New offer at the Capitol Theater: Visualization leads through former synagogue
12.11.2025 – A virtual journey into the past will be possible in Offenbach in future: from 2026, visitors to the Capitol Theater will be able to experience the former synagogue in its original form with the help of state-of-the-art technology. The new offer combines history and the present - and, exactly 87 years after the Reichspogromnacht, makes an almost forgotten chapter of Offenbach's city history visible again in an impressive way.
Due to the National Socialist reign of terror, the vast majority of synagogues in Germany no longer exist. Offenbach is an exception here: the synagogue building, including the large dome, has been largely preserved in its old form on Goethestraße. "That's why the Capitol Theater is particularly suitable for making the original shape of the interior and its furnishings virtually visible again," explains Capitol Managing Director Birgit von Hellborn. "Here we can bring an important piece of history into focus in an innovative way - for Offenbach and far beyond."
Von Hellborn and her partner Jens Eichhöfer came up with the idea after a visit to the high-rise bunker in Frankfurt's Ostend district, which is run by the November 9th Initiative. An exhibition there uses digital technologies to show the virtual reconstruction of more than 25 synagogues that were destroyed by the Nazis along with many others in the November pogrom of 1938. "I wouldn't have thought it possible for something like this to work technically before," she says. "I also realized that I hardly knew what our historic venue used to look like - even though I've been working there for so long."
"I am very pleased that, following this suggestion, the association "Freunde des Capitol Theaters Offenbach e.V.", which was founded at the end of 2019, immediately agreed to realize this project," says Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke. "Dr. Marc Grellert and his Architectura Virtualis GmbH, the Technical University of Darmstadt and the Johann Wolfgang von Goethe University in Frankfurt were able to create a detailed digital replica of the synagogue - based on historical plans, photographs and scientific expertise. The old synagogue can therefore be experienced again, at least virtually - in a way, the building is regaining some of its dignity. That is very valuable," emphasizes Mayor Schwenke. Grellert and his team have already recreated around 40 synagogues in Germany in this way.
Virtual immersion in history
Those involved presented the project on Monday evening, 10 November 2025, to the responsible Chairman of the Supervisory Board Martin Wilhelm, representing the Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke, who was ill, Mayor Sabine Groß, interested city councillors and magistrate members, the Offenbach Rabbi Mendel Gurewitz and his family as well as the Board of Directors and other representatives of the Jewish community in Offenbach and the State Association of Jewish Communities in Hesse. Even Sybille Rafael, the granddaughter of the architect of the Offenbach synagogue, Fritz Schwarz, who lives in Frankfurt, attended as a guest of honor.
The result of this virtual reconstruction was presented by Dr. Grellert. From the beginning of 2026, the film will be available to visitors to the Capitol in the entrance area with the option of a 3D view. From the dome to the ornate details of the interior, they will be able to experience the atmosphere of the former place of worship - accompanied by a short guided tour that provides historical background and puts the virtual tour into context.
The financial basis for the reconstruction, which cost tens of thousands of euros, was provided by the Dr. Marschner Foundation as the main sponsor. In addition, numerous institutional and private donors contributed to the success of the project - including Stadtwerke Offenbach. "Without this generous support, the project would not have been possible," emphasized Dr. Thomas Lanio, Chairman of the Association's Board of Directors. During the event, Martin Wilhelm expressly thanked all financial sponsors for their commitment: "Thanks to the joint efforts of many supporters, we can now bring the synagogue back to life virtually. This is a moving moment for Offenbach and I would like to thank everyone who has played their part."
History: Synagogue as the center of liberal Judaism
The Jewish community in Offenbach began building the then new synagogue in Goethestrasse in 1913 due to its steady growth. In contrast to what had long been customary in synagogue construction, its architecture was not based on the neo-Romanesque or Oriental style, but on Greco-Roman antiquity: Doric columns characterized the forecourt (today's atrium), and the 30-metre-high dome made of reinforced concrete is reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome. The Second Temple of Jerusalem was the model for the sequence of rooms.
The synagogue, which was consecrated in April 1916, became a center of German, but above all liberal (as opposed to orthodox) Judaism. The first female rabbi in the history of Judaism, Regina Jonas, was also ordained in Offenbach. A variety of cultural activities in the synagogue and its festival hall, which were attended by all sections of the town's society, enriched Offenbach's cultural life even then.
The synagogue was desecrated during the pogrom night of November 9-10, 1938. A deliberately set fire destroyed the Torah shrine, rabbi's room and library. The building shell was deliberately left intact so that the building could be used as a cinema and theater by the National Socialist leadership in Offenbach from 1940 to 1945. After the Second World War, the former synagogue became the property of the Jewish Restitution Successor Organization (JIRSO), which was founded in 1948. In 1954, the newly founded Jewish community in Offenbach handed the building over to the city on the condition that it be used exclusively for cultural purposes. After various cultural uses, including for the rock musical "Tommy", the building was transformed in 1998 into today's Capitol Theater Offenbach, a multifunctional event venue under the umbrella of Stadtwerke Offenbach.
Experience the past - shape the future
"The virtual reconstruction of the Offenbach synagogue not only honors an important piece of architectural and cultural history, but also sets an example against forgetting," says Henryk Fridman, member of the board of the Jewish community in Offenbach.
In a planned expansion of the project, the intention is to procure VR (virtual reality) glasses and give school classes as well as visitors the opportunity to experience the Offenbach synagogue in 1916 virtually and up close. The Capitol Theater is thus building on its historical roots and inviting visitors to connect the past, present and future in one place - in a moving, educational and innovative way.