Introduction: Shalom Along the Rhine 

"In the Bible, the Jewish people are described as a ‘household community’, Beit  Yisreal, the House of Israel."

Leo Trepp: Die Juden. Volk, Geschichte, Religion

Three cities, one heritage: Speyer, Worms and Mainz, together known as the ShUM Sites, formed the heart of Ashkenazic Judaism from the Middle Ages. Ashkenaz is the name of the Jewish culture north of the Alps, the religious and cultural influence of which has spread around the globe right through to the present day. It was here that the knowledge, prayers and rites of the ShUM communities began their journey out into the big, wide world.

Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021, the ShUM Sites are home to unique structures and stories of belief, scholarship and community. Any mentions of Rhineland-Palatinate in this exhibition refer to the historical regions that went on to form the current federal state of Germany at a much later point in time. The dates specified in the exhibition also follow a different convention: BCE (before the Common Era) is used instead of BC (before Christ) and describes the beginning of the calendar according to Jewish customs, detached from the birth of Jesus. However, the exhibition also goes beyond the presentation of our state’s historical Jewish heritage by additionally linking it to today’s extremely active Jewish community and its religious practice in Rhineland-Palatinate. When viewing the exhibition, it is important to remember that Judaism is not a set entity; in fact, being Jewish is just as diverse as the people who practice the religion – even more so than in other religions. From a halakhic perspective, namely that of Jewish law, discarding the religion is not an option. Discover how ShUM shaped Jewish life both in Rhineland-Palatinate and beyond over centuries – and how its roots are still continuing to grow in the present day.