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30 years of the Lörrach Jewish community: A celebration of hope and community
The Jewish community of Lörrach celebrated 30 years since its re-establishment with a ceremony in the synagogue, honored by politicians and historical memories.
30 years of the Lörrach Jewish community: A celebration of hope and community
On Sunday, the Lörrach Jewish community celebrated its 30th anniversary since its re-establishment in 1995. Around 100 people gathered in the historic synagogue, including high-ranking guests such as Freiburg's Archbishop Stephan Burger and Baden-Württemberg's Science Minister Petra Olschowski. As soon as we arrived, the police presence in front of the synagogue was noticeable - a sign of the security concerns that are omnipresent these days. The celebrations not only looked back, but also looked to the future, including planned projects such as the restoration of a more than 200-year-old Torah scroll, which was unveiled during the ceremony but is no longer kosher because letters are missing. An exchange of the parchment is being sought in order to preserve this important symbol of Jewish history. SWR reports that The history of Jewish life in Lörrach goes back to 1616/17.
“We have to see the light in the darkness,” said chairwoman Hanna Scheinker in her speech, in which she reviewed the successes and experiences of the last three decades. The community has developed from the challenges of the past, including immigration from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s, into a vibrant place of social interaction. The synagogue is not only a place of worship, but also a meeting place for the community, where services attract an average of 50 visitors, including non-Jews. Among other things, a youth club, excursions and community meals are part of the diverse community life. The Schwarzwälder Bote reports that The community is open to everyone with good intentions, although provocateurs are not welcome.
Safety and community
While the Jewish community solemnly remembered the past three decades, the challenges of the present were also discussed. Security has drastically tightened in recent years, particularly after the October 7 massacre of Jews in Israel. The number of anti-Semitic incidents in Germany has increased since then, which is also affecting the attitude to life in the community. Michael Blume, Commissioner for Anti-Semitism and Jewish Life in Baden-Württemberg, spoke about the need for cohesion between Christians and Jews and emphasized that the atmosphere in Lörrach was particularly warm. “The celebration of different religious communities together is very strong here,” says Blume.
State Rabbi Moshe Flomenmann, who has been in office since 2012 and lives in the area with his family, also emphasized that Judaism is more than just the topics of the Holocaust and anti-Semitism. “We want to build a common future,” he explained. With other projects, such as a film about Jewish life in Lörrach, the community shows initiative to actively preserve its past and culture while at the same time building bridges to other religious communities.