Jewish Salons of Berlin in the Focus of Intellectual Life in Prussia at the Turn of the XVIII–XIX Centuries

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to demonstrate an influence of Jewish salons of Berlin on the intellectual life of Prussia at the turn of the XVIII–XIX centuries. As a form of communication, salon is characterized with an active participation of women in «traditionally» men’s discussions on politics, philosophy and literature. Woman, as a rule, an aristocrat, selected a public at her discretion and moderated a conversation. A blossom of salon culture in Prussia took place at the second quarter of the XVIII century. Influence of Jewish salons on intellectual life of the kingdom is consided to be a one of the topics-in-question for researchers in this field. Deborah Hertz, Petra Wilhelmy-Dollinger and Renata Fuchs are inclined to represent Jewish salons as a phenomenon of a great significance for both Prussian Jews’ life and cultural climat of German- speaking space. Hannah Lund and Barbara Hahn assess Jewish salons as one of integrative channels at the turn of the XVIII–XIX centuries. The sourse base of this article is presented with a wide correspondense and memoires by actors of salon communication in Berlin, as well as with satirical writings. In this article, the most famous Jewish salons’ hostesses — Henriette Herz and Rahel Levin — are presented. High social position of Jewish women’s families, as well as their accomplishment and originality incited a great interest to them. Eminent German cultural activists were among the guests of Jewish salons. Intensive communication with Jewish women affected creativity of German authors. So, it is traced in the present article, how a friendship of Henriette Herz with Friedrich Schleiermacher influenced on his formation as a founder of the original religious concept. Also, a role of Dorothea Mendelsohn in Friedrich Schlegel’s life and creativity is highlighted. A special attention is paid to the Jewish women’s literary activity as an important component of cultural integration. On a Dorothea Mendelsohn’s example, author makes an attempt to demonstrate that affiliation to salon circles gave Jewish women a possibility to start their literary activity. Author of the present article traces a reaction of Prussian conservative literary circles to a popularity of Jewish salons. On examples of Friedrich Nicolai and August Bernhardi is demonstrated, how a fear of feminization and Jewish integration are reflected in Prussian satire at the end of the XVIII century.