Erfurt Jew -EU - I13866

Jewish life in 12th century Erfurt was marked by both growth and vulnerability. The community, composed primarily of merchants and artisans, began to establish a foothold in the city. They built synagogues and mikvahs, indicating a growing sense of communal identity. However, this period also foreshadowed the precarious nature of Jewish existence in medieval Europe. Anti-Semitic sentiments were prevalent, and the community lived under the constant threat of violence and discrimination. Their economic success often made them targets of envy and resentment, setting the stage for the tragic events that would unfold in subsequent centuries.