In 1985, on both sides of the still-divided city, the first efforts were made to rekindle the Congregation. Since summer this year, Adass Yisroel has managed, under difficult circumstances, to restore its cemetery, which had previously lain to waste. This was made possible with the help of state funding and, more significantly, with the physical aid of volunteers from both east and west.
On December 18 1989, the 50th anniversary of the Nazi »Auflösungsverfügung« (decree of divestiture), which had dissolved the Congregation on a legal level, the first East German government after the fall of the Iron Curtain ordered the restoration of its rights to the Jewish Congregation (Adass Yisroel) in Berlin, which had been revoked during the Nazi regime. At last, the reconstruction of the Congregation could begin.
The restoration was carried out on the occasion of the unveiling of a plaque on the house facade on June 16, 1986.
Right: View of the community center after the ‘new plastering of the street facade’ | 1986
Front view of the community center of Adass Yisroel after the ‘new plastering of the street facade of the Berlin property, N 4’ 1, which was proposed by the VEB Municipal Housing Administration of the GDR and which was approved by the Berlin municipal building authority with the words ‘no urban planning concerns’. The entire original plaster, all stucco elements, skirting boards, gables and the balcony on the 1st floor fell victim to the ‘renovation’. A 6 m² large sign hangs above the entrance with the inscription: ‘With good results for the XI. Party congress of the SED – for your deed ‘.
