After several attempts at clearing and reclamation, we are now ready to start designing our community garden. On October 5 and 6, after removing the bushes, volunteers from the community and outside will also remove the remaining roots, clean the concrete surfaces and take the first steps to turn the wasteland into a landscaped place to linger.
The first goal: to set up the leaf hut for Sukkot in nature. Practical work will also be carried out in the garden step by step to make it usable for the community and other residents. This includes a wood store for firewood, compost and raised beds for vegetables and berry bushes. All members of the community are invited to contribute their ideas for the exact design of the garden.
The design sketch by Jakob Lindenthal shows an idea in which a semicircle with a small stage and fire pit is created next to the area for the sukkah on the concreted former platform. The semicircle overlaps with the edge of the platform and is a reminder of the history of the site, which abruptly cut many threads of the lives of Dresden's Jews. But the overlapping of the forms also stands for the victory over the attempted annihilation, as new forms override the old. There are flowerbeds and benches facing the street. The design is laid out in such a way that the area is open and inviting, but at the same time creates sheltered spaces for reading, reflection or conversation. The sunniest spots on a less fertile piece of ground right next to the community center will be used for raised beds where delicious tomatoes and other vegetables can grow in the summer.
Fortunately, according to clarifications with the city of Dresden, the entire site does not pose any risk of contamination. Loose groups of trees provide shade and ensure that the garden can become a place to linger during the summer, even in times of climate change. Jakob Lindenthal's design is just one of many possible design options and all members of the community are invited to take part in the design. This can be done directly on site on October 3, 5 and 6, as blank plans of the garden will be available for you to draw in yourself and discuss with other members of the community.
All in all, we will continue to try to achieve as much as possible with as few resources as possible so that the garden becomes a place of life and community for the congregation and the district. The work is being coordinated by Annette Büchner and Jakob Lindenthal. Our special thanks go to the community builder Sebastian Niegel and the helpers who have created the fallow land with the excavator and by hand, which we can now cultivate.
In addition to the gardening days and the design consultation, ideas, suggestions and criticism can also be sent to jakob@besht.de at any time.
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