“Special Taxation of the Jews” [Present-day Germany; Margraviate of Brandenburg]: “The principals of the local Jewish community* of Brandenburg-Neustadt (New City) oblige/commit themselves to pay taxes in the amount of 30 Brandenburger Schillings to the local Christian pastor – payable in two instances – half for Christmas and half for Easter. [Researcher’s note: The original text does not specify who made this ruling. However, it lists the witnesses: “The pastors Nikolaus Ruschen and Johann von Zehdenich (Cedenik), as well as the Deacon Friedrich Belzig (Belzyz) and many others.” It also states:” Notarial note of the notary Ludolf […] clergyman of the Diocese of Hildesheim. *While the Latin text uses the term “universitas sive synagoga Iudeorum” (university or Jewish synagogue) in the text, it refers to the Jewish community. This points to the fact that both terms were used interchangeably to refer to the local Jewish community.]
Brandenburg a. H., Domstiftarchiv (Prince-Bishopric Archive), BDK 1508/1441 (Kopialbuch/Copialbook), fol. 71b, Abschr. (Copy) (14th century), Latin; Brandenburg, Domstiftarchiv (Prince-Bishopric Archive), BDK 1509/1442 (Kopialbuch II/Copial-book II), p. 89 (16th century). Researched and Translated by Ziba Shadjaani 2/25/2017