A striking modern building prominently sited in a city square (platz).

The Ohel Jakob Synagogue was built 2004-2006 as the new principal synagogue of the Munich Jewish community. It is located prominently in Sankt-Jakobs-Platz in central Munich. The synagogue was inaugurated on November 9, 2006, the 68th anniversary of Kristallnacht.

Ohel Jakob was designed by architects Rena Wandel-Hoefer and Wolfgang Lorch who won an architectural competition to design the US$72 million structure. They had previously designed the new synagogue of Dresden, Germany. The building’s exterior is sheathed in travertine stone topped by a glass enclosed metal space-frame. The glass enclosure represents a tent (or Ohel), symbolizing the 40 year journey through the desert of Moses and his followers. The synagogue seats 550. Its construction cost was underwritten by the City of Munich, State of Bavaria and the Munich Jewish community. Adjacent to Ohel Jakob there is a Jewish Museum, Community Center and kosher restaurant.