Beit Tikwa Synagogue Bielefeld

In 2007/2008, the Jewish religious community in Bielefeld planned to build a synagogue, as the previous premises had become too small for the members of the growing community after the Protestant Paul Gerhardt congregation merged with the Neustadt Mariengemeinde in 2005. After the merger, the Paul Gerhardt Church was up for sale and the Jewish community tried to acquire the building for its religious center. It was not until September 21, 2008, after conflicts between the Protestant and Jewish communities, that the dedication took place. The inauguration took place 103 years after the inauguration of the former synagogue on Turnerstraße, which was set on fire during the pogrom of November 9, 1938. The Beit Tikwa synagogue is considered the first synagogue of post-war Germany and is home to the Jewish religious community of Bielefeld.