The Contemporary History collection was established in 2015 to document Jewish life in Germany from 1945 to the present.
Thematic Focal Points
Thematically it covers the history of displaced persons in occupied Germany, the rebuilding of Jewish communities and institutions in East and West Germany, the immigration of Russian Jews to reunified Germany, and Berlin's appeal for young Israelis today. Further emphases include the complex history of German–Jewish relations after the Shoah and the portrayal of Jews and the State of Israel in various media.
Personal Items and Historical Events
Objects and documents that are linked to the history of individuals and families or tell historical events from a personal perspective are of particular interest for our collection. We also document Jewish organizations and special occasions such as rallies, sporting events, and other events in individual communities.
Objects of Contemporary History in Our Collections

This swan hat was part of a stage costume belonging to the performance artist, entertainer, writer, and actor Lotti Huber (1912–1998). She wore it at a gala at the Renaissance Theater celebrating her eighty-fifth birthday on 18 October 1997. It is made of silk, swan feathers, textiles, and probably paper maché and was produced by Fiona Bennett hatters; Jewish Museum Berlin; photo: Jens Ziehe. Further information on this object can be found in our online collections

The Friedenstempel synagogue in Wilmersdorf was estalished in 1923 and destroyed in 1938. Its ruins were torn down in 1959. This cast-iron plaque was affixed until 1988 to the apartment building that took its place; Jewish Museum Berlin; photo: Jens Ziehe.

This sign came from the wholesale flower market on the site of what is now the Academy of the Jewish Museum Berlin. Building a collection about the history of our museum includes preserving little precious finds like this one; Jewish Museum Berlin.

This metal suitcase with gold-colored fittings bears a sticker reading “United States Customs Service.” It belonged to Leo and Genia Beer. Genia came from Radom, Poland, and survived multiple concentration camps. During the war, her husband Leo served in the Soviet army in Tashkent. The couple met in Poland, made their way from there to the Pocking DP camp in the American Zone of Germany, and emigrated to Montreal with their son in 1949–50. They brought the suitcase with them on their journey from Germany to Canada. According to family lore, the suitcase was briefly used as a bathtub. Their son Max Beer, who was born in 1947 in the Pocking DP camp, was bathed in it as a baby; Jewish Museum Berlin, gift of Max Beer; photo: Jens Ziehe.

This Soviet medal “For heroic service in the Great Motherland’s War, 1941–1945” was awarded to Leo Scheuer (1909–2002) on 25 November 1956. After his escape from the Wartkowice Ghetto in October 1942 and fifteen months in hiding, he was freed by soldiers of the Red Army in February 1944 and initially worked in Wartkowice as a doctor. After the war, he worked as a tuberculosis doctor in various hospitals in Ukraine. He moved to East Germany in 1965; Jewish Museum Berlin; gift of Leo Scheuer, photo: Jens Ziehe.
Private Films and Videos
Another focal point is building up holdings of amateur films and videos. These are an important audiovisual legacy and an asset to both exhibitions and cultural history research. Private film and video footage provides valuable glimpses into everyday Jewish life as well as regional and family religious traditions from past decades.
Objects from Our Museum’s History
The foundation and development of our own institution can also be illustrated using objects of contemporary history such as gifts from visitors, staff ID cards, and architectural models. This collection grows on an ongoing basis.
Help Us Out!
Since this collection is still being developed, we would greatly appreciate your bequests or donations of relevant objects!
Contact
Tamar Lewinsky
Curator of Contemporary History
T +49 (0)30 259 93 458
t.lewinsky@jmberlin.de
Jewish Museum Berlin
Lindenstraße 9–14
10969 Berlin
How can I conduct research using the museum’s archive, collections, and library?
Our Reading Room is open to the public. You can also research using our library’s holdings and some of our collection’s holdings online. To view additional holdings, please contact the responsible curators.
I would like to depict or borrow an object from your collections. Who should I contact?
Your contacts for photo permissions are Valeska Wolfgram and Birgit Maurer-Porat (T +49 (0)30 259 93 433, email: fotodoku@jmberlin.de). Loan requests must be made at least six months in advance. For questions regarding administrative processes, please contact Katrin Strube (T +49 (0)30 259 93 417, email: k.strube@jmberlin.de).
How can I conduct research using the museum’s archive, collections, and library?
Our Reading Room is open to the public. You can also research using our library’s holdings and some of our collection’s holdings online. To view additional holdings, please contact the responsible curators.
Share, Newsletter, Feedback
Wire-frame Geese and Elevator Signs
Object Lessons on our Museum’s History by Lisa-Maria Renner
Blog
Contemporary History
Objects of contemporary history in our online collections (in German)
Online Collections

Passover in Times of Corona
How were you observing Passover under coronavirus conditions? Send us documentation
Call for Participation
2021

Four Questions
Short Films by Yael Reuveny about Jewish Life in Germany
Contemporary History Collection
2020

Bar Mitzvah Ark
Learn more about the wooden ark on display in front of our library.
Online-Feature
2022

First Family Self-Portrait during Passover
Tamar Lewinsky talks with the artist who submitted the photo for our collection
Interview
2021

Masks? Cool!
Competition of the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation: the most beautiful masks submitted by children living in Germany
Photo Project
2022