The Old Synagogue Essen – House of Jewish Culture

The Old Synagogue Essen was designed by architect Edmund Körner and opened in 1913. It is one of the most important Jewish buildings in Europe. The interior was demolished during the November pogroms of 1938. Yet, unlike other synagogues, it was not completely destroyed. Today, the refurbished Old Synagogue in Essen is a unique architectural testimony to European Jewish life in the early 20th century. Structurally, it is also the largest free-standing former Synagogue northern of the Alps.

From 2010 onward, the Old Synagogue has served as the House of Jewish Culture – a public institution of the city of Essen. More than merely a museum and a place of remembrance, it is a multifaceted cultural and educational space. Besides its permanent exhibition and biannual temporary ones, the Old Synagogue houses the archival collections and a specialised library enabling research and public dissemination of Essen’s rich Jewish history.

In addition, the Old Synagogue presents the diversity of Jewish cultures in their traditional and contemporary forms as a living cultural space. Concerts, theatre performances, lectures, conferences, artistic workshops and much more allow for interaction and discovery of Judaism. As such, the Old Synagogue rightfully claims and presents Judaism and Jewish traditions as essential aspects of the cultural landscapes of both Essen and Europe.

The Old Synagogue’s mediating and inclusive concept is firmly based on its social and political function as a house of education. It’s broad, inclusive and interactive program serves audiences of all ages – from nursery school children to adults.