Old Synagogue - Tour Jewish Life in Wolfenbüttel

Text of the Henriette Breymann Comprehensive School podcast:

It was a warm summer's day in 1985 when construction workers uncovered one of the most important Jewish buildings in Wolfenbüttel in the backyard of Harzstraße 12. They found the old synagogue with ornate wall ornaments and blue and gold depictions of the sky, as well as two different prayer rooms for men and women.

In the days that followed, disputes arose between the citizens of Wolfenbüttel and the town because they could not agree on whether to preserve the synagogue. After some deliberation, the synagogue was converted into an apartment and the old paintings were covered over with plasterboard.

But the story actually begins in 1727, come along. There Marcus Gumpel Fulda Ben Mose buys the house he used as a residence. More than 50 years later, Phillip Samson, one of Wolfenbüttel's most important Jews who founded the Samson School, among other things, bought this house and the surrounding land with his own money.

In 1781, Phillip Samson built the first synagogue in Wolfenbüttel in the backyard of the house. This is a major event for the Jewish community in Wolfenbüttel. They are not well regarded in society, so the first synagogue in Wolfenbüttel is a huge success for the Jewish community. After more than a century as the most important place of prayer for the Jewish community in Wolfenbüttel, the move to Lessingstraße in 1893 marked the end of the old synagogue. After the move to the new synagogue, the old synagogue only functioned as a residential building.

Despite its history, it was forgotten by the people, so it was able to survive the Reichspogromnacht undamaged. In addition, one of its advantages is its position in the backyard of the house, so it cannot be seen by the Germans.

We have to remember Jewish history, whether it was 50 years ago or 200 years ago, so we want to remind you with this podcast how important this synagogue is for us and Jewish history in Wolfenbüttel.