Whispers of hope and despair linger here at the Gut Jägerslust Stele. This unassuming monument marks a site of profound historical significance. It stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable cruelty.
Gut Jägerslust was once a thriving farm. The Wolff family a Jewish family from Berlin owned it. They modernized the manor house and expanded the stables. They settled in Flensburg in 1906. The family patriarch Georg Wolff loved hunting. After his death in 1917 his widow Käthe and son Alexander continued running the farm. Their daughters became teachers.
Initially secular the Wolff family’s connection to Judaism deepened under Nazi rule. Facing increasing persecution they made a courageous decision. They offered their estate to Hechalutz a Zionist-socialist youth organization. Gut Jägerslust became a Hachshara a training center for young Jews. These young people were preparing to emigrate to Palestine. They were learning agricultural skills. They hoped to build new lives in a new land.
From 1934 to 1938 around 100 young men and women trained at Gut Jägerslust. They came from across Germany. They traded city life for farm work. This was physically demanding and often challenging. The men learned soil improvement techniques. The women focused on housekeeping.
The proximity to the Danish border provided a lifeline. The so-called Groschenpässe inexpensive border passes facilitated escape. Contacts with Denmark offered hope and a chance at freedom.
However this haven of hope was short-lived. The Gestapo kept watch. Kristallnacht the November Pogrom of 1938 marked a brutal end. Nazi thugs attacked Gut Jägerslust. The Wolff family and the trainees were arrested. The buildings were devastated. Alexander Wolff escaped to Denmark. He was the only member of his family to survive the Holocaust.
Gut Jägerslust was then Aryanized. It became a military training area. The manor house was even demolished. The peaceful stillness that now covers the site belies its turbulent past.
Today the Gut Jägerslust Stele serves as a poignant reminder. It reminds us of the lives lost and the courage found during a dark chapter in history. It reminds us to never forget. It is a quiet place of reflection. It honours the memory of those who sought refuge and hope. Let us remember their story and their unwavering spirit.