Lübbecke

The Jewish Cemetery

Shalom aleichem! “Peace be with you!” In Hebrew, a cemetery is called “Bet ha-chayim” (House of Life) or “Bet olam” (Eternal House). A Jewish cemetery is designed to last for eternity and has no time limits on burial. Neither graves nor headstones may ever be removed.

We invite you to learn more about the Jewish community in Lübbecke and about Jewish burial customs!

There are still two Jewish cemeteries within the city limits of Lübbecke. The “new” cemetery was opened in 1863 with the burial of Sophie Hecht. The “old” Jewish cemetery is located in the Lübbecker Feldmark. The oldest grave inscriptions there date back to the mid-18th century. The graves are oriented so that they face east toward Jerusalem. Both cemeteries are administered by the Regional Association of Jewish Communities of Westphalia-Lippe (K.d.ö.R.) and maintained by the city of Lübbecke.

With the dissolution of the Jewish community during the Nazi era, burials no longer take place there. Men are therefore permitted to enter the cemeteries without head coverings (kippahs).

Lübbecke

The Jewish Cemetery

Lübbecke

The Jewish Cemetery

Max Lazarus, the last Jewish teacher and cantor to serve in Lübbecke, describes the new cemetery in his writings as follows:

The Jewish Cemetery

Star of David at the Gate

The symbol of the Jewish faith is the Star of David. It's depicted here on the gate. Can you find it again in the cemetery? Christians and Muslims also have symbols for their religions. Do you know what they are?

The Star of David depicts two triangles that are inextricably intertwined. They are the symbol used by Jewish people to express their connection to God. Human beings have received their lives from God (the triangle pointing downward), and they will return to God (the triangle pointing upward). The outline has six outer points and six inner corners, which together form twelve corners. These twelve corners of the star are said to represent the Twelve Tribes of Israel. In addition, the six triangles represent the six days of creation, and the large hexagon in the center represents the seventh day, the day of rest.

Judaism is the world’s oldest monotheistic religion. Christianity and Islam later developed from Judaism. Their common forefather is Abraham. Jews pray in the synagogue, Christians in the church, and Muslims in the mosque. The symbol of Christians is the cross; that of Muslims is the crescent moon.