Oranienburger Strasse Synagogue is one of nine synagogues of Jüdische Gemeinde zu Berlin K.d.ö.R., the official Jewish umbrella organization in Berlin. We are affiliated with the Conservative | Masorti movement, and our services are mostly held in Hebrew. We offer special programs for families and children on Shabbat morning and all other holidays, as part of our Synagogue’s NOAM group. Twice a week, we have Bat and Bar Mitzvah classes. Once a month, MAROM, our Synagogue’s student and young professional group, meets for shiurim and social activities. We aim at being an inclusive and divers Synagogue. Our congregants come from all walks of Jewish life, including interfaith families, people with special needs, and people on the queer spectrum. Rabbi Gesa S. Ederberg became our rabbi in February 2007. She was ordained in 2002 at the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary in Jerusalem. Rabbi Ederberg is a member of the Executive Council of the Rabbinical Assembly, the international association of Conservative | Masorti rabbis. Where to find us The building ‘Neue Synagoge’ used to be Germany’s biggest Jewish sanctuary before the Shoah. Our sanctuary, which seats 100, is located in the top floor. For larger events we use ‘Grosser Saal’, the former synagogue’s Women’s Gallery, which seats 250. Both are wheelchair-accessible via elevator. Located in the same building complex are the museum and archive ‘Neue Synagoge – Centrum Judaicum’, as well as Jüdische Gemeinde zu Berlin’s administration. Having you with us When you come for the first time, please feel free to introduce yourself to our rabbi, our cantor and our gabbaim and don’t hesitate to ask any questions about our Synagogue. You won’t have much trouble getting into conversations in our Synagogue, due to many of our members speaking English, German and Hebrew. We are always eager to hear new stories and to welcome new people. Please let us know if you have a Yahrzeit or any other special occasion that you would like to honor. You will find Siddurim (prayer books) next to the entrance in Hebrew/English and in Hebrew/German, along with Humashim, Kippot and Tallitot. Jewish women and men are welcome to wear a Tallit (prayer shawl) during morning service, and are required to do so when being called to the Torah (aliyah). While men are required to wear a Kippa (yarmulke), women are invited to do so.
