Hochstadt

Summary: The Jewish community of Hochstadt, established in the 18th century and affiliated with the community in Hanau, initially conducted services in a prayer room. In or around 1850, a synagogue—with 55 seats for men, 53 for women— was erected at 43 Hauptstrasse, next door to which was the mikveh. Later, in 1868, a Jewish school was built in front of the synagogue. The community maintained its own cemetery on Brunnenstrasse until 1850, at which point local Jews commenced to bury the dead in Hanau. In 1933, five children studied religion with a teacher who also served as chazzan and shochet. A Jewish welfare association, founded in 1879 or in 1889, was active in the community. On Pogrom Night, local SA troops damaged the synagogue’s interior and vandalized a Jewish home. In 1940, the synagogue was sold to the local municipality. Several local Jews emigrated or moved to Frankfurt am Main and to other German cities. By 1939, only five Jews lived in Hochstadt, all of whom were deported in 1942. At least 22 Hochstadt perished in the Shoah. According to records, one Jew returned to Hochstadt after the war. Memorial “stumbling blocks” were later unveiled on Ritterstrasse.

Author / Sources: Heidemarie Wawrzyn
Sources: AJ, DJGH, SIA
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