Koethen, Germany

KOETHEN Anhalt, Germany. The first evidence of a modern Jewish settlement with live families dates from 1620-21. In 1777, when there were 22 Jewish families living in Koethen, an officially recognized community was set up. There was a cemetery and in 1802 a synagogue was dedicated. With a population of 270 individuals in 1884, the community established a new cemetery in 1885 and a new and larger synagogue in 1891. By 1933, the Jewish population numbered 156 individuals. On Kristallnacht 9-10 November 1938), the synagogue was burned down and the two cemeteries were desecrated. By 1939, there were only 56 Jews in Koethen. Those who failed to emigrate were deported in May 1942 to Poland or in December 1942 to the Theresienstadt ghetto. Six Jews managed to survive in Koethen, probably protected by marriage to non-Jews.