Maybe I should escape to the “Shul” (synagogue), to Papagoyenstrasse 9, the street with the bumpy pavement, push open the heavy brown door and let it slam shut behind me, to cross the long square hall, very slowly, because the large rectangular tiles with the light brown motifs are very slippery, and one could easily loose one’s footing.
It is not generally customary for synagogues to enclose entrance-halls that stretch out to such a length, however here is a tale – so we were told:
 
For thousands of years and up to the present day, the Kohanim (members of the priestly class who are descendants of Aaron, the High Priest, brother of Moses) are obligated to follow special purity precepts, amongst which is the prohibition to come into contact with the dead. For this reason they cannot participate in funerals, and may only assist with the burial of their nearest relatives. Nevertheless, the duty of paying respect to the dead is regarded as an act of most dignified selflessness, since the deceased cannot reciprocate this kindness. Thus on the request of the Kohanim, the entrance-hall of the synagogue was to serve as a joiner’s workshop, where coffins were made, thereby enabling the priests to participate in the funeral preparations and pay the deceased their last respect. All this is true indeed, even though I had never observed the joinery. Being a girl I only went to Shul on Shabbat and Holidays, days on which no work was carried out …