Gruenstadt

First Jewish population: 16th century; peak Jewish population: 473 in 1848; Jewish population in 1933: 123

The modern-day Jewish community of Gruenstadt traced its history back to 1700. Community membership increased steadily during the next 150 years, so that, by 1825, 421 Jews lived in Gruenstadt (10% of the total population); and in 1850, the town was home to just under 500 Jews. The synagogue, a Baroque-style building with a women’s gallery, was established at some point between 1780 and 1790. Although records suggest that the community was quite prosperous by the late 19th century, it was unable to raise funds for the construction of a new synagogue, choosing instead to renovate the existing structure. Local Jews also maintained a cemetery (consecrated in the early 18th century) and a school, the latter of which was attended by 64 children in 1834. The Jewish population declined markedly after the Nazis’ election victories. The boycott of Jewish businesses was enacted early on, windows in Jewish-owned stores were smashed and several businesses were “aryanized.” In Gruenstadt, signs with “Jews Not Wanted Here” sprang up everywhere. On Pogrom Night, by which point the majority of Jews had left town, the synagogue’s interior was destroyed; it was not torched, however, for the building was located next to several other structures. Records indicate that the building later housed a business firm. In 1940, only two Jews lived in Gruenstadt. Approximately 29 local Jews were deported to the East. On November 9, 1988, exactly 50 years after Pogrom Night, a memorial plaque was unveiled at the former synagogue site.

Fred Gottlieb

Copyright: Pogrom Night 1938 - A Memorial to the Destroyed Synagogues of Germany/ Germansynagogues.com

---