While the inscriptions on older gravestones are exclusively in Hebrew, it became more common from the 19th Century on for gravestones to be scripted in two languages. Not long afterwards, gravestones were erected bearing solely German language inscriptions, as seen in this example from Gemünden. These are expressions of a new self-image and consciously partaking in the social environment of their surroundings.

Like the older gravestone inscriptions in Hebrew, the newer inscriptions retained the permanent elements, such as the introduction, the name of the deceased and the dates, as well as the concluding phrases. A shorter text shares aspects of the life of the deceased. This functions as a form of obituary that discloses information about lifestyle, origins and professions, as well as religious or communal functions. Moreover, these descriptions work to generate role models and convey values with the deceased representing a godly way of life, charity and the fulfilment of the commandments.

Albeit, it was common for most gravestones and their inscriptions to be completed by Christian stonemasons, so naturally mistakes were made, as is evidenced by this gravestone of Jakob Wagner.

Photo: Daniela Tobias

The Jewish Cemetery established in the first half of the 18th Century in Oberwesel is where some of the earliest gravesites in the Rhine-Hunsrück region can be found.

The upright stone stelae with rectangular or rounded completions are characteristic for the gravestones. They feature a simple design without embellishment, with the inscription itself forming the only decorative element. The inscriptions were engraved exclusively in Hebrew well into the 19th Century. The impression of uniformity of older gravestones reflects the idea of equality of all people in death. The rounded completions on many of the gravestones allude to the biblical tablets of the law containing the Ten Commandments, which are reflected in the stones’ singular or double leaf form.

It was only later that the gravestones were mounted on a base, which is why the older gravestones are gradually sinking into the ground. The oldest identifiable gravestone in the Rhine-Hunsrück County is from 1665 and located in the large cemetery in Boppard.

Photo: Daniela Tobias

In 2011 David Hammerschlag travelled from his Australian hometown of Sydney together with his wife and both daughters to the Hunsrück in an effort to trace his family’s roots. A visit to the Jewish Cemetery in Zeltingen, where he found the grave site of his grandmother Rosa Schömann proved particularly important. His grandparents lived in Zeltingen and founded the Schömann & Hammerschlag leather goods shop in 1923, before emigrating to South Africa in 1935. However, the inscribed, black glass plate set into the sandstone gravestone were found shattered. He is seen here trying to piece together the remaining fragments. 

Only little evidence of Jewish culture survived the National Socialist era, yet, while they were often left desolate and neglected, most cemeteries were not totally destroyed. Today, they constitute the largest group of Jewish culture monuments; outlasting the destruction and authenticating the over 1700 years of enduring Jewish history in Germany.

Cemeteries are an especially important starting point for visitors from all over the world hoping to trace their origins. Gravesites tell these stories and, as such, are instrumental in helping to shed light on one's own identity, as well.

As in this picture, small stones can often be found stacked on Jewish gravestones throughout the Rhine-Hunsrück region. It is common practice to leave behind a stone as an act of remembrance when visiting a grave site. This tradition does not stem from a religious commandment, but is rather a custom dating back to ancient burial rituals. The dead in Biblical times were usually buried under a small pile of stones, with relatives bringing stones to pile onto the grave site. The stones protected the corpse from the outside elements while marking the site so it could be visited later. The tradition that evolved from this custom is still practised today.

Not only the relatives, but any visitor can place a stone if so desired because it is a discrete sign of reverence and remembrance. It leaves behind the message that „I was here“ and is a symbolic expression of empathy that could be of comfort to the relatives for their loss.

Conversely, planting flowers or lighting a candle on the grave are not common practices, as this could disturb the peace of the deceased. Furthermore, according to Jewish conception, a grave site is intended and established to last an eternity, meaning it should exist until the „Day of Judgement“.

Photo: Daniela Tobias

Jewish gravestones are often marked with recurring symbols alluding to the biography of the deceased or his/her responsibilities within the Jewish community. The hands of blessing are among the most frequently used symbols. The depiction represents the position of the hands when the priestly blessing is spoken, which priests (Hebr.: Cohen) issue to this day during the Sabbath and at worship services on festive occasions. This symbol on a gravestone indicates that the deceased was a member of the Cohen, the priestly family directly descendent of Aaron, the brother of Moses. Because lineage is transmitted through the male members of a family, it is very rare to find such symbols used at female grave sites.

From the 19th Century on, it became more common in Germany for gravestones to be scripted in two languages, with the Hebrew inscriptions remaining the constant element. This included the recurring introductory and concluding phrases particularly apparent in this example:

פיינ - „Here lies“

חנצבייה - „His soul is bound in the bundle of life“

Photo: Daniela Tobias

Jewish cemeteries were commonly situated outside the villages in accordance with religious custom, as concerns for hygiene and the maintenance of a peaceful resting place for the deceased were of significant importance.

Situated on a steep slope and accessible only with great effort, this site in Holzfeld was formerly used as the cemetery for the Jewish community of Hirzenach; also testifying to the difficulty Jews often encountered in finding a burial place at all. Consequently, these sites were frequently located in rough terrain that couldn’t be used for farming in any case.

Such hidden sites in the forest are particularly at risk of being forgotten and neglected. Fallen trees, rampant plant growth, damage caused by game and other environmental influences threaten these hidden memorial sites with progressive decay.

Photo: Daniela Tobias

Jewish gravestones are often marked with recurring symbols that allude to the biography of the deceased or his/her responsibilities within the Jewish community. From the 19th Century on, these symbols were used more frequently and became more distinct. Nevertheless, these distinct symbols appear much less frequently in cemeteries used by communities in the rural regions than in those in the larger, urban communities.

The symbol on this gravestone is unique for the Jewish cemeteries in the Rhine-Hunsrück region. A double-edged knife with a wine goblet are depicted on it, which are the instruments used by a Mohel, or circumciser. In order to perform a circumcision, both medical training as well as very in-depth knowledge of the Torah are required. A Mohel is required to demonstrate a virtuous lifestyle in line with the religious commandments so that, in fulfilling this honorary position, the circumciser enjoys special recognition.

Photo: Daniela Tobias

The types of rock common to a region were commonly the source of the material used for the gravestone. But  especially sandstone, which was frequently used for gravestones, was particularly vulnerable to weather-related disintegration. Acid rain and polluted atmosphere severely attack those markings actually meant to last an eternity. The sensitive surface features are subject to continuous corrosion and crumbling, with script wearing away or deteriorating so extensively due to moss and lichen that it is no longer legible.

In addition to the decay through natural elements, violent destruction has also taken its toll. The Jewish Cemetery in Simmern was the target of multiple desecrations (1862, 1871, 1907) long before the prescribed terror of the National Socialist (NS) era, with the cemetery being subjected to deliberate vandalism even in 1990, when 32 gravestones were toppled.

Photo: Daniela Tobias

The Jewish cemeteries in the Rhine-Hunsrück region today are considered to be „orphaned“ sites. Their renewed usage since 1945 has only taken place sporadically and, at the same time, only very few relatives who could ultimately care for the grave sites remain. Thanks to an initiative by students from the IGS high school in Kastellaun, all of these locations have enjoyed protection as sites of historic interest since 1992.

Where a Jewish religious and cultural community no longer exists, care of the cemeteries lies in the hands of the civic community. Yet, because this care should be performed in accordance with appropriate Jewish religious rules, considerable uncertainties are the frequently consequence. While some cemeteries are cared for in a commendable manner, others remain untended, overgrown and have become barely discernible. While it is absolutely essential to maintain the peace of the dead, yet, in order to protect the culturally historical sites, it is also important to carefully remove potentially fallen trees, vines and moss, as well as to re-erect or restore damaged gravestones.

Within the framework of historical-political education, certain groups occasionally set aside a day for the care of Jewish cemeteries and, in so doing, draw closer to an understanding of the German-Jewish history. In 2019 German and Israeli youth worked together to clean the cemetery in Sohren. School classes in some communities have even set up care partnerships.