The opening of a new synagogue in Thuringia, whose Jewish population was decimated during WWII, would be newsworthy in itself, but even more striking is its location

The central German state of Thuringia boasts what is believed to be the oldest synagogue building in Europe – Erfurt’s aptly named Old Synagogue, parts of which date to the 11th century. No longer used for prayer, it houses a museum of Jewish history. Now Thuringia is also home to Europe’s youngest synagogue. Opened in May, the synagogue is located inside the Waldkliniken Eisenberg, a state-of-the-art hospital designed by architect Matteo Thun.

The idea behind the synagogue is that the hospital can welcome Jewish patients from all over Europe by offering them somewhere to pray, alongside a certified kosher kitchen with its own mashgiach (kashrut supervisor).

“For many patients, practising their religion is an integral part of their lives. Ten years ago, when we looked at the idea for the new clinic, we realised that there were practically no facilities for patients of the Jewish faith in Germany or anywhere else in Europe. Our intention is to welcome Jewish patients from all over the world,” says David-Ruben Theis, the hospital’s managing director.

The 30-square-metre Synagogue Eisenberg can hold 16 worshippers. It houses an 80-year-old Torah, and its furnishings come from the workshops of Israel’s Kibbutz Lavi. The building also has a ‘Shabbat elevator’ that runs automatically on the Sabbath. The synagogue and other facilities for Jewish patients have been financed by the clinic’s sponsoring association, private donations and funding from state lotteries.

“We are convinced that if you feel well, you will get well faster,” says Theis. “Being able to practise one’s faith plays an important role in a hospital. We are a top orthopaedic clinic. For patients who come to us and may have limited mobility after an operation, it is important that they do not have to travel too far, and the synagogue is located in the middle of our building.” The 254-bed clinic is home to the German Centre for Orthopaedics.

The synagogue’s opening ceremony in May featured the installation of the Torah scroll and prayers led by one of Germany’s most prominent rabbis, Rabbi Yitshak Ehrenberg from Berlin.

Charlotte Knobloch, former president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany and president of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria, was also present at the event. “The prayer room is not only a symbol of the clinic’s openness, but also a visible statement of support for the Jewish people in this region,” she said.

“We are very pleased that, with the Synagogue Eisenberg, Thuringia is now home to both the newest and the oldest synagogues in Europe. That is a powerful symbol of open-mindedness and a welcoming culture. Above all, it is a symbol against antisemitism – an important statement in times like these,” said the premier of Thuringia, Bodo Ramelow, who also attended the inaugauration.

Jewish life in the region was virtually wiped out during World War II. After the war, thousands of Jews, mostly from the Buchenwald and MittelbauDora concentration camps, returned to Thuringia, then in the Soviet zone, to await emigration to Canada, the USA, Australia and Israel. Some also settled in West Germany but others stayed and began to rebuild the community, establishing a new synagogue in Erfurt.

The community declined during the antisemitic purges in the Soviet bloc during the 1950s, when many Jews fled the GDR. But since 1990, the Erfurt community has grown as Jews from the former Soviet Union have settled in the area. Today Thuringia’s Jewish community numbers around 800, of which 500 are based in Erfurt.

“Jewish life is very much alive here. We hope that in the future not only our patients will visit the Eisenberg synagogue, but that it will encourage Jewish life to flourish across Eisenberg,” said Theis.

By Peter Watts

Photos by Marc Müller

This article appears in the Summer 2022 issue of JR.