Liberal Synagogue Hameln Foundation Established

Dewezet
June 11, 2004
Story and photos by Heiko Gropp
Reprinted by permission of the author

Werner Stapp reads the by-laws to the founders.

HAMELN — “This is a historic moment,” said the president of the Reform Congregation of Hameln, Rachel Dohme, as she welcomed the founders to the meeting. The purpose of the foundation “Liberal Synagogue Hameln” is to rebuild the town's synagogue.

Rachel Dohme said in her opening remarks, “Everyone gathered here tonight is united in the desire to achieve the goal of a new synagogue which follows in the footsteps of an old tradition.” There was a deja vu feeling in establishing the foundation, because the synagogue built in 1879 by famed Jewish architect Edwin Oppler was also the result of a foundation established by the Jewish community in 1875. First steps were being taken to to build a Jewish House of God and the first newly erected Reform synagogue in post-war Germany.

Werner Stapp, former principal of the local High School for Economics and member of the task force: “A Synagogue for Hameln,” read the by-laws of the foundation to the founders aloud. The by-laws state that the goal of the foundation is to raise money to build and maintain the Reform (Liberal ) synagogue and pay the salary of a rabbi. The foundation capital of $25,000 has been raised by the founders.

The founders elected Rachel Dohme as president and Dieter Vogelhuber and Dr. Felix Peres as board members. The Board will name members to the curatorium and advisory committee.

Rachel Dohme, president of the foundation Liberal Synagogue Hameln, signs the by-laws.

The board of Directors: Dr. Felix Peres, Rachel Dohme, Dieter Vogelhuber