Judengasse (Schweinfurt)

In Schweinfurt, a Jewish community existed initially in the Middle Ages. In 1212 a Jew named Abraham from Schweinfurt is mentioned in Würzburg. In 1243 the Nuremberg Butigler pays the amount of 50 marks to the Jews of Schweinfurt. In the following decades one hears about Jews in the city on the occasion of persecutions: By the bands of the "Knight Rintfleisch" in 1298 and during the plague in 1348/49. Jakob von Schweinfurt, who was one of the new founders of the Erfurt community in 1357, will have been a survivor. In 1368, Schweinfurt received permission from Emperor Charles IV to once again admit Jews. High taxes were demanded from them. Under the care of King Sigismund, the Jews of Schweinfurt enjoyed some rights. Thus, they were able to move relatively freely at the beginning of the 15th century. They lived mainly from money lending, some traded in goods, especially wine. Jurisdiction among them was held by a Judenrat designated for this purpose. In 1555 the Jews were expelled from Schweinfurt.