Osann

Summary: In 1899, when the community’s synagogue—it had been inaugurated at some point during the first half of the 19th century—was deemed unsafe, the Jews of Osann built a new house of worship on Hauptstrasse (later called Bernkasteler Strasse). The community, with which the Jews of Monzel were affiliated, also maintained a mikveh, a cemetery and a school for religious studies whose teacher served as shochet and chazzan. In 1933, 17 Jews lived in Osann and seven in Monzel. Later, on Pogrom Night (November 1938), rioters damaged the synagogue and vandalized Jewish homes. Nine local Jews emigrated; the others relocated in Germany. By May 1939, all Jews had left Osann. At least 16 Osann Jews perished in the Shoah. The synagogue, which had been sold to a private buyer after the pogrom, has since been used as a storage site.

Author / Sources: Heike Zaun Goshen
Sources: AJ, EJL, FGW