In the second part of our ShUM lecture series, we invite you on a journey back in time to the late 17th century: "From Worms to Vienna: The Imperial Court Jew and Rabbi Samson Wertheimer (1658–1724)."

In her hybrid lecture on December 10, Dr. Mirjam Thulin, a historian specializing in Jewish history and culture, will explore the fascinating life of Wertheimer, born in Worms, who moved to Vienna in 1684 and became one of the most important advisors to the imperial court there. This is a story of early modern finance, political influence, and religious commitment. Dr. Thulin will not only shed light on the biographical milestones of this financier and rabbi but also provides insights into Jewish history, culture, and the social structures of early modern Europe.

Tuesday | December 10 | 6 PM
Haus zur Sonne, Synagogenplatz 2, 67547 Worms

In cooperation with the Altertumsverein Worms
Participation is free of charge!
You may register by email at laura.karnasch_at_schumstaedte.de by December 9.

After the registration deadline, the access link will be sent to you by email.

With their lecture "(Old and) new from the SchUM sites Speyer, Worms and Mainz: current challenges and new perspectives” on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024, at 6 pm at the Landesmuseum Mainz, Birgit Kita (ShUM-Sites Association), Nadine Hoffmann (GDKE RLP) and Dr. Stefanie Hahn (MdI) provide insights into the complex challenges in dealing with the ShUM-Sites Speyer, Worms and Mainz and present new research findings.

The lecture also marks the start of a new series of lectures on a wide variety of topics dealing with the Jewish heritage of the ShUM-Sites, Jewish life, Jewish cultural life and its rituals and other aspects of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It will be interesting to see how current projects and findings contribute to the protection and preservation of the ShUM-Sites, but also what new perspectives arise from them.

MI November 20th, 2024, 6 pm
Landesmuseum Mainz, Große Bleiche 49, 55116
Registration via e-mail by November 19th at: anmeldung_at_gdke.rlp.de

Places will be allocated in the order of registration. The access link will be sent to participants by email after the registration deadline. Participation is free of charge. In cooperation with the General Directorate for Cultural Heritage Rhineland-Palatinate (GDKE RLP).

For more than three years now, the ShUM sites in Speyer, Worms and Mainz have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, joining a global network of outstanding sites designated as a "heritage of humanity".
The ShUM sites are the first World Heritage Site on Jewish life in Germany. They stand for the connection between Jewish, European and global history. A heritage that could not be more multifaceted and therefore poses different challenges in terms of researching the sites, protecting and preserving them, but also in terms of education and communication.

From November 2024, we will be presenting new research findings, challenges in the area of protection and preservation, approaches in the association's educational work as well as other topics relating to Jewish life on the Rhine and Jewish cultural history in Germany in a new, mostly hybrid lecture series.

Birgit Kita (World Heritage Coordinator ShUM-Stätten and ShUM-Städte e.V.), Nadine Hoffmann (GDKE, World Heritage Secretariat) and Dr. Stefanie Hahn (MdI) will kick things off on November 20th by reporting on current projects and findings on the protection and preservation of the ShUM sites.

On December 10th, Dr. Mirjam Thulin's lecture “From Worms to Vienna: The imperial court factor and rabbi Samson Wertheimer (1658-1724)” will provide an exciting insight into one Jewish family history in the early modern period.

We will start the new year with our colleagues from Erfurt: On January 15th, archaeologists Dr. Karin Sczech and Dr. Maria Stürzebecher will present their years of work on the Jewish medieval heritage of Erfurt, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2023.

ShUM Artists-in-Residence 2024 is slowly coming to an end: three international artists have spend six weeks in the ShUM-cities of Speyer, Worms and Mainz. They worked on projects that deal with the history and the cultural heritage of Central European Jewry. They will present the results of their work to the public at the end of September:

MI 25.09. | 6 pm | Worms
Project presentation with Bence Illyés, Judit Borsi, Janet Grau and Yotam Schlezinger.
📍Kunstverein Worms, Renzstrasse 7-9, 67547 Worms

DO 26.09. | 1 pm | Speyer
Cyanotype workshop with Bence Illyés and Judit Borsi.
📍Judenhof, Kl. Pfaffengasse 8, 67346 Speyer

FR 27.09. | 4:30 pm | Speyer
Project presentation with Bence Illyés, Janet Grau and Yotam Schlezinger.
📍Historischer Ratssaal Speyer, Maximilianstr. 12, 67346 Speyer

SO 29.09. | 5 pm | Mainz
Project presentation with Bence Illyés, Janet Grau and Yotam Schlezinger.
📍Synagogue Center Mainz, Synagogenplatz, 55118 Mainz

MO 30.09. + DI 01.10. | 3-7 pm | Mainz
Sound installation by Yotam Schlezinger
4 pm + 5:30 pm Guided tour through the New Synagogue Mainz.
📍Synagogue Center Mainz, Synagogenplatz, 55118 Mainz

The events are free of charge and without registration.

This fall, we are celebrating the diversity, vibrancy and traditions of Jewish culture on the Rhine for the 20th time with the ShUM Culture Days!
They have their roots in the ShUM city of Worms, where Jewish life has been brought to life with a series of cultural events since 2005. For some years now, the ShUM Culture Days have been taking place in all three ShUM cities.
Together with the Jewish community of Mainz-Rheinhessen K.d.ö.R., many committed volunteers and numerous visitors, this big festival invites you to experience, discover and celebrate the diverse and vibrant Jewish culture up close with its many events at different locations!

From September 8th to November 24th, you can look forward to inspiring lectures and readings, exciting theater performances, impressive guided tours, exhilarating concerts from jazz to pop and much more!
You will receive further information on individual events in the upcoming weeks via Social-Media or go to: SchUM-Kulturtage

For four years, the north portal of the synagogue, the Synagogue Garden, and the mikveh in Worms were hidden behind construction fences, covered by protective canopies, and being inaccessible - but now, during the “Worms blüht auf” event weekend, the Synagogue District shines in new splendor! As part of a soft opening, the mikveh and Synagogue Garden will be open to the public for the first time on April 12.

What can you expect?

• Exclusive short tours with ShUM-Cities e.V. and the Lower Monument Protection Authority of the City of Worms, focusing on the medieval mikveh
• The newly redesigned, barrier-free Synagogue Garden, offering fascinating insights into the history and significance of the synagogue district soon
• The mobile visitor center, SchUMobil, allowing visitors to explore the UNESCO World Heritage ShUM Sites Speyer, Worms, and Mainz in a playful way

Worms Synagogue District, April 12, 2026
Synagogue Garden: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
SchUMobil: 12–5 p.m.
Mikveh tours: 30 minutes at 2, 3, and 4 p.m.

The free, expert-led mikveh tours are limited to 10 people per tour. Advance registration via email to info_at_schumstaedte.de is required.

The Old Jewish Cemetery "Heiliger Sand" has existed since the 11th century. It is Europe’s oldest in situ Jewish cemetery and is located outside the medieval city limits. Its 2,500 gravestones bear witness to centuries of history, making the cemetery a unique cultural monument of international significance. Many prominent scholars and rabbis are buried here, which is why the site remains an important destination for Jewish believers from all over the world.

Since July 2021, the cemetery has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site ShUM-Sites Speyer, Worms, and Mainz, alongside the synagogue district, including the synagogue, the Rashi Yeshiva, the mikveh, and the Rashi-House.

Starting March 20, a one-hour guided tour of “Heiliger Sand” will take place every Friday at 3 p.m. During the tour, guides will explain the cemetery's unique features, history, and distinctive atmosphere.

In November, the tours will begin at 2 p.m., except for Friday, May 22, and September 11 and 25.

The Tourist Information office offers the tour for individual guests and small groups of up to six people. Male visitors must wear a head covering.

Tickets cost €10.00 and are available online at www.ticket-regional.de/tiworms until the start of the tour. They are also available in advance at the Tourist Information office, the Shop am Dom, and all other Ticket Regional advance sales locations. Children 14 and under are free.

Many contemporary Jewish traditions appear to be time-honored and deeply rooted in the religion. For example, the separation of men and women in the synagogue is often regarded as a self-evident practice. However, a closer look reveals that many of these customs have a long history of development shaped by cultural and historical influences.

Dr. Friederike Schöpf, a renowned expert on ancient Judaism, medieval synagogues, and the development of women's sections in synagogues at the Institute for Jewish Studies at the University of Münster, will trace the origins of women's synagogues in her hybrid lecture. She will also open up new perspectives on religious life in the ShUM communities through these unique spaces.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

Landesmuseum Mainz, Große Bleiche 49-51, 55116 Mainz

Please register by email by March 30 at 12:00 p.m. at anmeldung_at_gdke.rlp.de. The access link will be sent to participants by email after the registration deadline. Participation is free of charge.

The moment had finally arrived on July 27, 2021, at 3:47 p.m. After years of effort, the ShUM-Sites in Speyer, Worms, and Mainz were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site— the first Jewish World Heritage Site in Germany and a site of global significance. To mark the first anniversary of “Jerusalem on the Rhine,” the ShUM-Cities Speyer, Worms, Mainz Association, together with ShUM-Cities 2026, is holding a year of colorful celebrations.
The Jewish communities in the three cathedral cities on the Rhine—Speyer, Worms, and Mainz—have been closely linked since the Middle Ages and have had an immense influence on the architecture, culture, liturgical poetry, and religious law of Northern, Central, and Eastern European Judaism (Ashkenaz). Since then, the ShUM communities have been regarded as the center and cradle of Ashkenazi Judaism. Exemplary synagogue buildings, impressive and pioneering ritual baths, and the oldest preserved Jewish cemeteries in Europe were established here and can still be discovered today as testimonies to the rich Jewish life of the past. These sites are exceptional reminders of the 1,000-year history of Jews along the Rhine. The term ShUM is composed of the initial letters of the Hebrew city names: Schpira – Speyer, Warmaisa – Worms, and Magenza – Mainz. The ShUM sites and their heritage connect Jewish history with European and global history. Birgit Kita, the Site-Manager of the ShUM-Sites and the executive director of ShUM-Cities e.V., emphasizes the outstanding significance of the World Heritage Site: "Five years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is an important milestone, yet ShUM has resonated throughout the Jewish world for nearly 1,000 years. The architecture, culture, and religious traditions that emerged here tell a unique story of the dark and bright times of Jewish life along the Rhine — a story that continues to shape identity in Germany and around the world to this day. Nowhere else are these historical traces preserved as impressively as in the 'Jerusalem on the Rhine".

Throughout the year, visitors can look forward to a diverse program ranging from exhibitions and festive events, such as the opening of the first ShUM Visitor Center in Mainz, the ceremonial presentation of copies of the World Heritage Certificate to the ShUM-Cities e. V. board members, and a festive annual celebration in Speyer, to academic lectures and workshops. "World Heritage connects us across time, religions, cultures, and borders. We look forward to celebrating the international significance of Jewish life with local residents and people from the region through the events of this anniversary year," said Birgit Kita.
Stefanie Seiler, chair of the board and mayor of the city of Speyer, adds: "The world has looked to ShUM since the Middle Ages. For five years now, our serial World Heritage Site has represented a history of international significance, as well as our shared responsibility to carry this heritage of humanity further into the world. The opening of the first World Heritage visitor center in Mainz and the presentation of copies of the World Heritage Certificate in Speyer highlight the collaborative efforts of all those involved. At the same time, this makes it clear that the significance of ShUM can only be fully experienced through collaboration among the participating cities."

What do the pyramids of Giza, Cologne Cathedral, the Old City of Jerusalem, the Wadden Sea, Hadrian's Wall, and Trier Cathedral have in common? The answer is the concept of UNESCO World Heritage, which aims to protect, preserve, communicate, and safeguard exceptional sites and landscapes for future generations.

Our new lecture series, "Heritage Talks," invites you to carry this idea forward and discover the stories behind World Heritage Sites alongside experts. In collaboration with the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage RLP, specifically the Secretariat for World Heritage in Rhineland-Palatinate, and the State Museum Mainz, we aim to foster connections among people, transcending time, cultures, and borders.

At our kickoff event on January 13, 2026, Friederike Hansell, Head of the World Heritage Coordination Office at the Federal Foreign Office, will give a keynote speech about UNESCO's criteria and its work. This will be followed by a discussion with Dr. Stefanie Hahn, Head of the "Cultural Heritage, World Cultural Heritage" Division at the Ministry of the Interior and Sport of Rhineland-Palatinate, and Prof. Brigitte Mang, a member of the Monitoring Group of the German National Committee of ICOMOS. They will discuss the World Heritage Sites in Rhineland-Palatinate, their particular challenges, and the rich cultural heritage in Germany and beyond. Birgit Kita, the managing director of ShUM-Cities e.V. and site manager of the ShUM-Sites, will moderate the evening.

We cordially invite you to attend this hybrid lecture. As space is limited for in-person attendance, please register by January 12 at 12 p.m. by email to anmeldung_at_gdke.rlp.de. The access link for online participation will be sent via email after the registration deadline. Participation is free of charge.

Jewish culture and music are integral to European and German culture. For this reason, internationally acclaimed concert guitarist Lucian Plessner developed an exciting musical program for the 2021 “1700 Years of Jewish Life in Germany” anniversary year, which has been touring successfully ever since. The program, Jewish Music — What Is It?" Sephardic and Ashkenazi Musical Creations from Al-Andalus to Modern Europe and America, is a musical journey from the early Middle Ages to the present day. It combines impressive compositions with reflections on Jewish artists' willingness and ability to integrate into different countries and eras. Jewish composers from the United States and Latin America have also contributed their works to this unique program.

Starting in November 2025, Plessner will present the program for the first time in Germany, in the ShUM-Cities of Speyer, Worms, and Mainz.

Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 6 p.m. Worms
SchUM-Lab, Neumarkt 10, 67547 Worms
Register at laura.karnasch_at_schumstaedte.de.

Sunday, November 30, 2025, 5 p.m. Speyer
Beith Shalom Synagogue, Am Weidenberg 3, 67346 Speyer
Registration: laura.karnasch_at_schumstaedte.de.

Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. Mainz
Landesmuseum Mainz, Große Bleiche 49-51, 55116 Mainz
Registration: anmeldung_at_gdke.rlp.de.

The concert series is sponsored by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland Security, as well as the Federal Government Commissioner for Jewish Life and the Fight Against Anti-Semitism, Dr. Felix Klein. Thanks to this generous sponsorship, participation is free of charge.

From September 7 to December 6, the ShUM-Cities Speyer, Worms, and Mainz will host the ShUM Culture Days 2025 to showcase the rich history, lively traditions, and creative expressions of Jewish life in the Upper Rhine region in a special way. The diverse program includes concerts ranging from jazz to pop, as well as readings, theater tours, inspiring lectures, discussion panels, and exhibitions. Whether you are a culture fan, history lover, or curious explorer, the ShUM Culture Days appeal to a wide audience and offer a meeting place where interreligious dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared celebration take center stage.

Speyer: September 27 to November 23
Worms: October 27 to November 16
Mainz: September 7 to December 6

For more information and program flyers, visit www.schumstaedte.de/schum/schum-kulturtage/ or follow @welterbe.schum on social media.

On 7 September, around 30 European countries will celebrate the European Day of Jewish Culture (EDJC) together with the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ). The ShUM-Cities Speyer, Worms and Mainz, as well as the Jewish Medieval Heritage in Erfurt — added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 — will offer a diverse programme in September, providing exciting insights into their rich cultural heritage and the unique characteristics of these sites, as well as community life then and now.

In addition to exciting guided tours of the ShUM Community Centre in Speyer's 'Judenhof', the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Worms and the old Jewish cemetery 'Judensand' in Mainz, entry to the Museum SchPIRA and the Jewish Museum Raschi-Haus in Worms will be free on 7 September.

In cooperation with the Worms City Library, the ShUM-Cities Speyer, Worms, Mainz association will set up a media table starting September 5th. This will be available to visitors throughout September, inviting them to browse, read, and borrow. The table offers a wide range of literature, including works on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Speyer, Worms and Mainz, as well as books on Jewish life and culture, anti-Semitism, biographies, children's books and novels.

On 7 September, the state capital of Mainz will celebrate two special events: The European Days of Jewish Culture and the opening of this year's Mainz ShUM Culture Days, which will feature an open day at the New Synagogue in Mainz. Visitors can experience Jewish history and culture up close together with the Jewish Community of Mainz-Rheinhessen. Guided tours of the New Synagogue and tastings of Jewish specialities will be rounded off by a special opening concert.

On 10 September, visitors to Erfurt will have the unique opportunity to join Dr Karin Sczech, the city's Commissioner for Jewish Medieval Heritage, and Gudrun Noll on a tour tracing the history of Erfurt's second Jewish community. The largely intact medieval old town of Erfurt contains unique architectural evidence of the important Jewish community from the period between the end of the 11th and the middle of the 14th century.

In order to provide an improved user experience, updated content and new features, our website is currently being redesigned.

As a result, some areas and functions may be temporarily unavailable or inaccessible. But don’t worry – we'll be back soon!

You can still find valuable informations about the ShUM-Sites in Speyer, Worms and Mainz, as well as helpful details for planning your visit, on our website.

Stay tuned – we'll keep you updated, and we look forward to presenting our new website to you soon.

Thank you for your understanding!

For three years, the synagogue and mikvah were hidden behind construction fences and covered by protective roofs. Now, the construction site has disappeared!
The synagogue district will soon be revealed in all its new splendour — the synagogue garden is currently undergoing extensive renovation and redesign. A wooden walkway will guide visitors through the garden, making the exterior of the women's school, synagogue, teaching house, and mikvah visually accessible once more.
Thanks to its barrier-free design, the synagogue garden will be more inclusive and accessible than ever before. Additionally, interactive educational units will soon offer insights into the history and significance of the Worms synagogue district, which is one of the four components of the UNESCO World Heritage ShUM-Sites of Speyer, Worms and Mainz.

"We are delighted to be reopening the synagogue garden soon, so that visitors from Worms, the region and around the world can experience Jewish history and culture in the heart of our city" (Timo Horst, Head of Urban Development).

The project is being developed in close cooperation with:
◾ The Worms Lower Monument Protection Authority
◾ShUM-Cities association
◾The Rhineland-Palatinate State Monument Conservation Authority
◾The Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of the Interior
◾The ICOMOS Monitoring Group Germany
◾ The municipal cultural coordination (idea and basic concept for the footbridge).

For four years, the north portal of the synagogue, the Synagogue Garden, and the mikveh in Worms were hidden behind construction fences, covered by protective canopies, and being inaccessible - but now, during the “Worms blüht auf” event weekend, the Synagogue District shines in new splendor! As part of a soft opening, the mikveh and Synagogue Garden will be open to the public for the first time on April 12.

What can you expect?

• Exclusive short tours with ShUM-Cities e.V. and the Lower Monument Protection Authority of the City of Worms, focusing on the medieval mikveh
• The newly redesigned, barrier-free Synagogue Garden, offering fascinating insights into the history and significance of the synagogue district soon
• The mobile visitor center, SchUMobil, allowing visitors to explore the UNESCO World Heritage ShUM Sites Speyer, Worms, and Mainz in a playful way

Worms Synagogue District, April 12, 2026
Synagogue Garden: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
SchUMobil: 12–5 p.m.
Mikveh tours: 30 minutes at 2, 3, and 4 p.m.

The free, expert-led mikveh tours are limited to 10 people per tour. Advance registration via email to info_at_schumstaedte.de is required.

The Old Jewish Cemetery "Heiliger Sand" has existed since the 11th century. It is Europe’s oldest in situ Jewish cemetery and is located outside the medieval city limits. Its 2,500 gravestones bear witness to centuries of history, making the cemetery a unique cultural monument of international significance. Many prominent scholars and rabbis are buried here, which is why the site remains an important destination for Jewish believers from all over the world.

Since July 2021, the cemetery has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site ShUM-Sites Speyer, Worms, and Mainz, alongside the synagogue district, including the synagogue, the Rashi Yeshiva, the mikveh, and the Rashi-House.

Starting March 20, a one-hour guided tour of “Heiliger Sand” will take place every Friday at 3 p.m. During the tour, guides will explain the cemetery's unique features, history, and distinctive atmosphere.

In November, the tours will begin at 2 p.m., except for Friday, May 22, and September 11 and 25.

The Tourist Information office offers the tour for individual guests and small groups of up to six people. Male visitors must wear a head covering.

Tickets cost €10.00 and are available online at www.ticket-regional.de/tiworms until the start of the tour. They are also available in advance at the Tourist Information office, the Shop am Dom, and all other Ticket Regional advance sales locations. Children 14 and under are free.

Many contemporary Jewish traditions appear to be time-honored and deeply rooted in the religion. For example, the separation of men and women in the synagogue is often regarded as a self-evident practice. However, a closer look reveals that many of these customs have a long history of development shaped by cultural and historical influences.

Dr. Friederike Schöpf, a renowned expert on ancient Judaism, medieval synagogues, and the development of women's sections in synagogues at the Institute for Jewish Studies at the University of Münster, will trace the origins of women's synagogues in her hybrid lecture. She will also open up new perspectives on religious life in the ShUM communities through these unique spaces.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

Landesmuseum Mainz, Große Bleiche 49-51, 55116 Mainz

Please register by email by March 30 at 12:00 p.m. at anmeldung_at_gdke.rlp.de. The access link will be sent to participants by email after the registration deadline. Participation is free of charge.

The moment had finally arrived on July 27, 2021, at 3:47 p.m. After years of effort, the ShUM-Sites in Speyer, Worms, and Mainz were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site— the first Jewish World Heritage Site in Germany and a site of global significance. To mark the first anniversary of “Jerusalem on the Rhine,” the ShUM-Cities Speyer, Worms, Mainz Association, together with ShUM-Cities 2026, is holding a year of colorful celebrations.
The Jewish communities in the three cathedral cities on the Rhine—Speyer, Worms, and Mainz—have been closely linked since the Middle Ages and have had an immense influence on the architecture, culture, liturgical poetry, and religious law of Northern, Central, and Eastern European Judaism (Ashkenaz). Since then, the ShUM communities have been regarded as the center and cradle of Ashkenazi Judaism. Exemplary synagogue buildings, impressive and pioneering ritual baths, and the oldest preserved Jewish cemeteries in Europe were established here and can still be discovered today as testimonies to the rich Jewish life of the past. These sites are exceptional reminders of the 1,000-year history of Jews along the Rhine. The term ShUM is composed of the initial letters of the Hebrew city names: Schpira – Speyer, Warmaisa – Worms, and Magenza – Mainz. The ShUM sites and their heritage connect Jewish history with European and global history. Birgit Kita, the Site-Manager of the ShUM-Sites and the executive director of ShUM-Cities e.V., emphasizes the outstanding significance of the World Heritage Site: "Five years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is an important milestone, yet ShUM has resonated throughout the Jewish world for nearly 1,000 years. The architecture, culture, and religious traditions that emerged here tell a unique story of the dark and bright times of Jewish life along the Rhine — a story that continues to shape identity in Germany and around the world to this day. Nowhere else are these historical traces preserved as impressively as in the 'Jerusalem on the Rhine".

Throughout the year, visitors can look forward to a diverse program ranging from exhibitions and festive events, such as the opening of the first ShUM Visitor Center in Mainz, the ceremonial presentation of copies of the World Heritage Certificate to the ShUM-Cities e. V. board members, and a festive annual celebration in Speyer, to academic lectures and workshops. "World Heritage connects us across time, religions, cultures, and borders. We look forward to celebrating the international significance of Jewish life with local residents and people from the region through the events of this anniversary year," said Birgit Kita.
Stefanie Seiler, chair of the board and mayor of the city of Speyer, adds: "The world has looked to ShUM since the Middle Ages. For five years now, our serial World Heritage Site has represented a history of international significance, as well as our shared responsibility to carry this heritage of humanity further into the world. The opening of the first World Heritage visitor center in Mainz and the presentation of copies of the World Heritage Certificate in Speyer highlight the collaborative efforts of all those involved. At the same time, this makes it clear that the significance of ShUM can only be fully experienced through collaboration among the participating cities."

What do the pyramids of Giza, Cologne Cathedral, the Old City of Jerusalem, the Wadden Sea, Hadrian's Wall, and Trier Cathedral have in common? The answer is the concept of UNESCO World Heritage, which aims to protect, preserve, communicate, and safeguard exceptional sites and landscapes for future generations.

Our new lecture series, "Heritage Talks," invites you to carry this idea forward and discover the stories behind World Heritage Sites alongside experts. In collaboration with the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage RLP, specifically the Secretariat for World Heritage in Rhineland-Palatinate, and the State Museum Mainz, we aim to foster connections among people, transcending time, cultures, and borders.

At our kickoff event on January 13, 2026, Friederike Hansell, Head of the World Heritage Coordination Office at the Federal Foreign Office, will give a keynote speech about UNESCO's criteria and its work. This will be followed by a discussion with Dr. Stefanie Hahn, Head of the "Cultural Heritage, World Cultural Heritage" Division at the Ministry of the Interior and Sport of Rhineland-Palatinate, and Prof. Brigitte Mang, a member of the Monitoring Group of the German National Committee of ICOMOS. They will discuss the World Heritage Sites in Rhineland-Palatinate, their particular challenges, and the rich cultural heritage in Germany and beyond. Birgit Kita, the managing director of ShUM-Cities e.V. and site manager of the ShUM-Sites, will moderate the evening.

We cordially invite you to attend this hybrid lecture. As space is limited for in-person attendance, please register by January 12 at 12 p.m. by email to anmeldung_at_gdke.rlp.de. The access link for online participation will be sent via email after the registration deadline. Participation is free of charge.

Jewish culture and music are integral to European and German culture. For this reason, internationally acclaimed concert guitarist Lucian Plessner developed an exciting musical program for the 2021 “1700 Years of Jewish Life in Germany” anniversary year, which has been touring successfully ever since. The program, Jewish Music — What Is It?" Sephardic and Ashkenazi Musical Creations from Al-Andalus to Modern Europe and America, is a musical journey from the early Middle Ages to the present day. It combines impressive compositions with reflections on Jewish artists' willingness and ability to integrate into different countries and eras. Jewish composers from the United States and Latin America have also contributed their works to this unique program.

Starting in November 2025, Plessner will present the program for the first time in Germany, in the ShUM-Cities of Speyer, Worms, and Mainz.

Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 6 p.m. Worms
SchUM-Lab, Neumarkt 10, 67547 Worms
Register at laura.karnasch_at_schumstaedte.de.

Sunday, November 30, 2025, 5 p.m. Speyer
Beith Shalom Synagogue, Am Weidenberg 3, 67346 Speyer
Registration: laura.karnasch_at_schumstaedte.de.

Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. Mainz
Landesmuseum Mainz, Große Bleiche 49-51, 55116 Mainz
Registration: anmeldung_at_gdke.rlp.de.

The concert series is sponsored by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland Security, as well as the Federal Government Commissioner for Jewish Life and the Fight Against Anti-Semitism, Dr. Felix Klein. Thanks to this generous sponsorship, participation is free of charge.

From September 7 to December 6, the ShUM-Cities Speyer, Worms, and Mainz will host the ShUM Culture Days 2025 to showcase the rich history, lively traditions, and creative expressions of Jewish life in the Upper Rhine region in a special way. The diverse program includes concerts ranging from jazz to pop, as well as readings, theater tours, inspiring lectures, discussion panels, and exhibitions. Whether you are a culture fan, history lover, or curious explorer, the ShUM Culture Days appeal to a wide audience and offer a meeting place where interreligious dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared celebration take center stage.

Speyer: September 27 to November 23
Worms: October 27 to November 16
Mainz: September 7 to December 6

For more information and program flyers, visit www.schumstaedte.de/schum/schum-kulturtage/ or follow @welterbe.schum on social media.

On 7 September, around 30 European countries will celebrate the European Day of Jewish Culture (EDJC) together with the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ). The ShUM-Cities Speyer, Worms and Mainz, as well as the Jewish Medieval Heritage in Erfurt — added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 — will offer a diverse programme in September, providing exciting insights into their rich cultural heritage and the unique characteristics of these sites, as well as community life then and now.

In addition to exciting guided tours of the ShUM Community Centre in Speyer's 'Judenhof', the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Worms and the old Jewish cemetery 'Judensand' in Mainz, entry to the Museum SchPIRA and the Jewish Museum Raschi-Haus in Worms will be free on 7 September.

In cooperation with the Worms City Library, the ShUM-Cities Speyer, Worms, Mainz association will set up a media table starting September 5th. This will be available to visitors throughout September, inviting them to browse, read, and borrow. The table offers a wide range of literature, including works on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Speyer, Worms and Mainz, as well as books on Jewish life and culture, anti-Semitism, biographies, children's books and novels.

On 7 September, the state capital of Mainz will celebrate two special events: The European Days of Jewish Culture and the opening of this year's Mainz ShUM Culture Days, which will feature an open day at the New Synagogue in Mainz. Visitors can experience Jewish history and culture up close together with the Jewish Community of Mainz-Rheinhessen. Guided tours of the New Synagogue and tastings of Jewish specialities will be rounded off by a special opening concert.

On 10 September, visitors to Erfurt will have the unique opportunity to join Dr Karin Sczech, the city's Commissioner for Jewish Medieval Heritage, and Gudrun Noll on a tour tracing the history of Erfurt's second Jewish community. The largely intact medieval old town of Erfurt contains unique architectural evidence of the important Jewish community from the period between the end of the 11th and the middle of the 14th century.

In order to provide an improved user experience, updated content and new features, our website is currently being redesigned.

As a result, some areas and functions may be temporarily unavailable or inaccessible. But don’t worry – we'll be back soon!

You can still find valuable informations about the ShUM-Sites in Speyer, Worms and Mainz, as well as helpful details for planning your visit, on our website.

Stay tuned – we'll keep you updated, and we look forward to presenting our new website to you soon.

Thank you for your understanding!

For three years, the synagogue and mikvah were hidden behind construction fences and covered by protective roofs. Now, the construction site has disappeared!
The synagogue district will soon be revealed in all its new splendour — the synagogue garden is currently undergoing extensive renovation and redesign. A wooden walkway will guide visitors through the garden, making the exterior of the women's school, synagogue, teaching house, and mikvah visually accessible once more.
Thanks to its barrier-free design, the synagogue garden will be more inclusive and accessible than ever before. Additionally, interactive educational units will soon offer insights into the history and significance of the Worms synagogue district, which is one of the four components of the UNESCO World Heritage ShUM-Sites of Speyer, Worms and Mainz.

"We are delighted to be reopening the synagogue garden soon, so that visitors from Worms, the region and around the world can experience Jewish history and culture in the heart of our city" (Timo Horst, Head of Urban Development).

The project is being developed in close cooperation with:
◾ The Worms Lower Monument Protection Authority
◾ShUM-Cities association
◾The Rhineland-Palatinate State Monument Conservation Authority
◾The Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of the Interior
◾The ICOMOS Monitoring Group Germany
◾ The municipal cultural coordination (idea and basic concept for the footbridge).