Hanau in Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany — Central Europe
Zum Gedenken an die Jüdischen Gemeinde Hanau
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In memory of the Jewish Community of Hanau II
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 3, 2025
1. In memory of the Jewish Community of Hanau II Marker
Im Mai 1938 wurden die Eingänge der Synagoge in einer gezielten antisemitischen „Aktion“ zugemauert.
In den Mittagsstunden des 10. November 1938 entweihten Hanauer Nazifunktionäre und ihre Helfer die Synagoge, demolierten die Inneneinrichtung und setzten das Gebäude in Brand. Die Synagoge wurde bis auf die Außenmauern zerstört. Mehrere hundert Schaulustige waren anwesend. Anschließend richtete sich die Zerstörungswut gegen den Jüdischen Friedhof in der Mühltorstraße, der durch das Niederbrennen der Leichenhalle und das Umstürzen von Grabsteinen geschändet wurde. Während des Novemberpogroms wurden jüdische Familien in ihren Wohnungen überfallen und misshandelt. Lehrer Sulzbacher aus der Nürnberger Straße 3 starb an seinen Verletzungen. Zahlreiche jüdische Männer wurden verhaftet und für mehrere Wochen in das Konzentrationslager Buchenwald bei Weimar verschleppt. Auch zahlreiche Geschäfte jüdischer Inhaber wurden zerstört.
Ab
this page online
Jüdische Familien wurden ab etwa 1940 in „Ghettohäusern“ in der Nürnberger Straße 3, in der Langstraße 53 und in der Marktstraße 28 zusammengepfercht.
Von dort aus wurden 29 Personen am 30. Mai 1942 und weitere 21 am 5. September 1942 vom Hanauer Hauptbahnhof aus gewaltsam verschleppt. Auch nach Frankfurt Verzogene wurden 1941/1942 in Ghettos und Vernichtungslager im Osten deportiert und ermordet. Insgesamt wurden mehr als 200 jüdische Hanauer ermordet.
Wir trauer um das Leid aller Verfolgten und Ermordeten.
(English translation:)
During the National Socialist dictatorship (1933-1945), Jewish citizens were discriminated against, deprived of their rights and persecuted. Robbed of their livelihood, many left their homeland and fled abroad. Others sought refuge in the city of Frankfurt or in other cities.
In May 1938, the entrances to the synagogue were walled up in a targeted anti-Semitic "action".
In the midday hours of November 10, 1938, Nazi officials from Hanau and their helpers desecrated the synagogue, demolished the interior and set fire to the building. The synagogue was destroyed down to its outer walls. Several hundred onlookers were present. The vandalism then turned its attention to the Jewish cemetery on Mühltorstrasse,
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 3, 2025
2. In memory of the Jewish Community of Hanau II Marker - wide view
The marker is the rightmost panel of the two visible here. Also visible to the left is the rock with marker indicating the former location of the synagogue, which was destroyed on November 10, 1938.
From around 1940, Jewish families were crammed into "ghetto houses" at Nürnberger Strasse 3, Langstrasse 53 and Marktstrasse 28.
From September 1941, Jewish people, including children from the age of six, were forced to wear a star and many were used for forced labor.
From there, 29 people were forcibly deported from Hanau Central Station on May 30, 1942 and another 21 on September 5, 1942. Those who had moved to Frankfurt were also deported to ghettos and extermination camps in the east in 1941/1942 and murdered. In total, more than 200 Jewish Hanau residents were murdered.
We grieve for the suffering of all those persecuted and murdered.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Synagogues, and the The Holocaust series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1942.
Location. 50° 8.182′ N, 8° 55.203′ E. Memorial is in Hanau, Hessen (Hesse), in Main-Kinzig-Kreis
circa 1941
3. Marker photo: Jewish man with Star of David in front of the Kino Central (“Central Movie Theater”)
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Zum Gedenken an die Jüdischen Gemeinde Hanau / In Memory of the Jewish Community of Hanau I (here, next to this marker); Hanau Synagogue Memorial (here, next to this marker); Die Ghettomauer / The Ghetto Wall (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); „Mann mit Bart“ / “Man with Beard” (about 120 meters away); Dietrich Bonhoeffer (about 120 meters away); Firma Jean Wunderlich (about 150 meters away); Wilhelm Ziegler (about 150 meters away); Altstädter Rathaus / Old Town City Hall (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hanau.
Additional keywords. Holocaust
November 10, 1938
4. Marker photo: the destroyed synagogue on November 10, 1938
May 30, 1942
5. Marker photo: Deportation from the Hanau Main railway station on May 30, 1942
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 28, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
