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Schalke unveils plaque for Holocaust victims

Published: January 30, 2013 Comment on this article

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) — Schalke has unveiled a plaque outside its stadium with a ceremony to commemorate nine Jewish members and supporters who perished in the Holocaust.

photo - Schalke's player Christoph Metzelder listens to a prayer at a new memorial plaque at the stadium of Bundesliga soccer club FC Schalke 04, dedicated to the forgotten Jewish club members who were persecuted and murdered during the holocaust, Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2012. Schalke was the most successful club in Nazi Germany and won the championship 6 times between 1934 and 1942. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Schalke's player Christoph Metzelder listens to a prayer at a new memorial plaque at the stadium of Bundesliga soccer club FC Schalke 04, dedicated to the forgotten Jewish club members who were persecuted and murdered during the holocaust, Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2012. Schalke was the most successful club in Nazi Germany and won the championship 6 times between 1934 and 1942. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

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Israeli singer Yael Izkovich opened the ceremony on Wednesday, 80 years to the day since Adolf Hitler assumed power in Germany.

Before around 200 guests, Schalke financial director Peter Peters said "it is our obligation to keep the memories alive. Schalke did not protect its Jewish members, sponsors, officials and athletes during the time of National Socialism."

The ceremony was also attended by Schalke general manager Horst Heldt, coach Jens Keller, players Benedikt Hoewedes, Julian Draxler and Christoph Metzelder.

It was concluded by Rabbi Chaim Kornblum with a memorial prayer for the murdered Jews of Europe and a hymn of mourning.