Diez

In Diez, Jewish life has been documented since the 14th century. Since that time, Jürger Bürger shaped the cultural and economic coexistence of the townspeople unauffällig, but often they were suppressed as a minority and persecuted. 

Only from the 18th century Jüdisches life in Diez is more clearly recognizable. The Diezer Fürstenhof, for example, employed so-called Jüdische Hoffaktoren, who supplied them with luxury goods and credits. Lüb Heymann, for example, worked for Fürstin Amalie von Nassau-Oranien. He belonged at this time to the vermögendsten Diezern.

Some other jüdische families reached likewise at this time a respectable prosperity in the most diverse Händlerberufen. Former Jüdische Geschäftshäuser prägen the Diezer market place until today.

From 1750 had a district rabbi in the so-called Kantorenhaus in the Diezer old town his seat. Our city then became for over 100 years the center of religious instruction of the Jewish communities in the region.

With the advancing equality of Jewish citizens in the 2nd half of the 19th century. Century arose in Diez repräsentative buildings as a sign of rising Jewish Bürgerbewusstseins. From donations a children's home was built, the community built a new synagogue with Mikwe. 

Während der Zeit des Nationalsozialismus wurde der Antisemitismus auch in Diez immer brutal. The living coexistence between Jews and non-Jews was destroyed in a devastating way – until today no new Jewish community has been able to form in Diez.