The Jewish cemetery is the oldest evidence of Jewish life in Meppen. When the first Jews settled in the town around 1700, they acquired an elongated sand dune on the northern bank of the River Hase in order to bury their dead according to religious rites. This place with its long history will be presented in a varied way by the members of the Stolpersteine initiative group on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 19:00 in the Meppen City Museum (An der Koppelschleuse 19a). The historian Manfred Fickers will present the history of the Jewish cemetery from its beginnings to the present day and illustrate it with photos. Hebrew inscriptions can be read on most of the 22 remaining gravestones. Only a few gravestones are inscribed in German. Some of these texts, in which the relatives lovingly described their deceased, will be read aloud. A film recording of the last religious service from 1991 will also be shown. A memorial stone was erected for Jacob Cohen, the last head of the synagogue, and his wife Julie. The then State Rabbi Brandt from Hanover said the prayers for the dead and the then mayor Wilhelm Mevenkamp gave a greeting. Finally, Mrs. Berger will talk about her childhood memories and show pictures from that time in an interview with the director of the city museum, Burghardt Sonnenburg. She used to live next to the Jewish cemetery. There is also the opportunity to bring along your own stories and photos and present them. Anyone who would like to can send texts or photos to the initiative group in advance (e-mail: familie.berentzen@ewetel.net).

Venue: Stadtmuseum Meppen, An d. Koppelschleuse 19 a, 49716 Meppen
Organizer: Initiativkreis Stolpersteine e.V. in cooperation with the Stadtmuseum
Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 7 p.m.
Admission free
Please register with the City Museum at info@stadtmuseum-meppen.de or by calling 05931 153 410.