The new research field Queer Jewish Studies is being formed by an increasing number of publications that deal with the queer, meaning non- heteronormative, category-breaking, and disruptive potential in Jewish Studies. Starting with the 1980s in which queer Jews tried to make themselves heard, this article provides an overview of what has already been achieved in this field. It also points out how Jewish Studies can continue to grow and become a better version of itself by adopting intersectional and more diverse perspectives.
Archives
Ohne Grenzen – (Deutsch-)Jüdische Geschichte transnational
In his essay, the author discusses the potential of transnational approaches in German-Jewish history and advocates for establishing such approaches more firmly in German-Jewish historiography. He supports the thesis that Jewish history in general, and German-Jewish history in particular, are prime examples of transnational ties and that these ties are scarcely researched. One of the central reasons for this national limited perspective lies in the historio- graphical significance of the Holocaust. By linking German-Jewish history to the Holocaust while at the same time emphasizing its historical singularity, German-Jewish history, too, is understood as something unique and singular and is thus separated from its transnational references in historical research. He exemplifies this thesis by looking at the developments of German-Jewish historiography after 1945 up to the present generation of researchers. This includes some promising approaches to a transnationalization of German- Jewish history (spatial turn, postcolonial studies, German-Jewish diaspora, etc.), which have not yet been developed into a comprehensive research context or approach. He concludes in making a case for researching German- Jewish history as a transnational one and thus freeing it as much as possible from national restrictions in research practice.
Eine Virtuelle Plattform Jüdisches Leben in Sachsen. Schlussfolgerungen zur aktuellen Diskussion um ein Jüdisches Museum für Sachsen
The establishment of a Jewish museum has been under discussion in Saxony for several months. While there are discussions about possible locations and – so far only very limited – first ideas about content, an analysis of the existing decentralized structures for Jewish life in Saxony has not materialized. The latter often remains regionally limited in their range and thus “invisible” for many. These alleged vacancies are a central argument of museum supporters. The article, therefore, goes into the intermediate result of the current debate and the extensive existing structures. Based on this, it develops the idea of a virtual platform for Jewish life in Saxony, which is networked, innovative, participatory, and goes far beyond the idea of a pure museum representation of Jewish life.
Bildungsarbeit zur jüdischen Geschichte und Kultur in Sachsen. Ein Rückblick auf die letzten 30 Jahre
The article aims to review the developments in educational work on Jewish history and culture in Saxony over the past 30 years. Based on an inventory of currently existing initiatives, associations, and projects around the topic, it shows how educational work has developed. Which influencing factors played a role and which development potentials can be identified? The article presents five clusters. A large number of initiatives focus on dealing with the era of National Socialism and commemorating the victims of the Shoa – the form of commemoration is again very diverse: Biographical and local historical educational formats can be found as well as numerous musical projects. Subsequent initiatives, some of which have overlapping objectives, are dedicated to combatting and preventing anti-Semitism. With a few exceptions, however, the focus very much remains on the topic of National Socialism and the Shoa. It would be desirable for this focus to expand to include more facets when dealing with the history of the Jews in Saxony. In the field of culture, the offers and initiatives are very diverse, ranging from food to theatre to sport – everything can be found. There are also offers from the Jewish community that address the community itself or reach beyond it.
Editorial 17 (2022), 30
A look back
When Hermann Simon wished the new online periodical Medaon much success in October 2007, there wasn’t any in view yet. Much was still uncharted territory for those involved in the journal as well as for the audience – the rather unusual format, the voluntary editorial office at a non-academic institution in Saxony, the effort to connect the research landscape with educational providers and the many interested outside academia.
The initiative went back to “the wish of establishing a scientific institution that offers a low-threshold and free-of-charge access for science, but also for the school as well as academic education as well as for interested scientific laypeople.” That is what the editorial of the first issue stated. In the meantime, Medaon has acquired a noticed and respected position in international academia. Just recently, we welcomed our 500th author. Especially the connection of academic and non-academic discussions has become a trademark of the journal. Established research has its proper means of publication. This is, however, not the case for most of the researchers concerned with Jewish history locally, even though the gains of their work are often quite considerable. Without the research in local history science-politically imperative there would be no source basis for large-scale investigations; and without the sometimes still ‘unfinished’, although publication-ready, thoughts of young authors there would be hardly any new and moreover exciting hypotheses. For instance, research reports on Jewish men and women in Saxony received great resonance, which to date serve to develop local research questions and also for comparison with other regions.
The thematic orientation of the journal has changed over time: larger formats are anchored more thoroughly in the scientific community than before and are cared for professionally in a double-blind peer review process. The still voluntary editorial office discusses the results of the texts with the authors and reliable copy editors oversee all the commas and help make the text easily comprehensible.
Generous donations financing the technical infrastructure as well as external support to the volunteers in the editorial office are a condition for publishing our periodical.
A look forward
The publication of the 30th edition is an occasion to bring young researchers and recent research methods to the fore. Many emerging scholars made one of their first contributions to the research landscape with Medaon, whether with an article, as reviewers or as part of the editors. Also, this time we’re happy to have contributions by students.
The current edition has two aims: one the one hand, we want to critically reflect on changes in the field in the past 15 years. This inludes the career possibilities of young scholars, the funding landscape and study possibilities as well as thematic and methodological changes. On the other hand, we want to grant those who regard themselves as ‘emerging’ scholars the possibility to contribute to designing this issue in a special way, be that through a reflection on one’s own situation or by presenting ongoing research projects. What defines ‘emerging scholars’ can also be reflected critically: who counts as one and why?
In an introductory contribution Michael Brenner looks on his own scholarly biography and on the changes in the field in current years. We opened the journal sections to young scholars in this edition, thereby leaving space for different approaches and research questions. Also in the future we want to leave room for contributions with innovative formats and encourage authors to talk their ideas through with the editors. Larissa Bothe and Daniel Ristau give an overview over the current discussions about the representation of Jewishness in the context of debates over a ‘Jewish Museum’ in Saxony.
Next to this spotlight, we are happy to continue the series on biographies of Jewish women with a contribution on Lea Goldberg, with overlays on the topic of tradition. As usual, none of this would have been possible without the help of the reviewers, the copy editors and translators. We cordially thank Steffen Schröter of text plus form, Cathleen Bürgelt, Patricia Casey Sutcliffe, Anastasia Kallish, Margaret-Ann Schellenberg, and Phillip Roth.
The editors of Medaon, May 2022.