Transfer and Sustainability

The documentation of hallowed cemeteries and sepulchral inscriptions offers a hitherto unexplored basis for the knowledge of the history, religion and culture of Ashkenazi Judaism. In respect of the history of the individual, of women, families and community profiles as well as for onomastic research, important sources are made available for further research in diverse fields of cultural and religious studies. The documentation of cemeteries and grave inscriptions offers a hitherto unexplored basis for the knowledge of the history, religion and culture of Ashkenazi Judaism in several respects: Outstanding sources for the history of the individual, women, families and community profiles as well as for name research are made available for further research. The results of the epigraphic work provide striking contributions to the culture of remembrance, on local, regional, national and international levels. They serve to uphold the memory of the communities while also helping descendants in genealogical research and commemoration. Our aim is to help preserve these places physically for future generations and equally make them accessible and interpretable in text and image.

The quarterly magazine “Kalonymos. Contributions to German-Jewish History from the Salomon Ludwig Steinheim Institute at the University of Duisburg-Essen” with its high circulation (12,000 copies per issue) has a broad appeal to both the scientific community and the larger public.