Hungen

Summary: The Jewish community of Hungen, with which the Jews of Inheiden und Utphe were affiliated, was founded in 1700. Earlier, in 1673, a prayer room was established on today’s Saalgasse (formerly Schloss Strasse).The modern community built a synagogue, at 38 Blitzenstrasse, in 1832; next to the synagogue was a community center whose building housed a mikveh, a classroom and a teacher’s apartment. The cemetery, which had been consecrated in 1530, was enlarged in 1888. In 1933, a chevra kadisha, a women’s association, a youth movement and a branch of the Zionist movement were active in Hungen. The synagogue was desecrated on Pogrom Night; Torah scrolls and ritual objects were thrown onto the street, and furniture was burned in the marketplace. Jewish homes were ransacked that night, and six Jews were sent, together with a Jew from Inheiden, to Dachau, where one died. Nineteen Jews emigrated, 20 relocated within Germany and two passed away in Hungen. In 1942, three Jews from Hungen and 16 from Inheiden were deported to the East (11 to Theresienstadt). At least 36 Hungen Jews and 12 from Inheiden perished during the Shoah. Sold to a private citizen in 1945, the synagogue was converted into a residence, to which a memorial plaque was affixed in 1990. That same year, a memorial was unveiled in the cemetery.

Author / Sources: Heike Zaun Goshen
Sources: AH, AJ, EJL, PK-HNF, YVS22