Jewish Kosice

Описание: Kosice, a city located in eastern Slovakia, has a long and complex history with the Jewish community. The Jewish community in Kosice can be traced back to the 16th century when Jews began to settle in the city, attracted by its growing trade and commerce. Throughout the centuries, the Jewish community in Kosice flourished and played an important role in the city's economy and culture.

During World War II, the Jewish community in Kosice, like many other Jewish communities in Europe, suffered greatly. The Nazi regime in Slovakia implemented a series of anti-Semitic laws that stripped Jews of their rights and property, leading to their deportation to concentration camps. Nearly 11,000 Jews from Kosice and the surrounding region were deported to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and other death camps. Only a handful survived.

After World War II, the Jewish community in Kosice was rebuilt, but it never fully regained its pre-war numbers. Today, the Jewish community in Kosice is small but active, with a synagogue, Jewish community center, and a Jewish cemetery that dates back to the 18th century. The community also hosts cultural events and educational programs to preserve Jewish culture and history in the region.

Overall, the history of Jews in Kosice is a complex one, marked by both periods of flourishing and persecution. However, the community has shown remarkable resilience and continues to play an important role in the city's cultural and religious life.