Two thousand seats. Imagine the murmur of prayer echoing through this space. This is the Fraenkelufer Synagogue in Berlin. A place of worship once brimming with life. Now it stands as a testament to resilience.
The Fraenkelufer Synagogue opened in 1916. Architect Alexander Beer designed it in a neoclassical style. It was one of Berlin’s largest synagogues. It housed not only a main prayer hall but also a weekday synagogue. There was a youth hall a wedding hall and even living quarters. It served as a vibrant community center. A kindergarten and after-school care opened in 1925. A religious school met twice a week.
Tragedy struck during Kristallnacht in 1938. The main building was severely damaged by fire. The flames were contained thanks to its proximity to a school. The fire brigade and police intervened quickly. The main prayer hall was unusable. Services moved to the smaller youth synagogue in the side wing. This continued until 1942. Other congregations also used the space. Rabbi Julius Jakobovits officiated until he emigrated. Rabbi Georg Kantorowski Rabbi Regina Jonas and Rabbi Martin Riesenburger also led services.
In 1941 the building became a storage place for looted Jewish property. In 1942 the Gestapo took over. They used it to park military vehicles. Bombing raids in 1944 caused further damage. The main building was demolished in 1958 and 1959.
Yet even amidst destruction hope endured. The youth services building reopened in September 1945. This was thanks to Harry Nowalsky a Jewish-American soldier. It was the first synagogue to reopen in Berlin after the war. Robert Capa a Jewish-Hungarian-American war photographer documented this. He captured images for Life magazine. Some are displayed here today. Weddings bar mitzvahs and religious instruction continued in this smaller building.
In 1985 Torah curtains from other synagogues were discovered in the attic. They were restored and are now on display. A memorial stone commemorates the destruction. A plaque recounts the history of the site.
The former side wing was reconsecrated in 1959. It became a place of prayer and community life. Rabbis of various affiliations have served here. The congregation initially consisted of survivors and returnees. Immigrants from across the globe joined over the decades. Today the community remains vibrant diverse and international. Plans for a complete reconstruction of the main synagogue are underway. A new Jewish community and cultural center will rise from the ashes. This will be a true testament to Berlin’s enduring spirit. A place of hope and remembrance. A beacon of Jewish life in the heart of Kreuzberg. This is the future of the Fraenkelufer Synagogue.