CHEMNITZ:
Town in Saxony, with a Jewish population of 1,150. Jews first settled there in the latter half of the nineteenth century. In 1874 they organized a congregation, although on feast-days religious services had been held since 1871. The ḥebra ḳaddisha and the Jewish Women's Association were founded in 1876. On March 29, 1878, the prayer-house was consecrated; and in 1879 a cemetery was secured. The first rabbi of the congregation was Abraham Chatiner (d. 1882); he was succeeded by Jacob Mühlfelder, who is still officiating (1902). The congregation was granted corporate rights Oct. 12, 1885. In 1899 the building of a new synagogue, with a seating capacity of 685, was completed. The dedication took place March 7, 1899. In the same year the Max and Selma Bergmann's Widows and Orphans' Charitable Institution was founded. The congregation maintains a school with three teachers and two hundred pupils.
Chemnitz is the seat of the Saxonia Lodge XLIV., 497 I. O. B. B., established May 27, 1899.
