Mendig
General information: First Jewish presence: 1663, peak Jewish population: 68 in 1910; Jewish population in 1933: approximately 78 (see below)
Summary: The first available record of a Jewish presence in Mendig,
a decree dated 1663, granted Jews the right to access
willow trees from the forest. Local Jews initially conducted
services in a private residence in Niedermendig (Lower
Mendig). Inaugurated in 1886, the community’s synagogue
in Niedermendig served the Jews of both Nieder and
Obermendig (Upper Mendig). Although Mendig Jews were
never able to establish their own school, they did maintain
a cemetery just outside of Niedermendig. Community
members, most of whom were (at least until the 20th century)
strictly observant Jews, attended the synagogue daily, bought
kosher meat in Thuer and educated their children in religion:
local Jewish children were able to study religion at the Jewish
school in nearby Thuer or with private tutors.
In 1933, approximately 39 Jews (13 families) lived in
Niedermendig. The population figure for 1936, which
applies to all of Mendig, is 78.
The synagogue was burned down on Pogrom Night,
after which the ruins were demolished. Most Mendig Jews
emigrated during the following months and years; those
who stayed behind were eventually deported. In late July
1942, Mendig was declared “Judenrein” (cleansed of Jews).
According to Yad Vashem, 25 Mendig Jews were killed in
the Shoah.
Mendig is no longer home to a Jewish community. A
memorial plaque, erected next to the former synagogue
site, commemorates the destroyed community. The defunct
cemetery is now located within a residential area.
Author / Sources: Benjamin Rosendahl
Sources: AJ, LJG, SG-RPS, YV
Sources: AJ, LJG, SG-RPS, YV
Located in: rhineland-palatinate