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III. Buildings Integral to the Former Life and/or Persecution of Jews in Hamburg - Rotherbaum II/Harvestehude.No. 120 Oberstrasse.
Felix Ascher Architect of the New Hamburg Temple in Oberstraße: The building of Jewish synagogues had up until 1914 generally been undertaken by non-Jewish architects. Even though often the best architects of their time were employed, as was the case with the second Hamburg Temple in Poolstraße, built by the esteemed Hamburg architect Klees-Wülbern, these architects built synagogues with reference to the Christian church. Jewish elements were incorporated through the use of an oriental style. In addition the architectural style of the time was employed. It was a formidable challenge for the architects to build a new Temple in Hamburg that would symbolize both the traditional faith and knowledge of Judaism and modern 20th century German Jewish awareness. The site in Oberstraße set strict conditions on the proposed building. This exclusive residential area had no unified architectural style and presented a row of houses fronting the street within which the building had to fit.
As can be seen from the photograph above an entirely structureless façade confronts the spectator. There is intentionally nothing that strikes the eye. The only embellishment is a round window containing the Menora (the seven-branched candelabrum used in the Temple, and now an emblem of Judaism). The choice of alternate rows of large and small shell-limestone slabs intensify the façade's monumentality and monotone, and lend it a timeless quality. The steps, which stretch the complete width of the frontage, give it an additional solemnity.
The five-doored entrance hall reflects the quotation chiselled above the entrance:
As can be seen from the plan above, on entering the building through the narrow entrance one reaches the vestibule from which one gains access to the various halls. To the right lies the Gabriel Riesser Hall that serves a secular function, to the left the "small Temple", and ahead, lying along the main axis of the building, in accordance with its significance, the main Temple. The Gabriel Riesser Hall has a solemn but not a sacred atmosphere. This is achieved through its long row of closely juxtaposed windows. A plain, unadorned ceiling diverts ones attention from the lowness of the room. A stage with adjoining rooms is situated on the street side of the hall for the presentation of small concerts, performances and lectures. A fully equipped kitchen in the cellar allows for the celebration of functions with food e.g. Seder, weddings, etc. The "small Temple" contains the Torah Ark on its eastern wall. Its intimate atmosphere is achieved through its plain wooden ceiling and beautiful jacaranda wood-panelled eastern wall. The windowless walls, covered with a warm, yellowish plaster give the room a unity. Light enters, as in a basilica, through a row of windows, high on the walls, beneath the ceiling. A deep-blue carpet, onto which the Kaddish prayer is woven, is suspended on the end wall. Apart from the eternal lamp, which hangs above the almemar/bimah, there are no lighting appliances to disturb the atmosphere of the room. Compared to the "small Temple" the atmosphere of the main Temple is solenm. A 30 metre long corridor with cloakroom lies at right angles to and in front of this main Temple. One passes through a narrow, low, curtained anteroom into the main Temple which is a lofty, light filled room with gallery, but without ornament or intense colour. The focal point of the hall is the grey-black marble-slabbed end wall. The Torah Ark is situated here behind a curtain. This expansive, otherwise plain wall is inscribed with the "Shemona Esrei/Amidah" (the central prayer in each of the daily services recited silently and standing), in a huge bronze frieze of letters. The solemn atmosphere is heightened by the podium projecting from this end wall with its two large candelabra standing either side of the reading desk, behind which the pulpit rises. The almemar, pulpit and Torah shrine form a unity without detracting from their individual functions during the service. The modern design is underlined by the employment of rich materials: Indonesian ebony, and a thick, deep blue carpet. The warm, brown tone of the timbered ceiling compliments the dark brown of the seating and walls of the balastrades. The row of high, blue and yellow glazed, closely juxtaposed windows heighten the solemnity of the room.
There are anterooms, corridors and stairs to the women's gallery. The second Temple in Poolstraße was solely a place of worship, whereas the new Temple is a more versatile building. It caters for Jewish life in the widest sense and forms the centre of religious, cultural and intellectual life of the Hamburg Temple community.
History of the Building:
Rolf-Liebermann-Studio of the North German Radio (Oberstraße):Following extensive renovation the former Studio 10 was renamed the Rolf-Liebermann-Studio after the former head of the main music department of the Norddeutscher Rundfunk (North German Radio) (1955 to 1959) and former general manager of the Hamburgische Staatsoper (Hamburg State Opera) (1959 to 1973 and 1985 to 1988) and officially opened on 6 March 2000. It is apt that the former Jewish Temple has been named after someone of Jewish descent.
Rolf Liebermann (14.9.1910 - 2.1.1999):Rolf Liebermann was born in Zurich on 14 September 1910. He studied law at Zurich University from 1929 to 1933, and music at the private conservatory of José Berr. From 1933 to 1936 he studied composition and conducting with Hermann Scherchen and between 1937 and 1938 was assistant to the latter in Budapest and Vienna, where Scherchen had founded the Musica Viva orchestra mainly with Jewish musicians exiled from Nazi Germany. Back in Switzerland Liebermann gave tuition to refugee children, and wrote music criticism. From 1940 on he also studied composition with Vladimir Vogel. From 1945 to 1950 he worked as a recording engineer with Radio Zurich. From 1950 to 1957 he was head of the orchestra department of the Swiss Radio (now Radio DRS Zurich).
Hamburg:
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Opera:
Orchestral and Chamber Music Works:
Film:
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