In the heart of Munich, a three-minute walk from the city hall, stands the Ohel Yaakov Synagogue – one of the most magnificent synagogues in the world, and probably one of the most secure. Forefront tells us about the history of one of the most significant monuments in Jewish history:
The construction of the synagogue was a significant milestone for the renewed Jewish community in Munich in recent decades. It was inaugurated on November 9, 2006, on the 68th anniversary of Kristallnacht, during which the original synagogue of the same name, located in another part of the city, was demolished. It was a symbolic declaration of resilience on the part of the city's Jewish community.
The synagogue was designed by architects René Wendel-Hofer and Wolfgang Lorch. The exterior of the building is covered with stone, symbolizing strength and durability. Above the huge stone cube sits a smaller cube, with a dense metal frame arranged so that light penetrates the building from the outside, and the light from inside illuminates Jacob Square, where the building is located at night, in what looks like light coming from behind broken glass and reminiscent of Kristallnacht. The construction is designed to resemble the Tent of Moed, but also resembles tefillin. The construction of this pearl cost about 57 million euros, financed by donations from community members, the municipalities of Munich, the state of Bavaria and the sale of an old community complex to a department store chain.
Given the history of anti-Semitic attacks in the city, which continued even during the construction of the new synagogue, when a neo-Nazi group plotted to blow up the cornerstone laying ceremony, the Ohel Yaakov Synagogue is one of the most secure places there is. Metal detectors are installed at the entrance, and visitors must undergo a security check before entering. It is open only on Saturdays, while on weekdays the heavy stone doors are closed, and entrance to the synagogue is possible only from the community building opposite it, which also has a strict security system. An underground tunnel connects the buildings, and along its walls commemorate the thousands of Munich Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Both buildings are built of armored materials to repel attacks of various kinds.
Alongside the synagogue and the community building there is also a Jewish museum, which presents the rich history of the Jewish community in Munich. The Community Center provides a space for various cultural and educational activities, including a school for Jewish children, a kosher restaurant, banquet halls and more, and fosters a sense of belonging and unity among community members.
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