Heddernheim

Summary: During the early 1840s, the Jewish community of Heddernheim was the largest in the Nassau duchy. Heddernheim was incorporated into Frankfurt in 1910, but the community retained its independence. In 1760, local Jews replaced an old synagogue, possibly built the 16th century, with a new synagogue at 33 Alt-Heddernheim (renovated in 1923); in front of the synagogue stood a community center whose building housed a schoolroom and an apartment for a teacher, who also served as chazzan and shochet. The Jews of Heddernheim maintained a mikveh and a 14th-century (1376) cemetery; after the old cemetery was filled to capacity, burials were conducted in the cemeteries of the affiliated communities of Niederursel and Roedelheim. In 1840, a new cemetery was consecrated in Heddernheim, after which, in 1843, the old cemetery was sold. By 1928, synagogue services were held only on the High Holidays. The synagogue’s interior was destroyed on Pogrom Night; Jewish-owned businesses and homes were vandalized. Heddernheim’s remaining Jews were moved into designated “Jews’ houses,” from which they were deported between 1941 and 1943. At least 12 Heddernheim Jews perished in the Shoah. A memorial plaque was later unveiled at the former synagogue site (demolished in 1943). The cemetery, damaged by bombs during the war, was renovated in the 1960s.

Author / Sources: Nurit Borut
Sources: AJ, EJL, PK-HNF