Architect Daniel Libeskind, who designed San Francisco’s Contemporary Jewish Museum, was hired as the architect for a new synagogue for the progressive congregation in Munich.

The congregation of about 300 members has been meeting in a basement turned into a sanctuary, according to news reports.

Libeskind is known in Germany for his design of the Jewish Museum in Berlin.

The city’s new building will house a Reform synagogue for the small but growing liberal Jewish community. Reportedly the building also will have space for presentations and youth meetings, a library, office rooms, a kindergarten and day care program.

Munich’s original liberal synagogue was destroyed in June 1938 on Hitler’s orders. — jta