Affaltrach

Summary: The synagogue of Affaltrach after World War II. Courtesy of: Historical Society of the Former Synagogue of Affaltrach. The first available record of a Jewish presence in Affaltrach is dated 1588. A community was established there in the 17th century, as was a cemetery (1670). Jews from Eschenau conducted services in Affaltrach’s 18th-century prayer room, which by 1824 included a women’s balcony. The prayer room was closed for safety reasons in 1844, after which (in 1851) it was replaced by a synagogue, which also housed a mikveh and a classroom. The Jews of nearby Eschenau frequented the new synagogue from 1900 onwards as members of the Affaltrach Eschenau community. Two prominent Affaltrach Jews were August Thalheimer and his sister Bertha, both of whom were was murdered during the Nazis’ euthanasia program. Six local Jews were eventually deported to the East, and at least 12 perished in the Shoah. After the war, the synagogue was used as a storage site. Both synagogue and mikveh were later restored and converted into a museum.

Author / Sources: Yehoshua Ahrens
Sources: AJ, EJL, PK BW, WK