100 synagogues in Germany

From 28 March 2026, the Jewish Museum of Franconia in Schnaittach will present the exhibition “100 Synagogues in Germany” by Alex Jacobowitz. The exhibition is a striking testament to the Jewish presence – past and future – in Germany.
Jews were already living in what is now Germany as early as the 4th century. As their communities grew over the centuries, synagogues were built – magnificent places of worship, unique in their architecture and expression, constructed to honour their Creator.
Franconia, which experienced continuous Jewish settlement from the Middle Ages until the Shoah, holds a special place in this history.
Whilst some synagogues survived war and destruction, as well as so-called ‘Aryanisation’ (expropriation), many others were destroyed. Those synagogues still standing after 1945 were often repurposed or demolished – because there was no one left to use them.
The book *100+ Synagogues in Germany* depicts the present-day state of German synagogue culture: Jewish houses of prayer that have been preserved for over a thousand years, those that have been repurposed yet still bear witness to Jewish heritage, as well as new synagogues built by revitalised communities.
The exhibition “100+ Synagogues in Germany” impressively demonstrates how vibrant Jewish heritage is once again today. It presents places of worship preserved over centuries, synagogues that have found new purposes whilst still preserving their history, and new buildings erected by the revitalised Jewish communities of our time.
The exhibition is being held in the Schnaittach Synagogue, built in the 16th century. It is based on the illustrated book of the same name, compiled by Alex Jacobowitz and published in 2025 by Hentrich & Hentrich (price: €90).
Alex Jacobowitz, born in the USA in 1960, is an American and Israeli citizen as well as a xylophone virtuoso specialising in traditional Jewish music. In 2002/2003, he served as cantor for the Jewish Community of Augsburg. From 2008 to 2013, he was a member of the board of the Förderkreis Görlitzer Synagoge e.V. Today, he is committed to promoting Jewish culture, music and literature in Europe.

Last edited on 23.04.2026