Synagogue Groningen - Groningen

The story of this Jewish synagogue (shul) on Groningen's Folkingestraat is a special one. The beautiful synagogue was built in 1905 to the design of church architect Tjeerd Kuipers (1857-1942). This was to replace the old small synagogue, which for years had been too small to accommodate the many Jews who wanted to attend services in Groningen. The board of the Jewish Community had seen the architect at work building the Zuiderkerk and was impressed by his work. Because the church architect had no experience in designing synagogues, he first made a study trip through Germany. Here, many synagogues had been built in Moorish or oriental style.

The new synagogue thus became a true ‘polders’ shul’ with Christian, Moorish, oriental, Jewish and Groningen influences. It was a beautiful building with an equally rich interior. After World War II, the Jewish community was decimated and too small to maintain or heat the expensive building. It was sold and a laundry, dyeing and dry-cleaning plant called Astra (star) moved in. At the time, the building was completely crumbling. The chandeliers were sold, the benches and wrought-iron gates disappeared without a trace.

After the laundry closed in 1973, the building stood empty for a long time and deteriorated even further. It saddened Amsterdam resident Lenny Wolgen-Salomons, who took the initiative to set up the De Synagoge foundation. The building was thoroughly restored in 1981, the old wrought-iron fencing was recovered and the rest of the building was given a makeover by industrial designer Piet Cohen (1935). Since the restoration, the shul is in full use again; part as synagogue for the Jewish Community and part for a permanent exhibition on Judaism in Groningen and temporary exhibitions, tours, concerts, lectures and education.