GERMANY ~ The New Synagogue - Dresden ~

... First of two modern Dresden buildings... this one shows the New Synagogue.. a mainly concrete cubic building connected with the Jewish Community Center by a large inner courtyard... the cube of the synagogue is twisted to the east and is reminiscent of the old temple building that was destroyed in 1938, during the Kristallnacht... it is the first synagogue to have been built in the former East Germany (GDR) since WWII...  the worship room is simple and very tastefully designed... a place of contemplation and prayer, but also hosts regular concerts... with great matching stamp celebrating 1700 years of Jewish life in Germany... the stamp shows the symbol and the Hebrew lettering "Chai", which means "life"... and special First day postmark👍... Thanks Dustin!【ツ】

Photo: Hans Strehlow
The New Synagogue in Dresden was built between 1998 and 2001 designed by architects Rena Wandel-Hoefer and Wolfgang Lorch.

The architecture is based on the form of the first Israelite temples. The gradual twisting of the building serves to turn the direction for prayer to the East. The only original element surviving from the Semper synagogue, a golden Star of David, was placed at the main entrance to the new building. 

The boundary wall of the New Synagogue incorporates the last remaining fragments of Semper's original building. 

 

Stamp:

The 1700th Anniversary of Jewish Life in Germany

(Issued 04-02-2021)