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

The annual Science Market by the association "MAINZER WISSENSCHAFTSALLIANZ" brings science to life in the centre of Mainz this Sept 7th-8th: Researchers from various institutions - universities, research facilities and research-based companies - present their projects to the public.

We will also be there, representing the UNESCO World Heritage ShUM-Sites Speyer, Worms and Mainz: With all kinds of information and small hands-on activities, you can discover Germany's first Jewish UNESCO World Heritage Site and get to know us.

On Saturday at 13:15pm, Elke Höllein, Coordinator of the ShUM City of Mainz, and Birgit Kita, Managing Director of SchUM-Städte e. V. and Coordinator of the UNESCO World Heritage ShUM-Sites Speyer, Worms and Mainz, will be taking a seat on the "Science Sofa" in order to answer questions from the audience.

Dates:

September 7th, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | 1:15 p.m. Science Sofa

September 8th, 12-6 p.m.

Gutenbergplatz, 55116 Mainz

Free admission.

It's almost time: the nationwide opening of the Open Monument Day this year will take place in Speyer on September 8th and the city is making a big celebration out of it!

The motto of this year's Open Monument Day is “Emblems. Witnesses of history”. Monuments are not only places of remembrance, but witnesses to history that continue to document and tell stories until this day: They relate of their functions, of contemporary events, of regional and global influences and are important objects of a collective memory and an identity.

The "Judenhof" in Speyer, a component of the UNESCO World Heritage ShUM Sites Speyer, Worms and Mainz, is an extraordinary contemporary witness that you can discover as part of Germany's largest cultural event.

Exciting guided tours of the Judenhof Speyer, the earliest extensively preserved Jewish community center in Central Europe, will take place at 11 am | 1 pm | 3 pm.

You will also have the unique opportunity to gain an insight into the techniques and challenges of restoration with the masonry restoration of the west wall of the women's synagogue and to look over the shoulders of the stonemasons during their work.

The “Stumbling Stones for Speyer Initiative" also offers a guided tour called “Jewish Life in Speyer” (11:30 am + 2:30 pm) as well as a “Stumbling Stone Tour” (12:30 pm + 3:30 pm).

Are you particularly interested in what Mainz has to offer? The SchUM City of Mainz offers exclusive guided tours of the Old Jewish Cemetery: At 11am | 12pm | 4pm you can learn interesting facts about the extraordinary component of the UNESCO World Heritage SchUM sites Speyer, Worms and Mainz.

Further information can be found at www.tag-des-offenen-denkmals.de

Follow us on our social media channels @welterbe.schum for daily news, save the date announcements or exciting insights into our work. You have questions? No problem - send us a message on Instagram and Facebook. We look forward to get in touch with you!

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.

Professor Brigitte Mang, the ICOMOS Monitoring Group representative, recently visited our UNESCO World Heritage Site and was impressed by the commitment of everyone involved. Since its recognition, Prof. Mang and her colleague Dr. Markus Blaich have advised us on matters relating to protection, preservation and communication.

Speyer: At the "Judenhof", the focus was on renovating the west wall of the women's shul and the planning of educational rooms: In the future, workshops and guided tours for children, young people and school groups will be offered there.

Mainz: Restored gravestones and the new enclosure were inspected at the "Judensand". Attention was also given to the construction of the visitor centre, which is set to open in 2026 and will be the first of three visitor centres for the serial UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Worms: Alongside the renovation work in the synagogue district, attention was given to the synagogue garden, which is currently being redesigned to include a barrier-free footbridge and an educational concept. The basement research in the "Judengasse" and the plans for the visitor centre in Worms, including the "ShUM Lab", were also presented.

"A lot has happened again in the ShUM-Sites over the past year. I am impressed by the commitment with which everyone involved is working successfully on the projects. The measures in the synagogue district in Worms to counter the effects of climate change, for example, are a positive nationwide example. With the opening of the visitor centre in Mainz next year and the other planned educational offerings in Speyer and Worms, we will also have central locations for education. These are important milestones in ensuring the protection, preservation, and education of UNESCO World Heritage for future generations. I would like to express my congratulations and appreciation to everyone involved." (Prof. Mang)

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).

Did you know that traces of anti-Judaism can be found in the paintings of St. Peter's Cathedral in Worms, as well as in many other Christian churches? We need to talk about this!

During an afternoon of reflection and study, proven experts will help us take a look at these depictions, classify them historically, and discuss how to deal with them appropriately and responsibly today. Further information on the event will follow shortly.

Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Haus am Dom, Worms

The event is organized by the Cathedral Parish of St. Peter Worms and the Academy of the Diocese of Mainz, in cooperation with ShUM-Cities association.

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.

Professor Brigitte Mang, the ICOMOS Monitoring Group representative, recently visited our UNESCO World Heritage Site and was impressed by the commitment of everyone involved. Since its recognition, Prof. Mang and her colleague Dr. Markus Blaich have advised us on matters relating to protection, preservation and communication.

Speyer: At the "Judenhof", the focus was on renovating the west wall of the women's shul and the planning of educational rooms: In the future, workshops and guided tours for children, young people and school groups will be offered there.

Mainz: Restored gravestones and the new enclosure were inspected at the "Judensand". Attention was also given to the construction of the visitor centre, which is set to open in 2026 and will be the first of three visitor centres for the serial UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Worms: Alongside the renovation work in the synagogue district, attention was given to the synagogue garden, which is currently being redesigned to include a barrier-free footbridge and an educational concept. The basement research in the "Judengasse" and the plans for the visitor centre in Worms, including the "ShUM Lab", were also presented.

"A lot has happened again in the ShUM-Sites over the past year. I am impressed by the commitment with which everyone involved is working successfully on the projects. The measures in the synagogue district in Worms to counter the effects of climate change, for example, are a positive nationwide example. With the opening of the visitor centre in Mainz next year and the other planned educational offerings in Speyer and Worms, we will also have central locations for education. These are important milestones in ensuring the protection, preservation, and education of UNESCO World Heritage for future generations. I would like to express my congratulations and appreciation to everyone involved." (Prof. Mang)

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).

Did you know that traces of anti-Judaism can be found in the paintings of St. Peter's Cathedral in Worms, as well as in many other Christian churches? We need to talk about this!

During an afternoon of reflection and study, proven experts will help us take a look at these depictions, classify them historically, and discuss how to deal with them appropriately and responsibly today. Further information on the event will follow shortly.

Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Haus am Dom, Worms

The event is organized by the Cathedral Parish of St. Peter Worms and the Academy of the Diocese of Mainz, in cooperation with ShUM-Cities association.