Rhineland Massacres

In spring 1096, as the First Crusade gathered, bands of crusaders led by Count Emicho of Flonheim turned on the Jews of the Rhineland. At Speyer on 3 May, Bishop John protected most of the community, though about eleven were killed. At Worms, on 18 and 25 May, around 800 Jews were murdered, including those who had taken refuge in the bishop's palace. At Mainz on 27 May about 1,100 died. Attacks followed in Cologne, Trier, Regensburg and smaller towns, with forced baptisms wherever Jews were not killed.

Hebrew chronicles by Solomon bar Samson, Eliezer bar Nathan and the anonymous Mainz author describe Jews who chose death, even killing their own children, rather than accept baptism. That act of kiddush Hashem, martyrdom for God's name, became a model for later generations. The Av HaRachamim prayer, still said on most Shabbat mornings, and many Tisha B'Av kinot mourn these victims. Speyer, Worms and Mainz, the "ShUM" communities, are now a UNESCO World Heritage site.