Official mourning notice by the Jewish communities of Germany upon the news of the death of “Reich President” Paul von Hindenburg. August 3, 1934 – one day after his death. Rare
At the top of the notice, in the name of the Jewish community leadership, it was written: “In the early morning hours of August 2, the first soldier of the World War, Reich President Field Marshal von Hindenburg, passed away. A figure of historic stature and great historical significance has been taken from the German people by his death.
Together with all segments of the German people, we, the Jews of Germany, mourn this great and irreplaceable loss. Reich President von Hindenburg served the German homeland in fateful times, in war and in peace. His life was one of personal devotion to his people and his country; his historic achievements will remain forever unforgettable. In reverent sorrow, in deep humility, the German people, together with the world, stand by the bedside of the Reich President and Field Marshal.
We, too, the Jews of Germany, join the circle of those deeply shaken by grief.” The Jewish Community Leadership”.
In the center, under the heading: “We hereby publish the condolence message of the Reich Representation of German Jews and the letters of condolence sent by the leadership of the Jewish Community of Berlin, ” it is noted that the Berlin Jewish Community will hold three memorial ceremonies next Sunday, August 12, at 10:30 in the morning. In the condolence messages from the Reich Representation of the Jews of Germany, it was written: “In order to express the deep sentiments of the Jews of Germany, the Reich Representation sent the following telegram to the office of the Reich President: ‘In deep and profound sorrow over the passing of the Reich President, esteemed by the Jews of Germany… Hindenburg stood before the world as a man whose personality gave reality to the concept of courageous duty, as a great man with accumulated life experience, as a man who always saw the common good, who always kept his gaze upon the homeland that encompassed all, as an historic figure. His image will remain with the Jews forever.'” Reich Representation of German Jews. Berlin, August 3, 1934.
Also in the notice issued by the President of the Berlin Jewish Community under the Nazi regime, Heinrich Stahl (who struggled desperately to defend the Jewish community of Berlin under Nazi rule. He was deported to Theresienstadt in 1942 and, about a month before his death, became Deputy Chairman of the camp’s Judenrat under the leadership of Jakob Edelstein. He died in the ghetto on November 4, 1942): “The death of the Reich President, Field Marshal von Hindenburg, has cast the Berlin Jewish Community into deep mourning.
The Reich President, now resting in paradise, stood unwaveringly at the head of the Reich, after having defended it against overwhelming enemy forces in the greatest war of all time. In him, fervent patriotism was combined with integrity and purity of purpose, and with the will to ensure the well-being of all citizens of the Reich. For the entire German people, he embodied the unity and strength of the Reich. The deep loyalty shown by Field Marshal von Hindenburg to the German people was repaid by the entire nation with love and devotion. The death of the Reich President, von Hindenburg, is a grievous loss that affects the entire German people and every individual within it.
On behalf of the Berlin Jewish Community, we extend our sincere condolences to you, esteemed Colonel, and to your family.”
Berlin, August 3, 1934.
During the Weimar Republic period, and throughout the presidency of Paul von Hindenburg (1925–1934), the Jewish community in Germany received legal and equal treatment from the state, despite the growing trend of antisemitism among the public. Hindenburg, a senior general from the First World War and a conservative statesman, was regarded by many—including Jews—as a stable leader and a symbol of the historical Germany that had not yet fallen into extremism. Many members of the Jewish community, who saw themselves as fully patriotic Germans, expressed appreciation for Hindenburg as one who upheld constitutional order and prevented the full takeover by radical forces, foremost among them the Nazi Party. Even after the appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor in January 1933, Hindenburg remained as Reich President—a position seen as a symbolic and legal barrier against the concentration of power in Hitler’s hands. With Hindenburg’s death in August 1934, a decisive historical turning point occurred: Hitler merged the roles of President and Chancellor, assumed the title of “Führer, ” and became an unlimited totalitarian ruler. This marked the end of the Jewish community’s hope for the preservation of their rights within the state framework. From that point on, Jews in Germany faced systematic persecution by the regime, without any official or institutional body to protect them.
Rare. Does not appear in any known bibliographic listing.
Size: 37×26 cm. Fold mark. Very good condition.
