Oberglogau

Summary: The medieval Jewish community of Oberglogau (present-day Poland) was destroyed during the Black Death pogroms of 1348/49. Although records do not tell us when Jews returned to Oberglogau, we do know that, in 1560, the Holy Roman Emperor, Ferdinand I, expelled a Jewish settlement from the town. It was not until the 19th century that a new Jewish community was established there. That community built a wooden house of worship in 1812. In 1864, the prospering congregation built a synagogue in grand style, with a tower at each of its four corners and a dome. Thirty years later, the community—Oberglogau Jews were inclined towards Reform Judaism—built a community center adjacent to the synagogue. Owing to a clause in the League of Nations agreement on minority rights, which prevailed in Silesia, Oberglogau Jews were spared the Nazis’ excesses until 1937. On Pogrom Night, however, the synagogue was set on fire, Jewish-owned homes and businesses were vandalized and many Jews were arrested. In November 1942, the six remaining Jews were deported. Although the synagogue building was set on fire in Pogrom Night, the walls survived the blaze. The building served as a warehouse and, later, as a market hall.

Author / Sources: Harold Slutzkin
Sources: EJL, LJG