Halle an der Saale, Germany

The first clear evidence of Jews living in the town dates only from the second half of the 12th century. They earned their living in the salt and wine trade, and from money lending in the 14th cent. They lived in a Jews village (Judendorf) within the city walls and maintained a synagogue and a mikve. A cemetery outside the city is mentioned only in 1401, but probably existed before 1350. In the 15th century, the community had a rabbinical court (beth din) and a yesh-iva. The Jews suffered from several persecutions, particularly those associated with the Black Death (1348- 49). In 1493 they were expelled, together with all the Jews in the archbishopric of Magdeburg. In 1688, the Jews were again allowed to settle in Halle and soon established a synagogue. In the years 1724-1800, 60 Jewish students were granted a doctorate, among them, lssachar Falkenson Behr in 1772, the first Jewish poet writing in German. In the 18th century, the Jewish population was 70 in 1700 and 85 in 1805. By 1864, the number of Jews had increased to 443, reaching 1,397 (0.7% of the total) in 1910. In 1869, a cemetery was consecrated and in 1870 a synagogue. An organ installed in 1901 indicated the Liberal orientation of the community. The community also maintained a religious school and numerous social organizations. In 1927, another synagogue with a community center was consecrated, and in 1929 an additional cemetery. When the Nazis came to power in 1933 there were still about 1,300 Jews living in Halle. They operated 217 stores and businesses, as well as six banks, three inns, and one publishing house. Boycott of these institutions began prior to the official boycott day of 1 April 1933. On the day of the boycott proper, there were mass demonstrations. At least six Jewish professors and 41 Jews employed in the public services were dismissed. Thirteen lawyers were no longer allowed to practice. In June 1933, the Jewish population was 1,086. The influence of the Zionists within the community strengthened, and in 1936 they won four out of ten seats in the community council. On Kristallnacht (9-10 November 1938), the synagogue, including the community center, was burned down. Of the 150 men who were arrested, 124 were taken to the Buchenwald and Sachsenhausen concentration camps, at least one man dying at the end of 1938 as a result of his detention. In all, 584 Jews from Halle managed to emigrate. From October 1939 onwards, the remaining Jews were compelled to perform forced labor. Between 1940- 42, 17 Jews committed suicide. By 1942, the Jews were concentrated in seven "Jew houses." From there, 262 people were deported to the east; only 43 survived. In July 1944 there were still 92 Jews in Halle, most probably protected by marriage to non-Jews. In 1947, a new community was established with 50 members, consecrating a synagogue in 1953. The dwindling numbers rose in the 1990s because of the influx of Jews from the former Soviet Union.