Langendernbach
General information: First Jewish presence: 18th century; peak Jewish population: 70 in 1870; Jewish population in 1933: 35
Summary: By 1870, most local Jews earned their living as cattle traders
and shopkeepers. The Jews of Langendernbach and nearby
Frickhofen formed a joint Jewish community in 1913.
Community members attended synagogue services
in nearby Ellar until 1826 or 1833, when a prayer room
was established in Langendernbach; the local authorities,
however, often forbade Jews from congregating there. Finally,
in 1857, the community managed to purchase a building on
Ackerhohl that was then converted into a synagogue, and
officially opened in 1868. We also know that the community
maintained a mikveh (built in 1913 or 1916) and a school
whose teacher served, at times, as shochet and chazzan. Burials
were conducted in Ellar until 1926, when the community
consecrated a cemetery halfway between Frickhofen and
Langendernbach.
In 1933, 35 Jews still lived in Langendernbach, many of
whom moved to other towns or emigrated from the country
during the years that followed.
On Pogrom Night, SA men attacked local Jews, Jewishowned
properties and the synagogue. Ritual objects from the
synagogue were set on fire, but the building was left intact. Later,
in 1942, the remaining 10 Jews were deported to concentration
camps. At least 26 Langendernbach Jews perished in the Shoah.
The synagogue, which had been remodeled into a residential
building, was pulled down in 1951. The cemetery was restored in
1971, and a memorial commemorates the destroyed community.
Author / Sources: Heike Zaun Goshen
Sources: AH, AJ, EJL
www.kreuz.net/article.5244.html
Sources: AH, AJ, EJL
www.kreuz.net/article.5244.html
Located in: hesse