Excursion on Jewish traces in Erfurt

Review

On a cool Saturday morning at the end of September, we met in Leipzig to set off for Erfurt. This time we were travelling in the footsteps of anti-Semitism. In Erfurt, we were welcomed by Marion Schönemann, a friend and employee of the "Topf and Sons" memorial and learning centre. Together with Helmut, an experienced and very dedicated guide, we embarked on an impressive journey through time. We listened intently to his explanations and tried to understand how it was possible for a renowned company to start building ventilation systems for gas chambers and incinerators for the people who were killed. We explored the questions: "Could the owners have said NO to the request?" and "How much did they know about the Nazi atrocities?". The answer was shocking.
After this detailed presentation, we first had to rest and have lunch together. Freshly fortified, we made our way to Erfurt Cathedral, where we looked at three anti-Semitic depictions from the Middle Ages. One was the juxtaposition of the ecclesia and the synagogue on the virgin portal, a "Jewish sow" on the choir stalls and a depiction of a Jew on a crucifixion painting. Ernest, a young Jewish participant on our trip, gave a short speech at a stele commissioned by the Catholic Church, where the artist had tried to depict the tense history between the Church and Judaism. He called on us to stand on the side of Israel and stand up for peace. We did so immediately and prayed for Israel and the Jews in the world.
From the cathedral we went to a nice café in the old town, where we ended our tour. Filled with many impressions, we made our way home.
Thank you Lord for this blessed day!!! Kerstin Kluge