In 1933, there were around 450 Jews in Cottbus. From May 1933, they were prohibited from taking part in the annual fair. From June, all Jewish employees were ousted from the trade unions and deprived of their jobs. The majority emigrated after 1933 due to the increasing antisemitism.
By May 1939, only 142 Jews remained in Cottbus. Most were deported in 1942 and the community was not reinstated after the war.