Gustorf-Gindorf

Summary: Although records suggest that a Jewish presence was established in Gustorf-Gindorf as early as 1575, they are silent about the ensuing two centuries; it was not until 1721, in fact, that there is another mention of the Jews of Gustorf- Gindorf. The Jewish population experienced moderate growth during the 18th century. At no point, however, did local Jews establish an autonomous community, choosing, instead, to be affiliated with the nearby Grevenbroich community, an arrangement that lasted from 1848 to, at the latest, 1938. Gustorf-Gindorf ’s first synagogue, built in 1829, was destroyed in 1834 (as a result of the pogroms in nearby Neuenhoven). A new synagogue was built at another location and inaugurated in 1837. The synagogue was destroyed in 1938, but we know nothing about what was done with the property during the following years. As of this writing, a memorial has never been erected on the site.

Author / Sources: Moshe Finkel
Sources: EJL, LJG, SG-NRW, SIA