Rachel Salamander, chairwoman of the “Synagoge Reichenbachstraße” association, appeared relaxed just days before the reopening: “When you’ve worked on something for so long, it’s more of a relief than stress,” she told Hallo.
On Monday, September 15, the Jewish house of worship will reopen its doors, marked by a major ceremony. Even Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CSU) has announced he will attend. “The Jewish community is receiving a valuable heritage back, but art lovers will also gain an attraction,” said Salamander. She founded the association in 2013 and has advocated for the renovation ever since. Since 2021, extensive work has been carried out to restore the synagogue to its original 1931 condition.
The building was designed by Gustav Meyerstein in the Bauhaus style, one of only a few such structures worldwide. During the November Pogrom (Kristallnacht), the synagogue was vandalized by the Nazis. It reopened in 1947 and served as the main synagogue until the inauguration of the “Ohel Jakob” synagogue.
The original color and lighting scheme has been reconstructed, including the blue walls and the original windows. The association also received handwoven textiles by Jewish Bauhaus artist Gunta Stölzl (1897–1983), which will adorn the Torah ark.
“The main goal was to make the synagogue accessible to the public,” explained Salamander. In the future, it will serve not only as a fully functional house of worship but also host lectures, guided tours, concerts, and student programs—all by registration. In cooperation with the Jewish Museum, additional events are planned. A guided tour at the end of September is already fully booked, with more activities to follow.
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