New Jewish Synagogue to Be Built
— in the Old Place!

Deister und Weser Zeitung
November 10, 2001
Editor: Dr. Thomas Wuensche

City sells Plot of land in the Bürenstrassse — “Fair Price” — Call for Donations

Hamelin: A historical decision — Sixty-three years after the destruction of their place of worship, the Jewish Congregation Hamelin e.V. is going to build a new Synagogue in the Bürenstrasse, the first of its kind in post-war Germany. The city will let the congregation have the plot of land for a “fair price” according to Mayor Klaus Arnecke.

The planned synagogue, apart from the rooms for worship, will be a meeting place for all, and a small museum will also be included.

“The price of the plot of land is exactly the sum that we have already saved in our synagogue building fund,” the president of the congregation, Rachel Dohme, happily tells her 160 members in a newsletter. Up to now, much of their lives have centered about the congregation’s provisional rooms on the second floor of an office building at Stubenstrasse 30 (Ritterpassage). According to our information, the purchase price for the land is to match the sum the city paid the former community for “damages” to the synagogue, which was destroyed by fire set by the Nazis. At that time, the costs for the removal of the rubble of the synagogue had been deducted. In other words, the damages paid at the time were negligible.

“The very fair price that we are asking now for the plot of land is due to the very special meaning of the new synagogue,” says Mayor Klaus Arnecke. He added that the city will not be participating in the cost of the new synagogue. The administration has to agreed only to the sale of the plot of land.

However, “Our money will not suffice [for the new synagogue],” says Rachel Dohme. The president of the community is grateful that Rabbi Jo David and the Jewish Appleseed Foundation are helping her with a call for donations. Members of the community who are talented with their hands want to help.

First Reform Synagogue in Germany since 1945

The Jewish Congregation Hamelin e.V. is a member of the Union of Progressive Jews in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and also member of the World Union of Progfressive Jews . The new synagogue will be the first Reform Synagogue built in post-war Germany.

Not only is Arnecke pleased but also Bernhard Gelderblom, the manager of the Christian-Jewish Society, who said, “I am really pleased that this new building is really going to happen, particularly on this historic place.”

Arnecke: “The children’s playground, which is on the plot of land in the Bürenstrasse at the moment, will be moved. The Jewish memorial itself can remain where it is. The former Jewish teacher’s house cannot be bought by the congregation, that remains in private hands.”