Eine Frau sitzt und arbeitet an einem Webstuhl.

Defiance

Jewish Women and Design in the Modern Era
Bookable tour through the exhibition

The exhibition reveals the important role that Jewish women designers played in German society’s process of emancipation and modernization in the early twentieth century—as women, as Jews, and as artists.

by appointment (between 11 Jul and 23 Nov 2025)

Map with all buildings that belong to the Jewish Museum Berlin. The Old Building is marked in green

Where

Old Building, level 1
Lindenstraße 9–14, 10969 Berlin

Where, when, what?

Beaded bag, seat cushion, marionette, a hat: around 300 works and over 60 female designers are presented, their forgotten artistic achievements and biographies made visible. The tour presents examples of the courage and strength with which the women fought for outstanding positions in their respective fields until the National Socialist regime destroyed their careers and lives.

Colorful bead bag. — Emma Trietsch, Oval beads bag, wood metal, cotton, Berlin ca. 1909-1933; Jewish Museum Berlin, gift of Allon Haymov, photo: Roman März

Montage of a historic photo featuring a woman in a workshop and an object image.

Defiance: Jewish Women and Design in the Modern Era

Exhibition Webpage: Defiance: Jewish Women and Design in the Modern Era (11 Jul to 23 Nov 2025): visual and auditive insights into the exhibition themes and information in German Sign Language
Publications: Exhibition catalog: 2025, in German
Digital Content: Jewish Women and Design in the Modern Era: All biographies at a glance; Jewish Places: Information on the designers’ work and study locations on our interactive map; Puppet Show, Menu Card, Children's Book: Digital copies accompanying the exhibition (in German); Paper doll based on a costume design by Dodo (1907–1998): Do it yourself – create your own movable paper doll!; Fashion paper doll based on designs by Irene Saltern (1911–2005): Do it yourself – dress your own fashion paper doll!; Beaded bracelet based on a design by Emma Trietsch (1876–1933): Do it yourself – make your own thread bracelet!; Do you know Eva Samuel?: How the research for the exhibition took off; Small Puppets – Strong Women: community project accompanying the exhibition (in German)
Guided Tours: Public Tour in German: tour with fixed dates; Public Tour in English: tour with fixed dates; Guided Tour & Brunch: tour with fixed dates; Current page: Bookable Tour for Groups and Schools: tour by appointment

Accompanying Events: Exhibition Opening: Thu, 10 Jul 2025, 7 pm (exhibition open to visitors from 5 pm); Pioneering women of the 1920s – artistic research from the Modeschule Berlin at the JMB: Public presenation, Thu 17 Jul 2025, 2pm; Summer Party at the JMB with free admission, workshops and more – Sun, 20 Jul 2025, 2 pm; Creative Love! Long Night of Museums – Sun, 30 Aug 2025, starting 6 pm; Studio Talk I – Mon 29 Sep 2025, 6.30 pm
See also: Jewish Women Ceramists from Germany after 1933: Online feature on Google Arts & Culture, in German

Where, when, what?

Whenby appointment (between 11 Jul and 23 Nov 2025)
Duration60 minutes
Where Old Building, level 1
Lindenstraße 9–14, 10969 Berlin
See location on map

Cost per group35 € for school groups
50 € for adults (reduced rate)
100 € for adults
plus museum ticket: 10 €, 4 € (reduced rate) per person (free for under 18)

Booking requestPlease contact us at least 10 weeks before your desired date for this service. Booking request

ContactT +49 (0)30 259 93 305 (Mon–Fri, 10 am–4 pm) visit@jmberlin.de

Number of participants up to 15

Languages We offer this tour in German and English.

Please note This workshop is suitable for adults or school groups ages 15 to 19.