In Rülzheim existed until 1940 one of the largest Jewish communities in the southern Palatinate. 1667 Jews are first mentioned in the place. Around 1700 there are several families. 1750 eight families were counted, 1808 already 179 Jewish community members (10.2% of the total population).

The families lived largely from trade, including household goods, soap, agricultural products. Jewish tradesmen played a special role in the local tobacco industry: three cigar factories in the village belonged to Jewish entrepreneurs.

In the until the beginning of the 19th century free imperial city of Rottweil existed a Jewish community first in the Middle Ages. For the first time 1315 the "Judenort" is mentioned in the city. During the persecution during the plague period in 1349 the community was destroyed. From about 1380 (until 1418) there were again individual Jews living in the town. Around 1500, the Jews were expelled from the town. In the 17th century, some Jews were temporarily admitted to the town (two families in 1648).