Bierstadt

Summary: The history of Jewish Bierstadt began in the late 16th century. In 1827, an actual community was founded there, with which the Jews of Dotzheim, Erbenheim, Igstadt and Kloppenheim were affiliated. Bierstadt and its affiliated communities became part of Wiesbaden in 1928, but the community retained its independence. Services were conducted in a prayer room, located in a private house, until 1827, when the newly founded community inaugurated a synagogue on the corner of Rathausstrasse/ Kirchgasse (present-day 5 Poststrasse/ Kirchbornstrasse) seating 48 men and 25 women; the house of worship was renovated in 1927. The community employed a teacher of religion who also performed the duties of chazzan and shochet. Although local Jews were able to maintain their own mikveh, they buried their dead in Wiesbaden. We also know that in 1890, a Jewish cemetery was consecrated in Bierstadt. Forty-eight Jews lived in Bierstadt in 1933. Five schoolchildren studied religion there, and a chevra kadisha was active in the community. Later, on Pogrom Night (November 1938), the synagogue’s interior was destroyed, after which the building was used as a warehouse. At least 23 Bierstadt Jews perished in the Shoah. The synagogue building was demolished in 1971. In 1980, a memorial plaque was affixed to a nearby building; another memorial commemorates the destroyed cemetery.

Author / Sources: Nurit Borut
Sources: AJ, EJL, PK-HNF