The Selm-Bork Synagogue is a LiberalJewish congregation and synagogue, located at Hauptstraße 10, in Westphalia, in the Unna district, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The synagogue is one of two remaining rural synagogues in the region and a witness of pre-Holocaust Jewish life in Westphalia.
Historically, the congregation worshiped in the Ashkenazirite. Since 2000, the congregation has embraced Liberal Judaism.[1]
History
The exact year of construction is unknown, the first written reference was found in a directory of houses, written in 1818.[2] Until Kristallnacht of 1938, the synagogue was used for prayer. During the pogrom the building was looted and partially destroyed. The Jewish community was forced to sell the building. A coal dealer acquired the building and used it as a barn.
In 1991 the synagogue was restored and opened for the public in 1994, the government declared the synagogue a historic monument.[3] since 1994 it has served as the place of worship for Etz Ami, a liberal Jewish community.