Author: Associate Professor Dr. Edmond Malaj, Department of German Language, University of Tirana, Institute of History, Academy of Sciences of Albania
Audience: 50 second-year University students, aged 19-20
Format: Lecture and Seminars in German language
Curriculum Overview
Introduction
1. Important aspects of Hebrew identity (Who are the Jews)
2. Holy Scriptures of the Jews, which served as formative elements of identity
i. Tanah: Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim; Targum, Septuagint
ii. Explanations on Halakha (The Way)
iii. Hebrew calendar
iv. Babylonian Talmud and Jerusalem Talmud and its parts (Mishnah and Gemara) and Talmudic Schools (Yeshiva)
Areas of Emphasis
3. The history of Jewish communities in German-speaking countries, always comparing the history of these communities with data on Jewish communities in Albanian territories.
4. Types of communities in Europe: Ashkenazi, Sephardic, and their spread in Europe, focusing mainly on German-speaking countries and Albanian territories.
5. Ashkenazi and Sephardic culture and their impact on the countries where the Jews lived.
6. Localities where Jews lived, the so-called "Judengassen" or Jewish quarters, which were sometimes like cities within cities.
7. Various professions preferred and practiced by Jews in the Middle Ages, such as doctors, veterinarians, scribes in offices, kosher butchers, winemakers, etc., but also merchants, and we discussed their impact on the life of a city.
8. Persecution of Jews in the Middle Ages, the numerous pogroms, and the problems caused to the Jews either by different monarchs and feudal classes, or by the local population of various localities.
During subsequent seminars held in the following weeks following the lecture, attendees delved into the reading and study of various brief texts concerning Jewish themes, with an emphasis on both reading comprehension and critical analysis, personal insight and reflections on the significance of the content.
Goals and Results
The lecture achieved its goal and students left with more knowledge and understanding about the history and culture of Jews in the Middle Ages. This was especially observed in the seminar hours where students approached texts with the basic knowledge they had acquired in the lecture. Dr. Malaj’s thorough knowledge of the subject increased students’ desire to increase learning about a culture and a people as ancient as the Jews.
Feedback/Reactions
The convergence of factors such as a compelling topic, interactive seminars, a structured academic methodology and rigorous scholarly analysis, sparked curiosity and interest among students to delve deeper into the history and culture of Jews in the Middle Ages.
During the event, student sought clarifications regarding the topics discussed. For example, the content related to Jewish dietary prohibition on pork consumption led to a discussion of Jewish dietary laws, including permissible and forbidden foods (such as unclean animals), as well as the influence of Mosaic laws on Islamic dietary practices.
At times, comparisons were drawn among various religious phenomena and aspects within the three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Students became aware of both the similarities and differences among these aspects.
Participants were undoubtedly very interested in preserving the Albanian-Jewish connections. It is regrettable that various aspects of Hebrew culture are now scarce in Albania, partly due to the departure of Jewish community members, who have mostly left the country and settled elsewhere, such as Israel, the United States, and other places.
Long-term Implications and Future Initiatives for Albanian-Jewish Cultural Exploration
Prof. Dr. Malaj’s aspiration is that students will delve deeper into the Jewish history and culture in the future as a direct outcome of these conversations. The insights acquired could influence future initiatives or activities, including conference participation and potential articles or monographs on Jewish culture.
A key obstacle to preserving cultural and historical values in the modern context may arise due to insufficient funding for organizing scholarly conferences, publishing texts, and compensating personnel involved in such endeavors. Many opportunities for projects related to cultural preservation depend on the availability of financial support, as individuals, who are passionate about preserving these values, sometimes undertake the work at personal financial cost.
To continue exploring and targeting Albanian-Jewish historical-cultural connections, Prof. Dr. Malaj conducted research at the State Archives of Dubrovnik (Croatia) and various libraries in New York City, including the Dorot Jewish Division at The New York Public Library and the Center for Jewish History. He found new documents and literature, and plans to revise and expand his monograph, The Jews in Albanian Lands, and also address the history of Jews, anti-Semitism, and the Holocaust in German-speaking lands, linking that content to the history of Jews in Albanian territories. During the Holocaust period of World War II, many Jews fled from Germany and Austria and found refuge and salvation in Albania.
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