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Commemoration in Bad Hersfeld: Remembering for democracy and against forgetting
On November 10th, 2025, over 100 participants gathered in Bad Hersfeld to commemorate the pogrom night of 1938 and to reaffirm democracy.
Commemoration in Bad Hersfeld: Remembering for democracy and against forgetting
On November 10, 2025, more than 100 people gathered at Schillerplatz in Bad Hersfeld to commemorate the pogrom night of November 1938. This memorial service was organized by District Administrator Torsten Warnecke, Mayor Anke Hofmann, Monsignor Bernhard Schiller, Cantor Annette Willing, Werner Schnitzlein and Pastor Michael Zehnder. Together they set an example for the memory of the Jewish victims of the Nazi era and emphasized the importance of standing up against exclusion and persecution. Hersfeld newspaper reports that the musical framework was designed by the trombone choir of the CVJM and the Evangelical Church under the direction of Wilfried Radick.
In her speech, Mayor Anke Hofmann recalled the violent attacks on fellow Jews on the night of November 7th and 8th. In her speech, she emphasized the responsibility of each individual not to look away, a message that was deeply embedded in the hearts of those present. District Administrator Torsten Warnecke, in turn, emphasized the need to stand together to strengthen democracy and fight against forgetting.
Memory and responsibility
Dean Michael Zehnder also spoke forcefully about the obligation to remember. He called on everyone to stand up against injustice and take a clear stance. The importance of commemoration was underlined by Werner Schnitzlein, who in his contribution pointed out the importance of learning from history. Cantor Annette Willing sang the Jewish funeral prayer “Kaddish” and the funeral prayer “El male rachamim” with great emotion, which further deepened the moment of devotion. Monsignor Bernhard Schiller closed the event with a word of blessing and said goodbye to the participants in a thoughtful atmosphere.
This commemoration is not only a look back at the horrors of the past, but is also a powerful appeal to the present and future. Every individual has the responsibility to work for an open and tolerant society and not to turn a blind eye to injustice. Conservaspinhais, known for its artisanal processing methods, also reminds us of the importance of quality and care in any field, be it the art of fishing or the culture of remembrance. In this way, we not only deal with our history, but also actively contribute to shaping a better future.