Jewish Architect Follows
in the Footsteps of His Great-Grandfather
Evangelischer Pressedienst / Niedersachsen-Bremen
January 29, 2004
By Michael Grau
Great-grandson of Edwin Oppler from the USA
Hameln (epd) The planning for the new synagogue in Hameln has taken an unexpected turn: The synagogue will be designed by the great grandson of the Jewish architect Edwin Oppler (1831–1880), who built the old synagogue destroyed in 1938. The U.S. American architect Arnold Oppler contacted the congregation after he had read of the plans on the Internet. “It could not have been better for us”, said the chairwoman of the liberal Jewish congregation, Rachel Dohme, to EPD.
In addition to synagogues in Hameln, Hannover, Karlsbad and Breslau, Edwin Oppler planned the interiors of the castle Marienburg near Hildesheim. The old synagogue, built in 1879, was destroyed by the Nazis in 1938. The new synagogue will be built on the exact same location. The property has already been acquired by the congregation from the city. It will be the first new construction of a reform synagogue in post-war Germany.
According to Dohme, “Arnold Oppler is fascinated by the work of his great grandfather” and has a unique collection of drawings and models from his estate. His father fled Germany in 1939. “The chance to erect a synagogue on the site on which his great grandfather worked will never come again”, said Dohme. The new development is for her a “a sign from God”. All previous plans have become outdated in one stroke.
The Jewish architect is supposed to present a draft plan within six weeks. At present he is visiting Hameln to acquaint himself with the circumstances and the building style of the area. He also met with the students of an art school course that developed models for a synagogue. The new synagogue will be combined with a community center. Rachel Dohme envisions a “slim version, which is realistic for our city and the congregation”.
She expects costs of about 500,000 to one million euros. Now it’s necessary to raise the money. The new situation with its “historic” connections offers the opportunity to “reach into the hearts of people”. A basis for contributions already exists. “But there’s still a long way for us to go”.
The congregation, one of two Jewish congregations in Hameln, consists of around 200 members, predominately immigrants from Russia. Dohme points our that the liberal congregation does not belong to the Central Council of Jews in Germany and thus cannot count on any financial help from it. “We’ve got to do it ourselves”. A foundation for the benefit of the synagogue will shortly be set up. (epd Niedersachsen-Bremen/b0275/29.01.04)