Machon Moreshes Ashkenaz – The Institute for Ashkenazi Heritage – is the leading institute dedicated to the research, preservation and transmission of the unique religious values, customs, and folklore of German Jewry, as they existed prior to the Holocaust.

German Jews established communities throughout the world, in the years immediately following the destruction of European Jewry. Most of these communities were not successful in maintaining their unique identity for longer than two generations and have not been able to secure their continuation. The younger generation has been drawn to other communities, mainly due to the lack of appreciation for, and knowledge of, the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of their ancestors.

Machon Moreshes Ashkenaz will enables present generation to familiarize itself with this heritage and appreciate it, and return to practice this heritage, if they are inclined to do so.

3.  DEVELOPMENT PLANS

3.1. Infrastructure

Machon Moreshes Ashkenaz is a registered, not-for-profit organization both in the United States, as well as in Israel. For years most of the Machon's activities have been conducted on a volunteer basis. In order to increase the scope and activities of the Machon, new members have been recruited, and anew Board of Trustees was formed in New York. This restructuring of the Machon enables it to raise the funds necessary for a smooth, continuous operation.

3.2.  Shorshei Minhag Ashkenaz

As of now, three (4) volumes of the series "Roots of Minghag Ashkenaz" have appeared. These volumes were well received due to the vast volume of information, which they contained. It is the Machon's intention to publish one additional volume every second year.

3.3. Guide to Minhagei Ashkenaz throughout the year

In order to provide practical guidance to those who want to actively practice Minhagei Ashkenaz, anew edition of The Guide will be published. This will include a summary of the various Halachot and Minhagim as practiced throughout the year, and as well as life-cycle events. As for now it appears partially on this site.

3.5. Monographs & Encyclopedia

Monographs about certain Rabbis and leaders will be published. This will be followed by a full Encyclopedia about Rabbis and Leaders of German Jewry.

3.6. Yearly Minhagim Luach

A yearly Luach (calendar) detailing the Halachot and Minhagim for the synagogue, based on the Jewish- German tradition, will be published. Can be downloaded in PDF format from this site.

3.7. Music Collection

The collection of recorded Tefilah Nusach will be augmented, as well as the study of folk tunes, primarily Zemirot. In addition the study and research of sheet music available in print and manuscripts will be continued. Professional CD ROMs produced in a studio are produced by KAYJ and a large variety of the melodies can be downloaded from their section of our site ran by Chazan Friedman.

3.8. Archives

The Machon's archives contain thousands of documents related to the past history of German Jewry, both present and past. These documents will be catalogued so that they can be more easily accessed for research purposes.

3.9. Web Site

The Machon erected web sites which contain halachic, historical and musical data relevant to German Jewry.

3.10. Synagogues

The Machon builds and assists synagogues which preserve the German Jewish rite with information and guidance.

3.11. Manuscripts

The Machon will publish important manuscripts authored by past Rabbis and leaders of German Jewry.

3.12. Translations

Important works which were published heretofore only in German, will be translated into Hebrew and English.

3.13. Periodical

The periodical 'Yerushaseinu', an annual journal of Toras Ashkenaz, containing research, reviews and recollections of Ashkenaz Heritage and customs is being published regularly.