Introduction to our aims and aspirations:
We hope to extend our contacts and activities among the Ashkenaz "Tora-Treu" Jews in Israel and strengthen our ties with such Jews everywhere.
We wish to set up and encourage further institutions similar to those which already exist and which are based on traditional Jewish concepts.
We will commemorate our heritage through research and publication of illustrated books and other material and the setting up of archives containing records of the "lost" communities.
The director of the institute is Prof. Meier Schwarz.
We are in the process of researching the communities and synagogues which were in the area of Greater Germany during the early 20th century.
Our research has shown that on Pogrom Night (Kristallnacht) 1,550 synagogues were completely or partially burned or destroyed.
We have succeeded in documenting many of the areas with the assistance of the German authorities (Bundeslaender), such as Bavaria. Part of our ongoing research has been published in German (five books to date) and we have now decided to summarise the material in English and to publish in time for the 60th anniversary of Kristallnacht. This will be a memorial for our families and descendants. Each synagogue and community will be described briefly, where a larger community will require a full page, and the smaller ones one-third to one-half a page, including pictures.
In order to publish this Memorial Book of our forfathers we would be happy to receive information in English, concerning the communities from where your families originated in Greater Germany. The text should cover the following information, in an interesting and readable style:
The dates of inception of the community, it's size, activities surrounding the community, such as schools, mikve, cemetry etc. We would like to hear of any special activities known to you and of personalities connected with the community. Also the fate of the community during Kristallnacht and its' aftermath. Include information if there is a commemorative plaque.
Our editor will colate the material for publication. We will also be happy to receive clear pictures with the text, with permission to publish. The author will be mentioned by name.
We are enclosing an example of the type of text we require. As we have a tight publication date, we would request that your contibution be forwarded to us at the earliest opportunity! Our e-mail address is info@synagog.org, and we look forward to hearing from you .
