Bueckeburg

Summary: In 1913, when the community recorded its peak membership figure, most Bueckeburg Jews were cattle traders, merchants and moneylenders; later, some local Jews entered the banking sector. Bueckeburg was home to a Jewish girls’ boarding school. The earliest available record of the Am Harrel cemetery is dated 1793. Religious services were conducted in prayer rooms until the end of the 18th century, when a synagogue was established on Lange Strasse; in 1866, a new synagogue was built on Bahnhofstrasse. Bueckeburg’s Jewish school, established in the late 17th century, was presided over by a teacher who, at times, performed the duties of chazzan and shochet. We also know that the community maintained a choir, a chevra kadisha, a Jewish women’s association and, beginning in 1934, a youth movement. Although Jews were not heavily involved in local politics and social life, the records do tell us that one served on the fire brigade. As a result of dwindling membership numbers, the community was disbanded in 1931. Later, on Pogrom Night, Jewish-owned business and homes were vandalized, the synagogue’s interior was set on fire and destroyed (the structure survived the blaze) and two Jewish men were deported to Buchenwald. In 1939, the remaining Jews were forcibly moved into a few designated houses, including the synagogue. Twenty Bueckeburg Jews emigrated. In 1941 and 1942, most of the remaining Jews were sent to concentration camps; the last were deported in 1944 and 1945. At least 37 Bueckeburg Jews died in the Shoah. In 1997, a memorial plaque was unveiled at the former synagogue, which as of this writing was being used by a Christian congregation.

Author / Sources: Heike Zaun Goshen
Sources: AH, HU, JG NB1, SIA