Amber is a gemstone formed from the fossilization of certain tree resins in the earth’s crust. It is considered one of the most unique and rare gemstones, and most of the world’s amber sources are in the Baltic Sea region. The historical center of the amber industry developed in the city of Königsberg, which was under the rule of Germany.
Among the key figures in this history, Moritz Baker stands out, a wealthy and respected businessman in the local Jewish community. Baker developed the amber industry, and spread it throughout the world. In the documents that remain from that period, we can see his high position in the central synagogue of Königsberg, where he was one of the city’s prominent layleaders. He also greatly helped his Jewish brethren, by giving them jobs with favorable conditions.
A later period is associated with the name of another Jew, Ernst Liss, who managed the large amber factory during the Soviet era in the city of Yantarny (German: Palmenniken) on the Baltic coast of the Kaliningrad region, which replaced the name Königsberg. During his time, the factory became central in Russia and even won international recognition in prestigious exhibitions and awards. The amber products produced there became a symbol of quality and an integral part of Russian culture.
The Amber Museum in Kaliningrad, which houses the world’s largest state exhibition on the subject of amber, is housed in the “Dohna” fortress, which was built about 175 years ago as part of the Königsberg fortification system. The fortress, named after the Prussian Field Marshal Friedrich Karl Dohna, became a memorial site and cultural center dedicated to amber after the war. Its displays feature a spectacular collection of stones of various weights, colors, and translucencies, centered around the “Sunstone” – the largest block of amber in Russia, weighing 4 kilograms and 280 grams. It’s no wonder that the place attracts crowds of tourists and visitors.
This week, the sound of the shofar was heard for the first time within the fortress walls. A new exhibition opened there, featuring rare photographs and documents from archives, museums and family collections, alongside unique antique amber products. The opening event was attended by vaious government representatives, as well as descendants of Ernst Liss, the legendary Jewish director of the amber factory, the head of the Kaliningrad community, Mr. Eliezer Yermiyahu Flitman, and the director of the Jewish Museum in Kaliningrad, Mrs. Sarah Miriam Oisvoit, thanks to whose cooperation this event was held out of respect for the Jewish people and their heritage.
Of special note was the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s emissary in Kaliningrad, Rabbi Avraham Baruch Deutsch, who was invited to give his greetings and blessings at the event. He spoke about the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashana and the meaning behind this special day. Quoting from a letter sent by the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar, he explained about the shofar, and the blessings that it brings down into the world.
At the end of the speech, the audience stood in great awe as Rabbi Deutsch blew the shofar. In doing so, the attendees expressed great appreciation for the work of the city’s Jewish community on behalf of all its residents and the many visitors who visit Kaliningrad throughout the year.
Photo: Amber Museum spokeswoman
