Imagine standing here in 1958. Twenty years have passed since the November Pogrom. Thirteen years have passed since a Jewish congregation was re-established in Hamburg. Today marks a new beginning: the groundbreaking for the Synagoge Hohe Weide.
This Synagoge Hohe Weide is more than just a building. It symbolizes the restoration of dignity to Hamburg. Max Brauer, the mayor at the time, saw it as such. He considered the groundbreaking a ceremonial act of remembrance for the city.
Before this, the Jewish community used a prayer hall. It was in the Oppenheimer Stift. They also used a synagogue in a retirement home on Sedanstrasse. These were temporary solutions. The community needed a dedicated space.
The Synagoge Hohe Weide’s story began with a competition. Karl Heinz Wongel and Klaus May, two architects, won. Their design was chosen. On November 9, 1958, the cornerstone was laid. By September 9, 1960, the Synagoge Hohe Weide was complete.
Inside, the Synagoge Hohe Weide has a unique design. It is a pentagonal structure topped with a copper roof. A Star of David crowns the roof. Light streams through five high windows on each side of the room. Herbert Spangenberg designed these windows. They display Jewish symbols.
The Torah shrine stands on the eastern side. Women’s galleries face it. The Bima sits in the center. It is where the Torah is read. The Synagoge Hohe Weide also includes a smaller hall. This can expand the prayer space. It can also serve as a separate prayer room.
Outside, the Synagoge Hohe Weide is clad in white artificial stone panels. Traute Beermann designed the metal exterior doors. Above them, a Hebrew inscription reads, “Peace be within your walls, security within your citadels.” This verse from Psalm 122.7 reflects the community’s hope.
Since the early 1990s, police have guarded the Synagoge Hohe Weide. This is due to the threat of attacks. A section of Hohe Weide street is closed to vehicles. This ensures greater security.
In 2020, a man attacked a student. The student was wearing a kippah. He was on his way to a Sukkot celebration at the Synagoge Hohe Weide. Security forces apprehended the attacker.
The Synagoge Hohe Weide stands as a testament. It shows the resilience and rebirth of Jewish life in Hamburg. It represents a commitment to a future here. It serves as a place of worship, community, and remembrance. The Synagoge Hohe Weide remains a vital part of Hamburg’s cultural landscape.