Exploring local Jewish heritage in the Polish-German context. History and concepts for Jewish sites in Ziębice/Münsterberg
German-Polish Interdisciplinary Student Workshop Workshop in Ziębice
In March 2025, a student workshop focusing on the documentation and future handling of the former synagogue and Jewish cemetery in Ziębice, Lower Silesia, will be held. This on-site seminar will also include visits to Wrocław and Warsaw, including museum visits, lectures and discussions, to provide a broader contextual framework.
Ziębice, a small town situated 60 kilometers south of Wrocław, has been part of Polish territory since 1945. Previously known as Münsterberg under German administration, the town retains significant traces of its pre-war heritage due to the post-World War II border shifts. Among its architectural and cultural remnants are elements of its German-Jewish past, including the 19th-century synagogue building, today vacant, and the Jewish cemetery. Additionally, numerous residential and public buildings from that era remain visible today, reflecting the town’s historical fabric. The interdisciplinary seminar will engage students from architecture, civil engineering, and Hebrew and Jewish studies in exploring Ziębice's German-Jewish heritage. Participants will not only investigate the historical significance of these sites but also develop strategies for their preservation and revitalization.
The seminar is organized as part of the DFG project “Appropriation and Revitalization. Negotiation Processes of German-Jewish Cultural Heritage in Poland” led by the German Historical Institute Warsaw, represented by Prof. Dr. Ruth Leiserowitz and Dr. Christhardt Henschel, and the Bet Tfila-Research Unit for Jewish Architecture in Europe of the Technische Universität Braunschweig, represented by PD Dr.-Ing. habil. Ulrich Knufinke, Zuzanna Światowy, Neele Menter.
The workshop has been made possible through close collaboration with the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland (FODŻ), the local municipality of Ziębice, as well as local activists and researchers.
The workshop aims to investigate Ziębice as a case study of a former center of the German-Jewish community, with a particular focus on the synagogue building and the Jewish cemetery. To facilitate this, students are divided into groups, each concentrating on one of these two heritage sites. However, an interactive approach is emphasized to ensure that all participants have the opportunity to engage with diverse aspects of the project and explore new areas of expertise.
For the synagogue, tasks include detailed measurement and photographic documentation of the building. Furthermore, advanced tools such as laser scanners and documentation software are employed in this process, under the guidance of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Piotr Kuroczyński from Hochschule Mainz (Mainz University of Applied Sciences), whose extensive expertise enriches the students' learning experience. Structural analysis of the synagogue is another key component, supported by the tutors from the Technische Universität Braunschweig. This aspect focuses on systematic building documentation, including the identification and interpretation of material conditions and damage. Work on the Jewish cemetery is led by Krzysztof Bielawski from FODŻ, who provides students with in-depth training in cemetery documentation. This includes creating an inventory of gravestones (matzevot) and translating their inscriptions – a complex task supported by his expertise. Additionally, archival materials are made available to students for research purposes, enabling them to contextualize their findings within a broader historical framework.
Finally, students collaborate in interdisciplinary groups to develop concepts for the future use and preservation of both the synagogue and cemetery. This collaborative approach encourages creative thinking and fosters a deeper understanding of how historical sites can be handled in the future.
The workshop provides a unique platform for students, guided by experts in architecture and history, to work alongside specialists in Jewish heritage research, representatives of NGOs, Jewish organizations, local activists, and municipal authorities. Together, they aim to generate creative ideas for the future of Ziębice’s Jewish heritage.
