Consider the Carlebach-Synagoge. It stands as a testament to resilience. This house of worship faced destruction. It emerged as a symbol of Jewish life in Lubeck.
The Carlebach-Synagoge located in Lubeck’s Old Town. It sits between the Aegidienkirche and St. Annen-Kloster. Today this temple is named after Rabbi Salomon Carlebach. He served the community from 1870. He was a guiding light. The Carlebach-Synagoge is Schleswig-Holstein’s only fully preserved synagogue.
Before the synagogue stood here, the land had a rich history. In the 14th century, it was Lubeck’s largest farmyard. Later, from 1786 to 1811, it housed Hanover’s royal post office. The Jewish community acquired the land in 1862. They cleared the existing buildings. Construction on the synagogue began in 1878. Ferdinand Munzenberger oversaw the project. He designed it in the Moorish style. A dome graced the structure. C. Feldmann handled the interior painting.
The synagogue’s inauguration occurred in 1880. The entire Lubeck Senate attended. Mayor Heinrich Theodor Behn opened the building. An amusing incident marked the festive procession. A girl carried a gilded key on a cushion. It was meant for the mayor to open the temple. But in the excitement, they forgot to put the key on the cushion.
In 1905, the Jewish community celebrated the synagogue’s 25th anniversary. Rabbi Salomon Carlebach delivered a sermon. He emphasized the importance of unity between the community and its leadership.
During the Pogromnacht in 1938, the Carlebach-Synagoge suffered desecration. But it avoided being set ablaze. This was because of plans to sell it to the city. The official reason cited the dense city center. Also, its proximity to the St. Annen Museum was a factor. Instead, its interior was destroyed. It became a sports hall.
From 1939 to 1941, the synagogue’s facade was rebuilt. The Moorish elements and dome vanished. They were replaced with a simple brick facade. After the war, a Star of David and a Hebrew psalm verse marked its function as a synagogue.
Sanierungsarbeiten was slow. The synagogue fell into disrepair. A dispute arose in 2012. The question was should the historical facade be restored? Or not?
Renovation began in 2014. It concluded in 2021. The Carlebach-Synagoge was officially reopened.
Tragedy struck in the 1990s. There were two arson attacks. In 1994, neo-Nazis attacked the synagogue. This marked the first such attack in Germany since 1938. Another fire occurred in 1995. Security measures were increased. Burglar and bullet-resistant doors and windows were installed.
Today, the Carlebach-Synagoge stands as a testament to perseverance. It serves as a center for Jewish life in Lubeck. It is a place of worship. It is a reminder of the past. The Carlebach-Synagoge embodies hope for the future. The Carlebach-Synagoge’s story continues. It speaks of faith. It speaks of community. And it speaks of survival.