After more than three and a half years of renovation work, Dresden’s Jewish community is preparing to return to its historic home at Hasenberg, with the reopening of the New Synagogue and community centre marking an important moment for Jewish life in Saxony.
The synagogue will officially reopen on Monday, 14 September, 2026, following extensive works that began in January 2023. The project focused primarily on strengthening the building’s structural and technical safety, while also implementing increasingly stringent requirements for fire protection and occupational safety.
The renovation was carried out in accordance with recommendations from the Saxon State Criminal Police Office. At the same time, the project had to take into account the distinctive architectural characteristics of the award-winning synagogue, as well as new safety requirements introduced during the renovation period.
For the Jewish community, the return to Hasenberg is about far more than the completion of a construction project. The synagogue and community centre are central spaces for religious, cultural and communal life in Dresden. Their reopening restores an important gathering place for Jewish residents and provides a visible reminder that Jewish life remains an integral part of the city and of Saxony.
The timing is particularly significant as Jewish communities across Europe continue to face heightened security concerns and a rise in antisemitism. Ensuring that Jewish communities can pray, gather, educate and celebrate openly is increasingly dependent on effective security measures and sustained political commitment.
Katerina Kulakova, President of the State Association of Jewish Communities in Saxony, expressed her appreciation for the support provided to Jewish communities, particularly amid what she described as a rapid increase in antisemitism in everyday life and in the political sphere.
She stressed that every form of support is important, from the protection of Jewish life provided by the State of Saxony to the solidarity expressed by members of the public. Many citizens, she said, were deeply concerned about recent political developments and had communicated their support to Jewish communities both personally and in writing.
The message reflects a wider challenge confronting Jewish communities across Europe: security is a necessary foundation for Jewish life, but genuine security also requires a society willing to defend the right of Jews to live openly and visibly without fear.
Saxony’s Minister of Culture, Conrad Clemens, similarly emphasised the importance of ensuring that Jewish life can flourish freely and safely.
“Jewish life is an integral part of Saxony. It must be possible to live it here freely, visibly and, above all, safely,” Clemens said, reaffirming the Free State’s commitment to supporting Jewish communities.
He described the extensive security measures implemented at the Dresden synagogue and community centre as an expression of the state’s particular responsibility towards Jewish life. The return of the Jewish community and the State Association to Hasenberg, he said, represented a “positive and significant signal” for Jewish life in Dresden.
The renovation period brought considerable disruption to the community, which was required to adapt its activities while the building remained under construction. Close cooperation with the City of Dresden helped to reduce some of the difficulties and enabled the community to continue its work during the lengthy renovation.
The reopening also coincides with a significant anniversary. The State Association of Jewish Communities in Saxony is celebrating its centenary, providing an additional reason to commemorate the return to Hasenberg and reflect on the long history and resilience of Jewish life in the region.
The history of Jewish communities in Germany is marked by profound destruction and loss, but also by reconstruction and renewal. The reopening of Dresden’s synagogue therefore carries a significance that extends beyond its walls. It is a reminder that Jewish communities continue to build their futures, maintain their institutions and contribute openly to European public life despite the challenges posed by antisemitism.
The celebrations will take place on 14 September. The official ceremony will begin at 18:00, followed by a commemorative concert. Registration is required.
After more than three years away, Dresden’s Jewish community is returning to Hasenberg. The reopening offers both a moment of celebration and a renewed commitment to ensuring that Jewish life in Saxony can remain secure, visible and vibrant for generations to come.
