Arolsen city tour: remembering the Jewish fate of the past

Arolsen city tour: remembering the Jewish fate of the past

On June 25, 2025, a very special city tour to the Jewish cemetery took place in Bad Arolsen. Organized by the district group of the history association and the CRS history workshop, a revised city tour was presented, which was designed by a profile course from grades 11 and 12 at the Christian Rauch School. The focus was on the fate of the Jews from Arolsen during the Nazi era and lasted almost two hours.

This first public event of its kind led to burial sites constructed between 1738 and 1941. The digital documentation of the gravestones and inscriptions can already be viewed on the history workshop website. The results are the result of in-depth research by Michael Winkelmann, Erhard Kraft and the State History Information Service Lagis.

Historical backgrounds and memories

At the time of National Socialism, 16 Jews still lived in Arolsen in 1933. But by 1939 the Jewish population had completely fled or been deported. Returning Jews, like Walter Schönstädt, experienced great reservations about the restitution of their assets after the war. In the 1980s, Schönstädt had a memorial stone erected for the murdered Jews, which represents a significant step towards a culture of remembrance in the region. Events commemorating the persecution and murder of Jews have taken place regularly since the 1980s.

The Jewish cemetery is often referred to as the “House of Life” and reflects the hope of resurrection. The history workshop has set itself the task of keeping alive and preserving the memory of our Jewish fellow citizens and their fates during the time of National Socialism.

Jewish life in Germany and the role of politics

The Central Council, which was founded 75 years ago in Frankfurt, calls on politicians to find clear words against the dilution of the memory of the Shoah. It is important that the remembrance of the persecution and the history of Jews in Germany does not fall into the background and that spaces are created for Jewish perspectives.

A look at publications such as the biographical documentation "Erased Life. Jews in Erfurt 1933 - 1945" gives an idea of ​​how important the reappraisal and culture of remembrance are in today's world. This publication not only documents the moving fates of Jewish citizens, but also notes that many of them left cities like Erfurt and Arolsen for various reasons and at different times, often fleeing persecution and oppression.

The joint efforts, be it through city tours or publications, show that commemoration of Jewish history remains an important topic in our society. It's about learning lessons from the past and shaping an open, tolerant future.

Further information on the activities and work-up can be found on the websites of the history workshop [HNA](https://www.hna.de/lokales/frankenberg/bad-arolsen-ort55389/moderne-medien- Werden-zur-erneuerung-der-arolser-erinnerungskultur-genutzt-93799583.html) and the Central Council of Jews Central Council of Jews.