Osnabrueck, Germany

OSNABRÜCK, Hanover, Germany Jews settled in the late Middle Ages. From 1431 until the early 19th century, there were no Jews in Osnabrück. Jewish settlement was renewed under French rule, with the Jews receiving equal rights in 1808. In 1810, eight Jewish families were living in the town. The position of the Jews was subsequently undermined in the Kingdom of Hanover when old discriminatory measures were invoked, causing the community to stagnate at a population level of 30-50 until the annexation to Prussia in 1866 and the general emancipation in 1871. The Jewish population then grew from 138 in the latter year to a peak of 480 (total 59,580) in 1905. Jews played a leading economic role in the city. Emancipation opened the door to the city’s professional, social and cultural life but at the same time saw the rise of anti-Semitic forces. In religious affairs, the community had no rabbi of its own and remained under the jurisdiction of Emden. In 1906, a synagogue was completed. The local Jewish school had a peak enrollment of 40 children in 1901. The Relief Organization of German Jews (Hilfsverein), the Central Union (C.V.) and the Zionists were active in Osnabrück, though the latter only became influential in the Nazi era. In the Weimar period, Jews were also active in public life, sitting in the municipal assembly. In 1933, the Jewish population maintained a stable level of 403. In the general boycott of 1 April, over 40 Jewish stores were affected as well as Jewish doctors and lawyers. Anti-Jewish legislation led to the subsequent dismissal of Jews from public service. By 1938, 200 Jews had left the city, and 427 by 1943. Of these, 238 emigrated. The remaining 189 moved to other cities in Germany. On Kristallnacht (9-10 November 1938), 17 or 18 Jewish businesses were still operating in the city. On 9 November 1938, SA troops carried out mass arrests and burned down the synagogue. About 80-90 Jews were sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp. In May 1939, the remaining Jews were moved to “Jewish houses” and placed under a regime of forced labor. The remaining Jews were deported to the Riga ghetto, Theresienstadt and Auschwitz-Birkenau. In all, 134 Jews perished in the Holocaust. A Jewish community of 69 was present in 1969, when the new synagogue was consecrated.