Krefeld, Germany

First mention of a Jew receiving residence rights dates from 1617. Others followed in small numbers, earning their living as butchers and small-scale moneylenders. In the late 18th century, 10-11 Jewish families were present, expanding into the horse and cattle trade and bettering their economic circumstances. Isaak Meyer Fuld, a relative of Heinrich Heine, operated the mint in Krefeld and became the wealthiest member of the community. A synagogue was erected in 1764. Under French rule, Jews from smaller settlements settled in Krefeld and the Jewish population grew to 196 in 1812. Three Jewish family banks, including Fuld's, became prominent, gaining control of local credit, while the new settlers, comprising over half the total, generally eked out a living in petty trade and peddling. In 1809, Krefeld became capital of a district consistory embracing 20 communities and 5,484 Jews. Under Napoleon's "Infamous Decree" (1808) and later under Prussian rule, the Jews lost their control of credit facilities. However, they entered new commercial and industrial fields, becoming prominent as manufacturers and merchants of silk. The economic development of the city continued to attract Jews throughout the 19th century, their population rising to 1,085 in 1871 and a peak of 2,000 (total 107,245) in 1895. A Jew was first elected to the municipal council in 1846 with others following. At the same time, antisemitic groups also became vocal. Under Prussian community reorganization law, Krefeld was reduced to a center for three attached communities in 1854 (Anrath, Uerdingen, Fischeln). Reform tendencies were reflected in the new synagogue charter of 1876, which aroused Orthodox opposition in the community. A Jewish elementary school was opened in 1840, reaching an enrollment of 140 in 1865 and 200 at the turn of the century. Over half the Jews at the time (about 350) were independent merchants (most owning stores) and 150 were salaried workers. Fifteen Jewish doctors and ten Jewish lawyers (total 47 in 1930-34) practiced in the city. Moritz Beterthal was one of the most substantial grain merchants in western Germany. Eighty East European Jews maintained an Orthodox prayer house and the Jewish school was now attended by 70 children with another 65 public school children. Antisemitic incidents, such as the desecration of the cemetery, the smashing of the synagogue windows, and the throwing of tear gas bombs at Jewish department stores, became rampant in the late Weimar period (1927-32). In June 1933, there were 1,481 Jews in Krefeld. Economic boycott, extortion, and harassment caused 585 Jews to leave the city up to 1938, 300 emigrating directly abroad. Many arrived from the provincial towns, so that the Jewish population maintained its 1933 level. On the initiative of Kurt Alexander, a leading Central Union (C.V.) activist and from 1936 chairman of the community, a branch of the Jewish Cultural Association (Juedischer Kulturbund) opened in Krefeld (300 members in 1937). Needy members of the community received assistance from Jewish Winter Aid and from traditional welfare organizations. On Kristallnacht (9-10 November 1938), the synagogue was burned and Jewish homes and stores were vandalized. About 50 Jewish men were sent to the Dachau concentration camp. In May 1939, 800 Jews still remained. Deportations commenced in late 1941: 50 were deported to the Lodz ghetto on 26 October: 144 to the Riga ghetto on 11 December 149; directly to the death camps on 22 April and 15 June 1942; and 223 to the Theresienstadt ghetto on 25 July. The postwar Jewish community reached a population of 111 in 1964, when a community center and synagogue were opened.