Germany's biggest synagogue reopens on Friday in a special ceremony in Berlin.
Germany's biggest synagogue reopens on Friday in a special ceremony in Berlin.
The building in the east of the city, topped with a stunning blue dome, has been described as one of the jewels of Germany's Jewish community.
The building in the east of the city, topped with a stunning blue dome, has been described as one of the jewels of Germany's Jewish community.
It survived both Nazi rule and communism, and symbolises both the suffering and revival of Germany's Jewish community.
It survived both Nazi rule and communism, and symbolises both the suffering and revival of Germany's Jewish community.
Built a century ago, it has been restored with the help of the Berlin city authorities and lottery money.
Built a century ago, it has been restored with the help of the Berlin city authorities and lottery money.
Fast-growing community
Fast-growing community
The synagogue on Rykestrasse was set ablaze on Kristallnacht - the night in 1938 when so many Jewish temples, homes and businesses were torched.
The synagogue on Rykestrasse was set ablaze on Kristallnacht - the night in 1938 when so many Jewish temples, homes and businesses were torched.
The red-brick 1904 synagogue is in the east of the city
The red-brick 1904 synagogue is in the east of the city
It also survived atheist East Germany, although under communism the synagogue gradually fell into decay and disrepair.
It also survived atheist East Germany, although under communism the synagogue gradually fell into decay and disrepair.
Now the country's biggest synagogue has received a multi-million-dollar makeover and is reopening for worship.
Now the country's biggest synagogue has received a multi-million-dollar makeover and is reopening for worship.
In recent years there has been a revival of Jewish life and culture in Germany, helped by an influx of mainly Russian-speaking Jews from former Soviet states.
In recent years there has been a revival of Jewish life and culture in Germany, helped by an influx of mainly Russian-speaking Jews from former Soviet states.
It has meant that Germany today has one of the fastest growing Jewish communities in the world.
It has meant that Germany today has one of the fastest growing Jewish communities in the world.
What does the reopening of this synagogue mean to you? Will you be in attendance? Send us your comments using the form below.
