Memmingen

Summary: The Jewish community of Memmingen, officially founded in 1875, established a synagogue in a rented house in 1873, soon after which, in 1879, it was moved to a larger property. Other communal institutions included a Jewish cemetery (1875), a mikveh (1875) and a new synagogue (1909), the last of which seated 200 worshipers. Twenty-seven schoolchildren studied religion in Memmingen in 1933. On Pogrom Night, explosives were used to demolish the synagogue. Jewish homes and businesses were destroyed, a Jewish woman was beaten and 18 Jews were arrested, some of whom were deported to Dachau. The violence continued for six days, after which the community was billed for the damage. In 1941, the remaining 40 Jews were forcibly moved into two apartments. Sixty-seven Jews emigrated and 37 relocated within Germany. In 1942, most of the remaining Jews were deported, via Fellheim, to the Milbertshofen camp. Later that year, 22 local Jews were deported to Piaski; another 12, at least, were deported to Theresienstadt. The last three Jews, all of whom were married to Christians, were deported to Theresienstadt in February 1945. At least 88 Memmingen Jews perished in the Shoah. The cemetery was later restored. We also know that the premises of an electrical company now occupy the former synagogue site, and that a memorial plaque and stone were, respectively, affixed to and unveiled near the building.

Author / Sources: Esther Sarah Evans
Sources: AJ, EJL, PK BAV