History
In 1616 one started to systematically bring the peatmoor south-east of the City of Groningen under cultivation. The Winschoterdiep was dug for the removal of peat. Along this canal the towns Sappemeer and Hoogezand came into existence. Predominantly the population existed of peat laborers, boatmen, artisans, merchants, and farmers. End 17th century the first Jewish people settled in Sappemeer. Unlike other towns in the cultivated areas their number would only slowly increase. The Jewish people that lived there earned their wages as butcher, cattle trader and merchant. For attending sermons and burying their deceased they depended on the Jewish Congregation Veendam. At the end of the 18th century the number of Jewish people was increased enough to found a Jewish Congregation. By-laws were drawn up in 1801, stipulating the behavioral rules the local Jewish people had to adhere, and there is talk of a board or Parnassim. In 1814 the Jewish Congregation Hoogezand counted 102 Jewish people. The congregation existed of the towns Hoogezand, Sappemeer, Martenshoek, Foxhol, de Kiel, Slochteren and Schildwolde. The Jewish people from Zuid and Noordbroek seceded from it in 1882.
In 1889 the Jewish Congregation knew its largest number of 269 Jewish people. They were predominantly working in cattle trading and as merchant. A strikingly large part of the Jewish Congregation was poor. After 1889 the number of Jewish people decreased fast due to changing social en economical circumstances. In 1930 there were only about 183 Jewish people. Fall 1942 they have been deported. Only 19 survived the war, four of them from Slochteren.
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