Jews were present in Hanover as early as the 13th century. In 1864, the Jewish community numbered about 1,400. By 1925, the community had grown to about 5,500. At the time of the Nazi takeover in 1933, the Jewish population had dropped to about 4,800. Prior to Kristallnacht, over 1,000 Jews had left the town, and another large exodus took place thereafter. Non-German Jews began to be deported in 1938. In September, 1941, a large group of German Jews were forced from their homes and housed in 15 "Jewish Houses". Deportations began in December, 1941, and by July, 1942, only 300 Jews remained. At least 2,200 Jews from Hanover were murdered by the Nazis. The Jewish community was reconstituted after the war and today numbers in excess of 3,000.
The synagogue depicted in the below postcard was designed by Edwin Oppler and dedicated in 1870. During Kristallnacht, the synagogue was set on fire and desecrated. The postcard is postmarked June 13, 1910.
Spector, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Life Before and During the Holocaust (2001), P. 495-98
Copyright © 2005 Edward Victor