Jewish Mainz Tour: ShUM, Ashkenazi History & Jewish Heritage

Discover the remarkable history of Jewish Mainz on a private tour through one of the historic centers of Ashkenazi Jewish life. From the medieval ShUM community to the destruction of the 20th century and the rebuilding of Jewish life after World War II, this tour explores centuries of Jewish history in Mainz.

The word “shum” means garlic in Hebrew. ShUM in modern day Rhineland is an acronym for Speyer, Worms, and Mainz—three medieval cities along the Rhine that became the cradle of Ashkenazi Judaism. Their teaching houses spread the fame of the ShUM communities in the Jewish world and attracted students from faraway places. To this day, the spiritual heritage of the Jewish communities of Speyer, Mainz and Worms are essential element of Jewish tradition. In 2021 UNESCO inscribed the joint Jewish heritage of the three cities into the World Heritage.

Medieval Jewish Community

Mainz became a major center of Jewish life in Central Europe early in the Middle Ages. Where did the first Jews come from? What did they do? What medieval artefacts lasted till today? During this private tour, we’ll visit the Old Jewish Cemetery of Mainz. Known as “Auf dem Judensand’, it’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ShUM sites. As we walk through the Old Town, we’ll share the moving and tragic story of Mainz’s first medieval Jewish community, whose members became martyrs, remembered by generations of Jewish settlers.

Jewish Mainz in the 19th Century

Who re-established the community in the early modern period? We’ll visit the former Jewish quarter of the second Jewish community, where daily life once thrived.

As Mainz expanded in the 19th century, its Jewish community grew and changed with the city. Industrialists, merchants, department store owners, doctors, lawyers and other professionals helped shape modern Mainz. Explore how Jewish residents contributed to the city’s economic, cultural and civic life and discover the institutions they created.

Jewish Mainz Under Nazi Rule

The rise of Nazism transformed Jewish life in Mainz. Synagogues and Jewish institutions were attacked and destroyed. Many Jewish residents fled. Those who remained were eventually deported and murdered. Explore what happened to Mainz’s Jewish community during the Holocaust and how the destruction of Jewish life changed the city.

Jewish Mainz After World War II: Renewal and Resilience

The story of Jewish Mainz does not end with the Holocaust. Discover who returned after the war, who came to Mainz later, and who rebuilt Jewish community. Explore the striking New Synagogue and learn what its architecture represents for Jewish life in Mainz today.

Chagall’s Windows: A Jewish Artist in a Mainz Church

The tour also takes you to a remarkable post-war church whose stained-glass windows were created by Marc Chagall. Why did the parish priest invite the famous Jewish artist to create them? Why did Marc Chagall agree to design the windows? It was his last artistic project of the master. What do the windows represent in the context of Mainz’s history?

We look forward to sharing with you Jewish Mainz heritage.

What Makes Our Jewish Tours Different?

History Through Human Lives

We bring Jewish heritage to life through the stories of real people—Jewish and non-Jewish, famous and unknown—whose lives were connected to the places and events we explore.

Worms in the Wider Ashkenazi Story

We place Mainz within the broader history of Ashkenazi Judaism, thus tracing connections between Mainz, the ShUM communities and Jewish communities further east.

Migration and Family Connections

We explore migration routes and connections between Jewish communities, including the links between Mainz and the Jewish history of Poland and Eastern Europe.

Jewish History in Context

We look beyond monuments to explore everyday life, religious traditions, culture and the relationships between Jewish and Christian communities over the centuries.

Tour Itinerary and Price

This is a private walking tour. Tour price depends on the number of people in your party. Contact us at yourjewishheritageguide@gmail.com for the tour itinerary with price.