Blogerim

Hanukkah candelabrum in the glass courtyard of the museum, still without candles; photo: Julia Katja Jokel

Hanukkah is just around the corner, which is why in some households a menorah is standing ready—ideally, in front of the building or in the window for all to see, as is the custom. Those celebrating this eight-day-long holiday will light the first of eight candles tonight. Tomorrow, the second one will be lit, and so on—every evening one more is lit than the evening before.

From December 12 to 19, there will also be a small ceremony in the Jewish Museum’s Glass Courtyard with candle-lighting and music. Anyone who would like to come is warmly invited to take part today at 4 p.m. Further information can be found on the museum’s website.

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, and the miracle associated with it. Today we can’t expect a true miracle, but there are some pretty marvelous things in our collection and from the World Wide Web that we would like to show you. Have a look!

Happy Hanukkah and chag sameach!

Simhat Torah

Jakob Steinhardt, Thora Tänzer (Torah Dancer), ca. 1934; Jewish Museum Berlin, purchased with funds provided by Stiftung DKLB, photo: Jens Ziehe.
You can find more information on our holdings related to Simhat Torah in our online collections (in German).

What is it and how is it celebrated?

Over the course of the year, the Torah is read from beginning to end in the synagogue, from the first through the fifth Book of Moses. On Simhat Torah, literally “Rejoicing with the Torah,” → continue reading

What makes Rosh ha-Shanah special

The Jewish year 5778 begins today—and with it a very special time for the Jewish community worldwide. Rosh ha-Shanah is the beginning of the High Holy Days, the Yamim Noraim (literally “Days of Awe”) as they’re known in Hebrew.
I asked around my friend group a bit to find out what Rosh ha-Shanah means to them personally: → continue reading