Nazi occupation. In addition to the arrests and deportations, the Nazis both looted and vandalized Jewish property. The Great Synagogue of Florence was damaged and nearly blown up by Germans. Most of its great art was stolen. By the end of the war, the Jewish population was reduced to less than 1600. Since 2007, authorities have been investigating the murders of Robert Einstein (cousin of Albert Einstein) and his wife and daughter. They were murdered by Nazi soldiers near Il Focardo in August 1944. Especially, German Staatsanwaltschaft Landau/Pfalz is still investigating this case. The murder has been covered by Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst on 23 February 2011. Today The Jews of Florence began to rebuild after the war. They repaired the Great Synagogue and established a home for Jewish seniors in 1957 and a Jewish school in 1964. In 2007, the Jewish Museum of Florence was opened and there is a walking tour guide of Florence's Jewish history. Today, the population of the Jewish community of Florence is over 800, and the Great Synagogue is the only orthodox one still in use. In 2009, a rudimentary bomb was discovered outside the Chabad House in Florence. The bomb had failed to go off, and no injuries or damages occurred. The chief rabbi of Florence said that the event was "a very serious gesture that shows how one can pass from irresponsible words to actions such as this." In addition to the Orthodox synagogue, there is also a small progressive Jewish community in Florence, called Shir Hadash. Great Synagogue of Florence The Great Synagogue of Florence (Tempio Maggiore) is considered by many historians and architects as a building masterpiece. The synagogue was opened in 1882. Its Moorish motif and design was based on the Byzantine cathedral of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. In August 1944 German troops worked with Italian Fascists to destroy the synagogue, but the Italian resistance managed to defuse most of the explosives. Only a limited amount of damage was done. The synagogue was restored after the war. It was restored again after damage by massive flooding in 1966. Today, the synagogue is still open and regularly provides services to the Jewish community under the Sephardic rite of prayer. From 1882 until 1964 an Ashkenazi synagogue existed in the Benivieni palace, commemorated by an historic plaque on the facade of the building, now the Hotel Beninieni, #5 Via della Oche