Chaim Eitingon, a name synonymous with generosity and community spirit in Leipzig. The Eitingon-Haus stands as a reminder of his legacy. This building at Eitingonstra\u00dfe 12, once a beacon of hope, carries a story of Jewish philanthropy, resilience, and the dark shadow of Nazi oppression.
In 1928, the Eitingon family, prominent fur traders originally from Moscow, built this hospital. Chaim Eitingon, the family patriarch, dedicated it as Saxony’s first Jewish hospital. This act of charity wasn’t just a local affair. It rippled through Leipzig, showcasing the Eitingons’ commitment to their community.
Chaim Eitingon’s journey to Leipzig began in 1869. His family established a Rauchwarenhandels-Gesellschaft. By the 1920s, the Chaim Eitingon AG became a leading force in Germany’s fur trade. Its annual turnover reached 25 million Reichsmark.
Beyond business, Eitingon was a philanthropist. In 1921, he donated 10,000 marks to the city. This was to support needy merchants’ widows and daughters, irrespective of their faith. Sadly, the Nazis seized this Chaim-Eitingon-Stiftung in 1935. They repurposed it into the “Stiftung für besondere Unterstützung.”
The hospital offered modern medical care to all, regardless of their religious beliefs. The Eitingon-Haus quickly became a symbol of inclusivity. However, this harmony was shattered in 1939. The Nazis ordered the hospital’s evacuation. Doctors and patients were forced to relocate to a separate facility within the Dösen State Sanatorium. They were deprived of proper resources.
After 1945, Leipzig’s Jewish community was too small to maintain its own hospital. The building served as a municipal women’s clinic. The Eitingon family left a lasting mark on Leipzig. The Eitingonstra\u00dfe was named in Chaim’s honor in 1928.
Chaim Eitingon died in 1932. He was a respected figure. He was known as the “Pelzkönig” of Brühl. Some even called his family “the Rothschilds of Leipzig”. Eitingon’s commitment to Leipzig is clear. In 1922, he funded the Ez-Chaim-Synagoge. It became Leipzig’s second-largest Jewish house of worship.
Today, the Eitingon-Haus is part of the Städtisches Klinikum St. Georg. Since 1992, it has once again borne the name Eitingon-Krankenhaus. This honors the family who contributed so much to Leipzig.
Standing here, reflect on Chaim Eitingon’s vision. He fostered community, health, and hope. The Eitingon-Haus serves as a reminder of Leipzig’s layered past. It shows us the importance of remembering those who fought for a better future.