An officer of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) visits with a group of young refugees. Eschwege displaced persons camp, Germany, July 7, 1946.
— United Nations Archives and Records Management Section
Eschwege, a former German air force base in the Frankfurt district of the American-occupied zone, became a displaced persons (DP) camp in January 1946.
Eschwege housed approximately 1,770 Jews at the time of its opening and its young population quickly developed a revitalized community, evidenced by the opening of a kindergarten with 50 children by April 1947. In contrast, the elementary school had only 30 students at that time. Eschwege also had a Talmud Torah (religious elementary school), a cheder (traditional religious school for young children), and a yeshiva (religious academy), as well as a "Bet Ya'akov" religious high school for girls.
Religious life was also celebrated in the camp's several synagogues and a mikvah (Jewish ritual bath). Eschwege had a sports club with 100 players, a movie theater, a 500-seat auditorium, and a theater group. The camp published the newspaper Undzer Hofenung (Our Hope).
At its peak, on October 19, 1946, Eschwege housed roughly 3,355 Jews. The camp closed on April 26, 1949.
Displaced Persons »
Postwar Refugee Crisis and the Establishment of the State of Israel »
Online Exhibition—The Story of Lola Rein and her Dress »
Online Exhibition—Life Reborn: Jewish Displaced Persons 1945–1951 »
Bibliography—Displaced Persons »
