"The Jacob-Wolff-Platz area of Bremen is now officially referred to as Vegesack - Bovenschulte, symbolizing a commitment to acknowledging Jewish presence in Germany, stating: 'Jewish life holds significance in Germany'."
In a moving ceremony, the square where An der Aumunder Kirche and Neue Straße intersect in the district of Vegesack, Bremen, was officially renamed Jacob-Wolff-Platz on November 9th. The renaming honours Jacob Wolff, a prominent Jewish community leader who was tragically lost during the Holocaust.
Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte, alongside Local Office Manager Gunnar Sgolik, attended the ceremony, emphasising the importance of remembrance in the face of rising anti-Semitism and Israel hatred not just since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, but for many years.
Jacob Wolff was the last leader of the Jewish community in Vegesack before he was deported to Theresienstadt and murdered in 1941. His daughter, Erna Rosenbaum, was also taken by the Nazis and killed at the Sobibor concentration camp. Only Jacob Wolff's wife, Rosa, survived the Nazi regime.
Jacob Wolff was a respected member of Vegesack society, known for his family-oriented nature and dedication to the community. He was associated with the synagogue in Vegesack, a place of worship that was tragically set on fire during the pogroms of November 10, 1938.
The Vegesack Advisory Board, local office, and residents have been committed to remembering this place for many years and have campaigned for the naming. The square now bears a sculpture and memorial plaques, preserving its historical significance.
The Mayor stated that the state's task is to protect Jewish life and Jews in Germany, and Jewish life has a place in the country, where Jews are considered fellow citizens. Regular memorial events, particularly in connection with Holocaust Remembrance Day, are held on Jacob-Wolff-Platz to honour victims like Jacob Wolff and remember the suffering and injustice that occurred.
The photo of the ceremony, taken by the Senate Press Office, features Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte and Local Office Manager Gunnar Sgolik, standing before the newly named Jacob-Wolff-Platz, a poignant reminder of the fates of many Jewish people in Germany during the Nazi regime.
In remembrance of Jacob Wolff, a valued community leader and his family, who tragically perished during the Holocaust, the Mayor, Andreas Bovenschulte, and Local Office Manager, Gunnar Sgolik, emphasized the importance of education-and-self-development in personal-growth, particularly in understanding and combating the rising anti-Semitism. Regular events held on Jacob-Wolff-Platz foster personal-growth by educating the community about the suffering and injustice experienced by victims like Jacob Wolff.
