Rastenburg

Summary: In 1916, the Jewish community of Rastenburg inaugurated a new synagogue on Wilhelmstrasse, replacing its old synagogue on Rollberg (which had been opened 60 years before). The Jews of Barten, Drengfurt, Rhein, Korschen, Langheim and Wilkendorf were affiliated with the community in Rastenburg. In January 1933, a Nazi newspaper accused local Jews of ritual murder. One hundred and seventeen Jews lived in the town in June of that year; 32 schoolchildren received religious instruction from a teacher, who also served as chazzan. Active in the community were a library, a literature club, a chevra kadisha (founded in 1888), a Jewish women’s association and local branches of the Central Association of German Citizens of Jewish Faith and the Reich Federation of Jewish Front Soldiers. By August 1938, only 62 Jews lived in Rastenburg. Although the Jewish community had sold the synagogue building in September of that year, the synagogue was nonetheless set on fire on Pogrom Night (November 1938). Thereafter, Rastenburg’s Jewish population continued to dwindle, and by May 1939, only 29 Jews still lived there. At least 20 Rastenburg Jews perished in the Shoah.

Author / Sources: Heidemarie Wawrzyn
Sources: EJL, FJG, ISW, LJG, YV