Page "Aargau" Paragraph 32

In the 17th century, Jews were banished from Switzerland.

However, a few families were permitted to live in two villages, Endingen and Lengnau, in Aargau which became the Jewish ghetto in Switzerland.

This remained the case until the 19th century.

In 1799 all special tolls were abolished, and in 1802 the poll tax was removed.

On 5 May 1809, the right of citizenship was granted to Jews, and they were permitted to engage in trade and agriculture.

The right of settlement remained restricted to Endingen and Lengnau until 7 May 1846, when they were allowed to settle in any portion of the canton of Aargau.

Ten years later ( 24 September 1856 ) the Swiss Federal Council voted them equal political rights with other Swiss citizens in that canton, as well as entire freedom of commerce ; but the opposition of the Christian population prevented the decision from being generally carried out.

The federal authorities in July 1863, granted the Swiss Jews the fullest rights of citizens.

However, full civil equality was obtained only when they received the formal rights of citizenship, which had long been withheld from them in their own communities of Endingen and Lengnau.

A resolution of the Grand Council, on 15 May 1877, granted citizens ' rights to the members of the Jewish communities of those places, giving them charters under the names of New Endingen and New Lengnau.