Hamelin

Return to News Archive Wednesday, February 2, 2011

International Interest for New Construction
The Reform Jewish Congregation of Hamelin Readies Itself for Dedication
Dedication set for February 20, 2011

By Wolfhard Truchsess

The Reform Jewish Congregation of Hamelin will realize their dream come true this month. Their newly constructed synagogue will be dedicated on Sunday, February 20, 2011. For the members this means their "time of wandering" is over.

The importance of this new house of worship is that it is the first newly constructed Reform synagogue in post-Shoah Germany. In addition, it has been built on the land upon which the 1879 Hamelin Synagogue stood until its' destruction at the hands of the Nazis on November 9, 1938.

Construction is going as planned. The building was designed by architect Frank Taylor. The Hamelin architectural team Peter Nasarek has realized the plans. The finishing touches are in progress. The ark is standing, ready and waiting to receive the Torah scrolls which it will house. Rabbi Jo David will be bringing the scroll from the U.S. a few days before the February 20th dedication. Her husband, Sofer neil Yerman has certified the scroll as kosher and identified it to have been written in Germany about 100 years ago. The purchase of the scroll was paid in halves by a consortium of Hamelin churches and Jewish donors in New York.

The new synagogue would have not been realized without the generous contributions of so many throughout the years. The project's financial success is largely due to the support from the state of Lower Saxony and the city and county of Hamelin, who provided two-thirds of the 1 million Euro cost. The final third has been secured by the Foundation Liberal Synagogue Hameln. Donations have been received from Germany, England and the US and a loan from a local bank. In addition many local businesses have contributed goods and services to the project.

In keeping with the importance of this project many dignitaries are expected to join the celebration on February 20th. Honored guests and speakers will be Lower Saxony's Minister of Culture, Dr. Bernd Althusmann, President of the Rabbinical Council and Foundation Patron, Rabbi Dr. Henry G. Brandt, General Secretary of the Central Council of Jews of Germany, Stephan Kramer, General Secretary of the Union of Progressive Jews of Germany (UPJ), Irith Michelsohn and President of the UPJ, Dr. Jan Mühlstein. Hamelin's Mayor Sussane Lippman and County Commissioner Rüdiger Butte will also extend their congratulations. Among the guests will be local, state and national representatives from all political parties as well as representatives of the city's churches and mosques. The media is also interested and the event will be covered by TV, radio and newspapers. Christa Bruns, president of the Society of Christians and Jews in Hamelin is especially pleased to share in the congregation's joy. She has been president of the society for decades and has worked tirelessly for the rebirth of Jewish life in Hamelin. She and a group of active helpers have comprised the group which has worked hand in hand with the leaders of the Jewish congregation, helping them with advice and support.

The two hundred members and their president Rachel Dohme and vice president Polina Pelts are overjoyed with the realization of their many years of planning, fundraising and dreaming. They only wish the modest sanctuary had seating capacity for all their guests and the two hundred members. Members will join together on Friday evening, Februay 18, for a Kabalath Shabbat service, led by their Rabbi Irit Shillor.

For interested Hamelin citizens, a “Day of the open Synagogue” will be offered on Sunday, February 27.

© Dewezet, 2/2/2011