Objekt des Monats
Jedes Objekt in der Sammlung des Deutschen Auswandererhauses erzählt eine ganz persönliche Auswanderungs- oder Einwanderungsgeschichte. In dieser Rubrik stellen wir Ihnen jeden Monat ein anderes Objekt vor – eine Fotografie, ein Dokument oder ein persönliches Erinnerungsstück.
December 2019
Photograph of the Chanukka celebration at the religious school in the Geestemünder synagogue from the year 1929
Historical Context
The Jewish festival of lights, Chanukka, has been celebrated for over 2000 years. During this eight-day festival, the rededication (Hebrew: ‘Chanukka’) of the second temple in Jerusalem is commemorated following the successful Maccabean revolt in 164 BCE. According to tradition, during the turmoil of the revolt, all oil supplies in the temple were desecrated or destroyed. There was not enough oil to keep the menorah, the temple lamp, which was meant to burn continuously, alight until new oil could be produced. A miracle occurs, the miracle of Chanukka: a small intact jar of oil, whose contents could only provide light for one day, burned for eight full days — the time it took to produce fresh consecrated oil.
Short Biography of the Kirchheimer Family
The Kirchheimer family has lived in Bremerhaven since 1895. They are members of the Jewish community there. In Bremerhaven, Moses ‘Moritz’ Kirchheimer runs a book and stamp shop until he is forced to close it by the Nazis. He remains in the city, although his wife passed away in 1931 and two of his sons, Herbert and Arnold, are already living in the USA. Only shortly before the outbreak of World War II are the now four emigrated sons — Berthold and Siegfried emigrated to the USA in 1936 and 1938 respectively — able to bring their father to America. He passes away in 1942 surrounded by his family. After the war, his sons continue to live with their families in the USA.
Siegfried Kirchheimer has been in active correspondence with Bremerhaven local historian Harry Gabcke since the 1960s. He became aware of the family’s history through newspaper articles and photos published by Siegfried Kirchheimer in Germany. In many letters, including those with other family members, and during visits to the USA, Harry Gabcke receives memorabilia from the family, including numerous photographs and documents. These form the basis for the book ‘Love for the Homeland – Despite Everything’ about the Kirchheimer family, which was published in 2005. In 2006, his widow, Renate Gabcke, donated some documents to the Deutsches Auswandererhaus.
Significance of the Object
The image, taken in 1929 at a Chanukah celebration in the Geestemünder synagogue, shows many young people standing around a festive table. The photo was likely taken during a visit by Herbert Kirchheimer to his old homeland. Each evening of the Chanukah festival, family, community, and friends come together to celebrate—traditionally with fried foods.
On the right at the end of the table, you can see the typical Chanukkiah, a candelabrum with nine candles, where the eight branches represent the eight days of the oil miracle. The ninth candle is called the Shamash, which means ‘helper’ in Hebrew: Only with this candle may, after the appropriate blessings, the other candles be lit. By the last day of the festival, all eight candles are finally burning.
The photo, a snapshot, is a testament to Jewish life in Bremerhaven 90 years after it was taken, before the racist persecution and destruction of Jewish life by the Nazis. Today, there is an orthodox and a liberal Jewish community in Bremerhaven—where the festival begins on the evening of the 25th of Kislev, according to the Jewish calendar. The date varies in the Gregorian calendar. In 2020, the Chanukah festival falls between December 23 and December 30.
Do you also have …
… a story of migration or immigration in your family that you would like to share along with the related objects and documents for the Deutsches Auswandererhaus collection? If so, please contact Dr. Tanja Fittkau at the phone number 0471 / 90 22 0 – 0 or via email at: t.fittkau@dah-bremerhaven.de
Archive: Previous Objects of the Month
Show all objectsDo You Also Have …
… a story of emigration or immigration in your family that you would like to share with the German Emigration Center together with the related objects and documents for its collection? Then please contact Dr. Tanja Fittkau by phone at +49 471 / 90 22 0 – 0
or by e-mail at: t.fittkau@dah-bremerhaven.de