The renovation of the 18th century former synagogue in Laudenbach, near Karlstadt in Bavaria, is progressing well and should be finished in 2024.
Preliminary work on the building began (as we posted) in 2020. But the full-scale restoration work only began in October of this year, according to the website of the Association that has spearheaded the work.
It said the roof was finished and covered with tiles, and carpentry work was carried out, including work to repair or restore half-timbered structures.
“The carpentry department did an excellent job, raising sunken ceilings, replacing trusses and ceiling beams and installing new tie rods,” Georg Schirmer, the chair of the Former Laudernbach Synagogue Association, was quoted on the news site Main-Echo as saying. “The statics of the building have been restored, but many questions regarding the design of the interior and the forecourt still need to be clarified.”
According to the Main-Echo, the total budget for the renovation is €775,000. The city of Karlstadt contributed €190,000. In 2020, the federal government’s monuments protection program allocated €250,000 for the project.
The synagogue is believed to have been built, originally as a residence, in the mid-17th century; it was then renovated in 1737. According to the Association, “The authorities imposed conditions on the building project, and above all they demanded that the synagogue should not ‘look like a church from the outside but look like another bourgeois house.’” It was gutted on Kristallnacht but not torched, as it was surrounded by other buildings. Later, it was used for storage until the city of Karlstadt purchased it in 2015.
Once completed, the former synagogue will be used for cultural purposes.
“We are very pleased with the progress of the building work,” Schirmer told JHE in an email. “The synagogue will not be rebuilt, but left essentially as it is now, with all the traces of its sacred use, its external use and its destruction. In this way, the building can tell its own story.”
Access web site of the Former Laudenbach Synagogue Association
Read our November 2020 post about the synagogue and local Jewish cemetery
6 comments on “Germany Update: Renovation of the former synagogue in Laudenbach is progressing well”
Mr. Schirmer , could you please send me information on the Hirschenberger, Berney, and Leah Blumenthal families. Who were the last 2 Jews of Laudenbach?
This was my family’s Schule before the holocaust. We, the survivors and their heirs, are now spread far and wide, but I believe the restoration to be vital to the act of remembering and rebirth.
Dear Mr.Lowenstein,
I am very pleased about your Email. The renovation of the synagogue is a reminder of the centuries-long life of Jewish families in Laudenbach, as a reminder and as hope. I have done a lot of research on the Jewish families in Laudenbach and have compiled an extensive genealogy. If you like, I would be very pleased if you would tell me which family your ancestors came from, perhaps one of the many Adlers, Franks, Berneys or Wormsers? Perhaps I have some information about your familiy that might interest you.
I would be grateful for an answer.
Best regards
It was my family’s shule as well. My Father z”l and his parents left . Unfortunately my great grandfather and his second wife didn’t. Their Name was Hirschenberger. Be well Joel Hirschey
Hi
I feel that too much money is spent on Synagogues where there are few or no Jews to use them. I feel that more money should be allocated to renovate cemeteries that are falling apart and in them lie Jews. for some of us this are the only once
they have. Hitler did not built graves.
Thank you.
Dear Zehava Taub,
thank you for your comment. Yes, you are right, Hitler did not build any graves and a lot of money was spent on the synagogue. In Laudenbach such a marvellous complete ensemble of buildings of the Jewish community has been preserved, in addition to the synagogue a large cemetery, two mikvahs, a matzo bakery, two mills with Jewish owners, many former Jewish houses. Many buildings and facilities of the Jewish communities in Germany were destroyed, not only in 1938, but also after 1945. We must take good care of the ruins, they are good places for remembrance and for learning about Jewish life, about conflicts and tolerance, especially for us non-Jews. We are currently in the process of collecting funding to translate the inscriptions on the gravestones.
Best wishes
Georg Schirmer