Jewish life in Emsland: Working group provides new impulses!

Jewish life in Emsland: Working group provides new impulses!

The coming to terms with Jewish life in Emsland is making progress. An Emsland-wide working group that was set up in 2023 is committed to making the traces of Jewish culture visible in the region. This recently became clear during the third meeting of the working group on June 12, 2025 in Haren (Ems), where the members gained deeper insights into local history. This session took place in the Island Mill, with a tour of the House of Haren History and the permanent exhibition on Maczków. The first city councilor Dieter Sturm and museum director Dr. Vanessa Görtz-Meiners reported on the various activities that are being implemented to come to terms with Jewish history in Haren.

Fates and living conditions

The examination of Jewish history in the region is not only limited to the period between 1933 and 1945, but also sheds light on the living conditions of Jewish fellow citizens before this dark era. Jewish citizens played a key role in the history of the city's society and left valuable traces. This highlights the importance of such a culture of remembrance that goes beyond stumbling blocks and memorial events and takes a holistic approach.

Planned bundling of activities

An important goal of the working group is to bundle the various initiatives on a uniform website, which will act as a central source of information. Members also discuss the development of modern tools, such as podcasts, to make the topic more interesting for younger generations. Collaboration with schools in Emsland has already begun and shows that interest in the history of Jewish life is growing.

Rich history and extensive resources

As part of the project "On the trail of Jewish life in Emsland" an informative brochure was created that not only provides information about important places that are connected to Jewish history, but also introduces important personalities. This brochure aims to raise awareness of the rich heritage of Jewish culture and religion and thus emphasize its importance for Emsland's history. Anyone interested can order the brochure free of charge or download it online Emsland Landscape reports about it.

Changing culture of remembrance

The discussions and activities surrounding the culture of remembrance show that there is always change. The historical debate about the Nazi past is still relevant today. In a post-migrant society in which different perspectives on the past come together, it is important to view the memory of the murdered not as a battlefield of identity politics, but as a common compass for humanistic identifications. An inclusive approach that speaks to all people is crucial to understanding and preserving the complex history of the Holocaust bpb supports this view.

Conclusion

The ongoing efforts of the working group show that there is a strong commitment in Emsland to not only document Jewish history, but also to keep it alive. It remains to be hoped that these initiatives will be continued in the future and will raise awareness of Jewish identity and culture in the region.