Chemnitz Secondary School

As Chairman of the Democratic Bloc in Chemnitz, Siegbert Fechenbach ensured that the city administration supported the Jewish Community’s new beginning. As early as the autumn of 1945, the city made a classroom available to the community within the Municipal Realgymnasium. Regular religious services were now possible once again.

In 1945, community members observed Rosh Hashanah—the New Year festival—for the first time in the auditorium. To facilitate this, Fechenbach procured specific ritual objects from Berlin and served as both prayer leader and speaker. That winter, Hanukkah—the Festival of Lights—was celebrated in a different room.

A commemorative plaque designed by Karl Clauss Dietel has served as a reminder of this era since June 2016.