Cultural Program in January 2014

Acadamy Programs "Migration and Diversity"

15 January

Reading and Discussion as Part of the Series "New German Stories"

We, the New Germans – Who we are, what we want

With Alice Bota, Khuê Pham and Özlem Topçu
Nearly 16 million people in Germany have a so-called migration background. Whether they were born here or immigrated – most of them are time and again made to feel that they live in a society whose self-image excludes them. But what does it mean to be German today?

The journalists Alice Bota, Khuê Pham, and Özlem Topçu tell in their book "We, the New Germans" their stories of a life beyond distinct ethnicities. They talk about their multiple identities, their different backgrounds and come to the conclusion that they are – despite everything and because of it all the more – a part of this society.

Chaired by Yasemin Shooman
Head of Academy Programs "Migration and Diversity"

Location: Academy Hall

Time: 7.30 pm

Admission: 5 €, reduced rate 3 euros

Visitor Bookings on tel. +49 (0)30 25993 488 or reservierung@jmberlin.de

Discussion

23 January

Discussion

The "Simson" Case – Liquidation and Restitution of a Company through the "Treuhandanstalt"

The "Simson" company reflects like no other the eventful German history of the 20th century. The Jewish merchant family, Simson, founded its weapon and vehicle factory in Suhl / Thuringia in 1856. In 1935, the owners were expropriated without compensation and the Simson family managed to immigrate to the United States.

The company remained in state ownership until 1989. In 1990, the Treuhandanstalt took over the privatization and thus one of the largest restitution cases after 1989. What made the case particularly controversial was that the Jewish heirs wanted to acquire parts of the business, but the Treuhandanstalt did not accept their bid.

Twenty years on, the former protagonists meet again and discuss the tumultuous events after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Location: Old Building, ground floor, Auditorium

Time: 7 pm

Admission: free

Visitor bookings on tel. +49 (0)30 25993 488 or reservierung@jmberlin.de

Focus "Theresienstadt Ghetto" – in a Program surrounding the "Defiant Requiem"

31 January to 2 February

Cultural Trip to Prague and Theresienstadt

With Program Director Cilly Kugelmann
The history of the Terezín Ghetto is a focus of the spring program of the both the museum and Friends of the Jewish Museum Berlin. Marking the performance on the "Defiant Requiem" on 4 March 2014, the Jewish Museum Berlin organizes a cultural trip to Prague and Terezín.

On this three-day trip, participants will visit the Terezín Ghetto Memorial with the program director Cilly Kugelmann. Guided tours and talks by memorial guides will provide insights into the "exceptional ghetto" and its particular history. In Prague, participants will explore the city’s Jewish quarter with staff from the local Jewish Museum.

Cost: from 325 € per person including train ride from Berlin Central Station, 2 nights in a double room with breakfast in a centrally located ****star hotel, transfers, and entrance fees as well as two group meals.

Not included in the price are: further dinner / lunch, optional city tour on Friday afternoon, tips, travel insurance, personal expenses, single room supplement of 49 €.

Tour operator: Ventus Reisen GmbH, tour operator for group and individual travel, Berlin

Bookings: s.rossbach@jmberlin.de

Requests from journalists: Journalists who are interested in joining the trip for press coverage, please contact the press department due to the restricted number of participants k.schmidt-narschkin@jmberlin.de