New Exhibition Uncovers 400 Years of Hidden Jewish Life in the Rhön
A new exhibition exploring 400 years of Jewish life in the Rhön has opened in Hilders. Titled '400 Years of Jewish Life in the Rhön', the display was launched by historian Dr. Michael Imhof. The event also featured a lecture and drew attention to the region's rich but often overlooked Jewish heritage.
The exhibition is hosted at two locations: the Mittelpunktschule in Hilders and the Hessian Administrative Office of the UNESCO Rhön Biosphere Reserve. It will remain open to the public until the end of March 2026. Students played a key role in preparing the materials, showing how younger generations can engage with history.
At least ten Jewish communities once thrived across the Rhön, including Wüstensachsen, home to the largest in the Hessian Rhön since 1653. Other notable sites include Barchfeld, where a synagogue was built in 1844/45, and Hammelburg, with records of a synagogue from around 1560. Villages like Gersfeld, Schmalnau, and Schenklengsfeld also had synagogues, reflecting a long-standing Jewish presence in both Hessian and Bavarian parts of the region.
Dr. Imhof, a specialist in the area's Jewish history, spoke about the struggles faced by Jewish residents over centuries. His lecture, 'Against Forgetting: Jewish Life in the Rhön', will take place on February 26 at 7:00 PM at the Mittelpunktschule. A second talk, also free to attend, will follow at the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve office, with Jana Hengstler from the Jewish Community of Fulda joining as a guest speaker.
Sebastian Müller, a member of the Hessian state parliament, attended the opening. He stressed the importance of remembering Jewish contributions and the crimes committed during the Nazi era.
The exhibition and lectures aim to preserve the memory of Jewish communities that once shaped the Rhön's economy, politics, and culture. By involving students and offering free public events, organisers hope to reach a wide audience. The project runs until March 2026, giving visitors ample time to explore this often-forgotten history.
