Sennfeld

General information: First Jewish presence: 17th century; peak Jewish population: 124 in 1895; Jewish population in 1933: 56
Summary: In 1836, the Jews of Sennfeld replaced their 18th-century synagogue with a new synagogue, mikveh, schoolroom and teacher’s apartment on Hauptstrasse; a new mikveh was built in 1869 (it was closed in 1920). Jewish children were instructed by teachers, who also served as ritual slaughterers and cantors; Nathaniel Wolf held this position for 31 years (1876-1907). Burials were conducted in Boedigheim until 1882, when the community established its own cemetery. In 1933, seven Jewish schoolchildren studied religion in Sennfeld. A charity association, a branch of the Central Association of German Citizens of Jewish Faith and a Zionist pioneer farm (1936-1939) were active in Sennfeld. The synagogue’s interior was destroyed on Pogrom Night. Ritual objects were set on fire, and Jewish property was attacked. Jews, including trainees at the Zionist farm, were assaulted. Thirty Sennfeld Jews emigrated, 80 relocated within Germany, ten died in Sennfeld and 21 were deported to Gurs on October 22, 1940; a Jewish woman who was married to a Christian was deported to Theresienstadt in 1944. At least 28 Sennfeld Jews perished in the Shoah. In 1940, the synagogue was sold to the municipality. A plaque was unveiled there in 1991, and the site is now a museum and memorial. The two ritual baths were restored in 1992.
Author / Sources: Heike Zaun Goshen
Sources: AH, AJ, EJL, HU, PK BW
Located in: bavaria