By the end of the 1990s there was a need for a new synagogue building. It was planned to build a whole centre to provide services to the Jewish population - not only a place for prayers, but also a mikvah, a kosher restaurant, a cultural centre and a museum. The first real step towards the implementation of the synagogue construction plan was a meeting held in Libman's office on 2 July 2004. At this meeting it was stated that the existing synagogue building does not fulfil the needs and there is a need for a new building, more functional and larger than the existing one.
It was tentatively decided to expand and reconstruct the old building, but this idea had to be abandoned. The allocated and donated funds decided to invest in the construction of the New Synagogue. In the second half of 2004, a competition was held to select a design firm, which was won by the firm "Kresaar & Kotov" ("KOKO"). The architects faced a difficult task, they had to create an interesting, remarkable and multifunctional building, which would take into account the specificity of Estonian Jewry.
After the project of the New Synagogue and the estimated cost were approved, a new competition was held to select a construction company. On 1 June 2005, by a decision of the board of the foundation and the board of the EPOE, the construction company Kolle was approved.
The result of all the work was the new synagogue building, one of the most unusual sacral structures in Tallinn. The building combines modern design with the traditions of synagogue architecture. All rooms of the synagogue are filled with light, thanks to large glass wall spaces and windows on the ceiling.
Upon entering the synagogue, you will enter the foyer, which is also a lecture hall. Part of the staircase leading up to the main hall on the first floor is in the form of benches that can seat up to 70 people. The wall to the right of the entrance can be transformed into a screen to show films or what is going on in the hall.
On the first floor before the entrance to the main hall, there are plaques with the names of people who donated to the construction of the New Synagogue. On the opposite side of the entrance is a glass wall, and in front of it on a pedestal is the most precious thing that every congregation has - the cabinet where the Torah Scrolls are kept - the Aron Kodesh. Nearby stands a stone from Jerusalem, brought here by the president of Israel. Those praying are seated in the hall on benches that can accommodate 105 people. The hall has excellent acoustics. Therefore, concerts, performances of artists can also be held here.
Also on the first floor are offices, including the offices of the rabbi and the chairman of the community. On the third floor there is a balcony where women are seated during Divine Services. It can accommodate 78 people. In addition, the third floor houses the permanent museum exhibition and has space for organising temporary exhibitions.
On the ground floor there is a kiosk selling religious equipment and literature, as well as a kosher restaurant with a seating capacity of 100.
The New Synagogue in Tallinn has the only mikvah in Estonia. Its entrance is located at the back of the building. There is a shower, dressing room, bathtub, and the ritual pool itself.
Tallinn New Synagogue, built on the corner of Karu and Aedvilla Streets, completes the ensemble of the Jewish Centre, which apart from the synagogue itself consists of the buildings of the Community Centre and the Tallinn Jewish School.
