1. 17th and 18th century The social and juridical status depended on the sovereign: Friedrich Wilhelm (The 'Grosse
Kurfuerst'; reign 1640 - 1688) allows the immigration of Jewish people into the areas of Brandenburg and Preussen, which Enger belonged to since 1609.
They were allowed to settle down in appointed places and special rights concerning trading and possession for example, were guaranteed by the so-called letters of safe-conduct. They had to
pay Schutzgelder for these guarantees. In those times the first hint to a Jewish citizen in Enger could be found. (Alexander Nina).
During the reign of the next two kings , Friedrich Wilhelm I and Friedrich II, Jews had to pay higher Schutzgelder and the possibilities of trading were
restricted again. A decrease of Jewish population was desired; to reach this aim the possibilities of family foundations were diminished again.
At the beginning of the 18th century three Jewish persons were known in Enger: Alexander Nina, Bendix Alexander and the widow of Itzig Meier. In the year 1730 the names: Abraham, Moses and Levi, followed and further: Berend, David, Samuel (1765), Gottschalk Abraham, Salomon Jacob, Selig Coppel and Jacob Katz (1796).
The first Jew who was allowed to possess a house in Enger was Moses Abraham; he bought his house in 1789 with the special permission of the king.
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