Unterriedenberg

General information: First Jewish presence: 18th century; peak Jewish population: 84 in 1867 (28.2% of the total population); Jewish population in 1933: 32
Summary: In 1752, the Jewish community of Unterriedenberg built a synagogue at 2 Ringweg. Local Jews maintained their own mikveh (renovated in 1909) and employed a teacher of religion who also performed the duties of shochet and chazzan. After 1911, prior to which the Jews of Unterriedenberg had used the cemetery in Pfaffenhausen, burials were conducted in Geroda. In 1933, 32 Jews lived in Unterriedenberg; two Jewish children received religious instruction that year. By March 1938, the community could no longer assemble a minyan. Accordingly, its remaining Jews conducted joint services with the Jews of neighboring Dittlofsroda. On Pogrom Night (November 1938), the interiors of the synagogue, school and mikveh were destroyed. SA troops also broke windows in Jewish homes, vandalized personal property, threw out utensils and furniture and seized money from local Jews. Seven Unterriedenberg Jews emigrated and 26 relocated within Germany. The village’s remaining Jews left for Frankfurt in December 1938. At least 22 died in the Shoah. The former synagogue was demolished after 1945, and a residential building was eventually built on its site.
Author / Sources: Heike Zaun Goshen
Sources: AH, AJ, EJL, PK BAV
Located in: bavaria