Windsheim, Germany

Jews are first mentioned in 1274, living in a special quarter. In the Rindfleisch massacres of 1298, 55 were murdered. In the Black Death persecutions of 1348-49 the community was destroyed. The reestablished community was accorded a letter of protection by King Sigismund in 1416 but expelled at the end of the century. The modern community was officially founded in 1877 when 12 Jewish families were present. In 1933 it numbered 58 Jews (total 3,900). Twenty-two remained in November 1938. After the synagogue was partially burned on “Kristallnacht” (9 - 10 Nov. 1938), all left, 13 immediately and the rest by January 1939.