Schwetzingen
General information: First Jewish presence: 1698; peak Jewish population: 119 in 1980; Jewish population in 1933: 79
Summary: This community conducted services in prayer rooms until
1864, when a synagogue was built in Schwetzingen. In 1898,
in response to growing population numbers, the community
moved its prayer facilities to the local castle at Zeyherstrasse.
The castle was used as a field hospital during World War
I; therefore, from 1914 to 1917, prayers were conducted
at a restaurant and in a factory. The community employed
teachers of religion who also served as cantors and ritual
slaughterers. We also know that, in 1893, a Jewish cemetery
was opened in Schwetzingen.
Fourteen Jewish children studied religion in Schwetzingen
in 1933. Several Jewish associations and branches of nationwide
organizations were active in the town.
The prayer hall was seized by the Nazis in March 1933,
after which prayers were conducted in private residences.
Later, on Pogrom Night, November 1938, the prayer room
was demolished, homes were attacked, the teacher was beaten
and men were sent to Dachau.
Thirty-four local Jews emigrated, 53 relocated within
Germany, four died in Schwetzingen and five were deported
to Gurs on October 22, 1940. At least 23 Schwetzingen Jews
perished in the Shoah.
In 1978, a memorial stone was placed opposite the castle;
a plaque was also affixed to the last prayer room used by the
community (at Heidelberger Strasse).
Author / Sources: Heike Zaun Goshen
Sources: AH, AJ, EJL, HU, PK BW
Sources: AH, AJ, EJL, HU, PK BW
Located in: baden-wuerttemberg