How many stories can one plaque tell? This Stadttafel Herschelstraße 31 Plaque marks a place of immense historical weight in Hanover. It speaks of a building that was once a site of suffering and resilience during the Nazi era. This plaque commemorates the building’s past as one of Hanover’s “Judenhäuser” or Jewish houses.
The Stadttafel Herschelstraße 31 Plaque stands as a reminder of the dark chapter in Hanover’s history. Before the horrors of World War II, the building at Herschelstraße 31 was privately owned. In 1933, the property belonged to Moritz Klompus, a merchant.
After 1933, the nightmare began with the rise of the Nazi regime. Jewish people faced increasing discrimination and persecution. In 1941, the building was seized and transformed into a “Judenhaus.” This was part of the “Aktion Lauterbacher,” where Jewish residents were forcibly moved into designated houses. Herschelstraße 31 became one of sixteen such houses in Hanover.
Imagine the scene inside Herschelstraße 31 at that time. Around 70 people were crammed into the building initially. That number swelled to approximately 150 by December 1941. Among them was Norbert Prager. He survived the Holocaust and later became chairman of Hanover’s Jewish community.
These houses were overcrowded and filled with despair. In early December 1941, the deportations began. Jewish people were transported to the Israelite garden school Ahlem, which was used as a collection camp. From there, they were sent to concentration camps. Despite the deportations, dozens remained at Herschelstraße 31. Most were in mixed marriages. They were allocated just one room per couple.
The building itself was a large brick structure. It had a main building with two side wings. In the early 1940s, the ground floor housed businesses including an automobile dealer and a basketry shop.
Rosette Klompus, the owner, also suffered. Her property was seized. In 1942, she was deported to Theresienstadt concentration camp. The building at Herschelstraße 31 was destroyed during the air raids in October 1943.
After the war, a new building was constructed on the site. Today, the Sozialverband Deutschland, a social association, uses it as its state office. In 2024, this Stadttafel Herschelstraße 31 Plaque was placed on the building. It serves as a permanent reminder of the past. It ensures that the suffering of those who lived here is never forgotten. It stands as a symbol of remembrance and reconciliation in the heart of Hanover.