Jewish Life in Graz - Fachdidaktik Geschichte

Written Documentation (teaching
unit)
CHRISTINA TUSCHER
JANINE ZAUNER
JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Learning history outside the classroom
505.102, VX, WS 2011/2012
JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
Table of contents:
Topic …………………………………………...…………………………………………………………………………………………………….3
Target Group ……..….………....………………………….……...…………………………….……………..…………………………….3
Reference to curriculum …………….………………………....……………….………………………………………………..……….3
Previous knowledge ………..……………………………...…………………….………………………………………….………………3
Outdoor lesson: Content and competences...…………………………….…….………………………………………………..3
History of Jewish life in Graz ………………………………………….……………………………………………….……………….…5
1st station: “The Jewish Quarter”……………………………………………………………………..………………….……………..7
2nd station: The Graz Castle...............................................................................…….........................9
3rd station: The Graz Synagogue ...................................................................................................12
Outlook ……………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………16
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
A) Topic: Jewish life in Graz
General information about Jews in Graz
Jewish life in Graz
Anti-Semitism and holocaust
Religious life
B) Target group:
7th class AHS
C) Reference to curriculum:
Nazi-system and holocaust
Forms of fundamental rights in democracy and human rights
D) Previous knowledge:
The beginning and the tradition of the Jewish religion
The beginning of the anti-Semitism
The developments of the interwar period
E) Outdoor lesson: Content and competences
1. Introduction
Content (Jewish life in Graz)
... How and where did Jews live in Graz?
... Are there any traces of medieval Jewish living in Graz?
... Places of Jewish religion - Synagogue
Competences/Aims of teaching: The pupil is able…
…to give a rough outline of Jewish life in Graz during the centuries
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
…to understand main developments concerning the question “What does it mean to be
Jew in Austria?
…to understand political developments about Jews
2. Teaching unit:
Time limit: 2 and a half hours
Meeting point: Saturday, 12th November, 13:30
Methods:
Discussions, reports, self-investigation
Using the collected material (from outdoor unit and from work in class) to make a
presentation (can be a little presentation in class or a bigger one such as an exhibition in
the school hall). This of course can be connected with other subjects such as English and
Religion.
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Write newspaper articles, journals, diary entries, reports…
Make a crisscross for “visitors”
Research on internet about current situation in Austria
Collage of pictures taken in outdoor lesson
Collection of stories about courageous people during WWII (and maybe before
and afterwards)
ppp/ radio clips/ websites/
write report for “Jahresbericht”
English – present books about WWII (a lot of YAL is available for that purpose –
see Bibliography)
Competences (cognitive, methodical, affective, social)
The student is able to
…understand that prejudices against Jews have always existed (see Ghetto in medieval
times)
…to read plans and to work with them
…to integrate if teamwork is required
…to take on a different perspective
…is able to find relevant information on the internet, library …
…to question the different rules people had during WWII/ in the Holocaust
…to understand that one always has a choice to react in one way or another
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
History of Jewish life in Graz
The history of Jewish life in Graz starts in 1160. In 1160, the Styrian margrave Otakar III brought the
ground of Graz in his property. Because of this, Graz got a huge market place. In the south of this
market place, the Jewish hood developed. In this area, the Jews of the local area were settled. The
Jewish quarter was first documented in 1261. It was an about 100m x 140m rectangle south aside the
city wall. There a separate exit, the so called “Judentürl” was inserted in the city wall. Outside the
historic city wall, near today’s Joanneumring, laid the old Jewish cemetery. The last gravestone of
this cemetery is conserved as the architrave block of the Graz Castle.
The development of a Jewish borough in Graz
The Jews were an important source of tax revenue of the sovereigns which most probably has led to
the resettlement of the Staßengler Jews southwards of the city where finally the ghetto in Graz
developed. This first borough already had a synagogue in medieval times, but there are no
archeological traces. This is because the Jewish borough was broken down by the banishment of the
Jews at the end of the 15th century.
The Jewish borough in Graz was a self-contained street of houses, with a block of houses in the
middle, where the synagogue and the home of the rabbi was. In the 15th century the population of
Graz was about 5000 people, 200 of them were Jews. In this century, the first wave of expulsion of
Jews began. The trigger for that was the fall of the religious concerns about taking interest, which led
to the attempt to ditch the Jewish rivals. In the year 1438 the Jewish borough was suspended. Jews
had to leave Graz, but were allowed to take their movable property with them. Their houses were
sold in favor of the duke’s cash. The whole east part of the Jewish borough yielded for a Christian
chapel, the later “Kirche zum heiligen Blut”.
From 1447 on, Jews were accepted in Graz again, because the emperor Friedrich III. didn’t want to
disclaim their taxes. The former ghetto was gradually broken down which distributed the Jew all over
the city. After the death of Friedrich III, the Jew’s opponents got a boost and a harsh time for the
Jews began. Maximilian I made an expulsion order for all Jews in central Austria. This was
substantiated with desecration of holy bread, ritual murderer and faking of obligations. The real
reason was that many citizens at the end of medieval times were highly indebted at Jews. By
discriminating the Jews they found a way to escape their debt. This led to the ban of Jews in 1496.
Jews were allowed to take their movable property with them, but they had to sell their houses very
quickly, to very low prices.
The reign of Maria Theresia brought no advancement for the Jews in Styria, not until November 9 th
1783, when Jews were allowed to visit annual fairs in Graz, Klagenfurt and Laibach. Until 1850 no Jew
was allowed constant residency in Graz. The patent of March 28th 1849 brought a light advancement
as from this time on political and civil rights were no longer dependent on religion.
In the 19th century, Jews settled in Graz again. 1869 the “Grazer israelitische Kultusgemeinde” was
founded. The Jewish borough now gradually expanded. In 1880 about 1200 Jews lived in Graz.
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
In 1938 there was the “Anschluss” of Austria to Nazi-Germany and it was demanded to make Graz
Jew-free. Of the former 2200 Jews were only 1700 left in March 1938.
On November 9th 1938 was the “Reichpogromnacht” where about 400 Jews were murdered and in
the following days about 30000 Jews were arrested. In Graz the synagogue and parts of the Jewish
cemetery were set on fire. About 300 Jews from Graz were deported to the KZ Dachau.
After the end of the Nazi-regime, only a few Jews returned to Graz. On January 6th 1946 the “Grazer
israelitische Kultusgemeinde” was refounded. In 1988, because of the 50 year anniversary of the
Reichspogromnacht, the foundation walls of the synagogue were exposed and a memorial place was
established. The place in front of the “Amtshaus” was named “Synagogenplatz”. The government of
Graz decided to build a ceremony hall at the Jewish cemetery, which was given to the
“Kultusgemeinde” in 1991. 1998 the decision for rebuilding the synagogue was made, which was
given to the “Israelitische Kultusgemeinde” on November 9th 2000. This new synagogue was built on
the ruins of the old one and above the memorial stone of 1988 the Almemor was built in the middle
of the room.
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
1st station “Jewish Quarter”
1) Locating the Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter used to be opposite of the city church. Now look at the map from the 16th
century. Can you locate the Jewish Quarter? What are the names of the streets today which have
once been the border of the Jewish Quarter? Mark them.
2) Exploring the Jewish Quarter
Now go to the former Jewish Quarter and do the following tasks.

If you go through the Quarter, can you find any features which indicate the existence of a
Ghetto? Which are they? Take notes and pictures.

Can you find any signs which indicate that there was once the Jewish Ghetto? If so, which? If
not, what can be the reason?
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine

Which other features indicate that you are standing in the medieval part of the town? Tipp:
think about last session…

The following passage is taken from the city guide.
“...if you come from the Schmidgasse...turn left into the Stubenberggasse and then again left into the
Frauengasse. You now enter the medieval part of the town again as well as the Jewish Ghetto. Here
exactly was the so-called “Judentürl” inserted into the city wall…”

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Try to find the spot where the “Judentürl” once was. Tipp: the medieval town wall is marked
in the ground. Can you see it? Take pictures.
The “Judentürl” was the exit to the Jewish graveyard which lay outside of the walls. Which
stores are there nowadays?
 Next meeting point – “Judentürl”
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
2nd station: The Graz Castle
In the mid-15th century Graz served as the preferred residence of Emperor Friedrich III. In accordance
with his medieval ruler “by the grace of God”, the Graz Residence was erected starting in 1438 as the
secular-sacred building group “Residence Castle-Court Church” (today’s cathedral).
Under the Archdukes of Inner Austria Karl and Ferdinand between 1564 and 1619, Graz was amongst
the most important royal courts in Europe – and came under the sway of the Counter Reformation,
which was under the influence of the Jesuit Order (in Graz situated since 1572). So the Jesuit
Collegium and the Old University were erected.
Like mentioned befor, outside the historic city wall, near today’s Joanneumring, laid the old Jewish
cemetery. The last gravestone of this cemetery is conserved as the architrave block of the Graz
Castle.
What you have to do...

Where is the Graz Castle? Go to it.
o Name the street where the Graz Castle is.
o Which other historic building is located near the Graz Castle?

Find the last gravestone of the old Jewish cemetery.
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
o
Whose gravestone is this?
o
What is written on it?
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
What is the purpose of the Graz Castle nowadays?
o
Name at least one important person for Styria, who works here.
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ

Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
The Graz Double Spiral Staircase is located in the Graz Castle. Find it.
o
Which architecture style is it?
o
When was it restaurated?
o
Go upstairs and take a look out of the window. What historic sight do you see?
Take pictures.
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
3rd station: The Synagogue
The new synagogue rises on the ruins of the old one...
Following this idea, the architectures of the new synagogue in Graz, 9600 bricks from the old,
adepted 1892 and burned down on november 9th 1938, synagogue were used for the new one. These
bricks were cleaned by pupils of the “Bundesrealgymnasiums Lichtenfelsgasse”, the “Höhere
Technische Bundeslehranstalt” and the “HASCH/HAK Grazbachgasse”.
The bearing construct of the glass cupola is builded up on 12 columns, which represent the 12 tribes
of Israel.
The Almemor, on which the Torah is read, takes the central area in the middle of the synagogue. The
glass Almemor is built over the memorial stone from the year 1988.
At the entrance of the synagogue, we read: "Denn mein Haus wird ein Bethaus für alle Völker sein"
(Jesaja 56/7)
These are pictures of the modell of the old burned down synagogue.
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
What you have to do...

Where is the Graz synagogue? Go to it.
o Name the street where the Graz syagogue lays.
o Find the memorial stone on the picture.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Where is it?
o
What can be the purpose?
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o
o
o
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
Find this memorial plaque.
This memorial plaque commemorates something. What?
As you can see on the pictures below, there is something written on the glass
cupola of the synagogue. What could this be?
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
o
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
Inside the synagogue...
Find the Almemor and the memorial stone from the year 1988. What is written on it?
Take pictures!
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
Outlook
1) Gravestone
The end of the excursion can lead into the next lesson. After having revised what has been
investigated outside the classroom the topic of the next lesson could be “Bystanders in the
Holocaust”
Objektives:
1. to recognize the effects of apathy and indifference
2. to examine behaviors associated with obedience, conformity, and silence
3. to explore legal responses to issues raised by the Holocaust
Question for discussion:


Why do you think that the gravestone is being preserved and displayed?
Why is there a lack of official signs which indicate where the Jewish Ghetto once was?
Possible activities (examples)
>
The article found in the newspaper can be useful for the lesson.
>
Define the term “Bystander” together
>
Role-play concerning Evian Conference (write speeches; discussions; imitate the
conference…)
2) Article – “Justiz ist einem Netzwerk von Neonazis auf der Spur”
This article could be the beginning of another lesson about “Current connections”
Objektives:
1. to recognize that history can be easily altered and changed
2. to consider ways to prevent deceptions about the Holocaust
possible activities
>
talk about prejudices in general. Has anybody experienced injustice or prejudice? How did
they feel? And what did they do when they saw that others were treated badly? Did they
react to it or did they just let it happen and walked away. Another possibility – journal entries
(might be easier for students to state their personal feeling in a more autonomous way)
>
read firsthand accounts by Jews about their experience
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
>
research on internet
>
read “rechtsradikales Gedankengut” (lyrics, blogs…) very “hot” topic. Teacher needs to be
careful to guide students through it.
Resources:

Fachdidaktik Geschichte Graz: http://www.fachdidaktik-geschichte.at/

Alexander Logar, Justiz ist einem Netzwerk von Neonazis auf der Spur. In:
http://www.kleinezeitung.at/steiermark/fuerstenfeld/fuerstenfeld/2871560/justiznetzwerk-neonazis-spur.story (am 08.11.2011).

Wolfgang Sotill, Israel zeichnet Oststeirer aus. In:
http://www.kleinezeitung.at/steiermark/fuerstenfeld/ilz/2871028/israel-zeichnetoststeirer.story (06.11.2011).

Synagoge Graz: http://www.ikg-graz.at/synagoge.htm
Ideas for improvement which came up in the discussion afterwards:
 BEFORE the trip:
-You could let the students search for the streets on GOOGLE MAPS to get an
impression of the sites (especially for students who don’t live in Graz)
 Make a competition out of it. This might speed up the process and will probably
make the whole thing more exciting for the students. Don’t forget to provide
prizes!
 Since there is a church now where used to be the Jewish Quarter you could connect
the whole topic to the Catholic Church.
-Compare 1st and 2nd Testament
-Examine the role of the Church in WWII
-Give reference to other religions.
 Castle:
-let the students count the steps and hide something at the top of the tower. This
could be for example a message which leads to the next topic.
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JEWISH LIFE IN GRAZ
Tuscher Christina
Zauner Janine
 Jewish Gravestone:
-use the date in order to introduce other calendars.
-the person on the gravestone is a Jewish merchant. Here you could talk about
other “typical Jewish” jobs.
Reflection
We both agree that it was quite fun to try out such an outdoor unit. We soon realized that it
is a lot more time consuming that preparing a lesson in class, but we think that is worth the
effort. If you do it properly you can use it again with other classes which will then spare you
some time.
Going outside, leaving the classroom, can be a nice change for the students, however, we
know by now that we would never go outside when it’s too cold. I was freezing towards the
end of our session, and I think the pupils would have complained after an hour already. It
would be a shame if the session was spoiled by bad weather.
We were also a bit lost when it came to time management. We had absolutely no idea
whether what we had prepared was enough or not, but it worked out somehow. And
although we gained a little bit of experience through the session, I know that I will be lost
again when I do my first outdoor session at school.
What we are also afraid of is to manage a group of pupils in a bigger city. I know that the
most essential thing is to be well organized, but that doesn’t guarantee that nothing will
happen. The picture of a hurt, lost or drunken student horrifies me, but I guess it’s better to
forget that such things can happen otherwise you’ll go crazy. It’s probably also easier if you
know the class. Then you know who might get in trouble and you can keep an eye at that
pupil.
Altogether we would say that “Learning History outside the Classroom” is a vital course for
future teachers. It gives an insight into the problematic of designing materials for an outdoor
unit and the fact that you can try things out in a rather safe environment leaves you with a
bit more self-confidence.
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