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Modell der Münchner Synagoge

Remember and rebuild

Sixty years ago, Munich's main synagogue was destroyed upon the personal orders of Adolf Hitler.

The demolition began on June 9; only a few days later the liberal synagogue in the Herzog-Max-Straße, erected in 1887, was completely destroyed. With this event, the last chapter of the Nazi persecution began: only a few months later in the Pogrom night, both smaller orthodox Munich synagogues, Ohel Jacob and Reichenbachstraße were destroyed, and shortly thereafter, the deportations to the death camps and the murder of most Munich Jews began.

In the worship service on June 20, we thought again about the events of 60 years ago. Two people who witnessed those events first-hand, an Beth Shalom member, who experienced the synagogue demolition as a 15-year-old, and Mrs. Stein, who was an employee of the music store "Jakob," brought the past back to life again for us.

In addition, some thoughts about remembrance were read, sent to us specifically for this occasion by our Chief Rabbi, Dr. Walter Jacob:

"This is a day of remembrance: we remember the large, liberal synagogue which had stood in the center of Munich for decades and was torn down by the Nazis in 1938. How should we remember? Remembrance plays a major role in Judaism. We see that most clearly at Rosh Hashanah. In the middle of the holiest days we say three especially poetic prayers – Malchuyot, Sichronot, and Shofarot: a prayer of thanks for the gifts from our glorious G-d, a prayer of remembrance, and a prayer of hope for the messianic age.

Die Hauptsynagoge vom Karlsplatz aus gesehen. Der Aufgang zum Torahschrein der Hauptsynagoge München	Brief von Emanuel Kirschner vom 29.6.1938 über den Abriss der Münchner Hauptsynagoge 09/10. November 1938
	Das Innere der Hauptsynagoge, Herzog-Max Straße (unbestuhlt - wie in vielen Synagogen am 9.Aw, dem Gedenktag zur Tempelzerstörung, üblich.

For us, remembrance is always one step on the way to the kingdom of G-d. The past was often very difficult, and in Nazi-Germany, absolutely horrible. In spite of this, we remember with hope – the hope for a better future, for us and for the whole world.

Also on this day, which reminds us of the Shoa, we do not only say the Kaddish for those murdered. We are sorrowful, but we also hope. We look back in time, but also forward. Here, in this city, we have rebuilt - and will continue to build - Judaism; liberal Judaism which will come to play a role in the public life of this city and which, together with the other world religions, will help to further humankind. This is also the last thought in the Kaddish. We hope for peace: for us and for the whole world. We will take part in this work. We will remember, and even if only in a symbolic way at first, we will rebuild the liberal Jewish synagogue again."

Rabbi Dr. Walter Jacob

10-10-01