A place of remembrance and courage

"This new old synagogue is once again an expression of Jewish vitality in Germany", said Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the reopening of the synagogue on Munich's Reichenbachstrasse. The Federal Chancellor was deeply moved in his speech. He spoke about the history of Jewish life that the synagogue reflects - from the hope and vitality of the 1930s, to its almost complete destruction during the Shoah, to the revival after the Second World War and now the present day.

However, it is also part of the current reality that Jewish life is still only possible with massive police protection. Anti-Semitism persists and has increased dramatically since 7 October 2023. "I therefore take this opportunity to vow to fight all forms of old and new anti-Semitism in Germany on behalf of the entire Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Germany", said the Federal Chancellor. "We will not tolerate anti-Semitism, including in the supposed guise of freedom of art, culture and science."

Musical accompaniment and ceremonial handover of the keys

In addition to the Federal Chancellor, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder and the Lord Mayor of Munich Dieter Reiter were also among the guests. Pianist Igor Levit provided the musical accompaniment. The keys were ceremoniously handed over to the President of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria, Charlotte Knobloch.

The Reichenbachstrasse Synagogue in Munich is one of the few Bauhaus synagogues in the world. It was built in 1931 by Gustav Meyerstein, fell victim to complete devastation during the Pogrom Night in 1938 and was later restored as a place of worship for the Jewish community after the Second World War. After several years of renovation, the building now once again shines in its original glory. The driving force behind the restoration is the literary scholar and publisher Rachel Salamander. With lectures and concerts, the space is intended to be a place of Jewish life and encounters.

• E-mail, A place of remembrance and courage
• Facebook, A place of remembrance and courage
• X, A place of remembrance and courage