Synagogue Constance (1883 1938)
47 39 '30 "N 9 10' 32" E / 47.6583, 9.1755
Constance (in German : Konstanz) is a city of southern Germany , an enclave on the south bank of Switzerland 's Lake Constance (Bodensee). Constance currently has a population of 81,200 inhabitants.
The synagogue was built in 1883 completely destroyed by the Nazis in 1938.
Summary |
In the Middle Ages many families Jewish living Constance despite ongoing persecution. After an epidemic of plague that ravaged the city, 330 Jews were burned on 4 January 1349 on the Brhl, a meadow in front of the ramparts of the city.
In 1537 Jews are expelled from the city and finally banned from Constance. It was only after 1847 that Jews were again allowed to settle in the city. But it was not until the implementation of the Act of Emancipation of 15 October 1862 which guarantees full freedom of trade and industry to the Jews in every town Baden for Jewish life pick up speed in Constance.
In 1863 creates a new Jewish community, which will be recognized by the State Ministry of Baden in 1866. It already has 251 members in 1875 , 565 in 1900 (approximately 2.5% of the total population of the city), 537 in 1925 and still 488 people in 1932.
Among them, many industrialists, traders or members of professions that participate fully in economic and industrial growth of the city. Most homes and shops are clustered around the Jewish Marktsttte, Rosgarten street, the Rue de la Gare (Bahnhofstrasse) and place Bodan. Constance is a central tourist city and an important border , the Nazis local relatively moderate their anti-Jewish and Jewish economic life was initially less affected than in other German cities. But this is only temporary and persecution will rapidly intensify.
The synagogue
Construction
From 1864 , religious services are held successively in a small chapel located in the former hotel of the Falcons , then in a room museum Rosgarten and from 1873 in a room on the ground floor of the theater accessible by Lane High School.
From 1872 the community seeks to build a synagogue. In 1873, she bought to the hospital communal land located at 19 Rue Sigismund. Thanks to numerous donations and using a credit very important repayable in 40 years, work can begin.
The synagogue was built according to plans of Dr. Holtzmann, architect in chief of the city of Constance. On 7 September 1883 laying takes place the last stone, and 28 September 1883, the synagogue was inaugurated during a grand celebration attended by many representatives of the State and the municipality and community leaders Jewish neighbors. During this festival, the Tables of the Law are sealed above the Holy Ark. The chants liturgical are interpreted by the new champion Alessandro Geismar.
Description
The historian and writer Dr. Erich Bloch, author of The History of the Jews of Constance nineteenth and twentieth century described the synagogue:
"The synagogue is a whole style Romanesque style with elements of Renaissance. The gate is flanked on both primary sides of two buildings not as tall like a tower with dome.
The synagogue is set back from the street , protected by a gate in wrought iron. It is surrounded on the sides and behind a lawn of grass , with bushes and trees. One enters the synagogue by three doors.
Inside, the hall is in the form of a nave with a side of each aisle. Opposite the entrance is the chair of prayer and sermon at three levels, and in the apse of the Holy Ark and above the choir , an organ.
Upstairs, the gallery for women identifies the synagogue on both sides and above the entrance.
The architect Holzman is making the decorations inside by the painter Brasch of Karlsruhe. The windows are decorated with paintings on decorative glass that let in a dim light giving the space an atmosphere of contemplation. The synagogue during an artistic form of church Augustinian neighbor. "
As indicated in 1893 the journal of Jewish Allgemeinen Zeitung Judentums, offices are celebrated according to Constance rite of Mannheim :
"Offices are simple yet solemn and provide a wonderful example of what can be achieved with limited resources. The officiating, Mr. Geismar is a preacher honest and serious. The choir sings mixed lot. The order and calm in the synagogue are exemplary. "
In 1931 , the community conducts a comprehensive modernization of the synagogue and the installation of a new organ.
The fire of 1936
In the afternoon of 1 November 1936 , a fire seriously damaged the synagogue criminal. The Ark, organ and four-beds chests were kept in prayer shawls and sacred books were destroyed before the arrival of firefighters. The plaster walls and numerous benches deteriorated. Six of the seven Torah scrolls stored in the Ark were burned and as the Jewish tradition are buried in the Jewish cemetery.
The destruction in 1938
On the night of 9 to 10 November 1938 , during the pogroms of Kristallnacht , the synagogue was burned by the intervention of the Germania SS of Radolfzell. Firefighters have put out the fire ban, and are called only to protect buildings around the church and especially Catholic neighbor. On the contrary, all the windows of the synagogue are open to create a suction and start the fire. The synagogue is very quickly over a field of smoldering ruins.
The next day the Nazi authorities organize visits propaganda front of the synagogue in ruins for school classes.
The National Socialist period
In 1938, the children are Jews expelled from public schools and the community must open an elementary school to accommodate them. Many Jews transfer their companies and their home across the Swiss border, mainly to Kreuzlingen to prevent the expropriation of their property.
On 28 October 1938, Jews from Poland who are refugees in Constance in the hope of spending in Switzerland, are deported to Poland. After Kristallnacht, Jews are routinely arrested by the Gestapo and tortured before being sent to concentration camp of Dachau.
During the period Nazi , many Jews settled in Constance in order to cross into Switzerland: 338 Jews and successfully migrate to the United States , France and Switzerland, and 251 to take refuge in other German cities.
On 20 October 1940 , 108 Jewish residents were arrested and deported to concentration camp Gurs in France before being transferred to Auschwitz or Sobibor , where most perished.
The 44 Jews in the community attached Singen have all fled in 1939.
Memorial
On 15 April 2005 , has unveiled a monument commemorating the 108 Jewish residents of Constance who were arrested Oct. 20, 1940 and sent to concentration camp Gurs and many perished in Auschwitz or Sobibor. Alongside the mayor Horst Frank and members of the council of Constance, representatives of churches, school classes and most of the Jewish community participate in the unveiling of this monument.
The memorial is located directly behind the church, in front of where the synagogue stood.
The Jewish community after the Second World War
In the 1960's , the businessman Jewish Schimon Sigmund Nissenbaum, president of the new Jewish community of Constance, built on the site of the synagogue destroyed an office building. In this building since 1966 , a space is reserved as a venue for prayers for the small Jewish community reborn.
A new synagogue is scheduled for several years and is designed by the architect Rainald Mittmann, a native of Horn (Switzerland).
Internal Links
External Links
- (De) Alemannia-Judaica: Jewish Community of Constance and the synagogue before 1938
- (De) Alemannia-Judaica: Jewish community and synagogue Constance after 1945
- (De) The Jewish community of Constance
Bibliography
- From Erich Bloch: und 20. Jahrhundert. Eine Dokumentation. Konstanz 1971. 1996
- From Erhard Roy Wiehn : Die Reichskristallnacht "in der Erinnerung der Jdischer Zeitzeugen Kehilla Kedoscha Konstanz. 50 Jahre danach als Dokumentation of Gedenkens. Konstanz 1988.
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