Bosen
General information: First Jewish presence: 17th century; peak Jewish population: 143 in 1849; Jewish population in 1933: 41
Summary:
The history of Jewish Bosen began in the 17th century, when
a Jewish presence was first recorded there. Records from 1769
mention the existence of a prayer room, but we do not know
when it was built. The community established a synagogue
in 1882, a mikveh (unknown date of construction) and an
elementary school in the 1820s. The school was closed down
in 1871 as a result of low enrollment numbers, after which
the community employed a teacher of religion who also
performed the duties of chazzan and shochet. Burials were
conducted in Soetern.
In 1933, 41 Jews lived in Bosen. A charitable society was
active in the community, and seven children studied religion.
On Pogrom Night, the synagogue’s interior was
destroyed. Jewish men were assaulted, and all remaining
Jews (including the women) were forced to desecrate the
synagogue and, later, to clean up the site. The building was
subsequently sold.
In April 1942, 23 Bosen Jews were deported to the East.
At least 23 Jews originally from Bosen perished in the Shoah.
The synagogue is now an apartment house. Two memorial
monuments have been erected in Bosen, one at the former
mikveh site.
Author / Sources: Nurit Borut
Sources: AJ, DGJS, EJL, FJG
Sources: AJ, DGJS, EJL, FJG
Located in: saarland