We are in Berlin during Yom Kippur ... I have read of the Reykestrasse sysnagogue and it seems quite interesting. Does anyone know of this, or what other synagogues would we inquire about????

Wordsmith..that's the one..very historic..once destroyed, now completely rebuilt, That's where you'll want to be for Yom Kippur.
Another choice would be the Oranienburger Strasse shul...but the former is much more dramatic.

stu

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...502986,00.html

Here it is, Wordsmith. It'll be a thrill for you, i'm sure. An advanced Shana Tovah!

Thank you so very much Stu. I have read of this synagogue and planned the trip around being there for Yom Kippur. Hope all is well with you and yours. I am thinking of calling Jeremy Minsberg for tours---any suggestions?

Minsberg ougt to work out well...Berlin is very strict on guide qualifications...we always do our own thing so i can't recommend. Be sure to have him take you to the Deportees Monument, quite a way out of town in the Moabit District...corner of Levertov and Jagow Strasses. You probably won't see another tourist there, on the site of a destroyed synagogue.

I also can recommend a rather unique Italian resto across the Ku'Damm from the Kempinski Bristol, on Fassenenstrasse. Their house special is a bowl of pasta, en flambe (cognac) over shredded cheese.
stu

Train monument starts with #57....here are some selected pics from Berlin and Potsdam taken on our '05 visit. I have photos from way back in the 70's but these are more pertinent to your upcoming visit:

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartto...lin2005Edited#

Oh, yes..resto above is The Via Condotti
and across Fassenenstrasse from the kempinski is also the belin Jewish Community Center...it's doorway intact is the original from the destroyed synagogue and a beautiful torah monument out front.

Stu

I don't know if this applies, but several times visiting synagogues in Europe on holidays there would be guards at the door and getting in was not as simple as one might think. In Strasbourg on Simchat Torah I had to leave my passport at the door for pickup when leaving. In Vienna, they would not even let us in for a Shabbat service - we were appropriately dressed.

Stu- Love your pictures. I am not familiar with Berlin so need some guidance. Which places are absolutely necessary for a guide? I am thinking the Jewish Museum we would do on our own. We want history, both Jewish and other although am sure are intertwined. ....we will be there for 3.5 days...probably not enough time but need to see as much as we can.

I would strongly suggest you heed basingstoke2's advice about attending services. You should contact them in advance to find out if it is even possible to attend.

I agree with you about services .

Stu, do you suggest Potsdam? What is of interest? We want to ae sure our time is well spent

I know Paris is heavily guarded. I hear Berlin not the same

wordsmith


In Berlin, you will get into services...like Basingstoke, you may have to leave your passport or other form of ID..but you'll be welcomed. I've gone to services at over 100 synagogues world-wide (I have a list if you'd like it)and never have been denied access, High Holidays, Shabbat, and other. Admittedly, I have certain credentials, but rarely have had to use it.

Word..no need of a gude at the Jewish Museum..should have a guide if only to drive you to the Deportees Monument I mentioned. Reichstag building is open to all. there will be a long line getting in. Pergammon museum is a must see in my mind..no need of reservations..just go.

Potsdam is a small city and San Souci palace is quite lovely. The town is very visitable and walkable..you can take quick trainride there from Zoo Station..advise you to get off at Wannsee on way back and visit the infamous Mansion where the "final solution" was engineered on January 20, 1942. Before leavng home, rent the flick with Kenneth Branagh on Wannsee..then see it for yourselves...eerie. Taxis are availabe at the train station to take you the short ride to the mansion on the lake.

Whichever gude you use, he/she'll also take you to other sites like Tiergarten, Brandenburg Gate, Checkppint Charlie etc. Charlottenberg Palace is a nice visit which you can do on your own with a taxi..but if you have the service of a guide, so much the better.

It will be an illuminating Berlin visit to say the least.

stu