New synagogue

In the charming town of Wunstorf, nestled in the heart of Lower Saxony, Germany, stands a building that whispers tales of a bygone era. This unassuming structure on Küsterstraße 9, known as the New Synagogue (or Neue Synagoge in German), holds within its walls a rich tapestry of history, culture, and resilience.

The Historical Significance

The New Synagogue's story begins in 1913 when the Jewish community of Wunstorf, which had been thriving since the 13th century, acquired and transformed a five-year-old residential building into their new place of worship. This move was necessitated by the growing congregation and the dilapidated state of their previous synagogue on Nordstraße 14. The new synagogue was not just a place of worship but also housed a school and living quarters for the teacher and the caretaker.

Inside the synagogue, the layout was thoughtfully designed to cater to the community's needs. The benches were oriented towards the east, focusing on the Torah shrine, while a separate entrance led to the women's gallery on the west side. The apse was adorned with a starry design on a blue background, creating a celestial ambiance that must have been awe-inspiring during services. Despite its beauty, the synagogue did not have a mikveh, likely due to financial constraints as the community's numbers began to dwindle.

A Community's Heartbeat

The New Synagogue was more than just a religious building; it was the heartbeat of the Jewish community in Wunstorf. Every Friday evening, families gathered at the home of David Goldschmidt, adjacent to the synagogue, before heading to the synagogue for the Sabbath services. The community celebrated festivals with great enthusiasm, with the garden behind the synagogue serving as the venue for the annual Sukkot celebrations.

The Dark Days of November 1938

The peaceful existence of the Jewish community was shattered during the Kristallnacht pogrom on the night of November 9, 1938. The New Synagogue was vandalized by local SA men who broke in, set fires, and destroyed the interior. The Torah scrolls and other sacred texts were desecrated and burned in front of the town church. This night of terror marked the end of the synagogue as a place of worship and the beginning of a tragic chapter for the Jewish community in Wunstorf.

Following the pogrom, the synagogue building was repurposed as a Judenhaus, a place where the remaining Jews were forced to live until their eventual deportation to concentration camps in 1942. The community that had once thrived was decimated, leaving behind only memories and the scars of persecution.

Post-War Restoration and New Beginnings

After World War II, the New Synagogue building was restored under the direction of the British occupation forces. The restoration, which cost 9,917.81 Reichsmarks, was carried out by local firms and returned the building to a usable state. For a time, it served as a place of worship for Jewish members of the British army and as a storage space for the military administration.

In 1955, the building was sold to Johann Wach, an electrical master from Wunstorf, by the Jewish Trust Corporation for Germany. This organization was responsible for managing heirless Jewish properties. Since the mid-1980s, the building has been owned by two families who have lovingly maintained it as a residential home, thus preserving a piece of Wunstorf's Jewish heritage.

Visiting the New Synagogue Today

Today, the New Synagogue stands as a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of the Jewish community in Wunstorf. While it no longer functions as a synagogue, the building's historical significance is palpable. Visitors to Wunstorf can take a moment to reflect on the rich history and the tragic events that unfolded here. The building serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of tolerance, remembrance, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

As you stroll through the quaint streets of Wunstorf, the New Synagogue at Küsterstraße 9 invites you to pause and remember. Its walls may no longer echo with the prayers of the past, but they continue to tell the story of a community that once thrived here. The New Synagogue is not just a historical site; it is a symbol of resilience, a beacon of remembrance, and an integral part of Wunstorf's rich tapestry.

In conclusion, a visit to the New Synagogue in Wunstorf is a journey through time, offering a glimpse into the lives of the Jewish community that once called this town home. It is an opportunity to honor their memory and to reflect on the lessons of history. As you stand before this historic building, you are reminded of the enduring spirit of a community that, despite the darkest of times, continues to be remembered and celebrated.