Vaals, Limburg, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Oudste spuren van Joods leven in Vaals / Oldest Traces of Jewish Life in Vaals
Älteste Spuren jüdischen Lebens in Vaals
— Rondwandeling Joods Vaals —
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 28, 2023
1. Oudste spuren van Joods leven / Oldest Traces of Jewish Life Marker
(Dutch:)
Oudste sporen van Joods leven in Vaals
De oudste sporen van Joods leven in Vaals gaan zeker terug tot 1737, het jaar waarin gewag gemaakt wordt van een Joodse inwoonster, die toen aanwezig was bij de inwijding van de Lutherse kerk. Direct naast deze voormalige kerk bevindt zich het monument voor de Vaalser slachtoffers van de oorlog en de nazitijd. Op dit monument staan ook, zover bekend, de namen van alle vermoorde Vaalser Joden.
(German:)
Älteste Spuren jüdischen Lebens in Vaals
Die ältesten Spuren jüdischen Lebens in Vaals lassen sich sicher bis ins Jahr 1737 zurückverfolgen. In diesem Jahr besuchte eine in Vaals wohnende Jüdin die Einweihungszeremonie der lutherischen Kirche. Gleich hinter der ehemaligen Kirche befindet sich ein Denkmal für die Vaalser Opfer von Krieg und Naziherrschaft. Auf diesem Monument finden sich auch, soweit bekannt, alle Namen der ermordeten Vaalser Juden.
Oldest traces of Jewish life in Vaals
The oldest traces of Jewish life in Vaals certainly go back to
this page online
Erected by Heemkundekring Sankt-Tolbert Vaals.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1737.
Location. 50° 46.223′ N, 6° 1.177′ E. Marker is in Vaals, Limburg. Marker can be reached from Von Clermontplein, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vaals, Limburg 6291 AJ, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Vaals Gedenkteken voor de Oorlogsslachtoffers / Vaals Victims of War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Clermonttuin / Clermont Garden (a few steps from this marker); Koperhof (a few steps from this marker); Evangelisch-Lutherse Kerk / Evangelical Lutheran Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Von Clermontplein 4-6 (within shouting distance of this marker); Locatie van de voormalige synagoge / Former Synagogue Location (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 28, 2023
2. Oldest Traces of Jewish Life in Vaals Marker - wide view
More about this marker. The marker is mounted to a brick wall in the plaza behind De Kopermolen, i.e, north of Von Clermontplein or west of Koperstraat.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Oudste sporen van Joods leven…(Heemkundekring Sankt-Tolbert Vaals, in Dutch, German, and French). From the page linked to the QR code on the marker:
Excerpt (in translation): The oldest traces of Jewish life in Vaals can be traced back to 1737. That year the new Lutheran church, the so-called Kopermolen (“copper mill”), was ceremoniously inaugurated. A booklet with the opening sermons and speeches was published on this occasion, mentioning people of several different faiths who were present at the inauguration, including also a Jewish resident of Vaals.(Submitted on February 4, 2024.)
The quote is as follows: “It is notable that not only the church house was filled with many people, but also that they were from the local and from surrounding towns, from 1 to 6 hours away, such as Vaals, Aachen, Bortscheid, Eupen, Gülpen, Maastricht, Stolberg, Zweifel, and Monjoyepresent; but also from all kinds of religions located here, such as Lutherans, Reformed, Mennonists, Roman Catholics, as well as a foreign Jew, and the Jew lives in Vaals.”Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 28, 20233. Memorial for victims of WWII and war in the former Netherlands-IndiesLess than 15 meters to the east of the marker is the monument (mentioned on the marker) that memorializes war victims, including the Jews of Vaals. Interested readers are directed to consult the first marker of the “related markers” list, as that contains the full names of the victims, rather than the first initial and last name, as listed on this monument.
This quote from 1737 is the oldest source for Jews in Vaals.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 46 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 4, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
