Bork

Summary: The exact origins of Bork’s Jewish community are vague, but it is assumed that Jews first settled there in 1801. A town registry from 1818 lists a synagogue at 10 Hauptstrasse that maintained a school and a cemetery, and we also know that Bork was home to a Jewish elementary school from 1821 until 1899. Although the synagogue was plundered on Pogrom Night, it was not set on fire; the structure, in fact, remained intact and did not suffer much damage. In late 1938, the municipality officially acquired the building and leased it out to different tenants during the subsequent years. The city of Bork commenced the restoration of the synagogue building in 1991. Construction workers discovered a small geniza, a hiding place, which contained various old books. Today, the restored synagogue serves as a memorial and is used by several organizations. The books found in the geniza are now on display.

Author / Sources: Moshe Finkel
Sources: LJG, SG-NRW, SIA