Jüdisches Museum Franken

Bad Kissingen (Lower Franconia)

Jewish Community Center

There is evidence that a Jewish community was established in Bad Kissingen in 1500; references to Jewish inhabitants go back even further, to the Middle Ages. The self-confidence and patriotism of this Jewish community, one of Bavaria’s largest in the Weimar period, would be reflected in the New Synagogue, built in 1902. It was set afire in 1938 by local SA-men and damaged; in 1939 it was torn down on the orders of the town council. In 1942, the last Jews of Bad Kissingen were deported.

The former Jewish community house – and the birthplace of Nobel prizewinning physicist Jack Steinberger – is still standing. By 1959, religious services were held here again; and since its renovation in 1996 the building has hosted Sabbath services in the summer months. Today it houses the permanent exhibition, “Jewish life in Bad Kissingen,” which traces the local Jewish community back to the 13th century. The history of the Third Reich can be reconstructed on the basis of personal stories. In addition, visitors may view a mikveh (ritual bath) and a reconstructed sukkah as well as the virtual reconstruction of the New Synagogue. The Jewish cemetery on Bergmannstraße is also open to visitors.

 

 

Permanent exhibit Jewish Life
in Bad Kissingen
Jewish Community Center
Bad Kissingen
Promenadestraße 2
D-97688 Bad Kissingen
www.juedischesleben.badkissingen.de
www.badkissingen.de

Opening hours:
Permanent exhibit: Wed 3pm – 7pm
Jewish Cemetery:
Mon–Thurs: 8am – 4pm, Fri 8am – 12pm
In order to visit the cemetery,
please pick up the key at the
Municipal Archives (Stadtarchiv),
Promenadestraße 6,
(Tel. +49 (0)971 8071201).
www.stadtarchiv-badkissingen.de

Tour booking:
Tel. +49 (0)971 64752

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