Grottkau, Germany

GROTTKAU (Polish Grodkow) Upper Silesia, Germany, today Poland. Jews probably arrived in the Middle Ages but a permanent settlement is only known from the early 19th century. In 1830, the Jewish population was 16, rising to 87 in 1861. Its religious needs were met by the Neisse community. The Jews of Grottkau only opened a cemetery in 1833. After WW1, a prayer house was set up in a rented apartment and Jewish educational facilities were also maintained. In 1924, the Jewish population was 50, dropping to 40 in 1933. With the Jews of Grottkau protected by the League of Nations' minority rights convention, Nazi racial laws were not applied until 16 July 1937. Only four Jews remained in November 1942. Presumably the rest either emigrated or perished following deportation.