Featured photo: Synagogue (1900) | © Friends of the Heilbronn Synagogue e. v.
From 1877 to 1940 the old one stood on the southern avenue Heilbronn synagogue, which not only gained national importance because of its neo-oriental style.
In the night from November 9th to 10th, 1938, the so-called "Night of Crystals", Heilbronners destroyed and desecrated the synagogue, not shrinking from the murder and manslaughter of other citizens of Heilbronn.
Since 1966 there has been a memorial stone at the end of the synagogue path on the avenue, which was replaced on May 5, 1993 by the artist's "Kuppel" memorial Bettina Buerkle was added.
There has been one since 2004 Circle of Friends of the Synagogue Heilbronn e. V, who would like to contribute to the encounter between Jews and non-Jews in Heilbronn. And since 2009 there is also a device to Hanukkah candlestick set up on site.
In the meantime, more than 80 years have passed, and people in Heilbronn could definitely think about having their own store again Heilbronn synagogue to build.
It is time that we Heilbronners started a public discussion about how and where we should build a synagogue for all Jewish fellow citizens and their visitors. In addition, one could combine this with a corresponding documentation center, which further processes the darkest chapter of our own history and invites to interreligious cooperation.
In any case, the people of Heilbronn must quickly agree on where they would like to have a new synagogue in Heilbronn. Personally, I'm in favor of the old location at the southern end of the avenue.
After that, the discussion should be conducted about whether to bring the old synagogue back to life or whether, e.g. B. in Chemnitz (2002) and Ulm (2012) completely new and very striking buildings were created; I was allowed to be present at both openings and was very impressed by what architecture can achieve today.
One can discuss whether the new synagogue should be supplemented with its own community center or a documentation center.
Finally, there remains the discussion of how such a construction can be financed and how and over what period of time the “new synagogue” project in Heilbronn can ultimately be implemented.
I am firmly convinced that, especially in this day and age, when stupidity, racism and intolerance are once again striving for new heights, such a discussion that takes place throughout Heilbronn society, in which responsibilities are also discussed, is very important for the cohesion of all Heilbronners .
What ultimately comes out of it is in the stars, but it also shows where we from Heilbronn place ourselves and what we can still achieve together.
Waiting until there are subsidies from Europe or from the federal or state government would certainly be the wrong choice, because we Heilbronners could definitely do a lot more.
"Hope for a miracle. But don't depend on one."
TalmuD
