Szendrő

The Jewish Community

Early Years

Jews settled in the town during the second half of the 18th century, mainly engaging in commerce and viticulture. They built a synagogue, educational institutions, and charitable organizations, and a Chevra Kadisha operated there. Following the schism in Hungarian Jewry (1868-1869), the community joined the Orthodox stream. In 1929, the Jewish community included 42 merchants, three farmers, two industrialists, a teacher, a lawyer, two doctors, an engineer, three clerks, and six craftsmen. The town also had an ancient Jewish cemetery.

World War II Era

On the eve of World War II, 277 Jews lived in the town. The pro-German Hungarian government restricted the rights of Jews starting in 1938. In 1942, 15 community leaders were imprisoned and later conscripted for forced labor in Ukraine, where most perished. In March 1944, German soldiers took community leaders as hostages. A ghetto was established in May 1944, and Jews were forced into labor. They were eventually transferred to Miskolc and then sent to Auschwitz.

Post-World War II Community

After the war, about 30 Jews returned and renewed community life under Rabbi Yitzchak Zvi Deutsch. In 1948, a memorial was erected for the 280 martyrs, and the synagogue was renovated. However, due to local harassment, many Jews emigrated from Hungary. Jewish cemeteries remain in the town.

Twin towns – sister cities

Szendrő is twinned with:

• Leutershausen, Germany