The Jews of Königsberg at the turn of the 20th century
A heart for orphans - The establishment of orphanages
Orphanages
There were two Jewish orphanages in the city. The “Kosch Orphanage” moved into a new building in 1904 at the Luisenallee 3, (today ul. Komsomolskaja 3). The “Israeli Orphanage” moved into a new building in 1905 directly next to the synagogue. The unsalaried city councillor Samuel Magnus was from 1899 until 1908 the chairperson of the board of directors of the Jewish congregation. It was during this period that he became actively involved in the new construction. His business partner and brother, Alexander Magnus, was the treasurer of the orphanage for over 20 years. All the members of the extended Magnus family were involved in the “Association for the Orphanage”. The construction of the “Israeli Orphanage” was made possible through contributions of numerous citizens as well as through major contributions from the banking family Simon and the joint heirs of Moritz Becker. Women who were active members of the community served as the ladies-in-waiting for the furniture and decor of the orphanages.
68. Kosch Orphanage
69. The leader of the “Kosch Orphanage” Recha Löwy (1883–1942)
67. Israeli Orphanage
65. The family of the tea merchant Alexander Magnus
66. Zerline and Samuel Magnus 1905
Director's Cut
Both buildings of the Jewish orphanages in Königsberg survived the war and the post-war period and can be seen today in Kaliningrad.
The “Israeli Orphanage” in the years 1999 and 2017
The “Dr. Koschs Waisenerziehungs-Anstalt zu Königsberg i. Pr.” was in this building until it was sold in 1921, after that it always served as a school building until today. The inscription Johanna-Ambrosius-Schule can still be seen today.
