Aurich, Germany

Aurich, Hanover, Germany Jews settled in Aurich in 1635, their number growing from nine families in 1645 to 219 Jews in 1824 and 406 in 1885. The community established a synagogue (1810), a school, and a cemetery (1764). A rabbi was employed until 1826. The community's religious orientation was Orthodox. In 1848, a Jew was elected a member of the city council. When the Nazis came to power in 1933, there were 398 Jews in Aurich. Boycott measures were directed especially against the 50 (of a total 58) cattle traders and butchers who were falsely accused of fraud and cruelty to animals. On Kristallnacht (9-10 November 1938), the synagogue was burned down, Jewish men were rounded up and maltreated, and 40-50 men were detained for several weeks in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. In early 1940, there were about 155 Jews in Aurich. They fled to the bigger towns upon hearing about plans for their evacuation. In March 1940, there were 20 Jews and they also left Aurich before long. About 150 local Jews managed to emigrate, about 160 perished. Many who had fled to Holland were rounded up again when the Nazis occupied the country.