Contending with Crises is a multifaceted research project that seeks to explore how medieval Jews in the XIVth century contended with the crises of the period. The project focuses on the Jews of northern and central Europe with in depth comparisons to other areas, such as Iberia, Provence and Italy.

Contending with Crises broadens its gaze, looking past the upper echelons of Jewish society to understand and describe the textures and constructs that made up the lives of the “ordinary” members of these communities. It consists of four intertwined strands: Institutions, people, mobility and cultural production.

The Contending with Crises research team is located in the Rabin Building at Hebrew University's Mount Scopus Campus and works together every week, holding internal seminars and discussions. We also host conferences and workshops that are open to the academic and general public.