Germany's biggest synagogue has reopened in a special ceremony attended by political leaders and Holocaust survivors from around the world.
Germany's biggest synagogue has reopened in a special ceremony attended by political leaders and Holocaust survivors from around the world.
The building in the east of Berlin, 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 Berlin, topped with a stunning blue dome, has been described as one of the jewels of Germany's Jewish community.
The place of worship was built more than one hundred years ago.
The place of worship was built more than one hundred years ago.
But having survived both Nazi rule and communism, it had gradually fallen into a state of disrepair.
But having survived both Nazi rule and communism, it had gradually fallen into a state of disrepair.
The restoration was funded by Berlin city authorities with the help of lottery money.
The restoration was funded by Berlin city authorities with the help of lottery money.
Fast-growing community
Fast-growing community
The synagogue, on Rykestrasse, was set ablaze on Kristallnacht - the night in 1938 when many Jewish temples, homes and businesses were torched - but it narrowly avoided destruction.
The synagogue, on Rykestrasse, was set ablaze on Kristallnacht - the night in 1938 when many Jewish temples, homes and businesses were torched - but it narrowly avoided destruction.
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 slowly fell into decay and disrepair.
The red-brick synagogue is in the east of the city
The red-brick synagogue is in the east of the city
Now the country's biggest synagogue has received a multi-million-dollar makeover and is open for worship again.
Now the country's biggest synagogue has received a multi-million-dollar makeover and is open for worship again.
Originally built in 1904, the neo-classical construction was closed for more than three years for the 4.5 million euro ($6 million, £3 million) refit.
Originally built in 1904, the neo-classical construction was closed for more than three years for the 4.5 million euro ($6 million, £3 million) refit.
Architects Ruth Golan and Kay Zareh have used three surviving black and white photographs of the original building to recreate its original appearance.
Architects Ruth Golan and Kay Zareh have used three surviving black and white photographs of the original building to recreate its original appearance.
Among the guests at the inauguration ceremony was a 94-year-old rabbi named Leo Trepp, who preached at the synagogue in the 1930s.
Among the guests at the inauguration ceremony was a 94-year-old rabbi named Leo Trepp, who preached at the synagogue in the 1930s.
He told the AFP news agency that the reopening was a "miracle".
He told the AFP news agency that the reopening was a "miracle".
The BBC's Steve Rosenberg, in Berlin, says that there has been a revival of Jewish life and culture in Germany in recent years, helped by an influx of mainly Russian-speaking Jews from former Soviet states.
The BBC's Steve Rosenberg, in Berlin, says that there has been a revival of Jewish life and culture in Germany in recent years, helped by an influx of mainly Russian-speaking Jews from former Soviet states.
This has helped modern Germany boast one of the fastest-growing Jewish communities in the world.
This has helped modern Germany boast 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.
What does the reopening of this synagogue mean to you? Will you be in attendance? Send us your comments using the form below.
