Grebenstein

Summary: It was not until the 18th century that Jews, under the protection of local nobles, established a permanent presence in Grebenstein; many members of this early community were fur and textile merchants. By the late 19th century, many local Jews had established themselves as shop owners and livestock traders. The Jews of Grebenstein not only maintained a Jewish women’s organization, but were also active in many local non-Jewish associations. The Jewish communities of Holzhausen and Immenhausen were affiliated with the Grebenstein congregation, which itself was affiliated with the congregation in Kassel. Beginning in 1840, services were conducted at the Jewish school (established in 1832 and closed in 1911). Later, in 1894/95, a new Orthodox synagogue was built on the same spot; the synagogue was financed by the sons of Mayer Goldschmidt, a bank owner and former member of the congregation who had moved to Frankfurt am Main. It was during this period, too, that the Rothschild bank established a fund for poor Jewish families in Grebenstein. The community, however, never had a rabbi, and prayer services were presided over by the teacher/chazzan. We also know that the Jewish cemetery on Burgberg was consecrated in 1850, one year after the community purchased the site. Jews began leaving Grebenstein shortly after the Nazis’ election victories. On Pogrom Night, Grebenstein’s remaining Jewish homes and the synagogue were vandalized and looted; the latter was fully destroyed two years later. By September 1939, all Jews had left the town. At least 26 local Jews perished in the Shoah. A memorial was later unveiled at the former synagogue site.

Author / Sources: Swetlana Frank
Sources: AJ, DJGH, EJL, FJG, LJG, SIA, SIH