Five years after the attack: Halle remembers the victims on Humboldtstrasse

Five years after the attack: Halle remembers the victims on Humboldtstrasse

Five years have passed since the terrible attack on the synagogue in Halle. Anett Oertel, who lives right next to the church on Humboldtstrasse, notices a certain familiarity with the place: “I don’t think about it all the time in everyday life,” she explains. The feeling of threat that was associated with the brutal attack at the time appears to have faded, even if the memories are fading.

On October 9, 2019, an armed attacker attempted to break into the synagogue during the highest Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur, in order to murder the assembled believers. Only a wooden door prevented the intended massacre, while the assassin shot a passerby, 40-year-old Jana Lange, on the sidewalk in front of the synagogue.

The lasting memories

The brutal images of the attack are still deeply etched in the minds of some residents. A 43-year-old who lives opposite the synagogue describes his experience: “Of course these images are burned in.” He himself saw the attacker through the window and the murder of Jana Lange. This is a memory that is not easily forgotten.

Another resident, who was filming with his cell phone at the time and handed the footage over to the police, reports that the feeling of security on the street is maintained by the constant police deployment. On the opposite side of the street, a permanently occupied container that is intended to ensure safety takes up a lot of space. But we also hear that the noise caused by the police bothers some residents.

A new normal

Life on Humboldtstrasse has changed, but many residents report that they are getting used to it. “I still enjoy living here and feel safe,” says a 39-year-old. For some, however, what happened remains omnipresent; Flowers are laid on the anniversary to commemorate the late Jana Lange and the victims of the attack.

At the same time, some residents are dissatisfied with the security precautions that will come into force again on the anniversary. “I'm annoyed by the closures,” explains a business owner who will be closing her business that day without expecting any compensation. Traffic will be affected by additional measures in the area, which is a source of frustration for many.

Reminiscing, an 87-year-old pensioner says that he didn't notice anything on the day of the attack, but was very affected by the discussions about the crime that followed. “It's bad that the woman died,” he says, finding the loss of Jana Lange particularly tragic. For him, the attack remains a part of the reality of his life that will accompany him as long as he lives near the synagogue.