Geilenkirchen was home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the Aachen region before World War II. Immediately after the Night of Broken Glass (Reichskristallnacht), these families were expelled from the city. The initiative dedicated to Jewish history aims to preserve the memory of the Jews of Geilenkirchen for future generations. In recent months and years, committed citizens of Geilenkirchen have been working to document this chapter of history.

Three projects have been approved for funding by the city of Geilenkirchen's model project "PROMOTING TOLERANCE – STRENGTHENING COMPETENCE":

1. A poster column project by the Geilenkirchen Secondary School.
2. A "Book of Remembrance" project in connection with a "Route of Remembrance" for the expelled and murdered Jewish citizens of Geilenkirchen.
3. Two "Interactive City Maps" on: Jewish Life in Geilenkirchen and Victims of the Nazi Regime in our city – Geilenkirchen around 1930 / Geilenkirchen today.

In April 2013, the placement of "Stolpersteine" (stumbling stones) began. These stones are laid in front of houses where Jewish families lived and worked in Geilenkirchen before World War II.

On the website, you will find information about initiatives and projects aimed at keeping the memory of the victims of the National Socialist regime alive in the city of Geilenkirchen and promoting democracy and tolerance in our city.

For more information, visit Initiative "Erinnern".