Frankfurt am Main - Boerneplatz Synagogue

Summary: The synagogue at Boerneplatz was built after Orthodox Jews seceded from the main congregation. In an attempt to prevent more members from leaving, a Conservative prayer house was erected at the south end of the former ghetto (in place of the former Jewish hospital, which was torn down despite protests from Orthodox congregants). In 1882, the Italian Renaissance-style building, built with the red sandstone that typified official buildings, was consecrated. It had a copper dome, and seated 520 men and 360 women. In contrast to the main synagogue, the pulpit was placed in the center and no organ was used during services. On Pogrom Night (November 1938), the Boerneplatz synagogue building was burned down; it was later sold. After the war, a hall for the flower market was erected on the site, where it remained until 1970. When archeologists discovered the mikveh and synagogue remains, it was decided to display them on the ground floor of a new administrative building. The Judengasse Museum (or Museum of the “Jews’ alley”) also includes a memorial site for victims of the Shoah.
Photo: The market on Boerneplatz in the city of Frankfurt am Main. In the middle, Frankfurt’s largest synagogue. Courtesy of: Central Archives for the History of the Jewish People, Art. No. 5304/1.
Photo 2: The Boerneplatz synagogue in Frankfurt, on fire on the morning of November 10, 1938. Courtesy of: Leo Baeck Institute Photo Archive, 1515.
Author / Sources: Ruth Martina Trucks
Sources: EJL, LJG
Located in: hesse