Jürgen Hartmann and Prof. Dr. Andreas Beaugrand
The Synagogues in Oerlinghausen. Jewish History, Remembrance and Contemporary Art
The ‘comprehensive book’ on the history of the synagogues in Oerlinghausen is nearing completion:
Andreas Beaugrand, Jürgen Hartmann (eds.): The Synagogues in Oerlinghausen. Jewish History, Remembrance and Contemporary Art, Bielefeld (KunstSinn Verlag) 2027
At the matinee event at the Kunstverein, the authors and editors will present the lavishly designed new book by graphic designers Pauline Seidlich (Düsseldorf) and Frederike Schulte (Leipzig) – just over a week after the anniversary of the November pogroms of 9–10 November 1938, which saw acts of violence against the Jewish population in the German Reich orchestrated and organised by the National Socialists.
The various synagogues of Oerlinghausen are the focus of this publication. Through an examination of their origins, architectural alterations and use, it tells the story of a place where Jewish life was a visible presence for some 250 years – both in everyday life and in the townscape. The book is based on newly uncovered archival sources, including community accounts and administrative records that have scarcely been analysed to date. These sources make it possible, for the first time, to trace the history of the synagogues in Oerlinghausen since the 18th century in a largely comprehensive manner.
Furthermore, this publication examines the context in which these synagogues were built and existed. Issues of integration and exclusion, rising anti-Semitism and government regulations had a direct impact on their history. Ultimately, the key question is why this synagogue – unlike many others – largely survived the Nazi era structurally and has been preserved to this day as a testament to Oerlinghausen’s Jewish history.
In view of the increasing electoral success of far-right politicians, such as in Saxony-Anhalt, it is essential to put a stop to these reactionary ideologies and to stand up for tolerance, freedom and democracy.
