Synagogue Hirschgasse (Neckarsteinach)

Since the beginning of the 18th century, Neckarsteinach had a synagogue or a prayer room in a building. In this was also a ritual bath. 1801 to 1803, the community decided to establish a new synagogue. For this purpose, a house was bought on the road to Hirschhorn (Hirschstraße) and a prayer room with a bathroom and a teacher's apartment was established in it. In 1886, however, the old synagogue had to be torn down due to dilapidation.

The new synagogue was built in 1888/89 on the site of the old one; partly the foundation walls and the remaining parts of the old synagogue were taken over. The new building was a big financial problem for the small community. Maier Simon Oppenheimer, the head of the congregation at that time, managed to have a collection made. Donations could also be sent to the editorial office of the magazine "Der Israelit". The donations received were published.

In June 1889, the new synagogue was almost finished. Rabbi Dr. Sondheimer from Heidelberg performed the dedication of the synagogue. It took place during the summer or early autumn of 1889.   

During the November pogrom of 1938, the synagogue was desecrated and vandalized by Nazis from Neckarsteinach and Ziegelhausen. On the evening of November 10, 1938, the men smashed the furniture with hatchets and axes; they carried away some metal objects of worship in sacks; everything else was taken to the banks of the Neckar and burned there. 

The former synagogue was temporarily misused as a prisoner-of-war camp during World War 2; after 1945 it was converted into a residential building. There is a small plaque on the building.