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Synagogues
Jews have lived in Hamburg for over 400 years, despite discrimination, pogroms, attempts at banishment, and persecution. The re-establishment of the Hamburg Jewish community after the Shoah (Holocaust), in which millions of Jews were murdered by the Nazis, was the most difficult period in this long troublesome history. The survivers were confronted with remaining in a Germany where so many had participated in the heinous crimes, and so many others had passively supported the regime or made no protest against it. Many German Jews emigrated to Israel and the USA, others consciously decided to remain and pick up their lives again. In Hamburg, as early as 18th September 1945, 72 Jews assembled in the community administration building at No. 38 Rothenbaumchaussee to re-establish the Jüdische Gemeinde in Hamburg (Hamburg Jewish Community). A provisional synagogue was consecrated at the Oppenheimer Trust building at No. 22 Kielortallee, and in the following year a governing body was elected. It was not long before the community had a membership of 1,000, of whom the majority were immigrants fron Eastern Europe. The Hamburg Jews consciously decided on an integrated community in which the orthodox, conservative and reform traditions were incorporated. The synagogue service is conducted according to orthodox ritual, the liberal members of the community accommodating the orthodox members. Immigrants from Eastern Europe and Iran have brought their own orthodox traditions with them. On the 4th September 1960, the new synagogue at No. 34 Hohe Weide, situated on the corner of Hohe Weide and Heymannstraße, was consecrated. It contains a community centre, wheras the community administration building remains at No. 27 Schäferkampsallee. At No. 34 Hohe Weide children are given religious instruction, lectures and celebrations are held, their is a café for young people, and regular meetings of immigrants from the countries of the former Soviet Union. There are several Jewish societies including a woman's association, a students' association, and a sports association. The more than 3,000 community members constitute the community life. Since the 1970s the Jews in Schleswig-Holstein have been affiliated to the Hamburg community. The community membership has doubled since the beginning of the 1990s due to the immigration of Jews from the countries of the former Soviet Union and today there are two "new" members for every one old-established member. This has presented the community with a major task, especially regarding financial assistance and advice to these immigrants, of whom many are homesick and disillusioned with life in the West. Today there is once again a lively Jewish community in Hamburg that has not forgotten the past but which has consciously chosen to live in and with their fellow citizens of Hamburg.
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