Medebach
General information: First Jewish presence: 16th century; peak Jewish population: 59 in 1861; Jewish population in 1933: 32
Summary: The earliest available record of a Jewish resident in Medebach
is dated 1568. A Jewish community was established there
in the late 17th century. Local Jews attended services in a
prayer room at 15 Oesterstrasse until 1844, when the
building was destroyed in a neighborhood fire. A synagogue
was inaugurated on Oberstrasse in 1854/55 and renovated
in 1927. Other communal institutions included a mikveh
(located in a private residence) and a Jewish cemetery on
Glindfelder Weg, the latter of which was consecrated in
1808.
In 1933, anti-Jewish measures were enacted in Medebach;
Jewish-owned shops were boycotted, and Jews were excluded
from local associations. Later, in October 1938, the Jewish
community was forced to sell its synagogue.
On the evening of November 10, 1938 (Pogrom Night),
Nazis destroyed the synagogue, but not before members of
the SA had stolen its ritual objects; local Jews were attacked,
their homes and goods damaged. On November 28, Jewish
residents were asked to emigrate.
By 1939, all Jews had left Medebach; many of them
managed to leave the country. According to Yad Vashem, at
least four Medebach Jews perished in the Shoah. A plaque
and a memorial were unveiled in Medebach in 1988 and in
2008, respectively.
Author / Sources: Heidemarie Wawrzyn
Sources: EJL, HU, SG-NRW, SGWL, SIA, YV
www.medebach.de/bildung/stg/117160100000001387.php
Sources: EJL, HU, SG-NRW, SGWL, SIA, YV
www.medebach.de/bildung/stg/117160100000001387.php
Located in: north-rhine-westphalia