Merger to form the Triple Congregation Landmarks of Jewish History

Ashkenazi congregations were founded in Altona, Wandsbek, Hamburg, and Harburg in the seventeenth century. In 1671, the Ashkenazi congregations of Altona und Wandsbek merged with the Hamburg Ashkenazi congregation to form the so-called Triple Congregation. The Portuguese congregations had already merged in 1652 to form the unified Bet Israel Congregation. This was preceded by efforts on the part of the newly formed Hamburg congregation to separate from Altona.

A separate cemetery in Ottensen was intended to ensure the congregation’s autonomy. The Chief Rabbi of Frankfurt mediated in the dispute between the two congregations. The Hamburg congregation was recognized as an independent congregation, but was placed under the authority of the Altona rabbinate. Altona was the largest congregation and now became the center of the Triple Congregation. Unlike Hamburg, a rabbinical court was allowed to sit in Altona. The Altona rabbinate enjoyed a good reputation throughout Europe.