"Jerusalem on the Rhine" – The SchUM-Cities Speyer, Worms and Mainz

What remains of the people who lived in the Middle Ages? Sometimes it’s more than a first glance might suggest. Because the Rhine region was the birthplace for a rich and vibrant culture, that is very much alive today. The cities of Speyer, Worms and Mainz became famous as  “Jerusalem on the Rhine”. Their jewish communities were also known as SchUM. This word is composed from the three initial letters of their medieval hebrew names.

Schin (Sch) = SchPIRA = Speyer

Waw (U) = Warmaisa = Worms

Mem (M) = Magenza = Mainz 

Innovations made in ShUM

All of the SchUM-cities had one thing in common in the Middle Ages: Active jewish communities that were famous beyond the Rhine region. All of them contributed to the development of the cities of Speyer, Worms and Mainz. And they were all closely connected. This connection is apparent in the history of  some buildings. For example, the ritual bath in Worms is based on the mikve in Speyer. And the Frauenschul in Speyer is modelled on the Frauenschul in Worms. Beside a grand architecture the medieval jewish communities developed cultural traditions and teachings, that are still relevant today.

All SchUM-cities shared an extraordinary history: Jewish communities prospered here in the Middle Ages. And they built unique architectural structures. While some may seem nondescript on the outside, they reveal their magnificience on closer inspection (Worms Synagogue, Jewish courtyard Speyer / Mikve).

In the Middle Ages the SchUM-cities Speyer, Worms and Mainz supported the settlement of jewish merchants. Because these merchants improved the long-distance trading and brought innovations to the Rhine Region. Up to the pogromes of 1096, jews and christians lived as neighbours, in close proximity.

Living traditions

A strong bond is formed between the jewish communities of the SchUM-cities in the Middle Ages. And this bond has an impact on the present. Because important jewish doctrines originated here. Many medieval SchUM-scholars are still held in high regard (Jewish Cemetery Worms / Jewish Cemetery Mainz). The rich culture of the SchUM-cities has been passed down the generations. Today it is part of a living jewish community (New Synagogue Mainz).

Centers of Ashkenazi Judaism

The fame of the SchUM-cities started early. At the end of the 12th century one scholar talked about their inspiring force. Rabbi Isaak ben Mose mentioned the SchUM-cities crucial influence on Ashkenasic Judaism:

“How very much do our teachers in Mainz, in Worms and in Speyer belong to the most learned of the scholars, to the saints of the Most High … from there the teachings go out to all of Israel … Since the days of their founding all the communities respect and follow them, on the Rhine and in all the land of Ashkenaz.”

Would you like to learn more about the SchUM-cities and their impressive cultural heritage? Then check out

https://schumstaedte.de/en/