The Essay

Emancipation was an important part of Jewish history. Segregated for hundreds of years, Jews were integrated and assimilated into European society. But, because of the Holocaust, most of these ghosts have been forgotten, because the community that might have remembered them no longer exists. Michael Goldfarb travels through Europe in search of these ghosts. In Berlin, he tells the story of philosopher Moses Mendelssohn who refused to convert to Christianity and did much to encourage Jews to hold on to their religion and identity. His family went onto establish the Jewish women's salons where all classes and creeds could openly debate art, music, literature and politics. (Rpt) Producer Julia Hayball.