Synagoge Dornum

About the museum

Dornum's Jewish community built its synagogue in 1841 in the middle of the densely built village center. At times Jews made up a considerable share of the population; their cemetery nearby is documented from the early 18th century. After 1933 the community shrank so much that the ten men required for a service often could no longer be gathered.

Shortly before the November Pogrom of 1938, the building was sold to a master carpenter. During the pogrom night, Nazis smashed the windows and publicly burned the furnishings and ritual objects on the market square; the building itself was not set on fire because of the closely adjoining houses. It thus survived as the only synagogue in East Frisia, but for decades afterward it served as a furniture store, fuel depot and commercial building and was heavily altered in the process.

The association "Synagoge Dornum," founded in 1989, campaigned to restore the building to its original state. With funding from the monument preservation authorities and the municipality, it was restored in 1990/91 and handed over as a memorial at the end of 1991. The association runs it on a volunteer basis, designs the exhibitions on the community's history and on Jewish religion and culture, and offers guided tours of the synagogue, the village and the Jewish cemetery.

Highlights

• The only surviving synagogue in East Frisia
• Permanent exhibition "Die Dornumer Synagoge brannte nicht" (The Dornum Synagogue Did Not Burn)
• Guided tours of formerly Jewish Dornum
• Nearby Jewish cemetery with gravestones dating from 1721

Permanent exhibitions

• Die Dornumer Synagoge brannte nicht – Exhibition on Dornum's Jewish community, its religious and cultural life, and the persecution, flight and murder of its members during the Nazi era.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Synagoge Dornum e.V.

Admission & discounts

The association's website lists no admission prices; according to the Dornum tourism portal, admission is free. Donations welcome.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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