Hiding in plain sight: Visible Architecture and Vulnerable Jews
Antisemitism and Synagogues Through the Lens of Architecture, Jewish Communities, and the Police
Synagogues and community centers are highly visible representations of Jewish community life. They serve as safe spaces for Jewish people while also acting as points of contact for non-Jewish individuals. From the perspective of these communities, these buildings should be welcoming and open while also providing a secure, protected space.
The project focuses on issues related to both subjective and objective security: architecture, the community’s sense of security, and police protection of the premises. How is security prioritized when synagogues are designed? How can security requirements be implemented (involving the Jewish community and the police)? How do Jewish people perceive security in synagogues? How does the police understand its role in protecting Jewish buildings and institutions?
The goal of this project is to strengthen security at multiple levels through improved coordination and greater knowledge and understanding – security through architecture, internal security, security through police protection, and security fostered by public awareness. To achieve this aim, the project partners will conduct joint workshops with the target groups, develop guidelines for architects and the police, and raise awareness among Jewish communities about security issues.
This sub-project of the Bet Tfila Research Center examines how attacks on synagogues affect their design and how they are perceived as Jewish architecture. To this end, the study considers the perpetrators and the context of such attacks, while looking specifically at the structural measures implemented in response. This initiative also analyzes security considerations within the design, construction, and renovation of synagogues and community centers and discusses these issues with architects and community members. How do structural measures affect users and passers-by? Which measures have proven to be successful, and which warrant critical assessment with the benefit of hindsight? How do security considerations influence the perception of synagogues – both in the realm of media and among Jewish communities and their neighbors?
The findings of this sub-project will be disseminated through various channels, such as guidelines for architects and workshops. They will also feed directly into the work of sub-projects 2 and 3.
How do Jews perceive security around, in front of, and within synagogues and community centers, buildings that are central to community life? What security measures and changes do they want to see implemented?
Antisemitism is part of a violent historical continuity, which can be perpetuated by right-wing extremists, be motivated by conflict in the Middle East, or stem from far-left beliefs. Antisemitism is not merely a negative guiding ideology of modernity (Salzborn 2010) but also a negative “bridge ideology” (Kranz 2025); it demonstrates that the persistent conflict in the Middle East provides a (negative) opportunity structure (Beyer/Goldkuhle 2024).
Israel-related antisemitism has seen a rapid rise since October 7, 2023 (RIAS 2024a/b). Synagogues and community centers are perceived as proxies for Israel, and Jews are increasingly affected by anti-Israel attacks. To address this multidimensionality and multicausality – and to determine how these factors impact Jews and their community life – the project conducts interviews and ethnographic fieldwork within selected communities.
This sub-project was developed by Präsenzen e. V. and is made possible by cooperation with the Tikvah Institut.
Synagogues and community centers are highly visible representations of Jewish community life. They serve as safe spaces for Jewish people while also acting as points of contact for non-Jewish individuals. From the perspective of communities, these buildings should be open and welcoming while also providing a secure, protected space.
This sub-project at the University of Applied Sciences for Police and Public Administration in North Rhine-Westphalia (HSPV NRW) focuses on “police perspectives on synagogues and security.” This means addressing fundamental questions regarding the police’s understanding of site protection for Jewish facilities. Drawing on basic research, the project is developing practical guidelines, educational materials for police training and educators, and an instructional video featuring an integrated digital learning environment.
The goal is to enhance security at multiple levels through improved coordination and more knowledge and understanding – meaning security through architecture, internal security, security provided by the police, and security fostered by public awareness.
Website at HSPV
- PD Dr. Ulrich Knufinke (Projektleitung, Bet tfila - Forschungsstelle für jüdische Architektur)
- Dr.-Ing. Katrin Keßler (Bet tfila - Forschungsstelle für jüdische Architektur)
- Dr. Dani Kranz (Projektleitung, Präsenzen e.V.)
- Dr. Marina Sapritsky-Nahum (Präsenzen e.V.)
- Dr. Sarah Jadwiga Jahn (Projektleitung, Hochschule für Polizei und Verwaltung NRW)
- Natalia Kajzer (Hochschule für Polizei und Verwaltung NRW)
