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<table class="wikitable" style="float:right; clear:right; width:22em; margin:0 0 1em 1em;"> | |||
<caption style="font-weight:bold; font-size:1.2em;">Bergische Synagoge</caption> | |||
<tr><th scope="row">Religion</th><td>Judaism</td></tr> | |||
<tr><th scope="row">Location</th><td>Gemarker Straße<br>Wuppertal-Barmen, Germany</td></tr> | |||
<tr><th scope="row">Architect</th><td>Goedeking + Schmidt</td></tr> | |||
<tr><th scope="row">Type</th><td>Synagogue</td></tr> | |||
<tr><th scope="row">Groundbreaking</th><td>9 November 1998</td></tr> | |||
</table> | |||
The '''Bergische Synagoge''' is a synagogue in the Barmen district of [[Wuppertal]], [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], Germany. It is the place of worship of the Jewish community of Wuppertal and was inaugurated on 8 December 2002, 64 years after the destruction of the former Barmen synagogue during the [[Kristallnacht|November pogroms of 1938]]. It is located near the [[Gemarker Church]] on Gemarker Straße.<ref name="Uni"> | The '''Bergische Synagoge''' is a synagogue in the Barmen district of [[Wuppertal]], [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], Germany. It is the place of worship of the Jewish community of Wuppertal and was inaugurated on 8 December 2002, 64 years after the destruction of the former Barmen synagogue during the [[Kristallnacht|November pogroms of 1938]]. It is located near the [[Gemarker Church]] on Gemarker Straße.<ref name="Uni">[https://www.uni-wuppertal.de/en/third-mission/science-communication/transfer-stories/2026/translate-to-englisch-bergische-synagoge/ Documentation on the construction of the New Bergisch Synagogue (1996–2002)] (2026). ''Bergische University Wuppertal''.</ref> | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
=== Jewish community after 1945 === | === Jewish community after 1945 === | ||
The former Barmen synagogue, completed in 1897 to designs by [[Ludwig Levy]], was destroyed during the November pogroms of 1938. In 1945, after the [[Second World War]], about 145 Jewish survivors returned to Wuppertal and re-established a community. BEcause there was no Jewish life left in Wuppertal after the war, services took place in the former Jewish retirement home, located in Friedrich-Ebert-Straße.<ref name="Uni"> | The former Barmen synagogue, completed in 1897 to designs by [[Ludwig Levy]], was destroyed during the November pogroms of 1938. In 1945, after the [[Second World War]], about 145 Jewish survivors returned to Wuppertal and re-established a community. BEcause there was no Jewish life left in Wuppertal after the war, services took place in the former Jewish retirement home, located in Friedrich-Ebert-Straße.<ref name="Uni">[https://www.uni-wuppertal.de/en/third-mission/science-communication/transfer-stories/2026/translate-to-englisch-bergische-synagoge/ Documentation on the construction of the New Bergisch Synagogue (1996–2002)] (2026). ''Bergische University Wuppertal''.</ref> | ||
By the end of the 1980s, the Jewish community only included 65 members. During the 1990s, membership increased to approximately 2,000 due to the arrival of Jewish immigrants from the former [[Soviet Union]], which created a need for a larger synagogue.<ref name="Uni" /><ref name="Rundschau"> | By the end of the 1980s, the Jewish community only included 65 members. During the 1990s, membership increased to approximately 2,000 due to the arrival of Jewish immigrants from the former [[Soviet Union]], which created a need for a larger synagogue.<ref name="Uni" /><ref name="Rundschau">[https://www.wuppertaler-rundschau.de/lokales/doku-zum-bau-der-neuen-bergischen-synagoge-wuppertal_aid-142929573 Doku zum Bau der neuen Bergischen Synagoge Wuppertal] (27 January 2026). ''Wuppertaler Rundschau''.</ref> | ||
=== Construction === | === Construction === | ||
| Line 28: | Line 24: | ||
The construction cost approximately €4.5 million. The project received support from the cities of Wuppertal, [[Solingen]], [[Remscheid]] and [[Velbert]], as well as from the German state and the Jewish community.<ref name="Rundschau" /> | The construction cost approximately €4.5 million. The project received support from the cities of Wuppertal, [[Solingen]], [[Remscheid]] and [[Velbert]], as well as from the German state and the Jewish community.<ref name="Rundschau" /> | ||
The synagogue was designed by the Wuppertal architects Goedeking + Schmidt. The building consists of two cubic wings surrounding a round prayer hall. The hall is oriented towards [[Jerusalem]], with the [[Torah ark]] and the [[Bema#Judaism|bimah]] forming the liturgical centre. Nine tall, narrow windows on the street-facing side represent the nine lights of a [[Hanukkiah]]. A glass structure above the prayer hall forms a [[Star of David]] in the roof structure.<ref name="Baukunst"> | The synagogue was designed by the Wuppertal architects Goedeking + Schmidt. The building consists of two cubic wings surrounding a round prayer hall. The hall is oriented towards [[Jerusalem]], with the [[Torah ark]] and the [[Bema#Judaism|bimah]] forming the liturgical centre. Nine tall, narrow windows on the street-facing side represent the nine lights of a [[Hanukkiah]]. A glass structure above the prayer hall forms a [[Star of David]] in the roof structure.<ref name="Baukunst">[https://baukunst-nrw.de/objekte/1061-neue-synagoge-wuppertal Neue Synagoge Wuppertal]. ''Baukunst NRW''. Accessed 24 September 2026.</ref> | ||
The synagogue can accommodate approximately 300 people. Above the entrance is a [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] inscription from [[Isaiah 56:7]]: | The synagogue can accommodate approximately 300 people. Above the entrance is a [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] inscription from [[Isaiah 56:7]]: <span lang="he" dir="rtl">ביתי בית תפלה יקרא לכל העמים</span>, translated as "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples". The inscription also appeared above the entrance to the former Barmen synagogue.<ref name="Uni" /><ref name="Baukunst" /> | ||
The inauguration of the synagogue was attended by German President [[Johannes Rau]], Israeli President [[Moshe Katsav]] and [[Paul Spiegel]], chairman of the [[Central Council of Jews in Germany]]. It was the first time that an Israeli president had attended the inauguration of a synagogue in Germany.<ref name="Wuppertal2002"> | The inauguration of the synagogue was attended by German President [[Johannes Rau]], Israeli President [[Moshe Katsav]] and [[Paul Spiegel]], chairman of the [[Central Council of Jews in Germany]]. It was the first time that an Israeli president had attended the inauguration of a synagogue in Germany.<ref name="Wuppertal2002">[https://www.wuppertal.de/presse/meldungen/is4news/rathaus_behoerden_presse_2002/synagoge-nachmittag.php Zwei Torarollen für die Bergische Synagoge] (8 December 2002). ''City of Wuppertal''.</ref> | ||
== Attacks == | == Attacks == | ||
The synagogue has been the target of two attempted arson attacks. | The synagogue has been the target of two attempted arson attacks. | ||
On 29 July 2014, three men threw several incendiary devices at the synagogue. No one was injured and initial police investigations found no damage to the building. An 18-year-old suspect was arrested, while police searched for two other suspects.<ref name="AP20142"> | On 29 July 2014, three men threw several incendiary devices at the synagogue. No one was injured and initial police investigations found no damage to the building. An 18-year-old suspect was arrested, while police searched for two other suspects.<ref name="AP20142">[https://www.ksl.com/article/news/world/synagogue-in-germany-attacked/30912014 Synagogue in Germany attacked] (29 July 2014). Associated Press.</ref><ref name="Reuters20142">[https://www.jpost.com/jewish-world/jewish-features/assailants-attack-synagogue-in-western-germany-369284 Assailants attack synagogue in western Germany] (29 July 2014). ''The Jerusalem Post''. Reuters.</ref> The three men were later convicted of attempted aggravated arson. During the trial, the defendants said they had intended to draw attention to the [[Gaza–Israel conflict]].<ref name="taz20152">[https://taz.de/Anschlag-auf-Wuppertaler-Synagoge/%215023774/ Anschlag auf Wuppertaler Synagoge: Der Alkohol soll Schuld sein] (14 January 2015). ''die tageszeitung''.</ref> | ||
On 17 September 2026, a second attempted arson attack took place as a man poured flammable liquid on the steps of a side entrance to the synagogue and set it on fire. Only minor damage was sustained because the fire was quickly put down. An Afghan man was later arrested near the synagogue. Knives and a [[machete]] were found in his flat and there are indications that he made comments indicating an [[Antisemitism|antisemitic]] motive.<ref name="Tagesschau20262"> | On 17 September 2026, a second attempted arson attack took place as a man poured flammable liquid on the steps of a side entrance to the synagogue and set it on fire. Only minor damage was sustained because the fire was quickly put down. An Afghan man was later arrested near the synagogue. Knives and a [[machete]] were found in his flat and there are indications that he made comments indicating an [[Antisemitism|antisemitic]] motive.<ref name="Tagesschau20262">[https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/nordrheinwestfalen/wdr-anschlag-auf-synagoge-wuppertal-mann-warf-beutel-mit-brennbarer-fluessigkeit-gegen-gotteshaus-100.html Anschlag auf Synagoge Wuppertal: Mann warf Beutel mit brennbarer Flüssigkeit gegen Gotteshaus] (17 September 2026). ''Tagesschau''.</ref><ref name="DW20262">[https://amp.dw.com/en/wuppertal-synagogue-attack/a-79331270 German police probe arson attack on Wuppertal synagogue] (18 September 2026). ''Deutsche Welle''.</ref> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
| Line 54: | Line 41: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* | * [https://www.bergische-synagoge.de/ Official website] | ||
* [https://www.uni-wuppertal.de/en/third-mission/science-communication/transfer-stories/2026/translate-to-englisch-bergische-synagoge/ Documentation on the construction of the New Bergische Synagogue (1996–2002)] – Bergische University Wuppertal | * [https://www.uni-wuppertal.de/en/third-mission/science-communication/transfer-stories/2026/translate-to-englisch-bergische-synagoge/ Documentation on the construction of the New Bergische Synagogue (1996–2002)] – Bergische University Wuppertal | ||
* [https://baukunst-nrw.de/objekte/1061-neue-synagoge-wuppertal Neue Synagoge Wuppertal] – Baukunst NRW | * [https://baukunst-nrw.de/objekte/1061-neue-synagoge-wuppertal Neue Synagoge Wuppertal] – Baukunst NRW | ||