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Berlin Synagogue Reopens

Country’s largest synagogue survived century of strife

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 31, 2007 10:10 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Germany’s largest synagogue has re-opened its doors after a major restoration, welcoming political leaders and Holocaust survivors to its unveiling. Built over 100 years ago, the Berlin temple was burned on Kristallnacht but the structure survived Nazism, Communism and decades of neglect. Architects re-created the original appearance with the use of just three historical photographs, the BBC reports.

A 94-year-old rabbi who preached in the synagogue in the 1930s was in attendance, calling the restoration a “miracle.” Germany has seen an influx of Russian Jews and a re-birth of Jewish culture; the former world capital of anti-Semitism now hosts one of the world's fastest-growing Jewish populations.

Rabbis stand in the biggest German synagogue in Rykestrasse street in Berlin on Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. After two years of renovation work to the synagogue built in 1904 it reopened on Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Rabbis stand in the biggest German synagogue in Rykestrasse street in Berlin on Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. After two years of renovation work to the synagogue built in 1904 it reopened on Friday, Aug. 31,...   (Associated Press)
Kai J. Friedrich checks a ceiling lamp in the main hall of the biggest German synagogue at the Rykestrasse street in Berlin during renovation works on Friday, Aug. 3, 2007. After two years of renovation the synagogue built in 1904 will reopen on Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Kai J. Friedrich checks a ceiling lamp in the main hall of the biggest German synagogue at the Rykestrasse street in Berlin during renovation works on Friday, Aug. 3, 2007. After two years of renovation...   (Associated Press)
A view into the main hall of the biggest German synagogue at the Rykestrasse street in Berlin is seen during renovation works on Friday, Aug. 3, 2007. After two years of renovation the synagogue built in 1904 will reopen on Friday Aug. 31, 2007. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
A view into the main hall of the biggest German synagogue at the Rykestrasse street in Berlin is seen during renovation works on Friday, Aug. 3, 2007. After two years of renovation the synagogue built...   (Associated Press)
Rabbis stand in the biggest German synagogue in Rykestrasse street in Berlin on Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. After two years of renovation work to the synagogue built in 1904 it reopened on Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Rabbis stand in the biggest German synagogue in Rykestrasse street in Berlin on Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. After two years of renovation work to the synagogue built in 1904 it reopened on Friday, Aug. 31,...   (Associated Press)
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Germany • Berlin • Holocaust • Judaism • restoration • synagogue • Nazism • Communism • Kristallnacht

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