Here lies a silent testament to a community erased. This is the Jüdischer Friedhof Dorstfeld a Jewish cemetery in Dortmund. It whispers stories of a past both vibrant and tragically cut short.
The Jüdischer Friedhof Dorstfeld once served as the final resting place for the Jewish community. It is located on Wittener Straße 14. It was a place of solace and remembrance from 1861 to 1938.
Imagine this small plot of land. It measures just 394 square meters. It held the hopes and memories of generations. Families gathered here to mourn and to remember loved ones.
The oldest burial ground is no longer to be found. Herz Levi was buried there in 1822. It is possibly located under the Sparkasse built around 1907.
But the rise of National Socialism cast a dark shadow. The Jüdischer Friedhof Dorstfeld was desecrated. It was abandoned during this dark period. The land changed hands multiple times.
After 1933 the cemetery on Wittener Strasse was abandoned. The bones and 50 gravestones were moved to the cemetery “an der Twerskuhle”. The cemetery grounds on Twerskuhle were already occupied from 1843. However they were not located at today’s location. They were a short distance away in a westerly direction. The last burial took place in 1932.
In 1963 the city of Dortmund bought the property. Today the land belongs to the Protestant parish. This serves as a stark reminder of the community that was lost.
Consider the lives that were lived. Think about the families torn apart. Reflect on the history that unfolded here at the Jüdischer Friedhof Dorstfeld.
Let us remember the Jewish community of Dorstfeld. Let us honor their memory by preserving this space. It is a symbol of resilience and a reminder of the importance of tolerance.