Wehen
General information: First Jewish presence: Middle Ages; peak Jewish population: 43 in 1871 (4% of the total population); Jewish population in 1933: 19
Summary: The modern Jewish community of Wehen developed in the
18th century, during which period several local Jews were
baptized. By 1871, most Wehen Jews were cattle traders
(some were farmers).
The community maintained a synagogue, a mikveh and
a school, the last of which was presided over by a teacher
who also served as chazzan and shochet. The synagogue on
Weiherstrasse, which replaced a prayer room, was built in
or around the year 1800; the two-story building seated 24
men and 16 women. Wehen’s Jewish cemetery (located near
the road to Orlen and Halberg) may have been consecrated
as early as the 14th century, but the oldest extant tombstone
is dated 1694.
In 1933, 19 Jews still lived in Wehen, many of whom,
spurred on by the deteriorating political situation, emigrated
from or relocated within Germany.
On Pogrom Night, non-local SA men plundered and
destroyed the synagogue’s interior. In 1941, the remaining
Jews were deported to concentration camps; and in 1943, a
Jewish woman who was married to a Christian committed
suicide. At least 16 Wehen Jews perished in the Shoah.
A commemorative plaque was unveiled at a local castle
in 1983. Today, the town organizes an annual tour of the
Jewish cemetery.
Author / Sources: Heike Zaun Goshen
Sources: AH, AJ, EJL
www.uni-marburg.de/
www.a-h-b.de
Sources: AH, AJ, EJL
www.uni-marburg.de/
www.a-h-b.de
Located in: hesse