Freudental witnessed a special day of remembrance and connection when descendants of former Jewish residents returned to walk in the footsteps of their families. It is not only a look back into history but also an emotional gathering of people bound together by shared roots, memories, and hopes for the future.
For many participants, the visit was deeply personal. “It was a mind-blowing experience—my grandmother lived here, and although my mother never wanted me to come, I felt I needed to,”said one. Another shared how the day offered both “a sense of connection and a sense of loss,”helping to piece together parts of the past. For some, the encounter with their roots brought new strength: “I became aware of where I come from. It helps me see the positive things—and it makes clear that we have to act with compassion.”
The gathering was filled with both historical reflection and contemporary resonance. Visitors spoke about their dual identity as both German and Jewish, of past traumas and new beginnings. “My grandmother was German and refused to leave. She survived thanks to her husband. I could never reconcile being Jewish and German—but coming back to Freudental, meeting family connections, I feel the incompatibility is less strong. It gives me hope that living together is possible.” A mother reflected on the stark contrast between past and present: “I think a lot about my grandmother Margot, who walked here in fear. Today, my children have a German passport and feel safe. That is a gift, and I am thankful for this welcoming spirit.”
The community’s warm hospitality left a lasting impression. “We’re impressed by how much energy is put into inviting us. We leave this place with a lot of hope. It is so peaceful here,” said one participant. Others echoed the joy of simply being together: “We’re making connections and feel connected. We don’t forget to remember. I feel at home here.”
The program of the day gave history a living voice:
- Theatre walk with the Last Schammes: Characters from Freudental’s past were brought to life, including Sigmund Lasar, who connected participants with long-gone villagers. The walk wove together joy, sadness, and memories of both destruction and resilience.
- Lines of life at the cemetery: The cemetery tour became a powerful family reunion across generations. With coloured lines guiding the way, descendants found their relatives’ graves, often discovering more ancestors here than anywhere else in the world. “They walked on these same streets, prayed in this same synagogue,” one visitor noted. “It gave me a very comfortable feeling.”
- Guided tour of Freudental: Walking the streets and visiting ancestral homes made history tangible. “I’m hungry for this information—it keeps the memories alive,” said one. Another remarked, “I feel more at home walking here than where I live now. That’s wonderful!”
- Shabbat prayer in the synagogue: Sitting in the last sunlight, one of the oldest visitors presided the short, but intense moment of prayer and meditation. The synagogue – demolished in 1938 – heard singing and praying again.
What remains is a shared conviction: that remembrance is not only about looking back, but also about shaping the future. Participants will leave Freudental with gratitude, compassion, and hope—connected to one another, to their ancestors, and to the community that welcomed them.
Or, as one voice summed it up: “Bringing everybody together—that is the lesson we have to learn here.”
