We had a full day stopover in Berlin on our way back from Europe to the U.S. I wanted to visit a Synagogue with historical significance.

The New Synagogue opened in 1866. It was the largest synagogue in Germany boasting 3,200 seats.  The New Synagogue was neither completely Orthodox  nor Reform. The large and elaborate building reflected the people’s wish to be recognized and be part of German society.

The building was famous for the dome more than 50 meters high with gilded ribs. The traditional style of the building and the Hebrew Inscriptions show how the Jews did not want to completely assimilate.

With time the Synagogue adopted more liberal views.

The Synagogue was set on fire in 1938 by a pogrom but was saved from burning down. During WWII the Wermacht used the synagogue as a warehouse. In 1943 the building was bombed by the Allies. Following WWII the building was in Soviet hands. Finally in 1988 the New Synagogue Berlin – Centrum Judaicum Foundation began reconstructing the building.

The New Synagogue is currently a museum with exhibits on past Jewish life in Germany.