Reference

During the Nazi era, the synagogue in Bechhofen, like many others across Germany, was destroyed during the events of Kristallnacht, also known as the "Night of Broken Glass." This occurred on November 9-10, 1938, during a coordinated series of violent pogroms against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and Austria.

Here are some key details on how such events typically unfolded:

1. Organized Attacks: Kristallnacht was orchestrated by the Nazi Party, involving both the SA (Sturmabteilung) and SS (Schutzstaffel), along with sympathetic civilians.
2. Destruction and Arson: Synagogues, Jewish businesses, homes, and schools were targeted. They were vandalized, looted, and often set on fire. It was common practice for firemen to allow synagogues to burn but to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby non-Jewish properties.
3. Extent of Damage: Approximately 267 synagogues were destroyed during Kristallnacht, alongside thousands of Jewish institutions and businesses. Many Jews were arrested and sent to concentration camps.

For further specific information about the Bechhofen synagogue's fate, you can visit Germansynagogues.com. This site documents the devastation of Jewish communities during this dark period.

Here is an image illustrating the aftermath of such destruction:

For a detailed account of Kristallnacht, you can explore the Holocaust Encyclopedia's article on the topic.