Jews

Jewish life in Germany has a history of around 1,700 years, and its intellectual developments are significant for the history of the Jewish community in Europe as well as for contemporary Jewish life. While focusing on the Jewish community in Germany, this chapter treats its German context as a starting point for wider-ranging reflections on Jewish life and identity. Jewish life in post-war Germany is still largely organized around religious events, such as prayer services and community events on the occasion of Jewish festivals. Religious instruction for children is also often provided by the community, as are adult education programs. Pre-war German Jews were, in the majority, oriented towards Liberal Judaism, a movement that privileged German as part of the liturgy, had introduced regular sermons, and included musical instruments in religious services. Secular Jews have only recently begun to form their own organizations, such as Humanistic Judaism, paralleling the main religious Jewish movements.