Laudenbach am Main

Summary: Laudenbach’s Jewish cemetery (consecrated in 1600 or before, and expanded many times over the years) was the second largest in Lower Franconia. The community established a synagogue in 1736, another synagogue, on Bandwoerthstrasse, in 1794 (renovated in 1836) and a mikveh, school and matzo bakery. In 1865/66, the cemetery was desecrated during a pogrom. This pogrom was followed by more anti-Jewish riots in June 1866. In 1933, several Jewish associations were active in Laudenbach, including a branch of the Zionist movement. In September 1938 (during the Sudeten Crisis), local youths broke windows in the synagogue and in ten Jewish homes. One Jewish man was wounded. On Pogrom Night, furniture and ritual objects in the synagogue were smashed or burned. Jewish homes were severely damaged. Twenty-one Laudenbach Jews emigrated, 40 relocated within Germany and 11 were deported to Izbica (via Wuerzburg) in April 1942. Laudenbach’s last two Jews were deported to Theresienstadt (also via Wuerzburg) in September 1942. At least 24 Laudenbach Jews perished in the Shoah. After the pogrom, the synagogue building was used as a storehouse and workshop. In 1947, American soldiers ordered the villagers to restore the cemetery. A memorial plaque was affixed to the former synagogue; the original inscription near the entrance survived the war.ordered the villagers to restore the cemetery. A memorial plaque was affixed to the former synagogue; the original inscription near the entrance survived the war.

Author / Sources: Heike Zaun Goshen
Sources: AH, AJ, PK BAV
www.laudenbach-main.de