Old Synagogue (Dessau)

The old synagogue in Dessau

The old synagogue on the corner plot of Askanische Strasse / Kantorstrasse in Dessau was built according to designs by the renowned Berlin architects Cremer & Wolffenstein and completed in 1908. It has been proven that it was the fourth synagogue in Dessau's history and the most important synagogue in Anhalt for almost 30 years .

history

The new synagogue was inaugurated on February 18, 1908. This impressive new building with adjoining community center was made possible by the good financial position of the Julie von Cohn-Oppenheim Foundation . The building was designed in neo-Romanesque forms, the interior was designed in neo-Gothic style. The high, imposing dome with a golden Star of David shaped the cityscape of Dessau.

The previous building, built in 1729, was in the same area. The philosopher Moses Mendelssohn visited this synagogue. As part of the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn's birthday, a large festive service was held on September 7, 1929. Participants were prominent personalities from the city of Dessau, the state of Anhalt and representatives of the ducal house.

As part of these festivities, a Moses Mendelssohn Foundation was set up to “promote rational scientific research” . In addition to Mendelssohn's descendants Franz von Mendelssohn and Robert von Mendelssohn, representatives of this foundation were a number of notable personalities, including Albert Einstein , Walter Gropius , the then Lord Mayor of Dessau Fritz Hesse , Hugo Junkers , Max Liebermann , Max Planck , Eduard Spranger and Arnold Zweig .

The composer Kurt Weill grew up in the neighboring parish hall .

On November 9, 1938, during the so-called November pogrom , the synagogue was looted and set on fire. A large number of Torah scrolls and cult implements from the entire Israelite religious community in Anhalt, some of which were stored here, were destroyed. The Jewish cemetery was also devastated in the Dessau pogrom .