Mainz – the mother community

Mainz is viewed as the “mother community” of ShUM. A significant centre of Jewish erudition developed in the city from the late 10th century onwards. However, due to several expulsions and destructions, its buildings have not been preserved. A special feature of the centre is its Memorial Cemetery, where rediscovered headstones were re-erected in 1926 after having been removed and used as building material after the expulsion of the community in the 15th century. Many of these headstones and memorial stones for significant scholars are still visited by Jews from all over the globe in the present day.