GORINCHEM – A mikveh has been discovered in Gorcum under the foundations of the old synagogue at Kwekelstraat 14. This happened during archaeological research into the synagogue that was demolished in 1958. “It is a typical Dutch mikveh made of yellow IJssel clay bricks, with steps of red Waal stone and a floor of red tiles,” says Ruth de Jong of the Dijksynagogue Foundation in Gorcum.
Ruth de Jong kneeling in the mikveh
The still completely intact ritual bath is located in a construction pit. At this location, the Blijenhoek project is being realized on behalf of ING Vastgoed and, as part of a shopping arcade, a shop is being built with apartments above it, designed by architect Abel Cahen.
In mid-February, the archaeological investigation at this location began, led by city archivist René van Dijk, Martin Veen of the city archaeological working group and archaeologist Pieter Floore. When a well was found in the synagogue complex, the local press already wrote that this was a ritual bath. That was not true, but nevertheless, some time later, a mikveh measuring one and a half by two metres was found that was in use until 1912.
Ruth de Jong was touched by the discovery. “I found it touching. When the mikveh had just been uncovered, Floore said: “Give me your camera, I'll take a picture of you in the mikveh”. I hesitated. My husband and I are more or less the only practicing Jews in Gorcum. A mikveh is not a place you just walk into. But I also found it a privilege. I took off my shoes and stepped into the cold rainwater with my bare feet.”
Architect Cahen is also moved. “The mikveh is not a spectacular sight. It is only special for Jews like me, who attach sentimental value to it.” Cahen wants the ritual bath to remain in the ground and not be damaged. “We know what happened in the war, including to the Jews of Gorcum. I think it is the most respectful thing for the mikveh to remain there. We are not going to drive a pile through it.”
The Stichting Dijksynagoge wants the municipality of Gorcum, project developer ING Vastgoed and Cahen to preserve this last piece of Jewish Gorcum. De Jong: “The municipality now has the chance to make up for the fact that the synagogue was demolished at the time.”
Before the war, the demolished synagogue served about a hundred parishioners. When there were hardly any Jews living in Gorcum in the 1950s, the Dutch Israelite Church sold the building. De Jong says that the civil community then demolished it under the leadership of the urban renewal mayor Ridder van Rappart. “The mayor thought that the medieval city center had to make way for high-rise and new construction. To impress the Germans, to show that the Germans had not defeated Gorcum.”
Some people propose to put a glass plate over the mikveh, so that it remains visible from the street. De Jong does not think that is a good idea. "Then cars will drive over it and dogs will pee on it. That is not possible. Then just fill it with sand again and leave it alone." Others suggest moving the mikveh to the synagogue in Sliedrecht.
Architect Cahen thinks it would be appropriate if a memorial plaque were placed on the facade of the shop to be built, stating that the Gorcum synagogue once stood on this spot. He has presented this idea to an official. Cahen also thinks that the mikveh should remain where it is: “I think it would be appropriate if it were filled up again. As a kind of funeral ritual, as far as you can say that about stones.”
Shirley Haasnoot
New Israelite Weekly magazine
March 3, 2000