Commemoration in Nordenham: Vigils in memory of the night of the pogrom

Commemoration in Nordenham: Vigils in memory of the night of the pogrom

November 9, 1938 remains a dark chapter in German history, when Kristallnacht marked the beginning of an unimaginable persecution of the Jewish population. In Nordenham, the signs of remembrance are particularly impressive, not least through the stumbling blocks that were laid, which remind us of the fate of the Jews who lived there. On the occasion of the upcoming anniversary of the pogrom night, the action alliance “Nordenham remains colorful” is organizing vigils together with the DGB Wesermarsch, which will take place at several locations in Nordenham.

The vigils are scheduled for November 9th, Remembrance Day. The start is at 5 p.m. at Salzendeich 19 in Einswarden. Further stations are at 5.30 p.m. at Walther-Rathenau-Straße 208 and at 5.45 p.m. at several locations, including Hafenstraße 13, Wilhelmstraße 16 and Friedrich-Ebert-Straße (LzO side entrance and 14). The central memorial event begins at 6 p.m. on the market square. Well-known speakers such as Dr. Wolfgang Knüll, Mayor Nils Siemen and Lars Christiansen from Autopflege Nordenham, as well as representatives of Nordenham Ecumenism have their say. Musical accompaniment is also planned for the event.

Remembrance through stumbling blocks

The stumbling blocks in Nordenham are more than just memorial plaques; they tell the tragic stories of the deported Jews. For example, Paul and Frederike Stoppelmann, who were both murdered in Auschwitz in 1942. Robert Löwy, who fled to the USA in 1936, should also be mentioned. Other fates include Walter Friedmann, who was also deported and murdered, and Emanuel Pinto, who died in Sobibor. These stones are a symbol against forgetting.

Dr. Wolfgang Knüll has been campaigning for the laying of the Stolpersteine ​​in Nordenham for years and has thereby made a significant contribution to the work of remembrance. Lars Christiansen takes over the cleaning of these memorial stones before the vigils to ensure that the memory of the victims remains always present.

Historical context

A look into the past shows the life stories of many Jews in Nordenham. David Jacobsohn, born on November 28, 1881, ran a textile goods store in Einswarden. In 1937 he had to sell his business due to the Jewish boycott and moved to Bremen before fleeing to Colombia with his family at the end of 1938. The Jacobsohns also experienced one of the many tragedies of that time.

The stories of members of the Stoppelmann family, the Löwys and many others make clear how important it is to keep the memory of these atrocities alive. The vigils on November 9th serve not only to mourn, but also to remind people that such injustice must never happen again. With the event, the action alliance is sending a strong signal against forgetting and thereby affirming the responsibility that each and every one of us bears.

The significance of these long-term memories may not be accessible to everyone, but the commitment of the organizers and the commitment of the citizens show that in Nordenham there is a good feeling for not only healing old wounds, but also for creating awareness of history. Let us cultivate memory so that we do not lose sight of the lessons of the past. Together we can influence the future.