Treitschkestraße becomes Betty-Katz-Straße: a historical change!

Treitschkestraße becomes Betty-Katz-Straße: a historical change!

Berlin, Deutschland - On June 6, 2025, the renaming of the Treitschkestraße in Betty-Katz-Straße was decided, an important step in the urban memory and memorial culture in Berlin. This decision, which was published in the Official Journal of Berlin, will be effective from October 1, 2025. The residents of the new Betty-Katz-Straße will initially find a double signage for six months, whereby the old name "Treitschkestraße" will be cut through red. After this deadline, the signage of the old street is completely removed, as berlin.de reported.

The Treitschkestraße was named after the historian Heinrich von Treitschke, who is considered pioneers of political and cultural anti -Semitism. Treitschke, who lived from 1834 to 1896, is known for his anti -Semitic statements such as "The Jews are our misfortune". Despite his friendly relationships with Jewish personalities, including the merchant Alphons Oppenheim, his legacy remains strongly shaped by anti -Semitism. This renaming is not only a historical step, but also a clear message of anti -Semitism in today's society.

memory of Betty Katz

The new namesake, Betty Katz, was an important figure in the city's Jewish life. She was born in Poznan in 1872 and was the director of the Jewish blind home in Wrangelstrasse. Katz, which was deported to Theresienstadt in 1942, died there on June 6, 1944, 81 years ago. Her story is that of a teacher and mother who suffered during the National Socialist persecution. Her son fell in the First World War, while the other emigrated to the United States. Katz and the 15 residents of the home have no graving space where their descendants can commemorate their memory, apart from a stumbling block in Berlin, such as the Jewish general

The decision to rename is also the result of an extensive procedure. In September 2022, the district assembly decided to change the street name, and at the end of November 2022, the groups of Greens, SPD and FDP voted in the cultural committee. At that time, the CDU refused to cooperate. The proposal for renaming was below 55 submissions that named various historical personalities as alternatives.

social relevance

The renaming of the Treitschkestraße in Betty-Katz-Straße also has a deeper social importance. Cultural committee chairman Katharina Concu (FDP) and other politicians emphasized the importance of this decision with regard to values ​​such as respect and tolerance. Anti -Semitism, which has a long and stressful story in Germany, is evident in various forms, including in modern society. The debate about dealing with names and monuments is a step to promote the culture of memory and to raise awareness of historical injustices, such as the Federal Center for Political Education

residents of the new Betty-Katz-Straße have the option of making free changes to their personal documents and vehicle certificates in the citizens' office after the renaming. A corresponding information letter is distributed to the residents after Whit Monday.