Pause here. Bleibtreustraße 2. It doesn’t look like much today. Yet, this location holds a poignant story. It is marked by the Die Mikwe der Jüdischen Gemeinde in Charlottenburg Plaque.
This plaque commemorates a place of profound historical and religious importance. It marks the former site of a mikveh. A mikveh is a Jewish ritual bath. It played a vital role in the spiritual life of the Jewish community.
In 1926, the Jüdische Gemeinde acquired this building. The following year, they established a mikveh here. This mikveh wasn’t just for hygiene. It was for achieving ritual purity through immersion. Imagine the faithful Jews of Charlottenburg. They came seeking spiritual cleansing in its waters.
The mikveh had specific requirements. The baths needed flowing or rainwater. A minimum of 800 liters was required. The depth had to be seven steps. Bathers recited blessings as they immersed themselves three times. The Mikwe even had two classes. In 1931, the entry price was 2 or 3.50 Mark.
Opening hours depended on nightfall. On Fridays, it opened two and a half hours before Shabbat. In the courtyard stood a rainwater basin. It was used for ritually cleansing dishes. Utensils were purified before first use. This was also done after touching forbidden foods.
The house became more than just a bathhouse. In 1935, the Jüdische Wohlfahrts- und Jugendamt moved in. In 1936, so did the Jüdische Allgemeine Zeitung.
Then came the dark days of Nazi rule. In 1939, the Nazis declared it a “Judenhaus”. Jewish citizens were forced to move in. In 1942, the Jüdische Gemeinde had to sell the house under value. The Gestapo confiscated the proceeds. Twenty known residents were deported. Only two survived the Holocaust.
In a cruel twist, Erika Brümmel bought the building. She was the widow of Walter Brümmel. He was the mayor of Mitte.
Allied bombs largely destroyed the building in 1943. The ruins were blown up in 1953. In 1956, the district turned the land into a playground.
After the war, the new Jüdische Gemeinde sought restitution. They wanted the “aryanized” property back. Lawsuits dragged on for over twenty years.
Today, a playground occupies the space. But the Die Mikwe der Jüdischen Gemeinde in Charlottenburg Plaque ensures we don’t forget. It reminds us of the lives that passed through here. It stands as a symbol against antisemitism. It champions the visibility of Jewish life in Berlin.
In 2013, neighbors created a citizen initiative. It is called “mikwe – kultur begegnungen”. They installed a permanent exhibition about the site’s history. They transform the space into a neighborhood meeting place.
So, as you stand here, remember the waters of the mikveh. Remember the families forced into the “Judenhaus”. Remember the importance of remembrance. The Die Mikwe der Jüdischen Gemeinde in Charlottenburg Plaque serves as a constant reminder.