January 2024. The 4 photography workshop days have ended, yielding everything I was hoping to achieve and more! Working with a fully dedicated team, positive and contributing environment, with positive "can do" attitude in every problem solving encounter, gives such an energy boost - that by the end of all the excitement, suddenly I felt totally drained, and needed some recovery time.
On the next day - my last day in Germany, Christof took me to Koblenz- a main city in the area. Walking around in the rainy weather, pensive, catching my breath- Christof seemed to just go on and on, effortlessly, with infinite energy, and I wanted to absorb as much as possible, though, just like an electron-overcharged-pixel...I was flooded, thoughts pounding as I try to catch up on new information, and I even had a couple of crying discharges...
Carolin took us to the best Chocolate factory since Willy Wonka opened his factory, and we had hot chocolate made of clouds and a little more chocolate from heaven. Said our goodbyes 'till we meet again and headed back to Laufersweiler.
We arrived in Laufersweiler as the sun was setting, Christof asked me if I passed by the restored Jewish cemetery, which has been on my "to do list" but I never managed to get to it, with such a tight schedule - so, he took me there immediately. The camera with me, and with no time to lose, with the last 15 minutes of yellow setting sun light, a clear day with cold air which is the perfect light. Suddenly it was just me and a stack of orphaned graves and silence.
This cemetery, like many others all over Europe, was violated back in the Holocaust days, tombs used for any purpose, mainly roads, the land confiscated and sold for houses, with tombs and bones to be rediscovered years later, placed post mortem, in a new location, near by- just the tombs without the remains underneath, trying to return some of the lost dignity, both of the victims and the ancestors of the perpetrators.
"The new Jewish cemetery was repaired in 1962. Gravestones that had "fallen over“ were re-erected and fixed. The hedge around the cemetery was also planted in autumn. In 1963, the gravestones that had been in the old cemetery were moved to the new cemetery. Only then did the municipality sell the plot." (Carolin Manns)
Images curtesy of Laufersweiler Synagogue support group Education Center
Images curtesy of Laufersweiler Synagogue support group Education Center
Images curtesy of Laufersweiler Synagogue support group Education Center
Images curtesy of Laufersweiler Synagogue support group Education Center
My brain still heavy and pensive as to the amazing experience I have just experienced to the fullest- I prayed to the 'god of photography' to give me just a little more of the good 'eye-brain-shutter-finger' moments to commemorate this place, this moment, for the sake of the history, the future and the present of the wonderful people around who seem to mean more than I have ever witnessed before in my life- the power of the commitment "Never Again".
Laufersweiler new location of the Jewish cemetery, in last moments of day light
Laufersweiler new location of the Jewish cemetery, in last moments of day light
Laufersweiler new location of the Jewish cemetery, in last moments of day light
Laufersweiler new location of the Jewish cemetery, in last moments of day light
That evening Christof has introduced me to the 'Friends of Laufersweiler". A packed synagogue of caring enthusiast who got together to hear a lecture by Dr. Marie-Luise Conen, addressing the second and third generation trauma transcending through the generations. Christof took the opportunity to share his impression of my work with the children for the past week, and by the sound of the clapping hands, and smiles - I figured it was all good words, which for me, was a very moving moment, and I needed to go out for some air.
I walked outside thinking about the vulnerable Jewish families who were perpetrated, standing no chance in escaping, since everybody knows everybody...and if in a big city, one may find a place to hide - here he would be traced in a matter of days. As I walked down the Main Street, I thought how people as a group can be segregated, and each sector can find itself perpetrated, and they do. Walking all alone at night - could a woman feel safe? could a Syrian refugee feel accepted? Jews felt the wrath of misogyny in full blast, and the attempts to recreate their presence was moving, and along with the overwhelming reception, and fatigue, I couldn't stop the tears, and the inevitable venting cry helped me sum up this incredible experience.