Jews have lived in the Rhine region since the days of the Roman Empire. Germany's Jewish history must be remembered and shared by all Germans, not just those in the Jewish community, DW's Christoph Strack writes.
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The synagogue in Cologne is a testament to the long Jewish tradition in the RhinelandImage: A. Steffes
In 2021, Germany marks at least 1,700 years of Jewish life along the Rhine and north of the Alps. In a legal decree dated December 11, 321 and addressed to the Council of Cologne, Emperor Constantine declared it lawful "to appoint Jews to the city's governing body" throughout the Roman Empire.
Another important European anniversary from 321, this one in March, illustrates just how much Constantine's era still shapes our world. It was then that the emperor established dies Solis (the day of the sun, which eventually became Sunday) as the weekly Roman day of rest, a day after the Jewish Shabbat — a tradition that many societies still observe today.
Constantine, who was said to have been baptized on his deathbed in 337, used religious policy to implement his rule and as a way to foster identity.
Centuries of anti-Semitism
Constantine's 321 decree makes it clear that Jewish people have been in Germany since the beginning; they did not come from somewhere else. The span of 1,700 years has seen some ups, many downs and horrific atrocities.
Christoph Strack is DW's religion expertImage: DW/B. Geilert
Coexistence was seldom easy, and has often been difficult. "There haven't been so many great afternoons," said Andrei Kovacs, head of the association "321-2021: 1,700 Years of Jewish Life in Germany."
Marginalization, persecution, ritual murder, the Crusades, anti-Semitic fervor, racially motivated hate — every German city with a rich Jewish heritage has a dark history, a terrible shadow over it that existed long before the Nazis rose to power. But there is also a rich cultural and intellectual history — the numerous Jewish German Nobel laureates are proof of that. All this must be remembered and shared by all Germans, not just those in the Jewish community.
This makes it all the more important to look back AND forward together in the anniversary year. Jewish life in Germany today is more diverse than at any time since before the Holocaust. Young men and women are once again completing liberal, conservative and orthodox rabbinical studies in Germany.
Women rabbis making history
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Jewish life in Germany includes older established communities, people who live a conspicuously secular lifestyle and those expressing a young, self-confident identity. Since the wave of Jewish immigration from the former Soviet Union began in the 1990s, many communities have been engaged in very meaningful — and often overlooked — integration work. This year's anniversary celebrations are meant to highlight the vital diversity of Judaism.
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Stop marginalizing minorities
Emperor Constantine's decree in 321 was intended to politically integrate Jewish people in their communities. That still applies today, yet Jews remain a rarity in German politics. Of course, there is a Jewish state minister, a mayor and a state parliamentarian here and there, but with a total community of 200,000, Jews remain a minority.
The emperor warned Cologne's government not to marginalize Jews. At the time, the policy just concerned Jews; now, it includes all political minorities in Germany and the wider world.
More than 1,700 years of Jewish life is a reason for all Germans to celebrate, to remember and to look forward — together. We must be thankful for what has been achieved. The past is gone, but it must not be forgotten — so that we can all look forward to sharing a future together.
This commentary was adapted from German by Jon Shelton.
Jewish holidays: Yom Kippur, Hanukkah and Passover
Yom Kippur, Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat: Here's a brief overview of Judaism's various holy celebrations.
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Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement
Religious Jews have 10 days to repent of their sins, which leads to Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism, this year beginning on September 24. It involves an entire day of fasting and intensive prayer. On the eve of Yom Kippur, some Jews practice Kapparot, a traditional atonement ritual, in which they donate a chicken to the poor for a meal. After the fasting, families share a meal.
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Sukkot: Festival of Shelters
The holiday commemorates the Israelites' Exodus from slavery in Egypt some 3,000 years ago. They spent 40 years traveling though the desert, sheltered by temporary dwellings. For the weeklong festival of Sukkot, a "sukkah" is constructed to symbolize those huts. Jews spend time together in them, sharing meals and sometimes even sleeping there. This year's festival begins on September 29.
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Simchat Torah: Rejoicing with God's teachings
Immediately after the festival of Sukkot comes the holiday of Shemini Atzeret, of which the Simchat Torah is a component. It celebrates the conclusion of the annual cycle of public readings of the Torah, the Hebrew Bible. In synagogues, Torah scrolls are carried through the prayer house and worshippers dance and sing in a joyous procession that can last for several hours.
Image: Hanan Isachar/picture alliance
Hanukkah: Festival of Lights
For two centuries under the Seleucid Empire, Jews were not allowed to practice their religion — until 164 BC, when they recaptured Jerusalem. According to religious texts, only enough sacred oil remained for one night of lighting, but the wicks of the menorah ended up miraculously burning for eight days. That's why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days, with one candle lit every day.
Image: Reuters/R. Zvulun
Tu BiShvat: New Year of the Trees
This holiday in January marks the end of the rainy season in Israel. Until then, the plants should be allowed to grow in peace. Traditionally, the fruits that Israel has to offer are eaten together at Tu BiShvat: grapes, nuts, figs, dates, olives, pomegranates and cereals. Tu BiShvat has also become a day devoted to environmental protection, when people all over the country plant seedlings.
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Purim: Jewish 'Carnival'
According to the Hebrew Bible, the vizier Haman wanted to have all the Jews in the Persian Empire killed. But the wife of the king, Esther, was Jewish, and she saved her people. When this story is read out in the synagogue, the congregation makes noise every time Haman is mentioned to blot out his name. Purim customs include wearing masks and costumes, and heavy drinking.
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Passover: Feast of Unleavened Bread
The exodus from Egyptian slavery is commemorated with Passover, an eight-day festival. Orthodox Jews make a pilgrimage to the Western Wall in Jerusalem. As the Israelites only had unleavened bread with them when they escaped, leavened bread is not eaten during the holiday. Jewish families traditionally gather on the first night of Passover for a special dinner called a Seder.
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Shavuot: Festival of Reaping
Shavuot commemorates the revelation of the Five Books of the Torah by God to Moses and to the Israelites on Mount Sinai. It's also called the "Day of the First Fruits," as the first grains and fruits are ripe in Israel and can be harvested. In biblical times, two wheat loaves made from the flour of the new harvest were offered on this day at the Jerusalem temple.
Shabbat lasts from sundown every Friday until Saturday night. In religiously observant families, work is forbidden and Jews visit the synagogue. In addition, no fires may be lit on Shabbat, including electric lights or the stove. The candle for the family feast is therefore already lit shortly before sunset. Reciting a blessing is also part of the weekly ritual.
Image: P Deliss/Godong/picture-alliance
Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year
The two-day celebration began in 2023 on September 15, Friday evening, and is a reminder of the covenant God made with Israel. Jews are to turn away from sin and do good deeds on Rosh Hashanah (literally: "head [of] the year"). Following a 2,000-year-old tradition, the sound of the shofar — a trumpet made of ram's horn — guides the worshipers' contemplation.
