Saddened to Learn About the Pogrom of Jews in Erfurt at the Old Synagogue Museum - Erfurt, Germany

We made a sidetrip from Berlin and spent our first evening at an AirB&B at Erfurt, Germany. It wasn't easy locating our unit as we had to ask many people for help before locating the apartment we had rented. This was the downside of staying at an AirB&B, not able to check in as easily as with a hotel. By the time we were able to locate the place, we were exhausted and went to bed immediately.

The next day was my turn to share at our morning devotion with the team. I read a passage from Levtitcus regarding the tremendous wisdom in God's commands to the Israelites and had a good discussion. Later, We had breakfast in a neighborhood cafe serving different pastries and desserts. I enjoyed the pastries in Germany and other countries we visited in Europe. I found that the desserts here were tasty but not too sweet, exaclty what I wanted.

After breakfast, we visited a farmers' market close by. I always manage to find something interesting to see at a market. This time we found some cute but sturdy wooden craved benches that were placed in the square for visitors to sit and relax.

Of all the activities we have undertaken on this trip, our visit to the Old Synagogue in Erfurt left an indelible impression on me.The Old Synagogue at Erfurt is a building kind of out of the way in the city. We had to look hard for it. However, this synagogue has not been used for any Jewish religious assemblies since 1349. It was at this Old Synagogue where I read the displayed material and for the very first time, I came across the word Pogrom - a violent riot incited with the aim of massacring or expelling an ethnic or religious group, particularly Jews.

The Pogrom took place in Erfurt, Germany on 21-22 March 1349. As I asked the museum staff more questions, I learned more about the 1349 Pogrom in Erfurt - During this massacre of the Jewsish residents, many were murdered. It was reported that the number of Jews killed in the massacre could be from 100 and up tp 3000, the suvivors of the Pogrom were either expelled or fled the city. All Jewish properties n business were confiscated. The massacre stopped the Jewish assembly and from then on the synagogue building was turned into other uses. Later on it was bought by a merchant and finally it was turned into a Jewish museum. No pictures were allowed to be taken inside the museum during our visit, therefore I do not have any pictures of the Old Synagogue except for this one which I took after we exited the building.

Having travelled to a fair number of countries in Europe and visited a few synagogues, we came across simliar stories of prosecution of the Jewish people in numerous European cities. I could never understand why there have been so many incidents or pogroms targetting the Jews. It saddened me greatly that the attacks on the Jewish people has occured throughout the ages in Europe and they are still continuing today in various parts of the world. When will there be peace and harmony for us all? RT, The Old Synagogue Erfurt, Germany 04062024