Chapter: Milestones / Encounter Fest
The Friedensmal with its atmosphere and symbolism opens the space for togetherness. It demonstrates the life lessons that our modern German society can learn from a dark past: The project is dedicated to the dignity and freedom of people, and Germany’s recognition of also a Jewish root (through Christianity) of our European culture. Zu dieser Zeit stand eine Rückbauverfügung gegen wesentliche Teile des Friedensmals im Raum (siehe vorheriges Kapitel 'Gegenwind'). Die jüdisch-chassidische Gemeinde aus Karlsruhe drückte durch ihren Besuch ihre Unterstützung aus.
Watch here: 3 minute film about the encounter fest (in German)
Read here: Detailed press report about the encounter
The fest commences at the Jerusalem memorial stone. It features a side of suffering, with the inscription “Where dust is turned to light”, as well as a side of freedom and hope as a call for the new life of „Heavenly Jerusalem“: Yerushalayim.
Rabbi Mordechai Mendelson hands over at the memorial stone a Jerusalem sculpture made of silver to the initiator of the project of the Friedensmal.
Jewish children play at the Friedensmal in Bensheim-Hochstädten.
Music unites
The people are in cheerful interaction
All mayoral candidates of Bensheim support the Friedensmal (see previous chapter Headwind). From left to right: Bernd Rettig (mayor of Bensheim-Hochstädten), Franz Apfel (BfB), Rabbi Mordechai Mendelson, Rolf Richter (CDU), Sylvia Kloetzel (SPD), Jürgen Kaltwasser (mayor of Lautertal), Roland von Hunnius ( FDP, county Mountain Road).
Life at the Tree of Life (in the Friedensmal, visible in the background)
The path that leads into the Tree of Life (in the Friedensmal) over the Threshold of Humility: “Recognize the sacred in your midst”.
What do you see? Do you see a Star of David or a Christmas Star on twelve white petals? It is the Blossom of Life at the heart of the Friedensmal. Jews and non-Jews alike are eager to discover more about the underlying symbolism.
The Jerusalem memorial stone with the sign to “Where dust is turned to light” (Nelly Sachs) and “Yerushalayim”, a call of hope, also a confession to this root of our European culture that reaches into Judaism.
Lessons on Jewish jokes (absolutely recommended for non-Jews).
Where dust is turned to light – a kosher picnic with the Jewish congregation.
The moment of goodbye – the congregation continues their journey to Michelstadt.
Quiet has returned to the Peace and Freedom Site by the European long-distance path. However, the lively bustle soon returns, as many groups of hikers who are enjoying the weather visit the site later in the day.
Return to Overview: Evolution
Lag baOmer at the Friedensmal - Peace arrives
A fest of encounters with the Jewish-Chasidic congregation of Karlsruhe took place on May 18th, 2014 at 12 a.m.The Friedensmal with its atmosphere and symbolism opens the space for togetherness. It demonstrates the life lessons that our modern German society can learn from a dark past: The project is dedicated to the dignity and freedom of people, and Germany’s recognition of also a Jewish root (through Christianity) of our European culture. Zu dieser Zeit stand eine Rückbauverfügung gegen wesentliche Teile des Friedensmals im Raum (siehe vorheriges Kapitel 'Gegenwind'). Die jüdisch-chassidische Gemeinde aus Karlsruhe drückte durch ihren Besuch ihre Unterstützung aus.
Watch here: 3 minute film about the encounter fest (in German)
Read here: Detailed press report about the encounter
The fest commences at the Jerusalem memorial stone. It features a side of suffering, with the inscription “Where dust is turned to light”, as well as a side of freedom and hope as a call for the new life of „Heavenly Jerusalem“: Yerushalayim.
Rabbi Mordechai Mendelson hands over at the memorial stone a Jerusalem sculpture made of silver to the initiator of the project of the Friedensmal.
Jewish children play at the Friedensmal in Bensheim-Hochstädten.
Music unites
The people are in cheerful interaction
All mayoral candidates of Bensheim support the Friedensmal (see previous chapter Headwind). From left to right: Bernd Rettig (mayor of Bensheim-Hochstädten), Franz Apfel (BfB), Rabbi Mordechai Mendelson, Rolf Richter (CDU), Sylvia Kloetzel (SPD), Jürgen Kaltwasser (mayor of Lautertal), Roland von Hunnius ( FDP, county Mountain Road).
Life at the Tree of Life (in the Friedensmal, visible in the background)
The path that leads into the Tree of Life (in the Friedensmal) over the Threshold of Humility: “Recognize the sacred in your midst”.
What do you see? Do you see a Star of David or a Christmas Star on twelve white petals? It is the Blossom of Life at the heart of the Friedensmal. Jews and non-Jews alike are eager to discover more about the underlying symbolism.
The Jerusalem memorial stone with the sign to “Where dust is turned to light” (Nelly Sachs) and “Yerushalayim”, a call of hope, also a confession to this root of our European culture that reaches into Judaism.
Lessons on Jewish jokes (absolutely recommended for non-Jews).
Where dust is turned to light – a kosher picnic with the Jewish congregation.
The moment of goodbye – the congregation continues their journey to Michelstadt.
Quiet has returned to the Peace and Freedom Site by the European long-distance path. However, the lively bustle soon returns, as many groups of hikers who are enjoying the weather visit the site later in the day.
Return to Overview: Evolution
