Jewish families from Pořejov (Purschau), Bohemia, Czech Republic

This project seeks to collect all of the Jewish families from the extinct village of Pořejov (Purschau) in Bohemia, Czech Republic.

Jewish Community

The first Jewish families immigrated to Pořejov in the mid-17th century, building a Jewish community here by the 2nd half of the18th century. One of the Jewish homes, scattered among Catholic homes, became a synagogue in 1765. In 1860 there were 95 Jews and their number gradually decreased because of their departure to cities. The Jewish residents were mainly traders of small goods, workers in the Tannery, and potash production. Later some became doctors or teachers.

At the end of the 19th century, due to the decreasing Jewish population, the Jews of Pořejov joined the Jewish community of Nove Sedliste. In 1904, the synagogue was damaged by fire, and in 1919, the the last Jewish family remaining there bought it. In 1945, the synagogue was heavily damaged during a clash of American and German armies. It was demolished after the war.

Most of Pořejov was destroyed during World War II and by 1970, what remained of it was destroyed.

The Jewish Cemetery remains.

Cemetery

[http://www.archeologickyatlas.cz/en/lokace/porejov_tc_mestecko_porejov]