this issue
previous article in this issuenext article in this issue

Document Details :

Title: Judaica
Subtitle: An Interface between Jewish and Non-Jewish Culture in Central Europe
Author(s): HEIMANN-JELINEK, Felicitas
Journal: Studia Rosenthaliana
Volume: 37    Date: 2004   
Pages: 147-162
DOI: 10.2143/SR.37.0.583406

Abstract :
The Jewish participation in cultural life in Western and Central Europe has been a popular topic over the past twenty years. We have all seen and read lists of Jews – writers, scientists, actors, politicians and athletes – who devoted their energies to their countries. It is perhaps misleading to view these cultural contributions as Jewish per se. More accurately, they were contributions to European civilisation made by individuals who happened to be Jewish, since their Jewishness was often unconnected with what they did. Not that this diminishes their achievements. It merely underscores that there has been a specific Jewish contribution to European civilisation, namely via the Judaeo-religious and Judaeo-cultural system itself, the impact of which on Western culture cannot be overstated.

Download article