Historic German synagogue renovated

The Görlitz Synagogue in Görlitz, Saxony, Germany, has been restored, and in July 2021 it reopened to the public as Cultural Forum Görlitz Synagogue (Otto-Müller-Straße 3, Görlitz; phone +49 3581 672410, www.synagoge-goerlitz.de [in German only]).

Built in the early 20th century, the synagogue was damaged by fire during Kristallnacht, the night of Nov. 9, 1938, but was saved from destruction by firefighters, the only synagogue in Saxony not to be destroyed. Though left empty during the Nazi period, in post-WWII East Germany it was used by the city as a storage facility and not well maintained. After reunification, money was raised to repair the building.

Visitors to the synagogue, an Art Nouveau structure with an impressive dome hall, can see video displays and take an audio tour (in English) recounting the history of the building and Görlitz’s Jewish community. The site also will host concerts, lectures and other events. A room in the synagogue is reserved for Jewish religious services.