Notice board for the Jewish cemetery in Eutin: Cemetery-related updates and information for the Jewish community and visitors alike.
A Stand for History: Jewish Cemeteries in Schleswig-Holstein
Step into Eutin, and you'll find a humble plaque gracing the entrance to the Jewish cemetery by the Little Lake. It's a small tribute, yet it illuminates a long-neglected bastion of history. Installed as part of the "Stone Witnesses" project, this plaque sheds light on the Jewish cemeteries in the region, their past, and simple rules to follow. The ceremony was attended by 30 folks, including Dr. Helge-Fabien Hertz, a scholarly powerhouse from the University of Duisburg-Essen and Kiel.
According to Hertz, Schleswig-Holstein hosts 22 Jewish cemeteries, 15 of them historical, like Eutin. Hertz, working with a team of 30 students, takes the reins on equipping these cemeteries with uniform information plaques, raising awareness and preserving the past. Post World War II, Germany has witnessed an alarming 3,000 cases of Jewish burial site desecration, placing Schleswig-Holstein at the forefront of this regrettable list.
David Gutzeit, a student from Eutin, shared a profoundly emotional account of his personal experiences. Having literally running past the cemetery during PE in school, his contribution now stands as a beacon of knowledge bridging a painful gap in memory. The families of those buried in the cemetery shared their sentiments through greetings, making their heartfelt connection clear. For example, families like the Nathans, whose members were buried in the upper part of the cemetery, sent heartfelt sentiments.
Nicola Markovits, a London resident whose family members were buried in the cemetery, voiced her gratitude, "This cemetery is a testament to lived and lost lives. Among those buried here are five Jewish women from Hungary and Romania – victims of the Holocaust – who tragically died in the final days of the war when their transport train was shot down by low-flying aircraft." She sincerely praised the responsible parties, David Gutzeit, and Helge-Fabien Hertz, noting the tireless efforts of Regine and Karlheinz Jepp that hold great significance to her family.
Bertram Lewitt, the nephew of Hynek Ignatz Lewitt, who also found his final rest in Eutin, expressed his gratitude from Santa Monica, California, "Today, I am grateful that efforts are being made to keep the memory of my uncle and many other Jewish victims alive. I thank you for the installation of this memorial and information plaque!"
The subsequent tour with Dietrich Mau revealed interesting facts, future tasks, like the need for repairs in several locations, and discussions about community engagement and education. Elgin Lohse, the city's mayor, underscored that "Silence is the wrong reaction, we must talk, and that must become part of our culture."
Dr. Gerhard Ulrich, the Commissioner for Jewish Life and against Anti-Semitism in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, eloquently explained, "Bet Olam, the Jewish term for a Jewish cemetery, means House of Eternity. Therefore, the cemetery is not just a place of farewell, but a lasting reminder with much to tell." This remembrance calls for our support, protection, and encouragement for the nine Jewish communities in Schleswig-Holstein. Together, we stand by their side, preserving history and promoting understanding.
In the wake of this historical event, the initiative to equip home-and-garden settings like Jewish cemeteries with informative plaques extends beyond academic circles, fostering education-and-self-development and bridging generations. As Dr. Gerhard Ulrich, the Commissioner for Jewish Life and against Anti-Semitism, points out, these cemeteries, known as Besit Olam or Houses of Eternity, are more than just final resting places—they are lifestyle repositories of cultural and historical significance, deserving our support and protection.
