 |
| Coat of arms
of Körmend |
This region was once a province of the
Roman Empire. Excavations in and around the town have uncovered a
Roman military fort. Körmend is first mentioned in documents
in 1238 by the
name "Villa Curmend terra regis" as a royal estate. In 1244, King
Bela IV granted Körmend a town charter.
By 1300, Jews enjoying equal
rights were present in Körmend. Jews of Spanish origin may
have settled in Körmend by the late 16th century. During the Renaissance under King Matyas, significant Jewish trade centers sprang up in most of the country's towns, particularly in the western half of what is now modern Hungary, including Sopron, Köszeg, Körmend, Szombathely, Sárvár, Gyõr, Komárom, Tata, Esztergom, Székesfehérvár, Papa, Kanizsa and Pécs. During this period, Körmend grew in prominence due to its location at the crossroads of commercial routes and was an important transfer point for many goods, particularly salt and sugar. Over 40 crafts were practiced and the town was known for its master craftsmen, including shoe and bootmakers, wheelwrights, cloakmakers and tailors, weavers and blue dyers. Though about half the townsmen engaged in craft activity, a great many earned a supplemental living from farming.
In the 17th century, Jews from lower Austria and Moravia moved to Körmend. A Chevra Kadisha (Burial Society) was founded in 1705, indicating a permanent population. On the 1735 census, approximately 7 Jewish families were listed, totaling 28 people. By 1768 the Jewish population had doubled. In 1799 there was a total of 237 Jews in Körmend. A synagogue was built in 1865, and the community was under the jurisdiction of the Rohonc (Rechnitz) community. The community voted to become a Neolog congregation in 1869. By that time there were 740 Jews in Körmend. The synagogue was rebuilt in 1888. The community remained under the jurisdiction of Rohonc until the end of the 18th century.
See the Körmend Census page for more information on Jewish population statistics. See also the articles on Körmend in the Vas megye Yizkor Book and the Pinkas Hakehillot Hungaria, which give much more information about the history of the town.
Körmend lost
city
status in 1871, yet remained the center of civil administration for the
district. Construction of the railroad bypassed
Körmend, and Szombathely became the railroad center.
Körmend subsequently lost prominence and many
wealthy families suffered heavy financial losses. The population
of the town was about 5,000 in the 1890s, and was composed of
Catholics, Protestants, Lutherans, and Calvinists as well as
Jews. Continuing a centuries-old tradition, in the
plaza in the center of town were held regular weekly and yearly open
markets. Thousands of farmers from near and far and hundreds of
tradesmen and traveling booth owners with their wares came to these
fairs.
Many Jews of the late 19th and early 20th century were rather well-to-do. They were traders, tradesmen, shopkeepers, artisans, lawyers, and pharmacists. All but one of the town's doctors were Jewish. Some prominent Jewish families of the early 20th century included the GERMAN family, owners of a cement factory, the RECHNITZER family, owners of a brick factory, and the FRIM family, owners of a steam mill. Two distinguished members of the FRIM family include brothers Jakab (1852, Körmend -1919, Budapest) and Antal (1855, Körmend -? Budapest), both of whom were pioneers in the field of special education. Jakab founded the Joint Institute for the Disabled in Budpest and Antal founded a school in Budapest for the deaf and hearing impaired.
Many Jews of the late 19th and early 20th century were rather well-to-do. They were traders, tradesmen, shopkeepers, artisans, lawyers, and pharmacists. All but one of the town's doctors were Jewish. Some prominent Jewish families of the early 20th century included the GERMAN family, owners of a cement factory, the RECHNITZER family, owners of a brick factory, and the FRIM family, owners of a steam mill. Two distinguished members of the FRIM family include brothers Jakab (1852, Körmend -1919, Budapest) and Antal (1855, Körmend -? Budapest), both of whom were pioneers in the field of special education. Jakab founded the Joint Institute for the Disabled in Budpest and Antal founded a school in Budapest for the deaf and hearing impaired.
A new synagogue was consecrated in 1922. There was an
active
Zionist group in Körmend beginning in 1935.
According to the last census before the war, the Jewish community consisted of 320 people and 117 taxpayers.
In 1979,
city status was reinstated.According to the last census before the war, the Jewish community consisted of 320 people and 117 taxpayers.
© Copyright 2008 Judy
Petersen
 |