Got it, here's the rewritten version:
Ready for its debut, Magdeburg's New Synagogue
The heart of Magdeburg is preparing to welcome a new addition – its recently completed synagogue! Set to officially open its doors on December 10, Helmut Seibert, member of the "Neue Synagoge Magdeburg" association and administrative director of the synagogue community, recently shared his excitement about the upcoming event.
Architect Wolfgang Sattler discussed the unique design of the synagogue. He explained that due to the sensitive timing of the construction and the community's preferences, the synagogue is modest and understated, with minimal symbolic ornamentation. The goal was to create an atmosphere of lightness, openness, and reverence despite the safety measures and limited budget.
The synagogue will feature a wide range of spaces, including a sacred sanctuary, a ritual hand-washing area, offices, a kiddush room for celebrations, and a mikvah – a purification pool. Seibert highlighted the significance of incorporating various sacred spaces within the confines of the building.
The total cost of constructing the synagogue was an impressive 7.6 million euros. The federal government covered the massive investment in security technology, significantly amounting to 2.8 million euros. The city of Magdeburg even generously donated the land for the new synagogue. The Jewish community and the association contributed a combined sum of 800,000 euros, while the remaining costs were covered by the state of Saxony-Anhalt.
Regrettably, the construction process experienced some unexpected challenges and expenses due to consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The old synagogue in Magdeburg was unfortunately demolished during the November pogroms of 1938. The "Neue Magdeburg Synagogue" support association emerged in 1999 and has tirelessly advocated for the construction of a new synagogue in the city center ever since. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in May 2022, and the formal laying of the foundation stone occurred a few months later.
Seibert emphasized that the synagogue is open to all individuals interested in learning about and participating in cultural and religious events. However, due to security reasons, registration is required ahead of time. Seibert also clarified that the synagogue would only truly become a house of worship once the Torah scroll had been installed.
The festive procession of the Holy Scriptures is scheduled for December 8, when representatives from different faiths and communities are expected to attend. The grand opening on December 10 is expected to be a remarkable event, with attendance from key figures such as State Parliament President Gunnar Schellenberger (CDU), Minister President Reiner Haseloff (CDU), and Mayor Simone Borris (non-party). The newly constructed synagogue in Dessau had its own opening just a couple of months prior.
The construction of Magdeburg's new synagogue is a testament to the community's values of modesty and inclusivity. The upcoming opening ceremony will be graced by the presence of various religious and political leaders, showcasing its commitment to fostering connections across different communities.
Sources: (base article)
(Note that the enrichment data was not applicable to this specific article, so it was not included in the rewrite.)
