The community synagogue Fraenkelufer, established in 1916 in Kreuzberg, has been a significant landmark for the Jewish community for over a century. Designed by the renowned architect Alexander Beer, the synagogue originally served as a vibrant center for religious, cultural, and social life, reflecting the thriving Jewish presence in pre-war Berlin. The elegant structure, with its impressive dome and intricate architectural details, stood as a testament to the community’s heritage and resilience. 

The synagogue served as a primary site of worship and community gathering for Jews in the Kreuzberg area. It hosted regular religious services, holiday celebrations, and life cycle events such as weddings, bar mitzvahs, and funerals. The synagogue was also a hub for educational and social activities, including Torah study, lectures, and events organized by various Jewish organizations. The synagogue’s congregation was diverse, reflecting the broader Jewish community in Berlin at the time. The congregation comprised Jews from different social and economic backgrounds, as well as varying degrees of religious observance, from Orthodox to more liberal Jews.

In the events of the November pogrom, the synagogue was set ablaze, resulting in extensive damage to its interior. The building was left in a state of ruin, serving as a symbol of the broader destruction of Jewish life in Germany. During the war, the building was further damaged by bombings, leaving it in a state of ruinous collapse.  This marked a period of profound loss and suffering for Berlin’s Jewish population.

After the war, the synagogue stood as a haunting reminder of the past, its once lively halls now silent. However, the resilient Jewish community began to rebuild it, and in the post-war years, efforts were made to restore the synagogue. By the 1950s, a portion of the building had been reconstructed, enabling it to resume its role as a place of worship and community gathering. The restored synagogue became a beacon of hope and renewal, symbolizing the community’s determination to preserve its heritage and faith.