Synagogue Klaubergasse (Usingen)

A synagogue was already present in Usingen at the beginning of the 19th century, although it was probably a prayer room in one of the Jewish residential houses. In 1852, a new synagogue and worship order was issued. In 1877 the synagogue was in such a dilapidated condition that it could not be renovated.

In 1885/86 a new synagogue building was erected. For this purpose, the community had acquired a former barn, which could be converted into a synagogue. In the building there were 40 seats for men and 18 for women. The community members in Anspach and Rod am Berg had their own prayer room.

For about 50 years, the Usingen synagogue was the center of Jewish community life in the town.

After the windows of the synagogue were smashed and the interior vandalized in September 1938, the synagogue was abandoned by the Jewish people still living in the town. On November 5, 1938, the building was sold by the last community leader, Julius Hirsch. During the November pogrom in 1938, the building was not set on fire, as there was a fear that the fire would spread within the narrow alley. The new owners converted the synagogue building into a residential house.

Even after 1945, the building remained, but various alterations made it unrecognizable as a former synagogue. In 1965, two inscriptions - parts of the Torah shrine - were found in a pile of rubble. 

A memorial plaque with the inscription: "In this building was the synagogue of the Usingen Jews from the beginning of the 19th century until 1938" has been located since September 1991 at the property entrance of the synagogue building located in the backyard.