he beginnings of Jewish life in Mainbernheim date back to the late Middle Ages. In the first half of the 19th century, the modern community, which had emerged at the end of the 17th century, prospered. In 1837, there were 140 Jews in Mainbernheim. This corresponded to 8.6% of the population.
In the following years, there was a strong emigration. By 1940, most of the Jewish residents had emigrated or moved to other towns. The last four were deported to Izbica and Theresienstadt in 1942.
A synagogue was built in 1748, which housed a Torah mantle from 1720/21. There was also a religious school and a mikvah. Until the middle of the 19th century, Mainbernheim was the seat of a district rabbinate, which was dissolved in 1871 and moved to Kitzingen.
During the November pogrom of 1938, the synagogue was severely damaged and the paraments and prayer books were burned. After 1945, the synagogue was converted into a residential building.
Synagogue in Mainbernheim converted into a residential building, photo: Daniela Kühnel