A New World

Showtime for the Summer Children’s Program at the Jewish Museum Berlin

Friday was showtime at the museum: the children in the summer break program had their big debut, presenting their plays and animated films. The whole week they had developed and rehearsed them, built sets, filmed, and added sound tracks. Everything was focused around the theme: What would a new, better world be like?

Die neue Welt und der Luchs (The New World and the Lynx) is one of the animated films shot as part of this year’s summer holiday programme.

 continue reading


Fingers instead of money?

News from the Summer Children’s Program at the Jewish Museum Berlin

Nearly a dozen children are sitting and lying in a circle with an adult. In the middle is a poster with "family" written on it.

Questions about a new world: “Will I have a family?”; Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Jule Roehr

“We should be able to pay with our ten fingers. Then everyone would have the same amount.” Marie* (8 years old) enthusiastically promoted her idea for a better world: “That would be fair!” Luca (10) wasn’t so convinced: “How am I supposed to buy bread with my fingers?”

The 2018 Summer Children’s Program at the Jewish Museum is focused on the question: what might a new, better world look like? The starting point is Noah’s ark, a symbol for new beginnings.

Two girls, the right one holding up a drawing of a creature labeled "Schweinefischili".

Animals in the new world: “Schweinefischili” (“Fishpiggy”); Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Jule Roehr

 

Franziska Kahn, a philosopher who works with children, prompts them: “Let’s discuss what’s most important in a better world.” “Okay!” the children cry out and raise their hands. “Family, friends, animals”—in that exact order!  continue reading


Jewish Script and Love By Contract

A group of children and a guide in the exhibition

Schoolchildren on a guided tour of the exhibition “The Creation of the World”
© Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Nadja Rentzsch

“I know!” shouts Tamo* (aged 10): “It’s Jewish writing!” “It’s called Hebrew—Hebrew writing” Mia (aged 10) corrects him. She knows the term because her best friend comes from Israel. She has seen letters like this before, at her friend’s house. Alexander (aged 34) chuckles. He works at the Jewish Museum and is giving a group of primary schoolchildren from Berlin a tour of “The Creation of the World,” our current temporary exhibition. On display are historical manuscripts and artful illustrations.  continue reading