Imagine a small house. It stands a little back from the street. This is the Zündorfer Synagogue.
Welcome. Today we will explore the story of this building. It was once the heart of Jewish life in Zündorf.
Jewish people lived in Zündorf since before 1700. Ischar, a Jew from Zündorf, was buried in 1708. He was laid to rest at the Deutz cemetery. Later in 1923 Zündorf established its own cemetery. It had eight graves with six gravestones.
Zündorf became a trading place. Jewish cattle and horse traders came here. Butchers, moneylenders, and craftsmen also settled here. The Gütgasse was once called Judengasse. It shows the history of Jewish life in Zündorf.
The Zündorfer Synagogue community officially started in 1853. It grew out of the Mülheim Synagogue community. But prayers were held in a room since 1713. Andreas Salomon offered space in his house. As the community grew a new building was needed. Construction started in 1880. The synagogue was opened on August 18 1882. On November 5 1883 it became property of the Zündorf Synagogue community. Jews from Heumar, Wahn, and Rösrath belonged to this community.
After the Nazis took power in 1933 the community declined. People left because of emigration and deportation. The community life came to a standstill because they had no income. On November 29 1937 the community offered to sell the synagogue for 800 marks. The buyer had to agree to certain conditions. Windows facing Mr. Salomon’s garden had to be bricked up. Also no livestock stalls were ever allowed there. Before March 28 1938 the synagogue was sold on February 9 1938. It was turned into a house. Architectural details were removed. These details once revealed its original use.
Between 1938 and 1942 the Zündorf Jewish community dissolved. This was due to relocation and deportations.
The Zündorf Synagogue was a brick building. It had two stories and a gable roof. It was 6.7 meters wide and 8.9 meters deep. The floor area was about 59.6 square meters. It was reached by a three-meter-wide path. The path led from the main street past an older building.
In 1938 the synagogue had three large windows and two arched windows. Two windows were changed into living space windows. Another high window was on the northwest corner. This window was bricked up. In 1970 it was unclear if a space in the yard was a ritual bath. It had a cellar ceiling added in 1938.
Today a bronze plaque commemorates the synagogue. It was placed in 2011. The inscription says the Zündorf Synagogue was built in 1882 and sold in 1938.
The Zündorf Synagogue stands as a reminder. It reminds us of a vibrant Jewish community. It also reminds us of a dark period in history.