Sondershausen

Summary: Although records indicate that Jews lived in Sondershausen during the 14th and 15th centuries, the town’s modern Jewish community traced its roots to the late 17th century. The community maintained a prayer hall, a mikveh and a school. In 1825, a synagogue was built at 6 Bebrastrasse. The cemetery, consecrated on Pollengasse in 1699, was in use until 1938/39. Moritz Schoenlank served as chazzan, teacher and shochet from 1864 until 1910. Sixty-seven Jews lived in Sondershausen in 1933, with most managing to emigrate before World War II. A Jewish women’s association and a humanitarian society conducted welfare work that year; 14 Jewish schoolchildren received religious instruction. The synagogue was destroyed on Pogrom Night. Later, in 1943/44, the town’s few remaining Jews were deported to Theresienstadt and Riga. At least 19 local Jews perished in the Shoah. The synagogue ruins were torn down in 1960, and a commemorative plaque was later affixed to the shopping mall built on the site. A memorial stone was erected at the Jewish cemetery in 1988; the cemetery was desecrated in 1990, in 1997 and again in 2003.

Author / Sources: Heidemarie Wawrzyn
Sources: DJKT, EJL, FJG, YV, AJ
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