Aachen-Mitte , North Rhine-Wetphalia, Germany — Central Europe
Aachen Synagoge Mahnmal
⎯⎯⎯
Aachen Synagogue Memorial
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 22, 2023
1. Aachen Synagoge Mahnmal / Aachen Synagogue Memorial - vertical panel
Das Denkmal stellt dar: Die Geschichte Israels als Stern aus David. Trotz vieler Schläge ragt er in seinem Wesen unzerstörbar in die Zukunft.
Die Bürger Aachens erinnern sich an diesem Platz an die Synagoge, die am 19. September 1862 ihrer heiligen Bestimmung übergeben wurde, von den Nazis am 8. November 1938 geschändet und zerstört.
———
Im Jahre 797 schickte Karl der Grosse seinen judischen Dolmetscher Isaak aus Aachen in politischer mission zum Kalifen Harun al Raschid. In den Jahren 1933-1945 deportierten deutsche Behörden 700 aachener jüdische Bürger in die Todeslager. Dazwischen liegen fast 1200 Jahre jüdischen lebens in Aachen.
Am 9. november 1938 haben Nationalsozialisten die Synagoge der judischen Gemeinde zu Aachen, hier an dieser stelle, durch Brandstiftung zerstört. Das Gebäude trug die Inschrift: Mein Haus soll ein Bethaus für alle Völker sein Isaja 56,7
Dieses Denkmal errichteten die evangelische und die katholische Kirche der Stadt Aachen zur Mahnung gegen jeglichen Hass und jede Feindschaft.
8. november 1984
This monument represents the history of Israel through the Star of David. Despite many blows, its essence remains indestructible into the future.
In this square, the citizens of Aachen commemorate the synagogue, which was dedicated to its holy purpose on September 19, 1862, but desecrated and destroyed by the Nazis on November 8, 1938.
——
In 797, Charlemagne sent his Jewish interpreter Isaac from Aachen on a political mission to the Caliph Harun al Rashid. Between 1933 and 1945, German authorities deported 700 Aachen Jewish citizens to death camps. In between there are almost 1,200 years of Jewish life in Aachen.
On November 9, 1938, the National Socialists destroyed the synagogue of the Jewish community in Aachen, here at this location, by arson. The building bore the inscription: “My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations” - Isaiah 56:7
This monument was erected by the Protestant and Catholic churches of the city of Aachen as a warning against all hatred and hostility.
November 8, 1984
Erected 1984.
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Synagogues, and the The Holocaust series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 19, 1862.
Location. 50° 46.583′ N, 6° 5.557′ E. Marker is in Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Wetphalia). It is in Aachen-Mitte. It is at the intersection of Synagogenplatz and Promenadenstraße, on the left when traveling west on Synagogenplatz. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Aachen HE 52062, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Joseph Buchkremer (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Anne Frank (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Kreuzigungsgruppe Henger Herrjotts Fott / Crucifixion Tableau “Behind the Lord’s Buttocks”
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 22, 2023
2. Aachen Synagoge Mahnmal / Aachen Synagogue Memorial - pavement panel I
Also see . . . Alte Synagoge (Aachen) (Wikipedia, in German).
Overview (in translation): The Old Synagogue was the first synagogue in Aachen and was built for the Jewish community of Aachen from 1860 to 1862 according to plans and under the supervision of the Aachen architect Wilhelm Wickop. It was located on “Promenaden-Platz”, which was renamed “Synagogenplatz” in 1984.(Submitted on March 9, 2024.)
Additional keywords. Holocaust
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 22, 2023
3. Aachen Synagoge Mahnmal / Aachen Synagogue Memorial - pavement panel II
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 22, 2023
4. Aachen Synagoge Mahnmal / Aachen Synagogue Memorial - pavement panel III
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 22, 2023
5. Aachen Synagoge Mahnmal / Aachen Synagogue Memorial - wide view
The main body of the memorial presents Isaiah 49:6 - “Und der Herr sagte, es ist zu wenig, daß du Israel mein Knecht bist, nur um die Stämme Jakobs wieder aufzurichten. Ich mache dich zum Licht für die Völker, damit mein Heil bis a das Ende der Erde reicht.”, which may be translated thusly: “And the Lord said - It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 22, 2023
6. Aachen Synagogue Memorial - closeup of main body of the memorial
Von Stengel and Co. (via United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Stadtarchiv Aachen), circa 1900
7. Exterior view of the old synagogue in Aachen, built in 1862
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 292 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 9, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 6. submitted on March 10, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 7. submitted on March 9, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
