III. Buildings Integral to the Former Life and/or Persecution of Jews in Hamburg - Rotherbaum II/Harvestehude. © Wilhelm Mosel, Deutsch-jüdische Gesellschaft Hamburg. 16. No. 1 Allende-Platz (former Nos. 1-3 Bornplatz). Hamburg University building, housing the following: Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Administration. Institute of Social and Economic History. Institute of Political Science. Institute of Sociology. Institute of Journalism. Dispatch and Duplication Department (ZVV). Former stables of the firm J. A. Schlüter & Sons, former Nos. 1-3 Bornplatz. Later, Hamburg University building, housing the Faculty of Philosophy, (Humanities), where many Jewish academics worked. The building at Nos. 1-3 Bornplatz (today No. 1 Allende-Platz) was built on 17.04.1908 as the new business premises, i.e. stables, of the carriage contractor J. A. Schlüter & Sons. Here was the largest, luxury carriage contractor on the continent of Europe. Two large entrances led to a 600 m² central courtyard with a glass roof. A large hoist gave access to the individual floors. The horses ascended to the first floor via two wide ramps. Two large stables, left and right, each accommodated 110 horses. The same mumber of horses were also stabled on the second floor. The third floor was spaceous enough to house 100 carriages. The fourth floor contained large store-rooms for hay and straw. J. A. Schlüter & Sons, stables, drawing. Shortly before the First World War the firm's garage, at No. 4 Bornplatz, which was built right of the stables, (today the Abaton cinema), housed more than 50 motorcars for hire. The motorcars then also took over the former stables. In 1919 the Telos Hamburger Verkehrs AG, department J. A. Schlüter & Sons was founded, that took over the property and fleet of cars. In 1923 the joint stock company was sold to the Stinnes group of companies (Hugo Stinnes, 1870-1924). In 1929, the Hamburg Senat (executive) purchased the building for the University of Hamburg which had been founded in 1919. Following conversion the Faculty of Philosophy (Humanities) took up residence. Many eminent Jewish academics were members of the staff of the faculty. In 1933, and the years following, these and other Jewish academics were ousted from the universty in various ways: dismissed, compulsorily retired in accordance with the 7.04.1933 "Berufsbeamtengesetz" (the Act applying to civil servants with tenure), driven to emigrate or to commit suicide. The following Jewish academics taught in the Bornplatz building: Walter A. Berendsohn (room 238). PhD, Professor (10.09.1884-30.01.1984). Academic assistant in the Department of Germanic Studies. Dismissed on 31.07.1933 as "nichtarier" ("non-Aryan"), emigrated to Denmark, and in 1943 to Sweden. Prof. Dr. Walter A. Berendsohn (1884-1984). Ernst Cassirer (room 105). PhD, Professor (28.07.1874-13.04.1945). Professor of Philosophy. Dismissed on 31.10.1933 as "nichtarier" ("non-Aryan"), emigrated to England, then Sweden, returned to England, again to Sweden, before finally settling in the USA. Agathe Lasch (room 113). PhD, Professor (4.07.1897-1942). Chair of Low German. Head of the Department of Germanic Studies. Dismissed in 1934 as "nichtarier" ("non-Aryan"), moved to Berlin in 1937, deported on 12.08.1942. Prof. Dr. Agathe Lasch (1897-1942). William Stern (room 242). PhD, Professor (29.04.1871-27.03.1938). Professor of Philosophy and Psychology. Dismissed on 31.10.1933 as "nichtarier" ("non-Aryan"), emigrated to the USA. Agathe Lasch received her doctorate in Heidelberg in 1909 with her highly praised work "Geschichte der Schriftsprache in Berlin". She then assumed the post of professor in a Woman's College in the USA, where she wrote her principal work, her Middle Low German Grammar, which is to this day one of the standard works in the field of Low German philology. She came to Hamburg in 1917 as assistant in the Deutsche Seminar (German Department). In 1919 the German Department became part of the newly established University of Hamburg and Agathe Lasch qualified as a university lecturer. In 1923 she was appointed professor, and in 1926 she was appointed to the newly created chair of Low German. She was the first woman to be appointed to a chair at the University of Hamburg. In Hamburg, Agathe Lasch worked on two dictionary projects: a Hamburg Dictionary and a Middle Low German Dictionary. On 7.04.1933, the Beruftsbeamtengesetz (the Act applying to civil servants with tenure) was published that retired all "non-Aryan" civil servants. A petition signed by Swedish academics initially delayed the affect of this law on her. However, she was dismissed in 1934. A publication ban followed. In 1937 she moved to be with her family in Berlin. She was deported on 12.08.1942 and disappeared, presumedly murdered. More detailed information follows regarding professors Willian Stern and Ernst Cassirer. When in the mid 1920s the Hamburg Senat (executive) and Bürgerschaft (parliament) resolved that Volkschule (a school providing basic primary and secondary education) teachers be academically trained, i.e. at university, the teaching activities of both professors was broadened. Herr V., from Hamburg, a former student of Willian Stern, gave the following report in 1985: "(...) The trainee teachers were especially interested in attending Stern's lectures on "the psychology of childhood and adolescence" (...), but his more general lectures on the theme of "personality and world" were also well attended. His lectures on "philosophical weltanschauung in the 19th-century" were also popular. In these weekly, one-hour, lectures William Stern gave a concentrated synopsis of this broad subject, (...). His clarity, concreteness and very personal and fascinating presentation made William Stern an outstanding lecturer. It was therefore no surprise that the large main lecture theatre of the University Main Building in Edmund-Siemers-Allee, was generally full when Professor Stern held his main lectures. Hamburg University, Main Building, Edmund-Siemers-Allee, drawing. Stern was not only an outstanding lecturer but also a decent, sympathetic, genial man. He was also an excellent oral examiner, demanding good knowledge and raising the capability of the examinee with his obvious sympathy and interest, thereby creating a humane atmosphere." Prof. Dr. William Stern (1871-1938). Herr V. related the following regarding Ernst Cassirer: In his second semester Herr V. enroled for one of Professor Cassirer's main lectures, with the theme "A history of the new phiosophy". He was able to follow the series of lectures without difficulty due to the fact that Cassirer, being an expert in his field, presented even the most complex of themes in a comprehensible way. "Each lecture was an aesthetic experience". He generally spoke extempore. He was erudite and eloquent. Prof. Dr. Ernst Cassirer (1874-1945). In 1902 Ernst Cassirer married his cousin Toni Bond. Toni Cassirer writes about their years in Hamburg in her memoirs: "Before we moved to Hamburg in 1919, Ernst received a letter from the psychologist, William Stern, that related unexpected and alarming news. Stern wrote that a closed, politically right-wing student faction had been formed at the University of Hamburg, that had distributed leaflets demanding a boycott of Jewish professors. This conduct had not been previously experienced in Germany. (...) The intervention of the senate of the university had quickly silenced this first precursor of National Socialism. When Ernst arrived in Hamburg at the beginning of October he was unanimously received in the most friendly manner. This new period brought great changes for him. Ernst was no longer a Privatdozent (outside lecturer), and the new position entailed him to participate in faculty meetings, to lead seminars, to manage the library, etc. William Stern, a loyal friend from the time of our arrival to our enforced parting, shared all these responsibilities with him and carried additional responsibilities until Ernst found his feet with these unfamiliar tasks. Besides these practical problems there were personal problems to solve. Many disorientated young people flocked back to university after the First World War requiring counselling and direction. Funds were scarce and the price of books exorbitant. Initially inflation rose slowly but then at an ever faster rate until 1924, when the Mark stabilized." Toni Cassirer writes about her husband as lecturer: "(...) Ernst was a teacher by character. His students, like his children Heinz, Georg and Anne, were independent beings to him, whose abilities delighted him and whose way in life he followed with complete interest. He wished to show them what and how to study, not what and how to think. (...)" Ernst and Toni Cassirer with Malte Jacobsen, Göteborg 1946. In spring 1929, Ernst Cassirer was voted, by a large majority, rector of Hamburg University. He was thereby the first and only Jewish rector of a German university prior to Hitler coming to power. Toni Cassirer writes: "(...) Ernst did not find it easy to assume the position of rector of the university as he knew it brought with it many administrative and representation duties, and would mean an interruption of his academic work of at least a year. However, he felt he was no exception to his colleagues and should place his time at the disposal of the university of which he was a member. Personal vanity played no part in his decision. He always doubted whether he was able to fulfil the requirements of an administrator being unpracticed in practical things. He assumed the position of rector on 7 November. From the first moment he revealed a totally unexpected pleasure and ability, (...)" No. 1 Edmund-Siemers-Allee, Hamburg University Main Building. Toni Cassirer also relates: There were only non-serious attempts to circulate National Socialist propaganda by certain students. All such attempts ensued from orders from outside the university. However, at his appointment as rector in November 1930, contrary to former custom, the student representative made no accompanying speech. Incidentally, Ernst Cassirer never read any National Socialist writings. When in 1933 Hitler was named Reichskanzler Cassirer immediately decided what to do. He wrote to his wife, Toni, who was at that time in Berlin: "People like us cannot remain any longer in Germany, there is nothing more to hope for." On 5.04.1933, a few days after the Judenboykott (boycott of Jewish businesses) on 1 April 1933, Cassirer wrote, from Zurich, to the then rector of Hamburg University that under the current circumstances it was unfortunately not possible for him to continue in his position as a university lecturer. He requested leave of absence from his lectures, and to be relieved from all obligations until he officially departed the university. Two days later, on 7.04.1933, the Beruftsbeamtengesetz (the Act applying to civil servants with tenure) was published that retired all "non-Aryan" civil servants. Cassirer returned shortly to Hamburg between 23.04.1933 and 2.05.1933 in reply to the accusation of the "unreasonableness of our closest friend". Cassirer returned once more for a short period to Zurich, then to Vienna where three offers from universities arrived. He emigrated initially to England (September 1933-June 1934), travelled to Sweden (Agust-October 1934), returning to England (October 1934-August 1935), again to Sweden (September 1935-May 1941), before finally settling in the USA (June 1941-April 1945). There are no exact figures for the total number of Jewish university lecturers or Jewish students at Hamburg University for the year 1933. It can be assumed that between 1919-1933 there were circa 130-150 Jewish students, i.e. circa 4% of all Hamburg University students. Today the walls of the foyer of No. 1 Allende-Platz are decorated with wall paintings of the artist Constantin Hahm that depict the varied history of the building. There are busts of William Stern and Ernst Cassirer in the foyer of the Philosophy Tower, at No. 6 Von-Melle-Park.                                                                    Dr. William Stern.                       Dr. Ernst Cassirer. Lecture halls have been named after Agathe Lasch and Ernst Cassirer: In the University of Hamburg Main Building, No. 1 Edmund-Siemers-Allee, Hörsaal A (Lecture Hall A) has been named: Ernst Cassirer-Hörsaal and Hörsaal B (Lecture Hall B) has been named: Agathe Lasch-Hörsaal. Roads have been named after William Stern, Ernst Cassirer and Agathe Lasch: Ernst-Cassirer-Weg and Sterntwiete are to be found in the Lohbrügge district of Hamburg. Agathe-Lasch-Weg is to be found in the Othmarschen district of Hamburg. Literature: Cassirer, Toni: Mein Leben mit Ernst Cassirer, Hildesheim, Gerstenberg, 1981. Cassierer, Toni: Sie gehören ja alle nach Palästina! in: Fremd in der eigenen Stadt. Erinnerrungen jüdische Emigranten aus Hamburg, Hrs. Charlotte Ueckert-Hilbert, Junius, Hamburg, 1989. German text: Dipl.-Pol. Wilhelm Mosel, Deutsch-Jüdische Gesellschaft, Hamburg.