Jewish Communities

History

Winsum is located about 15 kilometers north of Groningen and is a agricultural oriented village. It is a twin village with Obergum, located at the other side of the Winsummerdiep. The village Winsum had a central function for the surrounding villages.

In the second half of the 18th century the first Jewish people settled here. Their most important means of subsistence were trade in cattle, meat and assorted goods. For their religious needs the Winsummer Jews were dependent on the City of Groningen. They buried there their deceased, attended synagogue, and utilized the services of the Groninger Rabbis.

Combined with villages such as Bedum, Baflo and Eenrum, and villages such as Zoutkamp, Leens and Ulrum, farther away, the twin village formed the Jewish Congregation Winsum. In 1915 the Jewish people from Usquert attempted to become part of the Jewish Congregation Winsum instead of Appingedam.

In 1808 the two villages Winsum and Obergum counted 11 Jewish people, in 1879 that was increased to 55, and in 1930 the villages only counted 17 Jewish people. At the beginning of the Second World War 14 Jewish people were living there, they were deported on November 12th, 1942. In their memory a monument has been placed at the east side of the former synagogue in 1993.

Gemeente Winsum

back to overview