Why this monument?
‘…in memory of the former synagogue of Sneek and in that sense also in memory of the vanished Jewish community of the city of Sneek…’
(quote from the articles of incorporation of Stichting Monument Synagoge Sneek)
The trigger
It started with two Sneek residents; Marcel Wallage and Matthijs Graafland who were initially independently called attention to the monument at Sneek’s former synagogue.
It is an eyesore to them that the old monument is neglected, damaged and improperly used as a bicycle rack, an ashtray and even a dog urinal. It does not stand out as a monument, information is lacking, people walk past it.
Fortunately these two discovered each other and they decided to join forces. A third, Henk van der Veer, joined in and this triumvirate wrote, spoke and called representatives of all sorts of Sneker institutions to make their initiative known. To replaye the old monument with a more dignified one
The old monument
In 1972, at the initiative of the Frisian Cultural Council, a memorial stone was placed in the sidewalk in front of the spot where the synagogue stood. In 1984, it was decided to place the stone on a pedestal in the shape of a Star of David. A number of Jewish citizens wrote letters of thanks: ‘…We really like the change from the Memorial Stone to the Star of David. Now people are standing by it instead of walking over it…’
Yet as early as 1995, given a letter sent in, it starts to be noticed that the monument is being used improperly by the public. One outraged Sneker even speaks of vandalism.
Getting Started
27 years later, 2022, nothing had changed. Marcel, Matthijs and Henk raise the alarm.
The municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân is asking for a plan of action. The initiative group asked excellent designer and artist Piet Cohen to create a design. Piet envisions a monument made of Corten steel containing six cast glass triangles. The design refers to the vanished Jewish community of Sneek captured in the symbol of the Star of David.
The initiators are bringing the project under the Stichting Monument Synagoge Sneek.
The Foundation’s Certificate of Incorporation formally articulates its purpose:
The aim of the Foundation is to realize a new monument in memory of the former synagogue of Sneek and in that sense also in memory of the vanished Jewish community of the city of Sneek and to perform anything related or conducive to this.
This goal implies not only realizing a monument, but also involving e.g. schools and other relevant organizations in this project in order to enrich Sneek with a living monument.
