Resilience and Vulnerability in Ashkenazi Jewish History

The concept of ‘resilience’ has gained currency over recent decades in psychology, ecological systems research, the social sciences, as well as in popular books of counseling and other media aimed at a wider audience. According to the Stockholm Resilience Center’s definition, “Resilience is the capacity of a system […] to deal with change and continue to develop.” While it seems that the concept can easily be adapted to historical change, the question remains whether human interaction is structured in ways similar to, for example, an ecosystem. The Trier-based research group 2539 ‘Resilience’ explores these theoretical problems in dialogue between medievalists and sociologists. Our main category of analysis is that of the ‘adaptive cycle’. Adaptive cycles can be identified on various levels, moving at different speeds and with varying extensions.

The later medieval period has frequently been characterized as a phase of upheaval and disruption. The vulnerability of the Jewish community in Ashkenaz to these developments is beyond doubt. One project of the Trier research group will therefore focus on Ashkenazi Jews in the post-1350 period: on their potentials and options for coping with past catastrophe and adverse circumstances; on their strategies and on their underlying dispositions. While our model does take into account intellectual and spiritual responses, it is our conviction that Jewish agency can be read from the documentation preserved in the archives. While previous scholars have analysed the dynamics of Christian anti-Jewish attitudes and actions, we are specifically looking for signs of Jewish agency.