Self-governance and codetermination

On 8 June 1356, the Jewish woman Chändel, her son Jösel, Chalman and Äferll, Fridlein's son, as the head of the community (parnasim in Hebrew), on behalf of the entire Jewish community of Regensburg, negotiated the admission as a citizen of Aaron (Araon) von Prag, his wife Rachel with their family and domestics. With the knowledge and support of the city's citizens, the issuers of the document agreed the admission of the new arrivals into the community and thus into the city of Regensburg.

Aaron and his relatives were allowed to settle in Regensburg for two years. In return, they were to pay the city 60 guilders at Whitsun each year; they would then not be liable for any further taxes or charges in addition to this sum. The Jewish community also granted them the right to use the synagogue (shul), the cemetery and all community facilities (allen den dingen die vns gemainlich an gehörent) in any way (zü götlichen dingen od(er) zü werltlich(e)n).

This document was authenticated with a total of five seals: the seal of the Jewish community, of the two "Judenrichter" (judges of the Jews), namely schultheiß (magistrate) Albreht Zand and Stephan Tündorffär, of the chamberlain Chunrad Dürnsteter and of Karel Mäller.

The indication that the issuers of the document engaged in negotiations with the knowledge and support of the lords of the city and the attached seals of the Jewish community and of the Christians named demonstrate how closely the city and the Jewish community worked together on the admission of new Jewish citizens.

The community seal of the Regensburg Jews is worth a particular mention. The circumscription reads
חותם . קהל . ריגנשפורק * (Seal of the Community of Regensburg).
Corporate seals for the Jewish communities of Augsburg and Rothenburg o.d.T. have also survived.