The Jewish Population in Koenigswinter

An exhibition at the ”Brueckenhof”, planned for spring 2006

The museum of local history Brueckenhof in Oberdollendorf is currently preparing their next exhibition “Jews in Koenigswinter”. The Association of local history Oberdollendorf and Roemlinghoven, the museum’s supporter, is acting on the suggestion of parish priest Georg Kalckert, who has taken many initiatives during the last 30 years to remind of the former Jewish parishioners. This sensitive topic is now being prepared in a pertinent and comprehensive way by the association of local history in cooperation with a number of persons and institutions. Men and women familiar with this subject were invited to counsel and help (see attached list).

The Brueckenhof museum is calling upon the population of Koenigswinter and the surrounding area for assistance:

We are searching for pictures, documents, newspaper clippings, books, objects, memorabilia from families or religious services. They should have relevance to the area of the city of Koenigswinter, Bonn-Oberkassel, or the synagogue Oberdollendorf. Also witnesses who would be able to give their account of own experiences relating to living or meeting with the Jewish population of this area, or who can recall observations or reports of others are asked to contact us. We are certain that there will be stories which have not yet been published. Do you know of any everyday, funny or sad occurrences, or experiences related by parents or grandparents?

Our interest lies in the lives of Jewish fellow citizens in our area through the decades and centuries: What were their names? Where did they live? What were their occupations? How were they integrated into their neighbourhood, village, organizations, societies and school life? What traditions did they have? What was the fate of the Jews who still lived among us during the Nazi period? We hope to learn about previously little known or obscure events.

Items and documents provided will certainly be returned to their owners. Or, if possible, please supply us with a copy. Please check old documents and articles at your home and ask your acquaintances to do the same. If you prefer, we will not publish your name. We are thankful for any kind of assistance.

Please contact us! Upon request we will keep all sensitive information confidential.

This call appeals to former Jewish fellow citizens or their descendants, who lived in our area and found a new home in other countries.

E-mail to: Lothar Vreden, Association of local history Oberdollendorf and Roemlinghoven e.V., Petersbergstrasse 19, D-53639 Koenigswinter, Germany, lotharvreden@t-online.de (Tel: ++49 2223 22994 – Fax: ++49 2223 912 624 )

Planning committee: Pfarrer Georg Kalckert von den Katholischen Pfarrgemeinden Königswinter –Tal, Pfarrerin Silvia Kocks von der Evangelischen Kirchengemeinde Dollendorf, der ehemalige Bonner Stadtarchivar Dr. Manfred van Rey, Autor des Buches „Leben und Sterben unserer jüdische Mitbürger in Königswinter“,  Elmar Scheuren vom Siebengebirgsmuseum, Dr. Margaret Traub von der Synagogengemeinde Bonn, Astrid Mehmel vom Verein an der Synagoge Bonn, Dr. Claudia Arndt von der Gedenkstätte Landjuden an der Sieg in Windeck-Rosbach, Gabriele Wasser von der Gesellschaft für christlich-jüdische Zusammenarbeit, die Judaistin Monika Grübel vom Landschaftsverband Rheinland, der Ahnenforscher Theo Molberg aus Düsseldorf, Klaus Breuer und die Mitglieder des Heimatvereins Johannes Herzog sen., Karl Schumacher, Helmut Vreden, Klaus Heyer und der 1. Vorsitzende Lothar Vreden.

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