The Beit Knesset
The synagogue was built in 1893/94. Until 1938 it was used by the Israelitic community of Steinsfurt for services and meetings.
Planning
Planning the Synagogue
The plans for the synagogue were drawn by the young architect Wilhelm Dick (1874 - 1904) from Hoffenheim.
The planning applicaton was submitted to the Bezirksamt Sinsheim on Juli 19, 1892. Wilhelm was still under age so he could not sign on the planning application.
Wilhelm's father Anton Dick (1840 - 1900) was „Bezirksbaukontrolleur” at that time. On September 22, 1882 he wrote the review for the regional buildung authority. In this he voted in favour of the plans but suggested some alterations which were used in the planning permission. This was granted on October 5, 1892 by the „Großherzogliches Bezirksamt Sinsheim”.
On August 10, 1893 construction started.
Sources:
Planning consent from 1892: Town archive Sinsheim, "Steinsfurt", A 33
Planning application from 1892 (with plans) in: GLA Karlsruhe, 377 No 8248
The Generallandesarchiv Karlsruhe has kindly permitted the use of the plans (24.04.2014)
Financing
Financing the Building
It was planned to finance the building by a lottery. Items of gold and silver and commodities to the value of 2,556 Mark were in the raffle. 4,000 tickets – including 400 free tickets – were in the pot for 1 Mark each. The drawing was done under the supervision of an official and three citizens. The board of the synagogue suggested registrar Würfel, Waisenrichter Fischer and merchant G. Brecht. With the gain from this lottery and further donations from Jewish people (even from abroad) the building was financed. (from: Allemania Judaica, own translation)
Items that were not claimed after the raffle were sold in a separate auction:
Add in Der Landbote, January 20, 1894
Foundations 1893
Laying of the Foundation Stone 1893
The ceremony of laying the foundation stone to the Synagogue was on September 25th, 1893. Teacher Ferdinand Hanauer held the speech.
Not only the complete Jewish community were present but also the mayor and other dignitaries of Steinsfurt. On September 28th, 1893 the local newspaper „Der Landbote” wrote a report on the ceremony.
Inauguration 1894
Inauguration of the Synagogue in July 1894
The celebrations of the inauguration for the synagogue was on July 13th, 1894. The Torah scrolls were carried in a solemn procession from the old synagogue to the new one. The two-day celebrations was not only subject of an article in the local paper Der Landbote, but even the Frankfurt paper "Der Israelit" wrote in an article:
Last Friday the Jewish community celebrated the inauguration of their newly built synagogue. The festivities went off dignified and uplifting in all parts. Herr Rabbi Dr. Sondheimer from Heidelberg was fully justified to emphasize in his sermon how all inhabitants of Steinsfurth – irrespective their faiths – competed in rarely seen unity by decorating their houses with flags and participating in the festivity [Our translation]
This quotation shows the solemn atmosphere of the inauguration. But it is a clear indication that Christians and Jews lived peacefully together.
Sale 1938
Sale of the Synagogue in October 1938
The Jewish community used the synagogue only about 40 years.
Moving Away
Since around 1870 many Jewish persons moved from Steinsfurt since there was not enough scope in the small village. In 1933 there were only 32 Jewish persons in Steinsfurt.
After the beginning of the Nazi regime even more emigrated. The few remaining members of the Jewish community were forced to sell the Synagogue in October 1938.
Forced to Sell
The Jewish community were forced to sell the synagogue by financial pressure.
Contract 1938
The sale-contract was signed by Josef Weil and Karl Leonhardt on October 25, 1935.
„Crystal night”
Conveying 1939
The final act of the sale was on July 10, 1939 in the Grundbuchamt.
Salomon Bravmann, teacher in Eppingen, who represented the Steinsfurt Israelitic congregation and Karl Leonhardt signed the conveyance.
After the sale
At first the synagogue was used as storage for agricultural goods. It fell into disrepair.
By now it is an important cultural monument.
The society Alte Synagoge Steinsfurt e.V. has as its aim to restore and maintain the building and give it a new lease of life.