Diverse Sources, Shared Histories Jewish Cultural Heritage from the Middle Ages in Contemporary Discourse

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Patrimonialization of Medieval Jewish culture by the Jewish Community of Regensburg is at the core of this project. By reviewing the changing treatment of medieval cultural heritage in Regensburg in modern times, especially from the second half of the 19th century onwards, it will prepare the methods and background for the conceptualization and realization of the permanent exhibition in the former Tahara building of the community. The exhibition will reflect the process of patrimonialization by presenting selected sources and objects as intended reflection of discussions among members of the Jewish community and five researchers on the value and goals of the present and future Jewish cultural heritage. A great variety of rabbinic and archival sources will be brought to the table in order to determine if they belong to Jewish cultural heritage. In addition, this project will bring rabbinic sources into conversation with municipal, ducal and imperial archival sources from medieval Regensburg and Bavaria. It will demonstrate how rabbinic sources and scholars reflect, reference, and respond to local realities, and that archival materials provide perspectives on medieval Jewish life not expressed in rabbinic sources. Both distinct groups of sources give access to immaterial and intellectual Jewish cultural heritage, especially in their references to each other, thus reflecting different aspects of shared histories. Together with the medieval Jewish tombstones as visible reminders of Jewish presence up to today, they will be offered to the Regensburg community for discourse as to how their heritage should be publicly presented. The goal of the project is to question the objects and rephrase the narratives that constitute Jewish cultural heritage from the Middle Ages. The diachronic reception and transmission of these objects is crucial in this process, especially in researching circumstances of preservation and attitudes towards medieval Jewish tombstones, from the 16th century up to recent times.