The ShUM cities of Worms Mainz and Speyer have had UNESCO World Heritage status since July. art! about their importance and in conversation with Susanne Urban, managing director SchUM-Städte eV.
In the Middle Ages, the ShUM cities were the center of the largest and most influential Jewish communities in Germany: Worms, Mainz and Speyer. From the 11th century onwards, they had come together to form a group and had a decisive influence on Jewish law, architecture, the interpretation of religious scriptures and culture.
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Kunscht! moderator Ariane Binder and Susanne Urban, historian and managing director SchUM-Städte eV (right)
SWR
“Judaism is very future-oriented. That means you know what the past was, but at the same time you look to the future. And yet it is very important to name this anti-Semitism, to name it clearly, to examine it, to look at it…” Hanukkah candlesticks in the Worms synagogue Traces of this heyday can still be found in the cities today – the mikveh in Speyer, for example, the ritual immersion bath. Or the “Heiliger Sand” Jewish cemetery in Worms, the oldest preserved Jewish cemetery in Europe. UNESCO has recognized this evidence of a living Jewish tradition as particularly worthy of protection: the ShUM sites have been UNESCO World Heritage sites since July 2021. –
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dpa picture radio
Uwe Anspach
