Old Synagogue, Ettelbruck

In 1810, the first Jewish family registered in the small city of Ettelbruck. During the 19th century, more and more families established their shops and  businesses in Ettelbruck and in the surrounding villages  such as Consdorf, Everlange, Grosbous, Medernach, Diekirch, Waldbillig.  In December 1870, the newly built synagogue was inaugurated, followed in 1881 by a Jewish cemetery and in 1890 by a school building. 199 members of the Jewish community were buried in the cemetery from 1882 to 2005.

During the Nazi occupation, the Jews from Ettelbruck were expelled to France and Belgium, then after 17 October 1941 deported to ghettos and extermination camps in Eastern Europe. The synagogue and the school building were not destroyed, however the interior was devastated by young collaborationists. The Tora, acquired in 1859, was hidden in Grosbous.

After the liberation nine families returned to Ettelbruck. After 1962 the synagogue was desecrated and served as a carpet shop. In 2017 the building was recognised a national Monument and the local city administration took over and restauration work is still ongoing. Today there is no Jewish community living in Ettelbruck.

Other tokens of Jewish life that can be seen in and around Ettelbruck are the school building, next to the synagogue, the Jewish Cemetery near the local cemetery, the  Stolperschwelle in the city centre, and the Medernach Memorial.