History
As in nearby Appingedam early on some Jewish families settled in this small port on the west bank of the river Eems. They originally came from Emden and other East Frisian towns on the east bank of the river Eems.
In 1655 Local Authorities gave Isac Samuels, his wife Frouke Heimans and their family permission to settle in Delfzijl and nearby Farmsum, and operate a pawnshop. Shortly after 1655 three other families were given permission to settle in this region. Efforts of the ruling Reformed Church to bar the Jewish people, came to naught.
We learned from the diary from Glückel von Hameln, who stayed overnight with a family member, that one of the then Delfzijl Jews was akin to the well-known Chajim Fürst from Hamburg.
The Jewish population of Delfzijl increased during the 17th and 18th century from about 25 people in 1665 to 52 souls in 1809. The most important source of income was the slaughter and trade of cattle, pawning and trade in assorted goods.
During the 19th century the number of Jewish people increased further to 196 in 1899. After that year their number decreased steadily due to the changing social and economical circumstances. In 1941 the port counted yet 155 Jewish people. March 1942 the Jewish population was forced to leave to Amsterdam, they have been deported from there to the extermination camps. Only nine or ten Jews have survived the war.
In 1982 in Delfzijl's City Hall a monument has been unveiled in remembrance of the Jewish inhabitants of Delfzijl.
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