Former Jewish Institution for the Blind

Since there were no homes for blind Jews until then and they therefore had no livelihood, Jewish wealthy people founded an institution for the blind at Wrangelstraße 6-7. From 1918, deaf Jews were also able to live in the institution. All lived there voluntarily, sheltered and self-determined.

In 1928 the building was extended by one floor, so that thereafter 50 persons had place there, among them also Betreuer*innen, physicians and a Rabbi. The blind worked in the basement of the house as brush makers or as basket and chair weavers. There was also a prayer room and lessons in Braille. For further instruction they visited the state institution for the blind in Rothenburgerstr.14 (today Blindenhilfswerk Berlin e.V.). There they had access to a library and other activities. Since the state institution for the blind joined the Hitler Youth, the Jewish blind were excluded from all activities and educational opportunities in 1933.

In 1939, the Institute for the Blind was required to join the "Legal Association of Jews in Germany," which meant that it was no longer independent and was under constant control.

Just two years later on November 19,1941, the building was confiscated and the residents moved to Weißensee. From there they were deported and murdered.

The building was destroyed during the war and later rebuilt, but without the classic decorations of the time of construction. Today, "Haus Nazareth" contains a medical practice.