“I will walk before the face of the Eternal in the realms of life”. That’s what the inscription says above the gates of the Neuer Jüdischer Friedhof. This sacred ground offers a serene contrast to the bustling city outside.
The Neuer Jüdischer Friedhof tells a story of Frankfurt’s Jewish community. It reflects their resilience. It embodies their traditions. It also shows their struggles.
Construction of the Neuer Jüdischer Friedhof finished in 1929. This became necessary because the Old Jewish Cemetery could not be expanded. Fritz Nathan planned the new cemetery. He was a government architect.
The Neuer Jüdischer Friedhof is east of Eckenheimer Landstraße. It borders the main cemetery. It spans over 54532 square meters.
Back in 1914, the first plans arose for a new cemetery. By then, everyone knew the old cemetery was too small. They considered a plot on Homburger Landstraße.
Disagreements with the city about building delayed everything. They agreed to build the cemetery on Eckenheimer Landstraße. World War I further delayed the redesign.
In 1921, an architectural competition took place. Eight Frankfurt architects submitted designs. Franz Roeckle won. He had built the Westend Synagogue. But Roeckle supported the NSDAP. This caused a rift.
Fritz Nathan stepped in. He had worked on the Field of Honour in Berlin. This was for Jewish soldiers who died in World War I.
The community wanted the Neuer Jüdischer Friedhof to combine tradition. It should also meet modern hygienic requirements. The exterior should be dignified. It must be simple. It should also express reverence without decoration.
Construction began in 1925. The city claimed the land for housing. After negotiations, they agreed on an area used by allotment gardeners. Construction began in 1927.
The entrance has three parts. It leads to a courtyard. Beyond are the graveyards. The Administration Building is on the right. The Mourning Hall is on the left. The facade features red-brown brickwork. Copper bands trim the roofs. Wrought-iron makes up the gates.
Fritz Nathan designed the main building. It features red-brown clinker brick. The design is symmetrical. It separates the cemetery from the street. It creates a place for contemplation.
A colonnade surrounds the cobbled courtyard. The layout is strict. The administration building and funeral hall dominate. They are simple rectangles.
The funeral hall echoes the colonnade. It has a portico-like entrance. The hall has a band of windows. Copper bands unify the ensemble.
Five high arcades lead to the Great Hall. Bronze doors let light in. The Small Hall connects to the Great Hall. A stained-glass wall lights it. The Kaddish prayer room is to the right.
The bronze door has Hebrew and German inscriptions. It says God counts every tear shed for a righteous person. He stores them in His treasury.
The cemetery has about 8000 graves. It is simpler than the old cemetery. There are hardly any monumental graves. The design reflects traditional Jewish cemeteries. It aligns with Ernst May’s ideas.
Hedges separate plots. They align along a main axis. It extends from the entrance to a large menorah.
About 800 graves belong to Frankfurt Jews who committed suicide. They did this because of deportation orders. These graves are uniform. They bear the inscription “Died for the sanctification of the name.”
In 1939, a wall went up. It used stones from destroyed synagogues. A plaque marks the origin of the material.
A memorial honors murdered Frankfurt Jews. Julius Blau is buried here. He was the first chairman. Franz Rosenzweig is also buried here. He was a religious philosopher. Henriette Fürth also rests here. She was a Frankfurt social politician.
The Neuer Jüdischer Friedhof stands as a testament. It shows the endurance of Frankfurt’s Jewish community. It reminds us of their contributions. It also reflects on their tragic losses. The Neuer Jüdischer Friedhof remains a place of respect. It is a place of remembrance.