Hoerstein

Summary: Hoerstein’s Jewish community was founded in the mid-18th century. Local Jews conducted services in an 18th-century prayer room until 1820, when the community established a synagogue (renovated in 1909). Other communal institutions included a mikveh, a Jewish elementary school and a cemetery, the last of which was consecrated in 1812 and enlarged in 1848. In 1933, eight pupils attended the elementary school. A chevra kadisha and a charitable association were still active in the community that year. The synagogue was desecrated in 1936—the windows were smashed twice that year—and again in 1937. Three local Jews were severely beaten by SS men in August 1938, not long after which, on the eve of the Jewish New year (September 26), stones were hurled at and into the synagogue; the authorities ordered all Jews to leave Hoerstein that day. A few days later, on the eve of the Jewish Sabbath, windows in nearly all Jewish homes were broken, as were, the following day, those in the synagogue. The Jewish school was closed on November 1, 1938, by which point most Hoerstein Jews had fled. Unable to conduct services at the synagogue, the remaining Jews congregated in a private residence. On Pogrom Night, rioters damaged the synagogue, school and mikveh buildings, destroying the interiors, furniture and ritual objects. The synagogue and school buildings were later confiscated by the municipal authorities. Forty-four local Jews emigrated and 46 relocated within Germany. Hoerstein’s last Jew left in April 1940. At least 58 Hoerstein Jews perished in the Shoah. The synagogue building was demolished in 1982.

Author / Sources: Yaakov Borut
Sources: AJ, EJL, PK-BAV