The Jewish Community of Vienna in the Middle Ages: A Turbulent History and its Material Remains

Sponsor(s): Institute of European Studies, Austrian Studies Program, German Historical Institute Washington (Pacific Office), Center for Jewish Studies, UC Berkeley German Department, UC Berkeley History Department, Consulate General of Austria San Francisco

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This talk explores the history of Vienna’s Jewish community in the Middle Ages, tracing its growth, cultural achievements, and the dramatic challenges it faced, including persecution and eventual expulsion. Special attention is given to the material remains of Jewish life, such as the medieval synagogue at Judenplatz and archaeological findings that shed light on daily life, religious practice, and communal structures.

Thomas Ertl is Professor of High and Late Medieval History at Freie Universität Berlin. His research focuses on social and economic history, with particular attention to the structures and dynamics that shaped medieval societies. He is also interested in interactions between different social groups in the Middle Ages and beyond, especially across religious and ethnic boundaries.

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Access Coordinator: Institute of European Studies, ies@berkeley.edu, 510-642-4555