A journey of 22 years

Idea und Vision

In 1998, the idea of a 'Peace Monument for Germany' began to take shape in Thomas Zieringer's mind. His vision extended beyond a mere memorial: he aimed to create spaces where people could meet honestly and freely based on shared values. For Zieringer, 'learning from the past' meant focusing on peace and human dignity.

The project was intended to be secular, without any claim to salvation. Instead, it was to serve as art on a human level, to inspire, encourage, and demonstrate the path to inner liberation. A 'Threshold of Humility' was envisioned to surround the monument, based on the Socratic wisdom that knowing one's own ignorance paves the way to deeper self-knowledge and the understanding of a higher reality. More on this… (Spirituality)

Zieringer conceived the Friedensmal as a 'Journey into Peace,' dedicated to life. He saw the affirmation of life and the awareness of inner sanctity as prerequisites for addressing future challenges. Believing that a culture expresses itself through its monuments - which in turn shape the culture - he deemed it essential to provide space for such a peace monument alongside the existing memorials in Germany. In 1999, he published these thoughts in his book 'The Vision of a New Humanity' (Jahn & Ernst Publishing).

Implementation and Challenges

In 2001, he founded the association Friedensmal Wendepunkt e.V. to gather support for the idea and to obtain building permission. After attempts in Berlin and Fulda failed due to lack of interest and excessive fears, a suitable site was found in 2005 in Bensheim-Hochstädten, South Hesse. The city of Bensheim was open to the unusual idea. Yet, from political groundwork and project planning to the granting of the building permit at the end of 2009, several more years passed. Construction began in 2010 and lasted for five years, overcoming numerous difficulties, particularly due to the project's private nature. However, there were also positive surprises and support, such as the encounter with the Goldfarb couple in Israel, highlighted by a feature on the front page of the Jerusalem Post on March 22, 2013.

Inauguration and Significance

On September 27, 2015, the inauguration of the Jerusalem Friedensmal took place in Germany with a school class from the Bensheim Goethe Gymnasium and a class from its partner school in Haifa, Israel. The patron was Mrs. Batsheva Dagan from Israel. - The Jerusalem Friedensmal was realized purely through civic engagement and personal funds. Art must be free! This is also meant to encourage people to live their freedom and bring their noble dreams to life.

Becoming a Foundation

The journey towards the foundation began on December 3, 2012, when Linde Weiland, then the second chairperson of the association Friedensmal Wendepunkt e.V. and former chairperson of the Jewish community in Fulda, proposed transforming the association into a foundation upon completion of the Friedensmal. She saw the legal form of a foundation as more suitable for continuing the work with the Peace Monument. Implementing this suggestion turned out to be a lengthy process. On December 10, 2020, the foundation was finally established with the assets of Margret, Karl, and Thomas Zieringer. The recognition as a charitable foundation Stiftung Friedensmal was granted on January 28, 2021, by the Regional Council Darmstadt.

The path to the foundation went through the Friedensmal Wendepunkt Association (statutes). The association was founded on 27 September 2001. On June 14, 2021, the association was dissolved by an unanimous decision of the general meeting and incorporated into the Friedensmal Foundation. Until its dissolution, the association had 38 members who accompanied the development of the Peace Memorial with goodwill and commitment. Most of the former members of the association have become members of the Circle of Friends of the Friedensmal Foundation.