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Jerusalem landscapes — of both the old and the new city — decorate some of the walls. An old, inlaid, dark walnut bookcase, a memento of the 1930s, contrasts with a glass case featuring objects of Judaica and archaeological finds such as ancient Roman lamps.

Architect Willenberg-Giladi is the daughter of holocaust survivors. Beyond the architectural significance of this project, she regards it as an important personal mission and the closing of a historic circle.

Located in the residential Grunewald neighborhood, which was the Jewish merchants' quarter before World War II, the embassy was inaugurated on May 9, 2001. Foreign Ministers Shimon Peres and Joschka Fischer were guests of honor among some 2,000 invitees, including diplomats, politicians, writers, and artists.

Following speeches at the opening ceremony by the two foreign ministers and by Israel's ambassador to Germany, Shimon Stein, each minister planted a tree in the embassy garden to symbolize the ties of friendship between the two countries.

Lili Eylon is a freelance writer based in Jerusalem and a contributing editor to ArchitectureWeek.

Side view of the Israeli Embassy in Berlin. Photo: Guenther Schneider Southwest elevation. Image: Orit Willenberg-Giladi Southeast elevation. Image: Orit Willenberg-Giladi Entrance elevation. Image: Orit Willenberg-Giladi Northwest elevation. Image: Orit Willenberg-Giladi An interior atrium. Photo: Guenther Schneider   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.