Digital reconstruction of the Mikveh in Abterode: A witness to Jewish life!

Digital reconstruction of the Mikveh in Abterode: A witness to Jewish life!

The revival of Jewish culture and history in Hesse is taking shape. This includes the digital reconstruction of the Abterode “Mikveh”, a ritual bathing establishment that was once of great importance for the Jewish community in Abterode. In a solemn ceremony, Felix Münch, deputy director of the State Center for Civic Education in Hesse, presented the approval notice for this project to Dr. Martin Arnold. Also present were Friedhelm Junghans, the mayor of Meißner, and Claudia Stul, speaker at the Hessian State Center for Civic Education. HNA reports about the steps for reconstruction, which are made possible by old building plans from 1889 and funding from the state headquarters.

The “Mikveh” will be digitally reconstructed and, with the help of the latest VR technology, will become an educational place that not only provides historical perspectives, but also reminds today’s society of the importance of Jewish life. Dr. Arnold emphasized the importance of restoring the visibility of Jewish culture and history, especially after the Abterode Jewish community was wiped out during National Socialism. In this context, it is also noteworthy that the synagogue was converted into a fertilizer warehouse in the past.

The role of the mikveh in the Jewish community

The “mikveh” is not just a bathhouse, but a place of religious sanctification according to the rules of the Jewish faith. Complete submersion in water is a crucial feature. Its use is common before the wedding and before converting to Judaism, but there are also many occasions in Orthodox communities when women visit the mikveh, such as the Jewish Museum represents. The reconstruction therefore not only offers an opportunity to show the structural structure, but also an insight into the religious practices and the importance of these institutions in the Jewish community.

In the past, rituals and ritual baths were not the focus of general interest, although the mikveh, together with the synagogue and cemetery, are essential parts of an Orthodox community. The digital reconstruction of the mikveh in Abterode could serve as an example for other communities and shows how important it is to understand the religious traditions and their architectural implementation.

Education and engagement

The learning and memorial site in the Abterode synagogue already offers digital offerings that are accessible to school classes, confirmation groups and adults. This includes an extensive database with 169 gigabytes of information about Jewish communities in the Werra-Meißner district, which can be viewed using tablets. The former synagogue in Eschwege can also be experienced virtually, allowing direct access to the remains of Jewish life.

The path that the Jewish community in Germany has taken since then has been a process of constant reconstruction. After the Holocaust, the focus was on revitalizing Jewish traditions. In 1950, for example, the Central Council of Jews in Germany was founded to unite Jewish communities and counteract anti-Semitism, such as the bpb summarizes. This return to traditions and the transmission to the next generation are essential in order to keep historical memory alive.

The new digital mikveh in Abterode not only represents a bridge to times past, but also offers a creative and respectful space for future generations to experience Jewish culture and history in a modern context.