Schwerin plans artwork in honor of the state rabbi William Wolff

Schwerin plans artwork in honor of the state rabbi William Wolff

Schlachtermarkt, 19053 Schwerin, Deutschland - In the state capital Schwerin, a memory work will be created that is dedicated to the unforgettable William Wolff. The former state rabbi and honorary citizen died in London on July 8, 2020 at the age of 93, but his work will continue to be present in the city. The idea for a work of art for honoring Wolff comes from the city society and was brought up to the municipal expert body for art in public space about two years ago. reports that the artwork is to be completed by Wolff's 100th birthday in 2027. It will be built on the slaughterhouse, a central square where the city history museum and the World Heritage Information Center are also planned.

The head of the municipal cultural office, Dirk Kretzschmar, presented the plans in the cultural committee of the city council. Mayor Rico Badenschier supports the project and highlights the importance of the work of art. He not only appreciates Wolff as a spiritual leader, but also as a bridge builder between religions. Jewish Allgemeine that already more than 50,000 euros for the design of the Kunstwerk could be collected who aimed at artists from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

a life for the community

William Wolff, born on February 13, 1927 in Berlin, fled with his family to Amsterdam and later to London. He studied national economy, became a journalist and worked, among other things, at Daily Mirror. His connection to the Jewish community made him an important personality in interreligious dialogue. In 2002 he took over the office of the state rabbi from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and looked after three Jewish communities in the region. His contract ended in 2015, but he was actively in the municipality and was volunteered until old age. Wikipedia received numerous awards, including the honorary citizens of Schwerin and Rostock.

During his last visit to Schwerin in November 2022, he commemorated the November pogroms from 1938. On the occasion of his farewell, around 150 people took part in a prayer, including many friends, parishioners and representatives of politics. Minister of Justice Katy Hoffmeister praised him as subtle and close to the people, while Valeriy Bunimov, chairman of the State Association of the Jewish communities, emphasized Wolff's contribution to the stabilization of the Jewish communities in Schwerin and Rostock. Class = "Source_2"> The Jewish general continues that Current condolence books in the Rathäusern of Rostock and Schwerin are interpreted in order to pay the last honor.

The planned memory work is not only a tribute to Wolff's life's work, but also a sign of hope and understanding in a multicultural society. It will be interesting to see how the work of art will develop and which artists will participate in the competition.