Friedenstempel Synagogue

This private synagogue was built and funded by Prof. Solomon Goldberg, to honor the memory of his parents and parents-in-law. He commissioned the architectural firm, G. & C. Gause, to plan and build a large, grand house of worship. The new synagogue, which became known as the Friedenstempel (“temple of peace”), was inaugurated in 1923 with a seating capacity of 1,450 (864 men and 586 women); at times the synagogue became so overcrowded that the police had to be called in to keep order. Although officially classified as a Liberal congregation with an organ and a mixed choir, those who attended the Friedenstempel conducted services in the Orthodox fashion. A smaller, adjacent building was used for weekday services; on the Sabbath, Orthodox services were held there. In 1928, Solomon Goldberg suffered a financial setback and was no longer able to support the Friedenstempel synagogue. Consequently, it was incorporated into the association of synagogues that belonged to the official Jewish Community of Berlin, whose purpose was to oversee Jewish community and religious life in the whole city. On Pogrom Night (November 1938), the synagogue was vandalized and set on fire. It was torn down in 1959, and an apartment building now stands in its place. A memorial plaque has been affixed to the building.

Moshe Finkel

Copyright: Pogrom Night 1938 - A Memorial to the Destroyed Synagogues of Germany/ Germansynagogues.com

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