in detail
The Old Synagogue was built between 1911 and 1913 and was one of the most beautiful synagogues north of the Alps. It served as a meeting place and center of worship for the flourishing Jewish community. During the progom night of November 9, 1938 it was set on fire and its interior severely damaged.
It was used for different purposes throughout the sixties and seventies, until in 1980 a memorial and political and historical documentation forum of the city of Essen was established under the name the “Old Synagogue.” During two year extensive restoration work in 1987-88, an attempt was made to restore the synagogue to its former state. This entailed uncovering the dome.
The work of the Old Synagogue covers a broad spectrum including permanent exhibitions and regular changing exhibitions, numerous thematically relevant special events such as lectures, lecture series, readings, musical and recital performances, seminars and projects.
The archive contains over 300 biographical interviews, countless autobiographical accounts, private correspondences, testimonies, certificates and photographs.
A central focus of the work of the Old Synagogue is to provide educational programs for children and young peopld. Worth particular mention here is the Lehrhaus für Kinder (for 3rd to 6th graders) where children are offered an introduction to Jewish customs and traditions using playful methods and the Lehrhaus für Jugendliche und Demokratie under the title “I see something you don’t see.” Young people (10th to 13th graders) develop skills here for living in a democracy.
The Lehrhaus: Judentum offers adults the opportunity to discover the relevance of biblical texts together using rabbinical learning methods and different Jewish commentaries.
Another focus of the institution’s work is on a self-critical analysis of German history , but also of German and European contemporary times with the aim of achieving a future oriented political rational analysis. The Old Synagogue aims to have a strong impact on the city of Essen and from there on a wider German and international public.
1911-1913
The synagogue, one of the largest north of the Alps, is built.
Until 1938
Worship and meeting place of the flourishing Jewish community of Essen.
November 9, 1938
During the "Night of Broken Glass", the synagogue is set on fire and the interior is destroyed.
1959
The city of Essen purchases the former synagogue.
1961-1979
The building is used as an exhibition space for modern industrial design products and posters.
November 9, 1980
The building is established as a memorial and as a political and historical documentation forum.
1987 and 1988
Extensive restoration measures and uncovering of the 34 meter high dome.
Essen, 1930s, The old Synagogue, ALTE SYNAGOGE Essen.
Essen, 1992, a view of the exhibit "Milestones of Jewish Life", Stadtbildstelle Essen.
Essen, 1994, The OLD SYNAGOGUE, Stadtbildstelle Essen.
Essen, 2005, A view in the OLD SYNAGOGUE, ALTE SYNAGOGE Essen.
