A tiny synagogue was dedicated here this week-end for the handful of survivors of what was considered one of the oldest and most important Jewish communities in Germany, the existence of which has been traced back to 1066.
The new edifice replaced a synagogue erected in 1859 and destroyed by fire by the Nazis during the pogrom of November, 1938. The square sandstone edifice, with a seating capacity of 100, was built with a grant from the Rhineland-Palatinate State Government out of indemnification funds, and a $20, 000 grant from the Trier City Council.
All the 800 Jews residing in Trier (Treves) in 1933 when Hitler came to power were subsequently exterminated or dispersed. None were in the city in 1943. Today, the Jewish community numbers about 50 souls and is the only congregation in the Rhineland-Palatinate large enough to conduct regular Friday evening services. The community planned Sabbath morning services with the participation of American and French Jewish soldiers garrisoned in the area.
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