Deportations Landmarks of Jewish History

The systematic deportations from Hamburg began in October 1941. At that time, the Jewish Congregation still had 7,547 members. They were not allowed to leave the country or decide on their remaining property or place of residence. 5,848 Jews were deported from Hamburg in 17 transports to ghettos, concentration camps, and extermination camps. The total number of Jewish Hamburg residents murdered is estimated at 10,000. To this day, not all of their names are known.

The Jewish Congregation was increasingly abused as an administrative apparatus of the Nazi authorities. It was forced to participate in the preparation and execution of the deportations. This included the establishment of so-called ‘Jews’ houses’ (‘Judenhäuser’) as forced accommodation and the implementation of increasingly strict regulations. At the same time, it took care of impoverished members and facilitated religious life.