Synagogue main street Hörstein (Alzenau)

Already in the second half of the 18th century a prayer hall or a synagogue was present. In 1824, the Jewish community in Hörstein had to recognize the dilapidation of their prayer house. In view of the need for a new building, 1,400 gulden had already been collected in donations at that time. Thus, the synagogue building was probably realized in the following years. A report on the inauguration and the exact date of the inauguration are not known.
   
In 1909, the synagogue was extensively renovated. The architect was Adolf Scholl from Aschaffenburg. From September 3-5, 1909 were the dedication ceremonies. 
The synagogue remained the center of Jewish community life until 1938. 
   
National Socialist terror was directed against the Hörstein synagogue soon after 1933. In February and May 1936, the windows of the synagogue were broken. At the beginning of June 1938 - on the day before the Feast of Weeks Shavuoth - most of the silver ornaments of the Torah scrolls were stolen. On New Year's Day 1938 (September 26), the synagogue's windows were again broken; "Cut off the necks of the Jews!" was shouted in the streets. Since it was no longer possible to hold services in the synagogue, the Jews still living in Hörstein brought a Torah scroll from the synagogue to a private house in order to be able to hold services there. During the November pogrom in 1938, the synagogue was desecrated but remained intact. The interior furnishings and rituals were completely destroyed. A little later it was confiscated by the local government. 
  
After 1945, the building was first misused as a fire station, then demolished in 1982. The property was partially built over by a bakery. The stone commandment tablets from the gable of the synagogue were secured and brought to the Alzenau Museum of Local History.