Grossen-Buseck

Summary: Records from 1739 mention that a prayer room existed in Grossen-Buseck on the Judengasse (“Jews’ Alley”). In 1846, the community inaugurated a synagogue on 10 Am Anger; the building housed a mikveh and a schoolroom, and was renovated in 1885 with a donation from Baron Rothschild. Grossen-Buseck’s Jewish elementary school operated between 1844 and 1860, after which the community employed a teacher of religion who also served as shochet and chazzan. From the early 20th century onwards, however, no teacher was employed in the town, and the children studied with the teacher from Hoch-Weisel. The Jewish cemetery, located on the road to Alten Buseck in 1750, was purchased in 1920. In 1933, a Jewish charity organization was active in Grossen-Buseck. The synagogue’s interior was destroyed on Pogrom Night. Torah scrolls and ritual objects were burned, and Jews were locked up in the council building while their houses and businesses were ransacked. The men were beaten, marched through the streets and later sent to Buchenwald, where one was murdered. Thirteen local Jews emigrated and others relocated within Germany. Grossen-Buseck’s last Jewish family left in October 1939. At least 19 Grossen-Buseck Jews perished in the Shoah. The former synagogue, owned by the municipality since 1945, was converted into a residential building. In 1983, a memorial stone was placed in the front yard.

Author / Sources: Heike Zaun Goshen
Sources: AH, AJ, EJL, PK-HNF
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