Roth bei Nuremberg
General information: First Jewish presence: 1414; peak Jewish population: 200 in 1837; Jewish population in 1933: 19
Summary: Although the earliest record of a Jewish presence in Roth
bei Nuremberg is dated 1414, Jews may have lived there in
the 14th century. The Jewish community established its first
prayer room (possibly a synagogue) in the 17th century; and
in 1737, a synagogue was built on the Judengasse, or “Jews’
alley,” (present-day 44 Kugelbuehlstrasse). Burials were
conducted in Baiersdorf and, later, in Georgensgmuend.
The Jews of Roth maintained a mikveh and a community
center, the latter of which housed a Jewish elementary and
school for religious studies. In 1924, the teacher/shochet from
nearby Thalmaessing traveled regularly to Roth to instruct
children in religion.
By December 1935, as a result of rabid anti-Semitism and
boycotts of Jewish businesses in which local schoolchildren
participated by putting up posters, all Jews had left Roth
The town was then declared Judenfrei (“free of Jews”), after
which the synagogue’s interior was ransacked. At least nine
Roth Jews perished in the Shoah.
During the years 1945 to 1948, approximately 16 Shoah
survivors lived in Roth. The synagogue was converted into an
office building after 1945 and, later, used as a youth center.
A model of the former synagogue, created by the Schloss
Cronheim therapy center, is on display at the municipal
museum.
Author / Sources: Esther Sarah Evans
Sources: AJ, EJL, PK-BAV
Sources: AJ, EJL, PK-BAV
Located in: bavaria