Two large Jewish centers emerged in Europe
When and Where Did it All Begin?
Two large Jewish centers emerged in the Middle Ages:
one in Sepharad (the Iberian Peninsula – Spain and Portugal) and the other in Ashkenaz (western Germany and northeast France).
These two centers have had a critical impact on the nature of Jewish life to this very day.
Jewish culture flourished in both centers.
During the period known as the Golden Age (10th-12th centuries CE), a unique Jewish culture evolved in Sepharad that included poetry,
philosophy and Hebrew literature. Jewish leaders were active in political life and even filled senior government positions.
Other important Jewish centers in this period included Babylonia, Byzantium, North Africa, Italy and Provence (southern France).
Ashkenaz
Period: 10th-15th centuries CE
Demography: Tens of thousands of Jews in the 11th century, and apparently over 200,000 by the 14th century
Spain
– Period: 10th-15th centuries CE
– Demography: around 200,000 Jews in 1492