its golden dome as a provocation. But even within the Jewish community, it causes many disagreements. The Liberals argue that this unusual Moorish style building, is likely to highlight the strangeness of the Jewish religion and thus be an impediment to the process of integration desired. Conservative Jews have serious reservations regarding the various innovations liturgy at the office and contest the interior decoration of the synagogue. The community council called Rabbi Joseph Aub reformer and it directs the Office according to a new rite. The Conservatives challenged in particular the use of the organ, installed in 1868 , during the service. In the newly constructed building, the Conservatives are a "good theater, but not a synagogue ..." In 1869 , conservative members Adass Jisroel created and left in 1872 the community.
In 1885 , the new synagogue officially became the synagogue of the Jewish community of Berlin.
Overall, the majority of Jews consider this building with pride and satisfaction as the symbol of the importance and awareness of the Jewish community of Berlin. The Jewish house of God, the largest, most expensive and most beautiful of Germany is also an example for the use of modern construction techniques and becomes a respected monument.
During the pogrom of Kristallnacht (Reichskristallnacht) from 9 to 10 November 1938 , the SA (storm troopers) of the Nazi party began to set fire to the synagogue. The officer of the police brigade 16, Wilhelm Krtzfeld opposed to inflammatory and called firefighters who managed to extinguish the beginning of fire , thus preserving the synagogue from destruction. Krutzfeld who responded courageously, was later the subject of much bullying. A plaque commemorates this intervention extraordinarily courageous given the political situation at that time.
Untouched by fire, the synagogue is again used for offices since April 1939. The dome is covered with camouflage paint because of the threat of air raids. The last act is celebrated on 30 March 1940 , when the army confiscates for use as a supply depot.
On the night of 23 November 1943 , during an air attack on the Royal Air Force , the synagogue is reached and heavily damaged. After the war ended, a few Jewish survivors of the city founded a new Jewish community and establish its headquarters in the former administrative building of the synagogue still intact. It's all about creating the conditions for a revival of Jewish life in Berlin and also prepare emigration mainly to Israel or the United States from those who do not want to stay.
Located in the eastern part of Berlin , occupied Soviet , the damaged parts of the building are completely eliminated during the summer 1958. The only remaining part of the building facing the street Oranienburger.
Centrum Judaicum
Berlin's Jewish community will enjoy the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of Kristallnacht to launch the "Centrum Judaicum - Neue Synagogue in Berlin. November 10, 1988 , unfolds the laying of the first symbolic stone for reconstruction on the ruins of the past. Various projects were discussed at length. The idea of a complete reconstruction is identical to the rejected as an attempt to erase the misfortunes of the past and perhaps also to forget. All must become the center of Jewish life in Berlin, while incorporating a memorial to perpetuate the memory of the past and the memory of the disappeared.
The aim is to make visible the same magnificent architecture of the past and the violent destruction of the temple. The facade on the street very representative Oranienburger with the main dome was rebuilt to the golden original. A permanent exhibition informs Jewish life in Berlin. The name "Open wide the doors myself" is taken from a quotation from Isaiah inscribed in Hebrew at the entrance to the synagogue. Some architectural fragments and parts rediscovered the old interior design are also presented. At the rear of the building, rebuilt in the empty space rocks define the contours of the ancient synagogue. The reconstruction works were completed in 1993 and delivered to the building community on 16 December 1994. The set is not devoted solely to the synagogue, but in addition to the relatively small space of prayer, it includes various community facilities, a social-educational focus, as well as restaurants and cafes kosher and a gallery Art.
See also
Bibliography
- From Hermann Simon: Die Neue Synagoge, Berlin. Vergangenheit - Gegenwart - Zukunft. Berlin Edition Hentrich 1999.
References
- (De) This article is partially or entirely from the article in German entitled " Neue Synagoge (Berlin) "(see the list of authors )
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