Crailsheim, Germany

Jews are first mentioned as victims of the Black Death persecutions of 1348-49 and from 1540 were subjected to severe disabilities until their presumed expulsion in 1560. Jewish settlement was renewed in the late 16th century, and grew rapidly in the 19th century, from 85 in 1808 to 325 (total 6,101) in 1910, thereafter declining in the face of emigration. Jews were publicly active in the Weimar Republic and maintained a lively social and cultural life within the community. In 1933, 160 Jewish businesses remained. The Jews were soon isolated socially and economically, with Jewish stores boycotted and Jewish workers fired. On “Kristallnacht” (9-10 November 1938), the windows of the synagogue were smashed and ritual objects impounded. About 100 Jews were able to emigrate and 29 perished after expulsion to the east in late 1941 and 1942; 26 died locally. The synagogue was destroyed in an Allied bombardment in 1945.