Berlin’s growing Jewish community took another step toward the construction of a spacious new shul during a special presentation held at the city’s large Chabad campus.

The event brought together senior local government representatives, architects and prominent business leaders, who were introduced to the plans for the new building and the growing need it is intended to address.

In recent years, Berlin has seen a major increase in its Jewish population, including thousands of Israelis, students, businesspeople and visitors. The existing facilities have become increasingly crowded on Shabbos, Yom Tov and throughout the year, prompting plans for a larger and more permanent space.

During the presentation, Rabbi Yehuda Teichtel, Berlin’s chief rabbi and head shliach, outlined the vision for the new shul and the role it will play in the continued growth of Jewish life in the German capital.

The highlight of the event was an advanced virtual reality presentation that allowed participants to enter a detailed three-dimensional model of the planned building.

Wearing VR headsets, the guests were able to “walk” between the rows of seats, view the height and design of the main sanctuary, examine the aron kodesh and experience the scale of the future shul before construction has begun.

Following the virtual tour, Rabbi Teichtel accompanied the government representatives to the roof of the Chabad campus, where he pointed out the location planned for the new structure against the Berlin skyline.

The rooftop visit offered a striking view of the transformation of Jewish life in the city. Berlin, where shuls were once burned during Kristallnacht, is today preparing for the construction of a large and prominent new Jewish house of worship.

German officials at the event expressed strong support for the project, describing it as a clear symbol of the security, stability and renewed growth of Jewish life in Berlin. They pledged to continue providing government backing for the development of the community’s institutions.

With the plans now formally presented, Chabad of Berlin is preparing to begin construction and hopes to complete the new shul as soon as possible.