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III. Buildings Integral to the Former Life and/or Persecution of Jews in Hamburg - Rotherbaum II/Harvestehude.© Wilhelm Mosel, Deutsch-jüdische Gesellschaft Hamburg. 8. Nos. 9-11 Hartungstraße.
The building of the former "Logenheim" Society was officially opened on 28.04.1904. It was circa 1,200 m² in size. The architect Semmy Engel succeeded in fulfilling the client's wishes in an "exemplary" fashion, by converting and extending the building. The building was principally intended to house the Henry Jones-Loge XVIII, 365 Unabhängiger Orden B'nai B'rith (U.O.B.B).
(A Jewish fraternal organization founded in New York on 15.10.1843, by Heinrich Jonas (Henry Jones),
having moral, philanthropic, social, educational, and political aims. I.O.B.B. = Independent
Order B'nai B'rith. In Germany in 1935 there were over 100 individual lodges with circa 12,000
members. From Hebrew benê brît: sons of the covenant).
This lodge was founded on 2.01.1887 in Hamburg as the 18th organization in Germany and the 367th in general. The founders of the order initially made use of relatively modest assembly rooms in Zeughausmarkt, in the Neustadt district. The locality changed several times, e.g. Hohe Bleichen and Fehlandstraße, until finally it moved to rooms in Klostertor. The lodge members, "brothers", founded the society "Logenheim" in order to establish their own lodge. Gustav Tuch was appointed chairman of the advisory committee. The society purchased the villa and adjacent property in Hartungstraße from the Pfennig family and had it converted and extended. In the year of the lodge's opening Gustav Tuch was again President of the lodge, the office he had already held ten times. He was the driving force behind the various activities of the lodge. The lodge itself rented a large part of the new building from the "Logenheim" Society. Various Jewish organizations and institutions moved into the building through direct instigation of the lodge or through involvement with it. The building became the focal point of Jewish life in the Grindel Quarter of Hamburg. The first German Zionist Congress was held here in 1909.
The groundfloor was designated for the lodge and its departments. The Israelitische Humanitäre
Frauen-Verein (Israelite Women's Humanitarian Society) was allowed its office on the
groundfloor. A restaurant was also here.
The second floor was occupied by the Jüdische Gemeinschaftsheim (Jewish Community Home),
the reading room and the Jüdische Jugend Bund (Jewish Youth Organization). The
library and collections were also here.
with the "Hillel" (left) and "Mose" (right) windows by E. M. Lilien, 1904. Initially the Order B'nai B'rith focused its activities on social services for Jewish immigrants. In Germany the Order founded two organizations: the Bodenkultur-Bewegung and the Osteuropäische Rettungswerk. The Bodenkultur-Bewegung was established to assist Jews settle in all countries in which Jews were resident in large numbers. The Osteuropäische Rettungswerk assisted needy Jews in Eastern Europe, particularly victims of persecution, for example, following the numerous pogroms at the turn of the century. The emphasis was more on helping people to remain where they lived and to improve their general conditions than with emigration. When Gustav Tuch died on 2.02.1909 he had realised numerous philanthropic ideas. He supported the founding of the Eduard Kley-Stiftung (Trust), founded by pupils of Eduard Kley teacher, and preacher of the first Temple in Hamburg, for the support of retired teachers without a pension. The following institutions owe their gratitude to his initiative and assistance: the Hambuger Israelitische Komitee zur Bekämpfung des Mädchenhandels, the Gemeinschaftsheim, the Vereinfür Arbeitsnachweis, the Bodenkulturgesellschaft, the Israelitische Kinderhorte , the Verein für jüdische Geschichte und Literatur, and the Gesellschaft für jüdische Volkskunde. In addition, he established the Israelitische Humanitären Frauen-Verein, from which later, among others, the Israelitische Mädchenheim for young working women arose. He was also a member of the representative committee of the Deutsch-Israelitische Gemeinde (German Israelite Community). His noble personality was reflected in his simple manner in which everybody sensed his gentleness and kindheartedness. Incidentally, he was the last person to be buried in the Grindelfriedhof (Grindel cemetery), in a reserved plot.
When the Henry Jones-Loge celebrated its 25th anniversary it refrained from grand celebrations and
instead founded a trust that was to "contribute" to the education of young people who wished to
pursue an academic, artistic, technical of business career. In 1929/30, Dr. Alfred Unna was president and Rabbi Dr. Paul Holzer vice-president. Henry Chassel was "mentor". Frau Anne Kaufmann was the chairman of the women's society ("sisters") of the Henry Jones-Loge. In 1932/33, Felix Levy was president and James Pels vice-president. Ignatz Reis was "guardian". Frau Anne Kaufmann was again chairman of the women's society.
In a letter dated 17.04.1937, and signed by Göttsche, the Geheim Staatspolizei Hamburg (Gestapo) (Staatspolizeistelle, Stadthausbrücke 8 (Neustadt District)) informed Max Spier, administrator of the Hamburg U.O.B.B. Lodge, that the Reichsführer SS und Chef der Deutschen Polizei had banned and dissolved, with immediate effect, the U.O.B.B., affiliated and subsidary organizations, and all similar Jewish organizations. The property of these organizations were defined as volks- und staatsfeindlich (hostile to the people and the state) and seized in the name of the city and state of Hamburg.
The Israelitische Haushaltungsschule (Israelite Housekeeping School) was housed in the Lodge
having moved from "Hütten" in the Neustadt district. It was founded on 13.03.1897. Its purpose
was the training of girls in domestic science as preparation for employment and for running their
own homes. The founding statutes stipulated that the school be run according to Jewish ritual. The girl
applicants had to have celebrated their fourteenth birthday and not be older than eighteen. The
education, training and care of the boarding girls was provided by the institution. Courses were
also provided for non-boarders training for branches of industry.
The founding capital for the school came from the Israelitisch-humanitären Frauen-Verein. The
board consisted of at least 15 individuals, at least twelve women and three men. Of the women six were
to be from the Israelitisch-humanitären Frauen-Verein.
The domestic science training included: cooking, preserving, washing, ironing, cleaning, sewing and
household management. Arithmetic, German and a weekly lecture on Hygiene were additional subjects
in the winter term. In the cold months they provided meals very cheaply (25 Pfennig per person)
for both private individuals and members of the various societies.
From 1935 there existed, within the framework of the training courses of the Beratungsstelle für jüdische Wirtschaftshilfe (Advice Centre for Jewish Economic Aid), a jüdische Haushaltungsschule (Jewish Housekeeping School), whose Department B at No. 70 Heimhuderstraße offered one-year courses both in domestic science and commercial domestic science. This was a recognised Hachscharah training. (Hakhsharah = preparation. The intellectual and physical training, aspecially the training in physical training, aspecially the training in physical labour, such as farming, of pioneers (chaluzim), for settlement in Palestine).
The Jüdische Gemeinschaftsheim (Jewish Community home), established in 1901, was housed on the second floor. Its function was the organization of meals and afternoon entertainment for people living on small pensions. The Gemeinschaftsheim's annual open evening, usually in late autumn, was very popular. Due to its popularity, it had to be held in the large hall (Festsaal) on the first floor of the lodge. Sometimes the board of the society provided free entry tickets for regular visitors of the Gemeinschaftsheim so that the ideals of the founder, Gustav Tuch, were met. The public were asked to contribute: a poetic prologue, a lyrical drama, poems and songs. In addition to performers from the home, actors from the Deutschen Schauspielhaus performed. The Gemeinschaftsheim also organized Hanukkah (Feast of Lights/Dedication) (Kislev, 25 - Tevet, 1) which was just as popular. Poems by the "local" poets Jakob Loewenburg and Otto Ernst were recited. Twice monthly, during the winter months, the Gemeinschaftsheim organized literary and musical afternoons, mainly for the less well-off. Needy artists were given preference. Outings were organized during the summer.
Two other lodges held their meetings in the Logenheim: the Steinthal-Loge and the
Nehemia Nobel-Loge.
  Steinthal Lodge Emblem. Nehemia Nobel Lodge Emblem. What follows are the principal statutes of the Steinthal-Loge LXXII No. 649 U.O.B.B., founded in 1909. The lodge was named after Hajim Heymann Steinthal (1823-1899), German linguist and philosopher, from 1863 professor in Berlin, precursor of the idea of speech as psychological object. The statutes are comparable with those of the other two lodges. The purpose of this lodge was to keep Judaism alive and to actively participate in the cultural life of the "fatherland", to promote human values and improve the social situation of Jews. The lodge wished to unite Jews, irrespective of their political or religious point of view, to actively help their "brothers" when in misfortune and to care for their widows and orphans. The lodge was officially represented by two of the three members of the "Beamtenrat" (committee of officials). Those who wished to become members of the lodge had to be physically and mentally healthy, to be at least twenty-two years old, from a respectable family, with financial assets, and able to pay the contributions. He should principally have a "respectable" and "honourable" character. The written membership application to the president had to be supported by two "brothers". An Inquiry Committee then investigated and when its report was positive the president called for a vote, using a system of balls. When more than two of the balls were black the application for membership was rejected. Every lodge brother had the right and the duty to attend lodge meetings and to participate in the debates and ballots. It was also a duty to participate in ballots for committee membership and positions of responsibility. The brothers were to observe "absolute" secrecy concerning all internal matters of the lodge. All brothes were requested to attend the funeral of a demised brother. The lodge comprised: lodge meetings, the "Beamtenrat" (committee of officials), the committees, and an Ehrenrat (committee of elders). Ordinary general meetings were held every two weeks, except in the summer.
The eight member Beamtenrat consisted of, among others, the president, vice-president, the Marschall
(marshal), the Wächer (guardian) and the Mentor (mentor). The Steinthal-Loge applied to be entered in the register of societies in 1929. At this time it had 173 members. Richard May, (Oberlandesgerichtsrat), was then president, and Dr. Martin Calvary, (doctor), was vice-president. In 1936, Sally Cramer, (businessman), was president, and Dr. Albert Holländer, (lawyer), was vice-president. The Steinthal Lodge also had a societyof sisters. Gertrud Hochfeld was chairman in 1929/30, and Tilly Zuntz in 1932/33. As with all other B'nai B'rith lodges, the Steinhal Lodge was dissolved by the Nazis in April 1937 and removed from the register of societies in July 1937.
The Nehemia Nobel-Loge, (Independent Order B'nai B'rith), was named after Nehemia Anton Nobel, (1871-1922), initially rabbi in Leipzig, then rabbi in Hamburg, as support for Chief-Rabbi Markus Hirsch, (1833-1909), then chief-rabbi in Frankfurt am Main. His gift of oratory, his wealth of ideas, and his personal charm placed him at the centre of Jewish life in Hamburg. His library was bought by the Hamburg Jewish community after his death. Dr. Hermann Feiner was president of the lodge in 1929/30. In 1932/33 Walter Wolff was president, and Heinrich M. Heilbut was vice-president. Irma Taitza was chairman of the society of sisters in 1929/30, and Anna Minden in 1932/33 From 1920 onward the Israelitische Tempel-Verband (Israelite Temple Society) held religious services in the former Lodge house, supplementary to those held in their Temple in Poolstraße. Liberal religious services were again held by Rabbi Dr. J. Norden in the theatre auditorium of what was later the community building. On 1.07.1930, the Hartungstraße property was sold to the Bau-Verein Hamburger Anthroposophen due to the effect of the world economic slump. It was then rented to the lodge by the Bauverein and the premises continued to be used for Jewish purposes, i.e. as community building, for societies and lectures. At the end of 1935 the new owner was also forced to dissolve and go into liquidation. In 1937, at the order of the Gestapo, the building was sold to the Jüdische Gemeinschaftshaus GmbH that converted it to the Jüdische Kulturbund Hamburg/Hamburg Jewish Arts Federation. The 1933 founded Jüdische Kulturbund was a compulsory organisation of Jewish artistes who were only permitted to perform before a Jewish audience. Following the pogrom of the night of 9/10. November 1938 (so-called Kristallnacht) the building also substituted for the destroyed synagogues. On 9.01.1938, the building at Nos 9-11 Hartungstraße was officially opened as the Jüdische Gemeinschaftshaus (Jewish Community Building).
Max M. Warburg, in his welcoming speech said:
Max M. Warburg continued: Principally, the Community Building was to provide a suitable house for the Jüdischen Kulturbund (Jewish Cultural Organization). The Kulturbund had been able to present an artistic programme of a high standard, over the previous three years, despite adverse conditions. Dr. Hans Buxbaum was to be principally thanked for having surmounted these difficulties in the most genial manner, as were all those who had worked behind the scenes. Pioneering work had been achieved. The ensemble had not only made an excellent name for itself in Hamburg but also in many other towns in Germany. However, the function of the building was not limited to accommodating the Cultural Organization. In addition to the theatre auditorium on the first floor there was a lecture hall, seating two hundred, on the ground floor. It gave him pleasure to relate that there would now be room for the activities of the education committee of the Jüdische Religiondverband (Jewish Religious Federation), in association with the Franz Rosenzweig-Gedachtnis-Stiftung (Franz Rosenzweig Memorial Trust). There was also room to house a Lehrhaus (educational institute). There was also a study for study groups. Individual clubs also had the possibility of meeting here. A bowling lane was available for the twenty-seven different Jewish Kegel (bowling) clubs. The groundfloor was also to house a restaurant, with several comfortable rooms where good food could be enjoyed. However, the public rooms could only accommodate 120 people, whereas there were an estimated 15,000 Jews in Hamburg at this time.
Max M. Warburg personally represented in a "remarkable way" the liason between the Jewish and non-Jewish citizens of Hamburg. He was a cosmopolitan. After 1933 he also had to withdraw into the confined sphere of activities reserved for Jews and was one of the initiators of the Reichsvertretung der deutschen Juden (after 1933 known as Reichsvertretung der Juden in Deutschland (Reich Organization of German Jews/Jews in Germany)). This organization existed up until 1933 and was an association of Jewish provincial organizations. The 1933 founded new organization additionally included large Jewish communities and large Jewish organizations in order to officially represent the entire German Judaism. Rabbi Leo Baeck (1873-1956) was the president of the "new" Reichsvertretung der Juden in Deutschland. The name of the organization was changed as the Nazis did not accept the status of German Jew. Max M. Warburg was offered the chairmanship but declined. It was in his nature that he proposed people for the leading positions within the organization. He became chairman of the Hilfsverein der deutschen Juden, later Hilfsverein der Juden in Deutschland (Relief Organization of German Jews/Jews in Germany), of which he was formerly a member of the board. The purpose of this national organization was the promotion of Jewish spiritual, moral and economic development, as well as assistance for emigrants. The name was later changed as the Nazis did not accept the status of German Jew. From this time on he pioneered work for the Organisation der jüdischen Auswanderung aus Deutschland (Organisation for Jewish Emigration from Germany). This was principally carried out through the M. M. Warburg & Co. Bank.
From 1933 onwards, Max M. Warburg turned increasingly to his Jewish origins. Although he was religiously
a liberal Jew he attended services in the orthodox, Bornplatz community synagogue on High
Holidays, in accordance with the traditional orthodox home of his parents. Dr. Ernst Loewenberg followed Max M. Warburg, at the opening of the Community Building, with a speech on behalf of the board of the Jüdischen Religionsverband Hamburg (Jewish Religious Federation Hamburg) offering greetings and congratulations. He saw it as a good omen that the Jüdischen Religionsverband, following the amalgamation of the three prior Prussian Jewish communities of Altona, Wandsbek and Harburg, had the possibility of becoming public for the first time. It was questionable as to whether it was appropriate to hold a celebration during those times, with the circumstances of life becoming ever more difficult. However, the building testified to the efficacy of the Jewish will to life. The celebration was opened with singing from the choir of the Israelitische Tempelverband (Israelite Temple Association) and concluded with a speech by Julius Kobler, the chairman of the Kulturbundtheater (Culture Association's theatre).
In 1984, the journalist Senta Elias-Meyer gave the following graphic description of the inside
of the Community Building:
Two side stairways led to the cosy, inviting, theatre foyer on the first floor. The theatre was the building's main attraction. It had a pleasant, peaceful, festive character. It was a pleasant, intimate theatre. Its simple elegance was suited to both serious and entertaining theatre. There was a harmony of colour and form. The plain, comfortable, light-brown chairs could be stacked away when the hall was put to another use. The walls were yellowish in colour. The silver, reflective stage surround was festive and attractive. The stage was visible from every seat in the two-storey auditorium. The modern stage was 8 metres deep and 6 metres wide. Even though there was no revolving stage, all the necessary technical equipment was available. (...) The lighting was first class. The technical equipment made it possible for the Jüdischen Kulturbund (Jewish Cultural Association) to develop further and (...) to become an indispensable mediator of a cultural and intellectual programme. (...)" The Jüdischen Kulturbund was only able to use the large auditorium and stage with its costly equipment from January to November of the year of opening, of 1938. Only rarely did performances or other events of the Cultural Association take place after this.
The Jüdischen Kulturbund Hamburg e.V. began with a small group of artists in November 1934. The initial programme was of music. The two leaders of the association's orchester, Joseph Rosenstock and Hans Wilhelm Steinberg gave the association a "remarkable" start. The association also succeeded in founding a theatre ensemble which gave performances of a standard beyond all expectations. The ensemble began in Hamburg, on the stage of the small Conventgarten-Theatersaal, giving three performances of each piece. The more they improved the more often were the pieces performed. The ensemble toured Berlin, Braunschweig, Breslau, Cologne, Danzig, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hannover, Heilbronn, Hildersheim, Karlsruhe, Kassel, Königsberg, Leipzig, Magdeburg, Mannheim, Nürnberg, Stettin, Stuttgart and Ulm, up until 1938. In the 1937/38 season, seven plays were staged, each being given an average of seven performances. Around 17,000 individuals attended these Hamburg performances, and around 21,000 individuals on tour. Other artists were also involved. Each season presented lectures, recitation evenings, art exhibitions, and from 1938 onward, film shows. In the 1936/37 Hamburg season there were 50 events, which rose to 119 at the end of July 1938. The number of attendances rose from around 20,000 to around 45,000. Jews from all walks of life were attracted. The Jüdischen Kulturbund was dissolved by the Gestapo in 1941.
The numerous functions of the Franz Rosenzweig Gedächtnis-Stiftung also took place in the Community Building, and the trust's last offices were here, if only for a short time. Franz Rosenzweig (1886-1929), died in Frankfurt am Main. The Hamburg Jewish community founded a trust on 28.11.1930, whose preliminary task was to disseminate his writings. The trust had an honorary committee comprising Professor Dr. Ernst Cassirer, Hermann Gumpertz, Alfred Levy, Dr. Paul Ruben and Max M. Warburg. The working committee comprised Chief-Rabbi Dr. Joseph Calebach, chairman, Rabbi Dr. Simon Bamberger, Rabbi Dr. P. Holzer and Rabbi Dr. B. Italiener, Bernhard David, lawyer, Dr. Ernst Loewenberg, Professor Dr. Isaak Markon and Dr. Max Plaut. Additional functions of the trust were the organization of lectures and the establishment of a Jewish Lehrhaus (educational institute), run in accordance with the programme Franz Rosenzweig had set out in book: "Zweistromland". For example, in the 1935/36 October-December semester the following study groups and lectures took place: Introduction to the Bible, Talmud and Liturgy / Biblical Hebrew / Jewry and Judaism in World History / Jewish Philosophy and Religion / Philosophy / Art Appreciation / Nature Studies. This programme took place at No. 9-11 Hartungstraße, at No. 140 Oberstraße, in the Community Building at No. 54 Johnsallee, and the Community Building at No. 70 Heimhuderstraße. On 1.01.1935 the trust had 184 members. In 1938, Dr. Paul Ruben became chairman of the board, following the death of H Philipp. Dr. Hans Liebeschütz and Albert Nauen were also members of the board at this time.
A letter from the Reichsminister für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda (Reich Minister for Public Instruction and Propaganda) banned, with immediate effect, all activities of Jewish Lehrhäuser (educational institutes). Synagogue activities were also banned.
The Community Building at No. 9-11 Hartungstraße played a major role in the provision of essentials in
connection with the first deportation transports from Hamburg in October, November and December
1941. I made up various kosher packets for our esteemed Chief-Rabbi Dr. Joseph Carlebach in compliance with the wishes of orthodox Jews. I was happy to do this. I only hope that I was forgiven if this was not completely correct. Long tables were set out in the foyer. Heaven knows from where, but I acquired dozens of large brown-paper bags which I labeled: flour, sugar, lentils, peas, beans, rolled oats, etc. Individuals left their small contributions on the tables and I poured them into the respective bags.
I also wish to relate a comforting thing that occured one night: foodstuffs were secretly smuggled through the streets of the city in the darkness of night and brought through the cellar entrance of the kitchen: crates of Danish butter, canned sausages, sweets, chocolate, coffee, cigars and cigarettes. No one knew who had delivered them or how. People had anonymously given amazing help in a situation of mortal danger to themselves. (...)
The community had an old, rickety, three-wheel "Tempo" van. Herr Martin Starke, one of the
most industrious of helpers, transported all the supplies to the Hannöverscher Station
in this van. The Hannoverscher Station was formerly situated south-west of the Hauptbahnhof
(City Railway Station) on the Grasbrook island in the river Elbe, in the port, today Lohseplatz. Incidentally, I later helped to hand over the Community Building to the Gestapo in a "clean and tidy condition" (...)" Both the Jüdische Volksküche (Jewish soup kitchen) and the Gaststätte (restaurant) in the Community Building, both very popular, existed up until the deportations in July 1942, when they were closed. The Jüdische Volksküche (soup kitchen) was previously situated at No. 27 Schäferkampsallee.
Dr. Theodor Tuch, one of Gustav Tuch's sons, refers in his notes to his visits to the
restaurant in the Community Building between December 1941 and March 1942:
7.01.1942: "Today we ate again in the Community Building. (red cabbage and small rolled meats
with much thread). The food was good. There was also a glass of beer. A rare treat. Dr. Tuch noted further visits to the Community Building on 15.01.1942 and 17.03.1942. Finally, the Community Building at No. 9-11 Hartungstraße itself became a deportation assembly building for the deportation transport on 11 July 1942, destination Auschwitz. The evidence that the Jewish Community Building at No. 9-11 Hartungstraße was an assembly building for one deportation transport to Auschwitz originates from Dr. Max Plaut, chairman of the Jüdischen Religionsverband (Jewish Religious Federation), and solely responsible to the Gestapo. There were three deportation transport to Auschwitz, namely on 11.07.1942, on 12.02.1943 and in May 1943.
The deportation transport to Auschwitz on 11.07.1942 was smaller than each of the four deportation
transports in October, November and December 1941, from No. 36 Moorweidenstraße. This latter
assembly building was too large. A smaller building was required, known both to the Gestapo and
to the Jewish community, whose familiar surroundings would be reassuring to the deportees, in view of
the destination of the transport. This was the first deportation transport from Hamburg to Auschwitz
in which the gas Zyklon B was to be tested on them. The destination of the deportation transport
was withheld by the Gestapo so as to cause no alarm. The Community Building at No. 9-11 Hartungstraße
fulfilled all the Gestapo's requirements: On 15.01.1951, in Munich, Dr. Max Plaut swore under oath that 400 Jews had received the "Evakuierungs-Befehle" ("evacuation order" = deportation order) for the deportation transport of 11.07.1942. Officially, the deportation transport departed for an unknown destination, but Gestapo officials had informed him and his colleagues that it was destined for Auschwitz. 22 of those listed for this transport took their own lives, several others (two or three) found other ways to avoid their fate, and an additional small number were able to acquire a postponement. On 10.07.1942, the Gestapo informed the Oberfinanzdirektion Hamburg (Finance Department) that on 11.07.1942, 299 Jews had "ausgewandert" ("emigrated"). There were two lists of names in connection with this deportation transport. The first list comprised 298 names. The second list comprised 276 names, with a supplementary list of 36 names, i.e. a total of 312 names. In contrast Leo Lippmann, former councillor of state in the Finance Department, and, following his dismissal by the Nazis, financial expert on the board of the Jewish community, gives the figure of 295 deportees.
There were noticeably numerous children and youths deported on the transport of 11.07.1942.
At the end of 1942 sales negotiations were pending on the Hartungstraße property and furnishings. There is no record of a sale. A letter from the technical director of the Hamburgische Staatsoper (Opera House) to the Surveyor's Office dated 30.09.1943 informed them that the Senator for Arts Administration had ordered the Thalia Theatre company to transfer to the Kammerspielhaus Theater, at No. 9-11 Hartungstraße, and that the Thalia Theatre was to act as an alternative theatre for the Opera House. This was due to bomb damage. The so-called new Kammerspiele Thalia Theatre was to open on 6.10.1943. The existing technical equipment was to be completely overhauled and partly improved and supplemented for the new opening. The existing cinema equipment was to be removed.
The Kammerspiele Theatre had a seating capacity of 450. Before the end of the war screening of Ufa films took place here. Directly after the war the building was named the "Savoy" by the British Military Government, and functioned as a cabaret, and casino for officers. A memorial plaque has been erected right of the theatre entrance which reads:
GEMEINSCHAFTSHAUS
Das Gebäude wurde 1903-04 nach Plänen
1937 wurde es durch die Architekten
Seit 1945 ist das Gebäude Sitz der
On 10 December 1945 Ida Ehre (1901-1989), daughter of a Jewish chief cantor, who had survived the National
Socialist tyranny by being in a "privileged mixed marriage" with an "Aryan" Hamburg doctor, opened her
Hamburger Kammerspiele theatre with the american dramatist Robert Ardrey's "Leuchtfeuer" (Navigational
Light). Prior to 1933 she had been an ambitious actress who had worked her way up to the roles in the
major theatres
of Berlin. The Nazi acquisition of power in 1933 led to her being prohibited from practising her
profession. In 1943 she was interned in Fuhlsbüttel concentration camp for six weeks. Her husband was
able to gain her release by writing to Himmler who had attended the same school as he.
In her memoirs "Gott hat einen größeren Kopf, mein Kind ..." published in 1985, Ida Ehre, looking back over 40 years of her Hamburger Kammerspiele theatre writes: "Those years were both a continuous joy and (financial) worry for me, but it was no longer necessary to feel fear. Fear was a constant companion during all the barbaric and tyrannical years of National Socialism. I am no heroine, I was always aware that something could happen to me". A notice inside the foyer reads:
"Ida Ehre - ein sehr großer Teil ihres Lebens
Die Leute vom Schauspielhaus spielten "Jedermann"
Das Theaterchen an der Hartungstraße
Beinahe als ob es selbsvertändlich war.
Es gab damals zwei Menschen in Hamburg, die ihren Zeitgenossen Helmut Schmidt, Die Zeit, 4. Oktober 1985 There is also a bust of Ida Ehre in the foyer, with the inscription:
der verehrten Prinzipalin Frau Prof. IDA EHRE Ehrenburgerin der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg 9.7.1900 - 16.2.1989
The commemorative plaque for Ida Ehre below is to be found on the gate post of No. 74 Hallerstraße:
 On 9.7.2000 a square in the city centre between Mönckebergstraße and Steinstraße was named Ida-Ehre-Platz.
Literature: Mueller-Wesemann, Barbara, "Theater als geistiger Widerstand: der Jüdische Kulturbund in Hamburg 1934 - 1941", Stuttgart : M & P, Verlag für Wissienschaft und Forschung, 1997.
German text: Dipl.-Pol. Wilhelm Mosel, Deutsch-Jüdische Gesellschaft, Hamburg.
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