Underneath these weathered stones lies a silent testament to Dresden’s Jewish history. This is the Alter Jüdischer Friedhof. It is the oldest Jewish cemetery in Saxony. Imagine the stories etched into each weathered marker.
In 1751, the Alter Jüdischer Friedhof was established. This came after years of petitioning. Before this, Dresden’s Jewish community had to transport their dead to Teplice in Bohemia for burial.
The story of this cemetery begins with hardship. Jewish families, once expelled from Dresden, slowly returned in the early 18th century. Issachar Berend Lehmann, a Jewish diplomat, aided August the Strong in his quest for the Polish crown. Lehmann requested a burial ground in 1715. The city council protested. August the Strong denied the request. Dresden’s Jews continued transporting their dead across the Erzgebirge.
Despite facing discrimination, the Jewish community grew. By 1750, they established a burial society. Michael Samuel, an influential figure, appealed to Friedrich August II. He sought a dedicated burial ground. Count Heinrich von Brühl supported Samuel’s plea. The community had to pay Brühl 1,000 thalers for his help. A synagogue promised by Brühl was not built until 1838.
Initially, a site near the Old Catholic Cemetery was considered. Ultimately, land near the Prießnitz stream was chosen. This land was outside Dresden and belonged to the Elector. Restrictions were strict. The community could not build a house of worship. Burials could not take place during daylight hours. They also had to pay fees for the land. Fees were based on the age of the deceased.
The Alter Jüdischer Friedhof officially opened on March 19, 1751. The first burial occurred shortly after. Initially, only small, flat stones were permitted. Standing stones were allowed from 1771. The community had to pay local craftsmen for each stone erected.
By 1852, the cemetery was crowded. It contained over a thousand graves. The city council declared the cemetery would close in 1869. The final burial took place in 1900. The cemetery was given to the Jewish community in perpetuity. It could not be dissolved like other cemeteries.
A new cemetery was opened in Johannstadt in 1869. This was the Neue Jüdische Friedhof. In the years that followed, parts of the Alter Jüdischer Friedhof were sold. The entire site was sold to the city of Dresden in 1943. The city planned to turn the cemetery into a park. The Jewish community successfully reclaimed the land in 1948.
During the East German era, the cemetery received little attention. It fell into disrepair. By the 1970s, it lacked signage and was not on city maps. However, it gained monument status and received some state funding.
HATiKVA e. V. now cares for this cultural monument. They rediscovered its historical importance. The Alter Jüdischer Friedhof largely escaped destruction during the Nazi era. Hamburg financed a new gate in 1992.
Today, around 800 of the 1,263 graves have headstones. Weather has worn away many inscriptions. The stones face east toward Jerusalem. Hebrew inscriptions adorn the front. German inscriptions are on the back of newer stones. The stones feature symbols like the Star of David.
The Alter Jüdischer Friedhof stands as a reminder. It reminds us of Dresden’s Jewish community. It also reminds us of their struggles and resilience. It is a place of history and reflection.