Schaafheim

General information: First Jewish presence: 16th century; peak Jewish population: 94 in 1871; Jewish population in 1933: 14
Summary: The Jewish community of Schaafheim, founded in the 18th century, established a prayer hall (located in a private home) in or around the year 1800 and a synagogue (at 3 Spitzengasse) in 1841. The community employed a teacher of religion until the end of the 19th century, after which Jewish children studied religion with the Babenhausen teacher. Burials were conducted in Babenhausen, but the Jews of Schaafheim maintained their own mikveh. In 1933, only three children studied religion in Schaafheim. That year, a local Jew was sent to Buchenwald, where he died. The synagogue’s interior was destroyed on Pogrom Night, as was the home of Schaafheim’s remaining Jewish family. In nearby Schlierbach, two Jewish homes were damaged and two men (a father and son) were sent to Buchenwald. Eleven Schaafheim Jews emigrated (nine went to the United States) and others relocated within Germany. By September 1941, all Jews had left Schaafheim. At least nine perished in the Shoah. The synagogue was forcibly sold to a local resident in 1939, after which it was turned into a stable. The building was demolished in 1953 and a memorial plaque was later unveiled at the site. In 1998, a memorial plaque was affixed to the wall of a local church.
Author / Sources: Heidemarie Wawrzyn
Sources: AH, AJ, DJGH, EJL, PK-HNF, SIA
www.evkircheschaafheim.de
Located in: hesse