Memmingen, Germany

MEMMINGEN, Swabia, Germany. Jews are first mentioned in the second half of the 13th century. The community was destroyed in the Black Death persecutions of 1348/49 when the Jews were burned alive. Jews returned later in the century but by the end of the 15th century, none remained. Only with the Bavarian annexation of 1802 were restrictions lifted on the presence of Jews for purposes of trade and only in 1862 was permanent residence permitted. Jews contributed significantly to the economic development of the city, opening factories (knitted goods, aluminum, cheese) and dominating the horse and cattle trade. The Jewish population grew to 203 (total 9,600) in 1890. In 1933, 161 Jews remained. In 1933-38, 47 Jews left, 25 of them emigrating. On Kristallnacht (9-10 Nov. 1938), the synagogue was wrecked with the participation of local schoolchildren and 23 Jewish homes were destroyed. A number of Jews were also sent to the Dachau concentration camp. In summer 1940, the remaining Jews were ghettoized in five houses (later reduced to two apartments). Another 57 left in 1939-41, with 42 emigrating from Germany. The community was liquidated in 1942: 22 Jews were deported to Piaski (Poland) on 3 April after being held at the Milbertshofen camp near Munich and at least 12 others were sent to the Theresienstadt ghetto. By 1947, 125 Jews, mostly concentration camp survivors, had gathered in the city; most emigrated soon after.