in detail
In 1435, a historic document mentions for the first time a Jew in Hechingen. After being expelled by Count Eitel Friedrich IV of Hohenzollern in 1576, Jews are allowed to resettle in Hechingen in 1634 under a writ of protection. The Jewish cemetery on the Galgenberg mountain has been in existence since about 1650. At the time, the more wealthy Jews of Hechingen lived in the upper part of the town while the poor had, from 1752 on, to move into their own quarter with, a synagogue in Friedrichstraße (from 1761 to 1878).
The synagogue in Goldschmiedstraße was built in 1767. From 1784 to 1875, the Jewish community in Hechingen had its own rabbis. There were two Jewish schools in Hechingen, a Tora school (from 1803 to 1848) and, situated on the right of the synagogue, a Jewish elementary school (from from 1825 to 1926).
Dr Samuel Meyer, rabbi from 1834 to 1875, guided the Jewish community of Hechingen in the direction of Reform Judaism. From 1850 to 1852, the synagogue was enlarged, now providing space for 160 men and 96 women. Jewish factory owners advanced the industrial revolution in Hohenzollern (part of Prussia since 1850) and the nearby Swabian Jura (then part of the Kingdom of Württemberg), especially in the field of textile manufacturing.
In 1933, 105 Jewish citizens lived in Hechingen (total population: 5387). In the early hours of November 10, 1938, SA stormtroopers from Reutlingen and Hechingen demolished the interior of the synagogue. Jewish life in Hechingen ended in 1941 and 1942 with deportations to Riga, Izbica, Mauthausen, and Theresienstadt. 29 Jews from Hechingen were murdered during the Shoah 5 survive, and 51 were able to escape.
In 1951, the building is sold to a private person. After decades of being used as a storage room and vehicle hall, the grassroots "Initiative Hechinger Synagoge" campaigned for rescuing the building, leading to it being officially registered as a historical monument in 1979. From 1983 to 1991, the synagogue was restored. The reopening took place in 1986.
In 1991, the permanent exhibition on Jewish life in Hechingen was unveiled on the women's gallery. Today, the Old Synagogue Hechingen is used for the most part as a venue for cultural events; it is possible, though, to conduct Jewish religious services at any time.
1767: construction of the synagogue
1850-52: extension (seats for 160 men and 96 women)
1881: decoration with stencil wall painting
1938: demolition on November 10
1940: purchased by the city of Hechingen
1950: restitution to the Jewish Congegration of Württemberg
1951: purchased by a private buyer; usage as a storage room and vehicle hall
1979: officially registered as a historical monument
1983-91: restoration
1986: reopening
1991: opening of the permanent exhibition
