New Synagogue (Darmstadt)

The New Synagogue in Darmstadt, Germany, served as the center of Jewish life in the city from its consecration in 1988 until its desecration and partial destruction by arson in 1938 during Kristallnacht. It was designed by the Mainz architect Alfred Philipp Henßel.

The synagogue replaced an older, smaller synagogue located on Bleichstrasse that had become inadequate for the growing Jewish community. The New Synagogue was located on the corner of Wilhelm-Glässing-Strasse and Hobrechtstrasse. It was a modern building, constructed in a Bauhaus style, reflecting the architectural trends of the time. The building housed not only the main sanctuary, but also community rooms, classrooms, and offices, making it a comprehensive center for Jewish activities.

The interior was richly decorated with religious symbols and texts. The Ark, containing the Torah scrolls, was a focal point of the sanctuary.

On November 9-10, 1938, during the Kristallnacht pogrom, the New Synagogue was attacked by Nazi SA and other antisemitic rioters. The building was set on fire, and although firefighters were present, they were instructed only to prevent the flames from spreading to neighboring buildings. The synagogue was severely damaged, and later completely demolished.

After World War II, the Jewish community in Darmstadt was re-established, albeit much smaller than before. A new synagogue was built on the site of the former New Synagogue, but it is of a more modest design. A memorial plaque commemorates the destroyed synagogue and the victims of the Holocaust. The site serves as a reminder of the vibrant Jewish life that once existed in Darmstadt and the devastating consequences of Nazi persecution. The outline of the original New Synagogue is marked in the pavement, allowing visitors to visualize the scale of the destroyed building.