Portraits of a Legacy
The Ones Pulling the Strings
The Story of Matthias and Hindel Guttmann
Matthias (Matthiahu) Guttman
1766–1829
Matthias was born on June 4, 1766, and was part of the founding generation of the Jewish community in the village of Jebenhausen, Germany, and belonged to the second generation of Jews who settled there.
Hindle (Hannah) Faist Rosenheim
1770–1834
Hindel was born on August 13, 1770. She came from the Rosenheim family, one of the most prominent Jewish families in the area.
Who is the Gutman family?
The Guttmann family was among the pioneering Jewish families in Jebenhausen, a small village in Württemberg, Germany.
In 1777, 20 Jewish families received official permission to settle in the village — among them, the Guttmann family.
Elias Guttmann (1735–1796), the father of Matthias, was one of the first nine families granted the right to settle there. He signed a protection contract with the local rulers - the Counts of von Liebenstein.
This contract, consisting of 19 clauses, granted the Jews the legal status of “protected Jews” (Schutzjuden) — a designation that allowed them to live, work, and establish communal institutions.
The contract also guaranteed freedom of religion and included a commitment from the authorities to respect Jewish traditions, customs, and holidays.
The signing of the original contract from 1777
Within a short time, the community expanded and established a synagogue, a mikveh (ritual bath), a cemetery, and a Jewish school.
In 1778, there were 31 Jews living in Jebenhausen.
By 1804, their number had grown to 233,
and by 1845, the community reached its peak with 550 people — nearly half the village’s population!
But over time, many Jews left the village due to economic and civil restrictions.
Around 1870, many members of the community emigrated — some to the United States, others to larger cities like Stuttgart, in search of economic freedom and equal rights.
By 1899, only 9 Jews remained in the village; the community had dissolved, and the synagogue was demolished.
A few moved to the nearby city of Göppingen, where they established a new Jewish community and even built an impressive synagogue, which was destroyed during Kristallnacht in 1938.
The move from village to city marked the next stage in the integration of Jews into the economy - but also the gradual loss of small Jewish communities.
Business and Pleasure
Matthias continued in his father’s footsteps in commerce - primarily in trading wool and fabrics.
During his time, trade was still small-scale and local, but over time, the next generation shifted from trade to industry.
The marriage of Matthias and Hindel was not just a personal union, but also a strategic alliance: a merger between two strong merchant families.
This union strengthened their economic foundation and paved the way for the next generations to take on leading roles in industry.
The Rosenheim Family – Textile and Corset Industry
After Hindel’s death, her family established a successful textile factory specializing in the production of corsets and fabrics.
The company employed hundreds of workers and played a significant role in the region’s economic development.
The Guttmann Family – Weaving Belts and Fabric Ribbons
The Guttmann family was known for its entrepreneurial spirit, and established several textile-related factories.
From the Guttmann lineage emerged multiple factories, one of the most notable founded by Bernhard Guttmann, the husband of one of Matthias and Hindel’s great-granddaughters.
In 1875, Bernhard founded the B. Gutmann factory for weaving belts and ribbons.
In 1898, he partnered with entrepreneur Eduard Marx from Bad Cannstatt, and the company’s name was changed to B. Gutmann & Marx.
This renowned factory would go on to become a symbol of the family’s legacy, and we’ll delve deeper into its story later.
Hindel and Matthias Guttmann with Bernard and Sophia Guttmann
“We would be like a leaf in the wind,
at the mercy of the waves.
Only that we are our parents’ child,
that the blood of ancestors is within us,
that we are a link in the eternal chain,
gives stability and meaning to life.”
It’s interesting to imagine what Matthias and Hindel would say if they saw their portraits hanging in a place of honor in Lucy and Ephraim’s home.
Matthias and Hindel had nine children and countless great-grandchildren who went on to build successful businesses -
No wonder Ephraim saw them as figures of inspiration.
Could they have imagined that five generations later, their descendants would carry on their legacy - and build a new community of their own?
Points to Reflect On
Is community an inseparable part of Jewish DNA - formed out of exclusion - and did the stereotypes about Jewish business success come from necessity, or rather from internal forces of initiative and resilience?
Are collective (cooperative) businesses built on the same values as a family business - commitment, responsibility, and a shared vision?
Maybe that’s the secret to success: that everyone gives their all and comes to work with the mindset of “this is their father’s business.”Can you see yourself building a multi-generational family business? if so, what kind of business would we start?
What’s coming next week?
Since we’ve already started unraveling the threads of the textile story - let’s stay on topic!
Next week, we’ll dive into the next chapter:
How did the family’s textile factories evolve?
What brands were created?
Who registered patents -and how did they become industry leaders?
Shabbat Shalom
The family connection between Efraim Marx and Matthias Guttman
The family relationship between Matthias and Bernard Guttman
Ephraim with the paintings of Bernard and Sophia Guttman in the background
