Erdőbénye is a town with roots dating back to the 1400s, situated in the picturesque natural surroundings of the Tokaj-Hegyalja region. The Jewish community established themselves here as tenant farmers in the early 18^th century. In 1772, the annexation of part of Galicia into the Habsburg Empire facilitated internal migration, contributing to the growth of the Jewish population. This was further aided by a decree issued by Joseph II in 1783 that served to regulate the Jewish people’s status.

In 1840, Erdőbénye had only six Jewish heads of household. Although by 1880, the orthodox community had grown to include 332 individuals, constituting 16% of the total population, in the following decades, this trend reversed, and, similarly to other townships in the region, the Jewish population began to decline. In 1920, 214 Jews lived in the town (9%), and by 1941, this number had decreased further to 131 (4.2%). During the 1941 census, eight individuals among the 131 considered Yiddish as their mother tongue.

The Jewish community’s congregation had strong ties to the neighbouring one in Olaszliszka, and operated as part of it for a long time. This connection was reinforced by family ties between Cvi Hirsch Friedmann (1808-1874), the renowned rabbi from Olaszliszka, and his son-in-law Hájim Friedlander (1835-1904), who served as the rabbi in Erdőbénye. Additionally, Erdőbénye had connections to the Sátoraljaújhely community, as well. Dávid Jichák Teitelbaum (1850? – 1917), a descendant of the Teitelbaum family, lived in Erdőbénye, and his grave can be found in the local Jewish cemetery. His tombstone informs us that besides studying the sacred texts, he made a modest income as a wine merchant.

The natural resources of Erdőbénye played a significant role, particularly the sulfuric, ferruginous water that emerged in the area, which led, in the late 19^th century, to the establishment of a spa. Many visitors, including Jews, came to the town to benefit from the healing waters. Consequently, the local Jewish community set up a separate kosher kitchen to cater to the needs of these visitors.

By the 1920s, the already diminishing Jewish community in Erdőbénye was further impacted by World War II. In the spring of 1944, 120 Jews were living in the town. They were taken to the Tokaj ghetto, and later, to the collection camp in Sátoraljaújhely, eventually being deported to Auschwitz. The martyr’s memorial in the Miskolc cemetery commemorates 108 individuals from Erdőbénye. Only a few dozen of those deported survived the war.

The Famous Residents Memorial Park, established by the residents of Erdőbénye in 2008, includes the names of three members of the former Jewish community: Sámuel Beck, the owner of a quarry who financed the construction of the Kossuth statue in Erdőbénye; his son-in-law Jónás Spitzer, who continued to lead the company; and Márkusz Ábrahám Kőgel, a stonecutter who created most of the tombstones in the cemetery.

Erdőbénye Synagogue
(Erdőbénye, Hunyadi utca – the building no longer exists)

The Erdőbénye synagogue, located on what is now Hunyadi utca (formerly Iskola utca), was built around 1840 in a neoclassical style. The building burned down in 1903, but was rebuilt with donations from Jewish congregations in surrounding towns. The synagogue was demolished in the late 1980s, and today only the former Jewish school building that stood before the synagogue at Hunyadi utca 32 remains standing.

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Photograph of the Erdőbénye synagogue.

Erdőbénye Jewish cemetery
(Erdőbénye, Petőfi utca 13.)

The Jewish cemetery is located in a separated area within the Erdőbénye public cemetery and is well-maintained

The former mikveh (ritual bath)
(Erdőbénye, Serház utca)

Jewish mikvehs (ritual baths) must meet specific criteria, including using naturally sourced living water. The Erdőbénye mikveh is thus fed by spring water. Locals refer to the building as the Fuchs House, after its former caretaker. The mikveh‘s pool was filled in after World War II to repurpose the space as a living space. The mikveh is currently privately owned, with plans for renovation.