VIRTUAL JEWISH MUSEUM

Jewish mintmaster Hebrew

Experience and skill with money led Jews to positions of leadership in banks and minting. This silver Dinar from Wurzburg, Germany displays very clearly in Hebrew letters the name "Yechiel", who must have been the mintmaster. Above him is the image of the Medieval cathedral in town and around the circle is the name of the reigning bishop - Otto von Lobdenburg, who ruled from 1207 to 1223.

Jewish mintmaster coin back

This side shows a stylized image of the Bishop, holding a cross and a sword and wearing his pointed hat. Despite (or because of?) Jewish success, there were massacres of Jews in Wurzburg.

Body tax receipt

Jews in Germany lived a precarious existence before achieving civil equality in the 1860's: expulsions, fines, restricted mobility etc. 'Body taxes' were charged as Jews traveled through various principalities. This receipt, dated 1789, is for a 10 Kreuzer payment.

"Jew Street" Frankfurt on Main

In 1462, Frankfurt's Jews were ordered to relocate to a narrow alley 1000 feet long, a gated ghetto. The population grew from the original 110 persons to 2,270 by 1610. They could buy no other land and conducted all their personal and communal life in its walls. Despite all the crowding and limitations, this street became the center of Jewish life in Germany.

Jews street postcard.

This picture postcard was mailed from Frankfurt to Barcelona 4 August 1902.

Newspaper.Frankfurt.1786

This Frankfurt newspaper from January 24,1786 has articles about various European cities. Under 'Miscellaneous' it discusses Jewish educational policy.

Jewish School

A government order forbids Jews in the town of Fulda to employ home tutors for their children, now that there is a Jewish school in town. It teaches writing, math, accounting, and history. The boys - but not the girls - are also taught Talmud and Bible. (In many periods and places, home schooling was the way to insure that children got a proper Jewish education.)

Newspaper.Frankfurt.about Fulda

Fulda had a Jewish population for almost 1000 years. The community experienced attacks, blood libels, expulsions, and assorted restrictions on their living conditions. An important Yeshiva existed there in the 1600's. This public Jewish school, started in 1784, was an innovation for the community.

Birth Record

This document is proof of age and parentage. It is dated 3 January 1868, signed by the president of the Jewish community, and may have been needed for admission to a school or to get a job. "Phillip Ferdinand Freudenberg, legitimate son of the member of the the Jewish community in Ritzbuttel Hersch Phillip Freudenberg and his wife Mina nee Samuel, according to the birth records of the Community, was born in Cuxhaven on 28 January 1849, which is hereby truthfully attested."

School report card, Darmstadt 1863

Jews are recorded in Darmstadt as early as the 1500's. This is a report booklet for Wilhelm Fuerth from 18 April 1863 until 4 September 1865. The weekly reports are signed or initialed by the teacher, Dr. Maurer, and Wilhelm's father M. Fuerth.

Darmstadt report card pages

Sample remarks: 'Reprimanded on account of bad penmanship, otherwise almost satisfactory... Very satisfactory in French...Hope he will continue...making an effort to improve...

Jewish High School report 1928

Hamburg's Jewish high school was known as the Talmud Torah Realschule. Founded in 1845, it was a premier school in the region. In the 1930's it had over 800 students and 33 faculty members. Dr. Arthur Spier was principal until he emigrated to New York in 1939 and soon helped found Manhattan Day School. The Nazis closed all the Jewish schools on 30 June 1942. Most of the teachers, and students, were eventually deported. "Helmuth Fels is a very brave, diligent and orderly student. Spier"

Yeshiva Student I.D. Card

The Frankfurt Yeshiva was a Lithuanian-style yeshiva founded in 1893 by R. Solomon Breuer - son-in-law and successor to R. Shimshon Rephael Hirsch (father of the Torah Im Derech Eretz philosophy). In 1926 his son Joseph became the head of the community and the yeshiva. After Krystallnacht in November 1938, the Yeshiva ceased to exist. R' Breuer came to New York and founded the 'Breuer Kehilla' in Washington Heights. This yeshiva student I.D. card is signed by R. Breuer.

Hildesheimer Rabbinical Seminary1894

This Yeshiva was founded in 1873 to train Orthodox Rabbis. After Dr. Hildesheimer, it was led by R' Dovid Hoffman and R' Yechiel Weinberg. "We certify that Arthur Lieberman from Warsaw is a regular student at the Rabbinical Seminary since October 1890 and also is attending science and Talmudic lectures. His moral and religious behavior is beyond reproach." Issued by the University office. Berlin 18 October 1894. The Rector, Dr. Y. Hildesheimer."

Hildesheimer Rabbinical Students

This is a group photo of Rabbinical students at the Hildesheimer Seminary from the early 20th century. Some became well-known: R. Eliyahu Munk, R' Aharon Weiner, R' Yaakov Levi, R' Chaim Cohen.

Orthodox Elementary School

This is a class of students at the Moriah Elementary School in Cologne/Koln Germany in the 1920s. The Orthodox community Adas Jeshurun operated this school and Yavneh high school next to the Apernstrasse synagogue. Daniel Cohen is in the back under the picture. He is one of 29 boys and 9 girls.

The Examination

The young man is defending his Jewish learning to his grandfather/Rabbi, as his proud mother looks on. We see kipot, beard, and peyos. A typical German Sabbath lamp is hanging to the left. The caption reads “The Examination” (or ‘Interrogation’) representing classic support for Torah learning by asking students to demonstrate their accomplishments. This scene is a reproduction of a painting by Moritz Daniel Oppenheim (1800-82), a famous Jewish artist who specialized in scenes of religion.

Girls school

This class photo, with teachers is from a Jewish girls school in Berlin. According to the inscription, it belonged to Elli Lenvin on Prinzlauer Street in Berlin and is dated 1914.

Private Girls School Leipzig

Dr. Smitt's private secondary school for girls existed in Leipzig from about 1875 until closed by Nazis in 1937. It taught Jewish girls languages and stenography, through 10th grade, giving employable skills. This certificate attests that Sali Berger attended from 1919 - 1921.

Album.Holocaust.Germany

Orthodox German Rabbi 1857

Rabbi Anselm Stern had been Rabbi in Homberg, near Frankfurt before becoming chief rabbi of Hamburg around 1851. This picture shows him in traditional Orthodox Rabbinic dress of the period.

Hamburg Rabbinic search committee

The Hamburg Jewish community dates from about 1600. They were first granted citizenship in 1850. The community had active Orthodox and Reform congregations. Its residents numbered 20,000 in 1933. Only a few hundred survived the war. This letter was sealed by the "committee for the selection of Chief Rabbi of Hamburg" and sent to R' Stern, who took the position in 1851!

Cologne synagogue. Roonstrasse

Jews had lived in Cologne for nearly 1000 years before the Nazis came to power, although there were expulsions in the interim. The Roonetrasse synagogue of Cologne was built in 1899 in neo-Romanesque style. These grand- scale synagogues were designed by Christian architects. The style reminds us of Churches. It was among the 5 city synagogues destroyed in Krystallnacht. Rebuilt in the 1950's, it functions as a community center and Orthodox synagogue, also housing a Kosher restaurant.

Oranienburger strasse synagogue

The modernization and liberalization movements in Germany led to the building of imposing new synagogue buildings. This one in Berlin was completed in 1866. The dome and the arches were thought to give the building a more 'Jewish' look than the Gothic style of most churches. It was the first major synagogue of a liberal congregation and featured a choir and an organ. Damaged in Krystallnacht and then in air raids, only the facade and front hall remain, which function as a Jewish center.

Reform Siddur Service

This is a specialized 'mini-siddur' with just the Friday night Shabbat service. It is for a Reform service in Berlin, published in 1912. The sticker on the front says "Property of the Jewish Community of Berlin, Must be returned at the conclusion of the service." Friday evening service was often more popular than Sabbath Day service among the Reform community.

Prayer service. Friday night Reform

The title page of this slim siddur says it is for the second Friday and there were others for different weeks of the month. Published in Berlin in 1912.

Prayer service.Friday night.Reform

Here is a bold example of change to the traditional text, reflecting a universal attitude of Reform Judaism that rejected the concept of Jewish 'Return' to the Land of Israel. Instead of the usual bracha praising G-d "Who returns His presence to Zion", the version used on holidays when the Kohanim bless the congregation is inserted praising G-d "Whom You alone shall we worship in awe."

Prayer service. Reform.changes

Little omissions tell a story. The closing prayer of the service is Kiddush. The text is traditional until we get to "Ki Vanu Vacharta Ve'otanu Kidashta MIKOL HA'AMIM. 'For us You have chosen and us You have sanctified FROM ALL THE NATIONS'. The words in bold are omitted, to deny any distinctive specialness to the Jewish people (an idea that is expressed in every Kiddush, Musaf, and Torah blessing among traditional Jews.)

Simchat Torah aliya honor 1909

The German Jewish Synagogue Union in Hamburg sent this letter offering Jacob Drucker the honor of Chasan Bereishis - the first Aliya at the beginning of the Torah. It would be in the Bornplatz synagogue. It is written in German with several phrases and a blessing in Hebrew "May you see children and grandchildren involved in Torah and faithful fulfillment of Mitzvot." It was sent 11 Tishrei 5670 and asked for a response. Mr. Drucker must have been a gentleman of some stature in the community.

Jewish Advertising Card

This postcard copies a famous Jewish painting "The Wedding" by Oppenheim (1800's). The bride and groom stand under a portable Chupah in beautiful clothes and ornaments, while the Rabbi reads to them - perhaps the Ketubah since he is not holding the wine cup.

Jewish Advertising Card.back

The postcard was printed by a Jewish company, Tomor, that sells Kosher fleishig (meat) and Milchig (dairy) products.

Kosher butcher

Kosher meat is a necessity in the Jewish community, especially at holidays. This postcard to Strassburg confirms shipment of a meat order, uninsured and C.O.D., from a kosher butcher in Vienna. There is a reminder that the shop is closed on Saturdays. An additional sticker recommends 'fine well-fed beef tongues and pastrami' for the forthcoming Purim holiday.

Kosher butcher postcard

The front of the card shows it was mailed on 25 February 1895 from Vienna to Strassburg.

Kosher supervision

Simply writing 'kosher' on a product would not satisfy most observant consumers. This sticker not only advertises the Artol brand margarine, but states who supervises the production. "Produced under the supervision of the Provincial Rabbinate of Marburg" says the Singer Company of Frankfurt.

Talmud Societ -Chevra Shas Frankfurt

Religious communal life includes Torah study. By parceling out sections to its members, the society could arrange for the entire Talmud to be studied each year. A festive conclusion (siyum) would be held at years' end. "...the honorable sir volunteered at our siyum ... to study tractates Megillah and Kesubos during the coming year. ...May G-d help you to bring your intentions to fruition and finish that which you have begun."

Talmud society postcard

Mailed locally in Frankfurt in 1932

Mikveh immersion Danzig 1927

Ritual bathing in a kosher Mikveh is a fundamental feature of observant Jewish life. The Mikveh is managed by the synagogue or by a separate committee in the community. Upkeep is paid for by charging a fee for the year or for each use. This card proved payment for one-time use. "This card should be given to the attendant at the time you reserve your bath. The appointment time of the bath must be properly observed."

Jewish Calendar - Luach 1937

The annual 'Luach', the Jewish religious calendar, is a basic tool in every observant home, showing the Hebrew date, Torah reading for the week. and upcoming holidays and observances. This page, in Hebrew and German, shows the upcoming Passover holiday in red ink (and also mentions Easter and Palm Sunday). Also when Shabbos begins and ends, when is the last time to eat Chametz, what is the Haftara to recite, etc. In the back are listed candle-lighting times for 10 cities.

Scientific Research in Jewish Study

The movement to apply scientific methods to Jewish studies developed in the 1800s. The Institute for Scientific Study of Judaism was founded in 1872, reacting to anti-Semitism and to assimilation. This led to much scholarly work in Judaica but also to departure from Rabbinic tradition. This card announces a lecture on Maimonides in their auditorium in1935. Nazis closed the institute in 1942.

Prayer for government

The Mishnah in Avot (Ethics of the Fathers 3:2) teaches us: "Pray for the welfare of the government ..." Siddurim can be found from countries around the world with a version of this prayer. Here we have one from Austria naming the Kaiser Franz Joseph I, his wife Elizabeth, prince Rudoph and princess Stephanie.

Jews Fight for Germany.WWI.1915

German Jews were never more loyal to their country than during World War One. 100,000 Jews served in Germany's army. 12,000 gave their lives, many others were wounded and quite a number were decorated for bravery. Ludwig Stern sent this Field Post card to his wife from the army hospital where he was recuperating.

Jews Fight for Germany.wounded

"Today the local Cantor (chaplain?) visited me and with the approval of the commander I will receive, as of tomorrow, Kosher food, which I will enjoy very much...".

Jews Fight for Austria

The BJF was the Austrian Federation of Jewish War Veterans. It was founded in 1932 to demonstrate Jewish loyalty to the country and combat antisemitism. 320,000 Jews had fought in the Austrian army in WWI and 40,000 had died. This card was printed for their convention, held in 1936. It also bears a special postmark with the image of the badge of the organization.

Ration card for Matzah. WWI

World War One created many hardships, including food shortages. Basic commodities, such as bread, were rationed. In numerous communities, Jewish organizations arranged for Matzah distribution before Pesach, in lieu of bread. This card, issued in March 1918 in Vienna, enabled families to obtain their supplies. All but one of the coupons has been redeemed. "The owner of this card relinquishes his right to bread and flour between March 27th and April 4th, 1918."

Ration card for Matzah. 1918

The back of the card listed the rules and regulations of redemption.

Jewish Orphanage.1923

Caring for orphans is holy work at any time. There must have been more than usual in the wake of World War I, in which thousands of Jews lost their lives fighting for the Germans. Then came inflation ... "Last year, with the dollar exchange rate at 500 marks, you were kind enough to donate 500 marks. Considering that our institution is struggling to feed and clothe over 70 orphans, may we presume that your contribution will compensate for inflation this year... Most sincerely, the board."

Jewish orphanage.1923

Mailed locally in Frankfurt in 1923.

Loyalty to Germany

Even in the best years of the Weimar republic (1919 - 1933) the German people had not absorbed the Jews socially and emotionally. Some assimilationist Jews reacted by over-emphasizing their German nationalism. This pre-election poster illustrates their feelings: "German compatriots of Jewish descent! Election day is the day to prove that we are true Germans...We can not be robbed of this unbreakable connection with the German people, not by threats by anti-Semites or estranged Zionists."

Jewish-German Organization.Berlin

Jews lived in Berlin, between repeated expulsions, starting in the late 1200's. Its first Rabbi took office in 1714. Berlin was the center of National German-Jewish organizations. They published a variety of newspapers, maintained communal institutions They were a model for other Jewish communities around the world.

German-Jewish Organization.Berlin

This postcard shows the seal. It was used to send some German stamps to Rudi Katz in New Jersey for his collection. The back reproduces a Rembrandt painting of a rabbi.

Newspaper.Orthodox

"The Israelite - the Central Organ for Orthodox Judaism" was the leading Orthodox weekly newspaper in Germany, founded in 1860 by Marcus Lehman. It also became the paper of Agudat Yisrael (founded1912). The paper's last issue appeared on 3 November 1938. This issue of 20 December 1871 celebrates its 13th year of publication and eulogizes German Rabbi Jacob Ettlinger (1798-1871) who was a champion of Orthodoxy during the flourishing years of the Reform movement.

Printing and Publishing

Postcards became popular at the end of the 19th century. Countless thousands of types displayed every imaginable design - drawings, paintings, and eventually actual photographs. Jewish New Year cards showed holiday scenes, contemporary settings, and traditional paintings, like the one above of a Talmudic student. Germany was a major producer of these cards before World War II.

Printing and Publishing

This postcard anticipates the coming of the Passover holiday. Besides the attractive pictorial, it includes a popular holiday wish: "May the Matzot digest well. A pleasant Pesach and we wish that you may 'build well (the next Temple in Jerusalem)."

Printing and Publishing

The card was sent from Amsterdam to Paris - but it was printed in Cologne, Germany.

Department Store. Tietz

Improving living standards in the late 19th century gave rise to the phenomenon of department stores. Jewish families were particularly prominent in this enterprise. The family Tietz opened the first one in Munich in 1895. Soon they opened in other cities. The one pictured here is in Dusseldorf. Jews were also prominent in the booming ready-made clothing market. Soon Germany ruled the world in this area. The Nazis took over the stores in 1938 and the family left the country.

Department Store.Teitz.

Notice that the stamp has been peeled off and there is a message underneath.

Jewish Self-Help.Berlin

Not expecting much help from the German government, Jews relied on each other for help during difficult winter months. These receipts show contributions for funds to help needy Jews. This one is from Berlin.

Zionist Leader Loewe

Heinrich / Eliakim Loewe (1867 - 1950) was one of the first Zionists in Germany. Raised without a Jewish education, he eventually studied at Berlin University and at the 'Hochshule', a liberal college for Jewish studies. In 1892, he founded Jung Israel, the first Zionist group in Germany. He intended to settle in Palestine (sending this postcard home to his parents) but returned to Europe, established the German Zionist Federation, and founded the Zionist "Judishe Rundschau" newspaper.

Zionist leader Loewe 1897

Loewe wrote to his parents from Palestine, asking them to send him his books and journals. He returned to Europe to represent Eretz Yisrael at the first Zionist Congress and stayed in Europe. He settled in Palestine in 1933. It was his idea to establish a Jewish National Library in Jerusalem.

Zionist Newspaper.1920

Judishe Rundschau means Jewish Survey. It was the Journal of the Zionist Federation in Germany. It appeared twice weekly under the editorship of Heinrich Loewe. It profoundly influenced younger Zionists and helped to strengthen Jewish morale until the Nazis banned it in 1938. Here could be found news of Palestine, world Jewry, advertisements for Kosher restaurants and Hebrew classes etc. This issue reads "Eretz Yisrael belongs to the Jewish People." and refers to the Balfour Declaration.

Zionist Federation.Berlin

In 1897 Heinrich Loewe founded and led the Zionist Federation of Berlin. German Zionism grew steadily in the early 20th century. It was strengthened by the presence of the World Zionist Headquarters in Germany from 1905-1930 and German Zionists held key positions in the world movement, but it was more of an elite group than a mass movement. This postcard was mailed by the Federation in 1931 to encourage voting for delegates to the 17th Zionist Congress, to be held in Basle in July.

Zionist Federation Berlin

"This card is to be brought as I.D. for voting. Voting for the 17th Zionist congress is taking place Sunday 17 June 1931. Your voting place is the Beth Hamidrasch." The card is stamped 'voted', showing it was actually used.

Zionist 'Shekel' Card male

The membership fee, and card, of the Zionist movement was called the Shekel. It also served as a voting certificate. (The number of delegates permitted from a country was based on the number of Shekels sold there). About 20,000 shekels were sold annually in Germany in the 1920's & 30's. After the Nazis seized power, proving assimilation pointless, Zionism became the dominant force in German Jewry. Membership peaked at 35,000. Efforts were then directed a preparing for Aliyah to Palestine.

Zionist Shekel card. male

The reverse of the Shekel quoted the essential objective of the Zionist program: "Zionism seeks to establish for the Jewish people a legitimate homeland in Palestine."

Zionist Shekel card.female

This Shekel was issued to a woman, Ellen Ruth apparently the wife of Emil named on the previous Shekel. His was buff colored, hers is blue. Interestingly, his charge in local currency was 1 1/2 Marks, hers only 1 mark. Perhaps this was a married couple discount, or maybe women were simply charged less!

Zionist Shekel Card. Austria

There was some Zionist activity in Germany but much more in Austria. Groups of Jews studied Hebrew and farming, and prepared to emigrate to Palestine. This 'shekel' donation receipt actually pictures an ancient Jewish shekel from the revolt against Rome. By the time this receipt was written (April 1939) Germany had annexed Austria for over a year.

Zionist Shekel Card.Austria back

The back quotes resolutions from the First and Eighteenth Zionist Congresses in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English: "The Zionist organization comprises all Jews who accept the Basle program (= 'The aim of Zionism is to create for the Jewish People a home in Palestine secured by public laws.') and who pay the annual shekel."

Vienna Zionist Youth

Ernst Rostholder age 16 is a member of 'Hanoar Hazioni' Zionist youth association in Vienna. This is his membership card that confirms his registration and receiving guidance (about making Aliyah?). He registered for Hachsharah in October 1938. Did he get out in time?

Olympic Winner

The eleventh Olympic games were held in the summer of 1936 in Berlin. Although Jews were generally excluded from competing, some did. Helene Mayer, born to a Jewish father, had fled Germany to study in the US but returned to fence for Germany and won the silver medal (with no mention of her ancestry). In this picture she is giving the Nazi salute, reportedly to help her family interned in a labor camp. She won the US women's foil championship 8 times.

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Jewish Self-Help.

"Donation for Jew in crisis." Notice the quote in the upper left corner from Sefer Shemot, Parashat Ki Tisa: "Each one shall give a redemption for himself..."

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