Online Archive of Jewish Communities

In the former free imperial city of Oppenheim there was already a Jewish community in the Middle Ages. In an imperial tax list from 1242 Jews are mentioned in the town for the first time. They lived mainly from money lending. The most important position was held by a Jud Anselm, who is mentioned in numerous money transactions between 1285 and 1305. A lively intellectual life characterized the community. Oppenheim's scholars were also recognized in surrounding towns. A valuable Pentateuch manuscript from Oppenheim is kept in the Ambrosiana in Milan.