From Rimpar to America

The Lehman Trilogy begins in a small Bavarian town, Rimpar, but the drama it portrays is rooted in the broader historical realities faced by Jews across 19^th century Germany. At that time, Germany was not a single unified nation but a patchwork of kingdoms, duchies, and city-states, each with its own laws and regulations. Life for Jewish families was tightly regulated: where they could live, whom they could marry, and the professions they could pursue were all controlled by local authorities. Many communities limited Jewish settlement to specific neighborhoods, restricted access to guilds, and prohibited land ownership. Even when states like Prussia introduced reforms such as the Edict of 1812, granting Jews partial rights to residence, property, and education, substantial restrictions remained. Jews were still excluded from many public offices, professions, and military service, leaving young people with few paths to independence.

In Bavaria, the Matrikel system further constrained Jewish life. This system allotted only a certain number of legal “slots” for Jewish households, determining who could marry or run a business. Often, only the eldest son received a license, leaving younger siblings unable to establish families or livelihoods unless a vacancy occurred. Though Bavaria abolished the Matrikel system in 1861, generations had already grown up under these limitations. Earlier measures like the Leibzoll, a tax on Jewish travelers and merchants, had been abolished decades before, but the memory of legal and social exclusion remained vivid.

Antisemitism compounded these legal restrictions. Even in areas where reforms granted formal equality, Jews often faced social prejudice, economic boycotts, and occasional violence. The Hep-Hep riots of 1819, which swept through Würzburg and nearby towns, saw mobs attack Jewish homes and businesses, demonstrating how precarious daily life could be.

Rimpar provides a concrete example of these pressures. Historian Ambassador John L. Loeb Jr. (Mayer Lehman’s great grandson) notes that in the Lehman family: “Their eldest brother, Seligman, received the one license to work and marry for each Jewish family in Rimpar. Six sisters moved to other villages where Jewish quotas allowed them to settle and marry.”

For Henry, Emanuel, and Mayer Lehman—three younger sons with no Matrikel slot—the United States offered freedom. There, Jewish immigrants could marry freely, pursue business opportunities, and participate in civic life without state- imposed quotas. Between 1820 and 1900, approximately 5 million Germans emigrated to the U.S., with German Jews forming a significant portion of that number. By 1880, America’s Jewish population had grown from just a few thousand to roughly 300,000, helping to shape urban communities from New York to Cincinnati.

The impact of German-Jewish immigrants extended far beyond commerce. They played a crucial role in shaping American education, science, the arts, politics, and social reform. From founding businesses and banks to contributing to cultural institutions and universities, these immigrants helped build the economic and cultural foundation of modern America. Their story is one of resilience, ingenuity, and civic contribution—a legacy that continues to resonate today.

—Guy Cohen

Guy Cohen is a Theater Director, Teacher and Producer, and holds a Master’s Degree in Theater Directing from Tel Aviv University.