“A refuge in the Third Reich” reads the Waldschule Kaliski Plaque. This unassuming plaque stands at the entrance to a driveway on Miquelstrasse. It tells a story of resilience and loss. A story of the Private Jewish Waldschule Kaliski.
From 1936 to 1939 this school provided a haven for Jewish children and teachers. Excluded from public schools they found a last chance to learn and teach here. The Waldschule Kaliski was founded in 1932 by Lotte Kaliski. A reform pedagogue from Breslau she faced unemployment due to her disability.
Initially a secular school it became exclusively Jewish after 1934. The school moved several times facing increasing hostility. It ultimately found a home in a large villa Im Dol 2-6. This villa belonged to a Jewish couple who had already fled Germany. The Waldschule Kaliski thrived in this setting. It even boasted a swimming pool within its extensive grounds. The school provided a sheltered environment. High trees and thick bushes surrounded the grounds offering protection.
Up to 600 students attended the Waldschule Kaliski. Among them were notable figures like Michael Blumenthal. He later served as US Secretary of the Treasury and director of the Jewish Museum Berlin. The school’s curriculum was adapted. It focused on preparing students for emigration. Subjects like Hebrew and English became central. Practical skills for daily life were also taught.
Sadly in March 1939 the Nazi regime forcibly closed the Waldschule Kaliski. Students and teachers fled to all parts of the world. Tragically 39 students became victims of the Shoah. Lotte Kaliski herself escaped to New York in 1938. She never returned to the country where her father was murdered.
After the school’s closure the Foreign Office took over the building. They established a communications center. It contained transmitting and receiving stations. It also housed facilities for special tasks including code-breaking. This secret facility operated until 1945.
The Waldschule Kaliski Plaque unveiled on April 19 2001 commemorates this important site. It serves as a poignant reminder of the school’s existence. It honors the students and teachers who found refuge within its walls. A symbol of hope and resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. The plaque is a testament to their courage and legacy. It is a reminder of the devastating impact of the Holocaust. This quiet place holds a powerful story. A story whispered by the Waldschule Kaliski Plaque.