Tour of the new Jewish cemetery: Remembrance and faith in Gelsenkirchen

Searching for traces between memory, prayer, and Jewish burial culture

This tour of the new Jewish cemetery invites participants to a quiet yet educational religious experience. The focus is on death and mourning in Judaism, cemetery culture, and the question of how remembrance, dignity, and community are interconnected in the Jewish tradition. The event is free of charge and takes place in Gelsenkirchen-Ückendorf. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/veranstaltungskalender/94900-fuehrung-ueber-den-neuen-juedischen-friedhof))

A place of remembrance

Since 1927, burials have taken place at the cemetery on Dördelmannshof. The site replaced the Old Jewish Cemetery and borders the municipal South Cemetery. Traditional graves, a memorial for Jewish people murdered during the National Socialism, and later graves of Jewish men and women who migrated from the former Soviet Union make the site a multifaceted place of remembrance. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/veranstaltungskalender/94900-fuehrung-ueber-den-neuen-juedischen-friedhof))

Jewish burial culture explained clearly

The tour conveys valuable information about Jewish burial culture, the Chewra Kaddischa, Hebrew inscriptions, gravestone symbols, and the small stones found on some graves. The mourning hall is also described as a place of farewell with prayer and remembrance. In this way, a respectful access to theology, ritual, and lived spirituality is created. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/veranstaltungskalender/94900-fuehrung-ueber-den-neuen-juedischen-friedhof))

Community that supports

The tour is guided by Ulrich Fehling and Heinz Pfaff from the Society for Christian-Jewish Cooperation in Gelsenkirchen. Participation is free; donations for the Jewish community in Gelsenkirchen are appreciated. Men are required to wear a head covering in the cemetery. Registration is done through the city and tourist information. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/veranstaltungskalender/94900-fuehrung-ueber-den-neuen-juedischen-friedhof))

What visitors can expect

Those who participate in this tour will experience a quiet, informative, and dignified perspective on Jewish cemetery culture in Gelsenkirchen. The event connects historical context, religious knowledge, and a sensitive sense of community. A visit on-site deepens the understanding of memory culture and faith in their concrete, vibrant form. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/veranstaltungskalender/94900-fuehrung-ueber-den-neuen-juedischen-friedhof))

Official channels

• Jewish Community Gelsenkirchen - official website: https://jggelsenkirchen.de/
• City of Gelsenkirchen - event calendar: https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/veranstaltungskalender/94900-fuehrung-ueber-den-neuen-juedischen-friedhof
• Jewish Community Gelsenkirchen - public tours: https://jggelsenkirchen.de/oeffentliche-fuehrung/

Sources:

• City of Gelsenkirchen - event calendar
• Jewish Community Gelsenkirchen - community website
• Jewish Community Gelsenkirchen - New Synagogue
• Jewish Community Gelsenkirchen - public tours