Foto: Karl-Heinz Stadtler
Print, replica of the homage plaque in the sacred space, donated by Jürgen Evers, frame 60x50cm. In the original parchment with German and Hebrew script.
Photo Ernst Davidsohn (1921-95), donation from Carol Baird (USA), descendant of the Frankenthal family from Vöhl
Historical photograph from the property of the former Vöhler Frankenthal family
Transcript by Ernst Davidsohn (1921-95) Photo: Donation by Carol Baird (USA), descendant of the Familie Frankenthal from Vöhl
Homage plaque to Ludwig I, Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt, (reign, 1806-30)
A parchment votive plaque in honour of Ludwig, the first Grand Duke of Hesse, which was completed in 1808, was placed in the synagogue. It was inscribed in Hebrew and German:
„In the year 5568 (= 1808)
1829
Victory gives kings dominion, the anointed. He who saved David his servant from the murderous sword. He who makes a way in the sea, a path in the strong waters, who blesses, protects, shields, supports, elevates, enlarges and brings forth our Lord Ludewig, Grand Duke of Hesse, and increases his glory. May the King of kings, with his all-mercifulness, preserve his life, protect him from every accident, from every sorrow and from every harm, and be his protection. Let foreign nations bow to him, let his enemies fall before him and let him be happy in all his endeavours. May the King of kings, through his all-mercifulness, incline his heart and the heart of all his counsellors to mild government, that he may rule us and all Israel with benevolence, that in his days and ours Judah may be saved and Israel dwell in peace. O that the Saviour may come to Zion, may the will of the Eternal be good, and let us say to him, Amen."
Incidentally, the Förderkreis had a pleasant surprise in connection with this plaque. Jürgen Evers had found this text among the notes of the Vöhl local historian Walter Kloppenburg, supplemented by a description of the plaque, from which it emerged that it also contained a Hebrew version. Evers now endeavoured to find a translator, and the matter dragged on for a long time without a Hebrew version being produced. Carol Baird, a descendant of the Frankenthal family from Vöhl who lives in California, then sent us not only a photo of the plaque but also a copy of a transcription that her father Ernst Davidsohn had made of the same plaque in the early 1930s. And so, quite unexpectedly, the Förderkreis came into possession of this text. Dr Thea Altaras then had the print made by an expert in Israel, which we can now display in our small museum.
Among the pictures from America was the only photograph of the interior of the synagogue from before 1938, which has already been mentioned several times and which - expertly edited - provides a good insight into the appearance of the sacred space. We can see (and find this confirmed by a letter from the district conservator from 1929) that this plaque hung on a tripod and stood next to the Torah shrine (facing the street). The conservator considered the artistic value of the plaque to be low, but said that it ‘blends in excellently with the uniform space’ and should therefore be mounted on canvas.