Jüdische Spenden und Stiftungen im fraktalen Raum des Heiligen Römischen Reichs

Abstract The essay deals with the donation activities of Jewish people in the Franconian area during the 18th century. Helping those in need was an integral part of religious practice. Donations to co-religionists as well as to Christian institutions and individuals can be proven regularly. The five charitable foundations, which were set up by wealthy members of the Bamberg rural Jewish community, also served the purpose of maintaining the memory of the founder and his family in the long term. With the proceeds from the foundation capital, scholarships were financed and needy relatives supported. They represented important references for the family members, who often lived scattered. Thus had an effect of forming a Common identity. The case of Meyer Levi, who at the same time established religious foundations in the Franconian rural community of Zeckendorf and the suburban community of Pfersee beyond the gates of the imperial city of Augsburg, documents that the supra-regional and cross-territorial interdependencies of Jewish society can be seen within the Zedaka.