Remember the date November 9, 1938. The Jüdisches Gemeindehaus Stolperschwelle stands here. It is a testament to both resilience and remembrance.
The Jüdisches Gemeindehaus Stolperschwelle stands as a silent witness. It remembers a vibrant community and its tragic fate. Before us lies a place of profound historical significance. It connects the past with the present.
In the early 20th century, Regensburg’s Jewish population grew. Their existing synagogue was in disrepair. In 1904, the community acquired land on Schäffnerstraße to build a new one. The new Synagogue was built and consecrated in 1912. The Jüdisches Gemeindehaus was constructed right next to it. It housed the cantor, cult personnel, and caretaker.
But the winds of change brought darkness. On the night of November 9, 1938, the Reichspogromnacht, Nazi thugs set the synagogue ablaze. The fire consumed it entirely. The Jüdisches Gemeindehaus, however, remained standing. It was a silent observer to the destruction.
The Jüdisches Gemeindehaus then became a holding place. Jews were gathered here for deportation. On September 23, 1942, 31 people were forcibly housed here. They were then deported to Theresienstadt and Auschwitz. All were murdered.
After the war, the Jüdisches Gemeindehaus became a center for the surviving Jewish community. It housed meeting rooms and a small prayer space. In 2019, a new Jewish center with a synagogue was inaugurated. It was built on the same site as the destroyed synagogue.
Look closely at the Stolperschwellen, or stumbling stones. They are in front of the Jüdisches Gemeindehaus. These brass plaques commemorate those deported and murdered. Each stone bears the name of a victim. It marks the place from which they were taken.
Today, the Jüdisches Gemeindehaus Stolperschwelle is more than just a building. It is a symbol of remembrance. It is also a testament to the enduring spirit of the Jewish community in Regensburg. The new center includes a community hall. It also features a synagogue, rooms, and a library. A golden bronze spiral graces the courtyard. It is inscribed with lines from a poem by Rose Ausländer.
The Jüdisches Gemeindehaus Stolperschwelle stands as a reminder of the past. It is a beacon of hope for the future. It is a place where the community gathers. It is a place where memories are honored. It is a place where Jewish life thrives once more in Regensburg.