Nenzenheim

Summary: The Jewish community of Nenzenheim conducted services in a prayer hall until 1895, when a synagogue was dedicated at 4 Krassolzheimer Strasse. The community maintained its own school and mikveh, but buried its dead in Huettenheim. In 1933, two schoolchildren studied religion in Nenzenheim. A branch of a Zionist organization was active in the community. On Pogrom Night, Nenzenheim’s synagogue was set on fire; the flames consumed the building’s interior, the ritual objects and the Torah scrolls. All Jews were imprisoned until evening time in a community-owned building. During the Nazi period, eight Nenzenheim Jews immigrated to the United States, five immigrated to Palestine and 12 relocated in Germany. Of the four who remained in the village, two were deported to Izbica (via Wuerzburg) in April 1942; and two were deported to Auschwitz (via Fuerth) in June 1943. At least eight Jewish residents of Nenzenheim perished in the Shoah. The synagogue building was later converted into a residence. As it was not possible to affix a memorial plaque to the building, one was affixed to the gate tower of the local church.

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