Jews apparently resided in Frankfurt during the earliest period of the city's history. Jewish tombstones have been found dating back to 1284. By the early 1800's, the Jewish population was in excess of 3,000 ( about 8% of the total population). By 1925, the population was about 30,000 (over 6% of the total population). After the rise of the Nazis, the population was significantly reduced by emigration so that by 1941, about 10,000 Jews remained. Between October, 1941, and September, 1943, virtually the entire Jewish population had been deported to various concentration camps and killing centers.
The synagogue depicted below, in a postcard issued by Israel to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Kristallnacht, was built in 1711 and was the principal synagogue of the Judengasse until it was torn down in 1854. It was a modified reconstruction of a synagogue built in 1462.
Encyclopedia Judaica, CD Rom Edition, Keter Publishing
Carole Herselle Krinsky, Synagogues of Europe, P.291-94
Copyright © 2000 Edward Victor