The Institute for the History of the German Jews was founded in 1966, making it the first research institution in the Federal Republic of Germany to devote itself exclusively to German Jewish history.
The 60th anniversary of its founding provides an opportunity for appreciative retrospectives, critical assessments and discursive readjustments. Over the past six decades, not only has the field of Jewish studies developed and become more differentiated in terms of methodology and discipline, but the profile of the IGdJ has also expanded. We are taking this opportunity to reflect on historiographical traditions, scientific and socio-political trends, and the future of German Jewish history. What opportunities are there for research and education?
We will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the IGdJ in 2026 with a variety of formats and events. More detailed information about the programme for the anniversary year will be available on this website shortly.
Senate reception to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute for the History of the German Jews (for invited guests)
18 May 2026 5:00 pm, Hamburg City Hall
Hosted by Senator Maryam Blumenthal, Head of the Hamburg Ministry of Science, Research and Equality, the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute for the History of the German Jews will be celebrated with a festive programme in the Hamburg City Hall. Invitations will be sent out directly by the Ministry for Science, Research and Equality. Picture: Senatskanzlei Jan Pries
Public evening event: Sources, data, contexts – A website for the virtual consolidation of a shared archive
19. May 2026 18:30 CET, Atrium at Hamburger Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek
We cordially invite you to the festive launch of a website that was developed at the IGdJ to accompany two digitisation projects at the Hamburg State Archives and the Jerusalem Central Archives for the History of the Jewish People. Both institutions preserve the (divided) archives of the Jewish communities in Hamburg. The history of the division is closely linked to the founding history of the IGdJ.
The evening will feature three keynote speeches and a discussion with the participating archives, which will examine issues surrounding the digitisation of source material from different perspectives and address the challenges and potential of this specific digitisation project.
Venue:
Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Hamburg Carl von Ossietzky
Lichthof
Von-Melle-Park 3
20146 Hamburg
Registration: Kontakt@igdj-hh.de
Picture: Senatskanzlei Jan Pries