Jüdischer Friedhof, Jewish cemetery in Kempen, Germany
The Jüdischer Friedhof is a burial ground with 94 gravestones dating from 1845 to 1944 situated on roughly 2,100 square meters (22,600 square feet) near the Kamperlings settlement. The graves reveal how stone design and burial practices evolved across more than a century.
The burial ground was established in 1809 after the Jewish community regained permission to settle in Kempen during the French occupation period. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for Jewish life in the city following a long period of exclusion.
The older gravestones display Hebrew inscriptions on the front, while some feature German text on the back. These stones reflect how the community balanced their religious identity with their place in local society.
The cemetery is not open for unrestricted access and requires prior permission from Kempen's municipal parks department. Visitors should contact the local authorities beforehand to arrange a visit.
In 2007, Max Mendel, the only Jewish resident of Kempen to survive the Nazi period, was buried in this cemetery. His interment links the site's long history to survival and remembrance.
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