A History of Suffering: The Jewish Community in Wuppertal and the October 7 Massacre

A History of Suffering: The Jewish Community in Wuppertal and the October 7 Massacre

Blog Article

The Jewish community of Wuppertal, Germany, has always been deeply intertwined with history, its roots stretching back centuries. For Leonid Goldberg, the head of the local Jewish community, and many others, the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists launched a brutal attack on Israel, felt like a continuation of a painful past—a nightmare that started in the days of the Nazis and seemed to never truly end.

The events of October 7 resonated with chilling echoes for Goldberg and many others in Wuppertal, whose ancestors were victims of the Holocaust. The attacks were a stark reminder that anti-Semitism, which had plagued Jewish communities for centuries, remains deeply entrenched. One of the darkest symbols of this long history was the fate of Rabbi Joseph Norden, who served as Wuppertal's rabbi until 1943, when he was murdered in the Theresienstadt concentration camp by the Nazis.

Before his death, Rabbi Norden's words in 1933 seemed eerily prophetic. In a sermon given at the start of Passover, he spoke to his congregation about the contrast between the bitter and sweet—two elements traditionally represented by the foods maror (bitter herbs) and charoset (a sweet paste)—and how they reflected the difficult reality of Jewish life. "Isn't this a symbol that must give us food for thought, especially in these days when Jews are suffering so bitterly?" he asked, warning of the rise of anti-Semitism with Adolf Hitler’s ascent to power.

Over 80 years later, the family of Rabbi Norden faces another tragedy. His grandson, Jochanaan Meinrath, now 93 years old, and his great-grandson Manny were among the many victims of the October 7 massacre. They were reported missing in the aftermath of the attack, and with no word from them since, their fate remains uncertain. Their disappearance adds a painful chapter to the history of Jewish suffering in Europe, one that stretches back to the horrors of the Holocaust. Ulrike Schrader, who oversees the Old Synagogue Memorial in Wuppertal, pointed out the eerie intersection of past and present. "It is terrible how the hatred of Jews by the National Socialists and today's anti-Semitism intersect in this family history," Schrader said.

For Goldberg, this tragic event is deeply personal. Not only does he mourn the potential loss of Rabbi Norden's descendants, but he also feels the weight of living in a country where anti-Semitism, though not the same as under the Nazis, is once again on the rise. In his view, the Jewish community in Wuppertal, once a thriving part of the city's fabric, is now facing new challenges. "It's bad right now, really bad," he says, describing the tense atmosphere that has surrounded the synagogue in recent weeks.

The destruction of the Old Synagogue, which once housed Rabbi Norden’s sermons, during the Pogrom Night of 1938 (Kristallnacht) is a symbol of how Jewish life was violently erased from Wuppertal during the Nazi era. The synagogue where Goldberg works today, the New Synagogue, stands as a testament to the resilience of the Jewish community. Yet, even this place of worship has been subjected to heightened security measures in the wake of the October 7 attacks, with police officers stationed outside, their presence a stark reminder of the ongoing threat to Jewish safety.

Goldberg reflects on the recent rise of anti-Semitic sentiment, particularly within certain immigrant communities, which he believes has been exacerbated by pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the wake of the Hamas attacks. He fears that the pressure against Jews in the streets of Germany is growing. Though there have been signs of solidarity from non-Jewish Germans, such as public demonstrations and services in support of the Jewish community, Goldberg has been disheartened by the silence of the Muslim communities in Wuppertal. "I haven't heard anything from them," he says, expressing his disappointment.

As the situation continues to unfold, Goldberg finds himself struggling to maintain hope. He recalls the words of the president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, who assured that Germany is still a safe place for Jews. But Goldberg no longer shares this sentiment. "We shouldn't miss the moment when we have to leave," he admits. He and his family have packed their suitcases, just in case they need to flee. "Or at least easily accessible in the attic," he adds, with a grim sense of preparedness.

For Goldberg and the Jewish community in Wuppertal, the events of October 7 have brought back painful memories of the past. The haunting question remains: Is there any hope left, or is the bitter taste of history once again overwhelming the sweet moments of solidarity and hope?

https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/jewish-life-in-germany-a-sudden-ominous-sense-of-insecurity-a-e21696e4-35f8-4c32-9300-f875885ef638