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As it is the case for the first European cultural route, the valorisation of the famous paths towards Santiago de Compostela, the implementation of the Jewish Heritage Routes enhances the common elements of cultural heritage.
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They aim at preserving and valorise the contribution to European culture and heritage of Jewish sites scattered throughout Europe. They want also to promote tourism in these sites.
Synagogue of Prague.
 sites
Main sites are:
Archaeological sites, old synagogues and cemeteries, ritual baths, Jewish quarters, monuments and memorials,
Archives and libraries held by Jewish and non-Jewish institutions
Ghettos and shtetls - the confined intimate scene of Jewish life in Europe,
A growing number of museums, to study, protect and publicise Jewish life and its religious and daily artefacts,
The history of Jews in Europe and their contribution to European thought and culture including the scientific, literary, musical, artistic and daily aspects of Jewish life.
the network
Its missions are :
Foster networks of all activists in areas of Jewish heritage throughout Europe,
With the assistance of experts, define priorities actions and find funding for urgent projects, particularly in Eastern and Central Europe, where the Jewish Heritage is at a much higher risk of destruction,
Become a clearinghouse for funding resources and potential partnerships from public and private institutions,
Contact national and international, private and public organisations, European, national, regional and municipal authorities, to engage in Jewish Heritage projects and to disclose and protect important cultural and historical landmarks, such as sites and monuments, hidden
archives and book collections, art works,
Promote tourism related to Jewish heritage in Europe: develop long term strategies that contribute to the economic development of towns and regions protecting Jewish heritage, including the training of professional guides and the creation of related jobs for young people,
Promote the exchange of information, the transfer of know-how, and general knowledge about Jews and their heritage.
Synagogue of Lithuania.
valorise
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Saving Jewish heritage does not solely mean “saving” ruins. Indeed, saving ruins is not sufficient. In order to “save” the ruins and have a long lasting effect, it is important to give these ruins a function or role. Indeed, the aim of the itinerary of Jewish heritage is to ”enter into a new time/space relationship. Beyond a passive idea of [the Jewish] heritage, this route implies a voluntary conception which is open to social interchange and contemporary innovation”.
The creation of a European Route of Jewish Heritage is important in itself, in order to enhance, maintain and develop the rich heritage that was left over from the past. However this heritage must not only be preserved only for the past itself, as a leftover from Europe’s history in different regions. It must also be used as an educational tool, by teaching the customs and traditions of the Jewish people as a minority, which has lived in Europe for two thousand years. It is therefore crucial to make an inventory of the sites, which have a historical, cultural, architectural, religious, sociological, or any other importance. These sites will include the exploitation of sites, which are not usually accessible to the public or which have long been forgotten and have been left in ruins. If the European Route of Jewish Heritage becomes a reality, if it becomes a route recognised and promoted by the Council of Europe, the inventory will be accompanied by several other activities. It will enable the creation of a map of Jewish sites of interest in the perspective of Jewish heritage in Europe.
Other actions are important to highlight the Jewish European contribution and to make it comprehensible to the other Europeans, what the Jewish People have contributed to the development of rural or urban life. This pedagogical approach is particularly important and will include intercultural and educational exchange programmes. The target group of these actions will be the general population, but also the youth and young people, as the learning process of the life and history of minorities should be started in school.
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