The Chronicle
The story of the House of One begins in 2011.
Our short chronicle of the project – the Project History – shows what has happened since then and how the idea and the project have grown and evolved over time.
LITURGY WORKING GROUP: In collaboration with the Institute for Liturgy Studies at the University of Leipzig, the House of One explores the question of what new spiritual-religious formats might look like, such as weddings for interfaith couples that neither mix traditions nor simply add them together.
KOCHEN OHNE GRENZEN – MIT DEM HOUSE OF ONE
Gemeinsam Kochen und Essen verbindet Menschen über kulturelle oder religiöse Unterschiede hinweg. Das Kochbuch "Kochen ohne Grenzen" vom israelischen-palästinensischen Restaurant Kanaan in Berlin versammelt Gerichte aus verschiedenen Traditionen. Unsere Podcasterinnen Rebecca Rogowski, Maike Schöfer und Kübra Dalkilic durften zwei Rezepte beitragen: die Noah Suppe und König David Pfannkuchen. Dialog geht eben weit über den eigenen Tellerrand hinaus.
LITURGY WORKING GROUP: In collaboration with the Institute for Liturgy Studies at the University of Leipzig, the House of One explores the question of what new spiritual-religious formats might look like, such as weddings for interfaith couples that neither mix traditions nor simply add them together.
AUSSENMINISTER LOBT ARBEIT DES HOUSE OF ONE
Im Sommer 2025 würdigt Bundesaußenminister Johann Wadephul das House of One als Vorbild für religionsübergreifendes Miteinander. In einem Gespräch mit dem Magazin "Der Spiegel" hebt der Politiker hervor, wie Christen, Juden und Muslime im House of One gemeinsam beten, lernen und Verantwortung übernehmen – ein wichtiges Zeichen nicht nur angesichts der anhaltenden Konflikte im Nahen Osten.
100 FOLGEN DIALOG: 100X 3 FRAUEN, 3 RELIGIONEN, 1 THEMA
Mit der 100. Folge feiert der House-of-One-Podcast 2025 ein besonderes Jubiläum. Eine Spendenaktion sichert die Fortsetzung des Formats und ermöglicht neue Folgen. Der Podcast hat sich als fester Bestandteil der interreligiösen Bildungs- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit etabliert und erreicht Menschen weit über Berlin hinaus.
80 JAHRE FRIEDEN: GEDENKEN UND GEBETE
Zum 80. Jahrestag des Endes des Zweiten Weltkriegs lädt das House of One zu interreligiösen Gedenk- und Friedensveranstaltungen ein. Gemeinsame Gebete, Gottesdienste und kulturelle Beiträge verbinden das Erinnern an die Vergangenheit mit dem Appell zu Verantwortung und Versöhnung in der Gegenwart.
KURBANFEST: HILFSAKTION FÜR ZENTRALAFRIKA
Auch 2025 engagiert sich das House of One mit Hilfsaktionen über religiöse Grenzen hinweg. Anlässlich des islamischen Kurbanfestes ruft die Stiftung erneut zu Spenden für Lebensmittelpakete für Menschen in der Zentralafrikanischen Republik. Das Essen wird nicht nur an muslimische, sondern auch an christlichen und andere Menschen verteilt. Ein Beitrag für ein Fest der Nächstenliebe.
SPENDENAKTION EIN VOLLER ERFOLG
Im Februar 2025 schließt unsere Spendenverdopplungsaktion mit großem Erfolg. In drei Monaten konnte die Stiftung 100.000 Euro Spenden einwerben. Hunderte Einzelpersonen haben Beiträgen zwischen 3 und 3.000 Euro für die interreligiöse Friedens- und Bildungsarbeit gespendet. Diese Summe haben anschließend die Bethe Stiftung und die HeLe Avus Stiftung verdoppelt. Diese Aktion hat gezeigt: Das House of One erlebt sich getragen von einer starken zivilgesellschaftlichen Gemeinschaft.
BILDUNGS- UND DIALOGARBEIT WÄCHST KONTINUIERLICH
10 "Lesezeichen", an denen Gäste mit Rabbiner, Pfarrerin und Imam Geschichten aus Tora, Bibel und Koran verglichen; 12 interreligiöse Friedensgebete; rund 1.000 Schülerinnen und Schüler besuchten unsere Workshops und 4.000 weitere Besucher oder Seminar-Teilnehmer hielten das Bildungsteam auf Trab.
Die House of One-Box, unser Info Point an der Baustelle, war auch in diesem Jahr ein Ort der Begegnung, Information und Diskussion auch für spontane Gäste.
LITURGY WORKING GROUP: In collaboration with the Institute for Liturgy Studies at the University of Leipzig, the House of One explores the question of what new spiritual-religious formats might look like, such as weddings for interfaith couples that neither mix traditions nor simply add them together.
BESONDERE AKTION: ALLE SPENDEN WERDEN VERDOPPELT
"Einmal Frieden mit allen, bitte!" Das ist der Titel unserer Spendenkampagne, die im November startet. Jeder Euro, der in den folgenden drei Monaten gespendet wird, verdoppeln die Bethe Stiftung und die HeLe Avus Stiftung gemeinsam.
Das ermöglicht der Stiftung, die religionsübergreifende Bildungsarbeit zu weiten. Nach dem 7. Oktober 2023, dem Überfall der Hamas auf Israel, ist die Nachfrage nach den Bildungsangeboten des House of One enorm gestiegen. Mehr als 3.000 Menschen in Schulen, religiösen Gemeinschaften, bei der Polizei oder Pflegeeinrichtungen nahmen die Angebote wahr.
ARCHITEKTUR-AUSSTELLUNG IN ITALIEN
2024 wird die Architektur des House of One in einer Ausstellung in Turin präsentiert. Thema: Wie kann Architektur den Dialog der Religionen fördern? Der Entwurf des Berliner Architektenbüros Kuehn Malvezzi für das House of One dient als Vorbild. Parallel dazu finden Lesereihen, Diskussionen und multireligiöse Feiern in der italienischen Stadt statt.
UND IMMER WIEDER: BETEN FÜR FRIEDEN NAH-OST
Angesichts des Krieges im Nahen Osten und der anhaltenden Gewalt in der Ukraine lädt das House of One 2024 regelmäßig zu multireligiösen Friedensgebeten ein. Jüdische, christliche und muslimische Stimmen kommen zusammen, um zu trauern, zu erinnern und Mut zu machen – Seite an Seite, über Religions- und Weltanschauungsgrenzen hinweg.
NIEMALS VERGESSEN: HOUSE OF ONE GEDENKT OPFERN VON KRIEG UND GEWALT
Zu Beginn des Jahres setzt das House of One starke Zeichen des Gedenkens und der Solidarität. Am Jahrestag der rassistischen Morde von Hanau sowie am zweiten Jahrestag des russischen Überfalls auf die Ukraine senden Rabbiner, Pfarrer und Imam gemeinsam Botschaften des Friedens und der Verbundenheit. Das House of One positioniert sich damit klar gegen Hass, Gewalt und Ausgrenzung.
LITURGY WORKING GROUP: In collaboration with the Institute for Liturgy Studies at the University of Leipzig, the House of One explores the question of what new spiritual-religious formats might look like, such as weddings for interfaith couples that neither mix traditions nor simply add them together.
HOUSE OF ONE ALS WICHTIGE ANLAUFSTELLE
Angesichts des Krieges im Nahen Osten, wachsender Gewalt sowie zunehmender antisemitischer und islamfeindlicher Übergriffe ist das House of One 2023 verstärkt als Anlaufstelle für Schulen, Institutionen und Einzelpersonen gefragt. Seelsorge, Bildungsarbeit und interreligiöse Gespräche gewinnen weiter an Bedeutung.
FRIEDEN ALS GELEBTE PRAXIS
Mit Friedensgebeten, Workshops zur religiösen Vielfalt, öffentlichen Gesprächen und dem Podcast „331 – 3 Frauen, 3 Religionen, 1 Thema“ setzt das House of One 2023 seine kontinuierliche Dialogarbeit fort. Persönliche Begegnungen stehen dabei ebenso im Mittelpunkt wie die Stärkung eines respektvollen gesellschaftlichen Miteinanders.
INTERNATIONALE TAGUNG ZUM "FRIEDEN DER ZUKUNFT"
Im Jubiläumsjahr des Westfälischen Friedens bringt sich das House of One in internationale Debatten zur Friedensarbeit ein. Auf einer Konferenz in Osnabrück berichten Partner aus der Zentralafrikanischen Republik von der friedensstiftenden Rolle der Religionen in langjährigen Konflikten.
HOUSE OF ONE FRIEDENSPREIS
Im August 2023 verleiht das House of One erstmals den "House of One Friedenspreis". Ausgezeichnet werden Menschen, die sich in besonderer Weise für das friedliche Zusammenleben von Menschen unterschiedlicher Religionen und Weltanschauungen einsetzen. Erster Preisträger ist Bischof Malkhaz Songulashvili aus Georgien.
LITURGY WORKING GROUP: In collaboration with the Institute for Liturgy Studies at the University of Leipzig, the House of One explores the question of what new spiritual-religious formats might look like, such as weddings for interfaith couples that neither mix traditions nor simply add them together.
BESONDERE AKTION: STEINE SPENDEN
Mit der Aktion „Jeden Tag ein Stein für das House of One“ lädt das Projekt Unterstützerinnen und Unterstützer dazu ein, den Bau symbolisch zu begleiten und aktiv zum Gelingen beizutragen.
LITURGY WORKING GROUP: In collaboration with the Institute for Liturgy Studies at the University of Leipzig, the House of One explores the question of what new spiritual-religious formats might look like, such as weddings for interfaith couples that neither mix traditions nor simply add them together.
2021
THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE HOUSE OF ONE IS LAID: On May 27, 2021, a ceremonial event is held in the presence of the founding communities, Governing Mayor Michael Müller, and Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble, marking the laying of the foundation stone for the House of One. Due to pandemic restrictions, the program and ceremony are streamed live on the website.
THE HOUSE OF ONE PODCAST: The House of One Podcast begins with the episode "331 - 3 Women, 3 Religions, 1 Topic," hosted by Rebecca Rogowski, Maike Schöfer, and Kübra Dalkilic. Together, the three women explore questions surrounding their religions and beliefs. The project is supported as part of the federal program "Living Democracy!" by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs.
LITURGY WORKING GROUP: In collaboration with the Institute for Liturgy Studies at the University of Leipzig, the House of One explores the question of what new spiritual-religious formats might look like, such as weddings for interfaith couples that neither mix traditions nor simply add them together.
2021
THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE HOUSE OF ONE IS LAID: On May 27, 2021, a ceremonial event is held in the presence of the founding communities, Governing Mayor Michael Müller, and Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble, marking the laying of the foundation stone for the House of One. Due to pandemic restrictions, the program and ceremony are streamed live on the website.
THE HOUSE OF ONE PODCAST: The House of One Podcast begins with the episode "331 - 3 Women, 3 Religions, 1 Topic," hosted by Rebecca Rogowski, Maike Schöfer, and Kübra Dalkilic. Together, the three women explore questions surrounding their religions and beliefs. The project is supported as part of the federal program "Living Democracy!" by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs.
LITURGY WORKING GROUP: In collaboration with the Institute for Liturgy Studies at the University of Leipzig, the House of One explores the question of what new spiritual-religious formats might look like, such as weddings for interfaith couples that neither mix traditions nor simply add them together.
2021
THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE HOUSE OF ONE IS LAID: On May 27, 2021, a ceremonial event is held in the presence of the founding communities, Governing Mayor Michael Müller, and Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble, marking the laying of the foundation stone for the House of One. Due to pandemic restrictions, the program and ceremony are streamed live on the website.
THE HOUSE OF ONE PODCAST: The House of One Podcast begins with the episode "331 - 3 Women, 3 Religions, 1 Topic," hosted by Rebecca Rogowski, Maike Schöfer, and Kübra Dalkilic. Together, the three women explore questions surrounding their religions and beliefs. The project is supported as part of the federal program "Living Democracy!" by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs.
HOUSE OF ONE IM DEUTSCHLANDFUNK
Zu Beginn des Jahres 2022 geben Rabbiner Andreas Nachama, Pfarrer Gregor Hohberg und Imam Kadir Sanci dem traditioniellen Neujahrsgottesdienst im Deutschlandfunk ein neues Gesicht. Sie gestalten die erste multireligiöse Morgenfeier in der Geschichte des Senders. Das House of One setzt damit ein öffentliches Zeichen für die religiöse Vielfalt in der deutschen Gesellschaft.
2021
THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE HOUSE OF ONE IS LAID: On May 27, 2021, a ceremonial event is held in the presence of the founding communities, Governing Mayor Michael Müller, and Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble, marking the laying of the foundation stone for the House of One. Due to pandemic restrictions, the program and ceremony are streamed live on the website.
THE HOUSE OF ONE PODCAST: The House of One Podcast begins with the episode "331 - 3 Women, 3 Religions, 1 Topic," hosted by Rebecca Rogowski, Maike Schöfer, and Kübra Dalkilic. Together, the three women explore questions surrounding their religions and beliefs. The project is supported as part of the federal program "Living Democracy!" by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs.
LITURGY WORKING GROUP: In collaboration with the Institute for Liturgy Studies at the University of Leipzig, the House of One explores the question of what new spiritual-religious formats might look like, such as weddings for interfaith couples that neither mix traditions nor simply add them together.
MULTIRELIGIOUS HOUSES COME TOGETHER: The House of One establishes the "Conference of Multireligious Houses." The first – virtual – meeting is attended by projects from Bern, Hannover, Vienna, Wilhelmshaven, and Tbilisi/Georgia.
LIVING DEMOCRACY!: The House of One is supported as a model project within the framework of the federal program "Living Democracy!". The goal of the interfaith team is to counter antisemitic stereotypes among youth and young adults through innovative projects.
FUNDING FROM THE BUNDESTAG: The German Bundestag releases an additional 10 million euros for the House of One. The majority of the construction cost of 47 million euros is now covered. To raise the remaining 8 million euros, many more donors are needed to support the idea and work of the House of One.
FOUNDING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES: The Governing Mayor of Berlin, Michael Müller, is the chairman of the newly established Board of Trustees, an advisory body of the House of One. In addition to former Federal President Christian Wulff, Central Council President Josef Schuster, and religious scholar Hamideh Mohagheghi, the 20-member body also includes Hetty Berg, Director of the Jewish Museum Berlin, Archbishop Heiner Koch, and religious scholar Mouhanad Khorchide.
SCHOOL PROJECT "NATHAN CREATIVELY CONCEIVED": Due to the pandemic, the groundbreaking ceremony originally planned for April 14th, the anniversary of the premiere of Lessing’s "Nathan the Wise", is cancelled. In place of the ceremony, the nationwide school project "Nathan - Creatively Conceived" produces wonderfully creative works from students.
2020
PRESENTATION OF THE SAMPLE FAÇADE: A sample façade of the brick wall of the House of One is erected at the construction site, and an exhibition is opened on the construction fence amid widespread media attention. The exhibition provides information about the work of the foundation and the concept of the three-religion project.
FOUNDATION WORKS: As part of the foundation work, 71 reinforced concrete piles are driven into the construction site. The symbolic kickoff of the construction process is celebrated with representatives from the federal government and the State of Berlin.
EXCAVATIONS AT PETRIPLATZ: As part of archaeological excavations, excavation leader Claudia Melisch uncovers additional parts of the foundation of the old Petrikirche at the construction site.
LEASING OF THE PROPERTY: The Berlin Senate decides to grant the House of One a 99-year lease on the property at Petriplatz for a symbolic one euro.
JOINT PEACE PRAYERS: Multireligious peace prayers following the bloody attacks in Sri Lanka and Christchurch, New Zealand, are meant to offer comfort and encouragement. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Basic Law or the 30th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, people from various faiths and denominations gather for prayer and forms of joint remembrance at the invitation of the House of One.
2019
AWARD FOR RABBI ANDREAS NACHAMA: Rabbi Andreas Nachama is appointed chairman of the General Conference of Rabbis in Germany and, later in the year, is awarded the Mendelssohn Medal for his tireless commitment to interfaith understanding.
FUNDING FROM THE STATE OF BERLIN: The State of Berlin approves 10 million euros, just like the federal government did earlier. Together with the revenue from crowdfunding and other donations, a significant portion of the construction costs is already covered.
PARTICIPATION IN THE ISLAM CONFERENCE
The House of One is invited to the German Islam Conference, re-established by Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer.
EDUCATION TEAM: Exploring places of worship together, seeking conversations, empathizing with others – the education team of the House of One develops workshops for school classes, businesses, and adult groups. The demand is high.
STREETWORK@ONLINE: The foundation begins a collaboration with the social workers of streetwork@online to counteract the radicalization of young Muslims.
EXHIBITIONS IN LONDON AND STOCKHOLM: The Victoria & Albert Museum in London acquires a three-dimensional model of the House of One for its collection. The foldable wooden replica is displayed in the exhibition "The Future Starts Now". The exhibition will be shown the following year at the ArkDes Museum in Stockholm.
Exploring Places of Worship Together, Seeking Conversations, Empathizing with Others, Getting to Know One Another – the education team of the House of One develops workshops for school classes, businesses, and adults. The demand is high.
2018
PAVILION IN BERLIN: The House of One receives a temporary home: The pavilion from Wittenberg is set up at Petriplatz and covered with transparent walls. Throughout the year, project presentations, discussion events, celebrations, and joint prayers will take place there.
10 MILLION EUROS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: The German Bundestag approves 10 million euros for the construction of the House of One.
YOUNG HOUSE OF ONE: In the "Young House of One", the hands-on construction site for children at Petriplatz, kids can artistically express their own ideas about interreligious coexistence. This project is made possible thanks to the support of the "Alice – Museum for Children" at FEZ-Berlin, the architects from raumlabor.berlin, the landscape architects from Atelier Le Balto, and the office Kuehn Malvezzi.
PARTNER PROJECT: Our partners in the Central African Republic, the Interreligious Peace Platform in Bangui founded by Aachen Peace Prize laureates Cardinal Nzapalainga and Imam Omar Kobine Layama, are officially appointed as project ambassadors of the House of One during their visit to Berlin.
Alongside Imam Kobine, the ambassadors include His Eminence Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga and Pastor Nicolas Guérékoyaméné-Gbango.
2017
PAVILION IN WITTENBERG: At the "World Exhibition for the Reformation Anniversary" marking the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s Nail of the Theses in Wittenberg, the House of One is also represented with a pavilion. We invite those interested to join Jewish, Christian, and Muslim celebrations, such as the breaking of the fast (see image), and provide information about our multireligious project in Berlin.
AMBASSADOR: NBA basketball player Enes Canter visits Berlin and advocates for the House of One.
EXHIBITION IN PARIS
With a spatial installation of the House of One, the architecture firm Kuehn Malvezzi is invited to the cultural institution Le Centquatre in Paris starting in September. The floor plan, featuring a synagogue, church, and mosque arranged around a central gathering space, was depicted on the floor of one of the exhibition halls.
IDIZEM DIALOGUE AWARD
The Dialogue Award from the Intercultural Dialogue Center IDIZEM e.V. in Munich is presented to the House of One on November 3rd. The award recognizes the special commitment to intercultural dialogue. The award was graciously accepted by Barbara Witting, a member of the Foundation Council, and Imam Osman Örs, on behalf of all the friends of the House of One.
THE HOUSE OF ONE FOUNDATION – HOUSE OF PRAYER AND LEARNING is established. It is a successor to the previous sponsor, "Bet- und Lehrhaus Petriplatz e.V.".
2016
NATIONAL URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: Federal Minister for Building Barbara Hendricks, together with the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Michael Müller, awards the House of One the title of "National Urban Development Project."
This distinction is accompanied by funding of 2.2 million euros.
EXHIBITION IN CHICAGO: The architects of the future House of One, the firm Kuehn Malvezzi, present the project and a model of the House of One at the Architecture Biennale in Chicago in the autumn of 2016.
INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING: Bishop Malkhaz is appointed as the first international project ambassador in Georgia. His Peace Academy brings together Christian, Muslim, and Yazidi children to foster friendships across religious boundaries.
2015
RABBI ANDREAS NACHAMA: Tovia BenChorin is called to serve as a rabbi for the Jewish community in St. Gallen. Rabbi Andreas Nachama succeeds him at the House of One.
CROWDFUNDING: The global crowdfunding campaign for the House of One is launched with a press conference at Petriplatz: anyone can become a co-builder of the House of One by purchasing a symbolic brick for 10 euros.
Actors Wolfgang Bahro and Adnan Maral are the first to take part.
2014
FOCUS ON DIALOGUE: In the autumn, a three-part event series titled "The God We Believe In – Jews, Christians, and Muslims" begins, aimed at fostering self-reflection and dialogue among the religions.
The discussions are supported with funding from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Monika Grütters.
Social Participation
The House of One presents itself in various spheres of Berlin society. The discussion series "Religion and Tolerance", which takes place at venues such as the Deutsches Theater ("The House of Prayer and Learning – The Ring Parable Built in Stone") or the Berlin Police Headquarters ("Are Religions Fit for a Crime Story?"), highlights the many ways in which religions are intertwined with secular society.
2013
MULTIRELIGIOUS PEACE PRAYER: In September 2013, Pastor Gregor Hohberg, Rabbi Tovia BenChorin, and Imam Kadir Sanci come together at the excavation site on Petriplatz for a multireligious peace prayer, united in the spirit of the association’s Charter.
From that point on, joint multireligious prayers and commemorations become an important part of the interfaith dialogue work of the House of One.
2012
ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION: The association launches an international architectural competition for the House of One. The jury includes renowned architects such as Hans Kollhoff and Jórunn Ragnarsdóttir, as well as other experts like State Archaeologist Matthias Wemhoff, Orientalist Navid Kermani, and theologians such as Rauf Ceylan and Klaus von Stosch.
The winning design is submitted by the Berlin-based architecture firm Kuehn Malvezzi.
2011
In October, the association "Bet- und Lehrhaus Petriplatz e.V." is founded as the institutional sponsor of the project.
The founding members are the Jewish Community of Berlin, the Abraham Geiger College in Potsdam, the Forum for Intercultural Dialogue e.V. as the Muslim partner, the Protestant Church District of Berlin-Stadtmitte, the Protestant Parish of St. Marien-Friedrichswerder, and the State of Berlin.
In the House of One Charter, the signatories commit themselves to "strive for mutual understanding through forms of coexistence that promote peace, social justice, and the preservation of nature."
