Oranienburger+Strasse+Synagogue

SYNAGOGE ORANIENBURGER STRASSE, JUEDISCHE GEMEINDE ZU BERLIN ORANIENBURGERSTRASSE 28 /29, 10117 BERLIN TEL./FAX: +49- (0)30-88028-253/255 RABBI: Gesa S. Ederberg, CANTOR: (Avitall Gerstetter - on maternity leave), Teron S. Cohen, EDUCATOR and CO-PRESIDENT: Miriam Rosengarten, CO-PRESIDENTS: Aharon Taehtinen, Gerhard Baader [|www.or-synagoge.de], email: gesa.ederberg (at) jg-berlin.org For the Oranienburger Strasse Synagogue, this project is not an addition to existing programming or adding a layer of quality evaluation, but it is an instrument enabling us to rethink from scratch and restructure the developmental processes of the entire synagogue, at a crucial moment in its history. Moreover, we see this as a unique chance to bring concepts of synagogue development from the US to Germany, and hope to serve as a model to many other synagogues in Berlin and in Germany. The synagogue started as a Chavura 15 years ago, moving into its current premises 11 years ago. Having been served by Rabbi Gesa S. Ederberg for 2 ½ years now, the transformation from an amateur self-made minyan to a synagogue with professional leadership has just been completed. 1) Our synagogue is a place where people feel welcome. 2) Our synagogue is a place where people feel at home. 3) Our synagogue is a place of learning together, where my participation and my input is needed and appreciated. 4) What goes on in the synagogue is part of my life. 5) What goes on in my life has a space in the synagogue. The planned learning opportunities are located in the following three already existing areas of activities:
 * The synagogue’s vision **currently has the following five core statements.
 * The goal of this proposed initiative **emanates from the third (and central) point of our vision: We aim to provide exciting and inspiring learning opportunities for all ages and levels, and to use these opportunities to transform learners as quickly as possible into teachers.

1) Tefilat Yeladim (age 2-8, run by parents, and attended by many parents) 2) Bar/Bat Mitzvah Group and beyond. 3) Holiday celebrations – during services and beyond (This year: emphasis on Pessach and Shavuot 1) To reflect upon and shape and develop the place of the synagogue within the larger Jewish Community (“Einheitsgemeinde”) 2) To build consciousness within the synagogue that activities **for** one specific target group aren’t a statement **against** other (existing or possible) groups within the synagogue à  Moving from “one size fits all” to multiple parallel activities. 1) How to be welcoming and low-threshold to Jews, without becoming a tourist attraction for non-Jews. 2) Most of our members have no experience at all with Jewish Religious Life outside of this specific synagogue, especially with a traditional/observant/ egalitarian approach.
 * Two aspects how to make our approach more systemic: **
 * Two challenges we face in implementing the project: **