Aurich is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the "Kreisstadt", or capital, of the district of Aurich. Jews from Italy apparently first settled in Aurich around 1378 by invitation of the ruler of the region; this community came to an end in the 15th century. In 1592 two Jews were permitted to perform as musicians in the villages around Aurich. A new community had formed by 1647 when the Court Jew Samson Calman settled there. Aurich was the seat of the Landparnass and Landrabbiner of East Friesland from 1686 until 1813, when it was transferred to Emden. Under Dutch rule (1807–15) the Jews enjoyed the civil rights which they had lost in 1744 during Prussian rule. A cemetery was established in Aurich in 1764; the synagogue was consecrated in 1811. The Jews in Aurich numbered 14 in 1708, 166 in 1804, 420 in 1900 (7% of the total), and 398 in 1933.