Tübingen, a picturesque German university town, grapples with a dichotomous past. Once a bastion of Nazi ideology, where the university boasted of its “Jew-free” status and SS officers trained, it is now a hub of reconciliation and remembrance. This transformation is embodied by the TOS Church, a congregation actively confronting the town’s dark history through initiatives like the March of Life, which unites descendants of Nazis, Christians, and Jews in a global stand against antisemitism. This commitment to atonement extends beyond mere acknowledgement; the church visibly displays its support for Israel, even incorporating Jewish traditions into its practices, creating a powerful symbol of change and hope. This active engagement with the past seeks not just to acknowledge the horrors of the Holocaust, but to learn from them and prevent their recurrence.
The TOS Church’s commitment to reconciliation is multifaceted. Its “Museum of Guilt” unflinchingly displays images of local Nazis juxtaposed with photographs of mass graves, starkly reminding visitors of the atrocities committed. Beyond the museum’s walls, the congregation embraces Jewish traditions, singing Hebrew songs, building sukkahs during Sukkot, and lighting menorahs during Hanukkah. These acts of solidarity and cultural exchange foster understanding and emphasize the shared roots of Christianity and Judaism. This active engagement with Jewish culture transforms the act of remembering from a passive observation to an active participation, strengthening the bonds between the two communities.
The church’s dedication to remembering the Holocaust extends to its theatrical productions. The musical, “A Ship Makes History,” tells the story of a Holocaust survivor and the Exodus, providing a platform to educate children about the Holocaust in an accessible and engaging way. By focusing on the resilience and enduring spirit of the Jewish people, the play offers a message of hope amidst tragedy. This focus on resilience serves not only as a testament to the strength of the human spirit but also as an inspiration for future generations to actively combat injustice and prejudice.
The turning point for Tübingen’s reckoning with its past came in 2003 when many church members discovered the Nazi affiliations of their own family members. This revelation spurred a powerful wave of repentance and a desire for healing within the community. The discovery of eight concentration camps in the vicinity of Tübingen, coupled with the unearthing of death march routes, further exposed the town’s complicity in the Holocaust. This realization prompted the organization of prayer marches involving descendants of both Holocaust survivors and Nazis, marking a significant step toward collective healing and reconciliation.
The March of Life, born from this local initiative, has grown into a global movement spanning over 20 countries. Participants, including Holocaust survivors and descendants of Nazis, visit concentration camp sites and mass graves across Europe, fostering remembrance and reconciliation. The movement’s expansion to the United States as the March of Remembrance further amplifies its message of combating antisemitism and learning from the lessons of the Holocaust. By confronting the past directly, these marches aim to break the cycle of hatred and promote a future of tolerance and understanding.
The TOS Church continues its commitment to Holocaust remembrance by honoring survivors and sharing their stories. The upcoming visit of Irene Shashar, a Warsaw Ghetto survivor, offers a powerful testament to the enduring human spirit. Her story of survival, thanks to her mother’s ingenuity and courage, and her unwavering declaration of defiance against Hitler’s genocidal aims, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of speaking out against injustice and never forgetting the horrors of the Holocaust. The church’s dedication to providing a platform for survivors like Shashar ensures that their voices are heard and their experiences continue to inspire future generations.
