Room with color gradient from purple to turquoise blue, sofas, headphones, screens — photo: Roman März

Jews, Germany and Israel

A Guided Tour of the Core Exhibition

The establishment of Israel in 1948 was a watershed moment for Jews all over the world. The Jewish community in Germany in particular felt deeply connected to the new state. Against this historical background, one room in the core exhibition is dedicated to the history of the relationship between Germany and Israel, and the significance of this relationship for all Jews living in Germany.

by appointment

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

Where

Old Building, ground level, “Meeting Point” in the foyer
Lindenstraße 9–14, 10969 Berlin

Where, when, what?

The challenges of this triangular constellation – as a Jew in Germany, entangled in the fate of two states and their deeply strained relationship – have come to the fore again in the aftermath of 7 October 2023.

In this context, the tour of the core exhibition will follow two threads: the principle of holiness in the Jewish diaspora, which is defined by a simultaneous nearness and distance from the state of Israel, and the emergence of Zionism as a Jewish national movement in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in light of modern racial antisemitism. The tour will end with a visit to Shalekhet (Fallen Leaves): Israeli artist Menashe Kadishman dedicated his walk-in installation of more than 10,000 steel faces to all innocent victims of war and violence.

Who was Menashe Kadishman?

Menashe Kadishman (1932–2015), Israeli artist, explored memory, war and the question of victimhood; his installation Shalechet has been on display at the JMB since 2001

What is Diaspora?

Diaspora (Greek for scattering), life outside of Palestine, Jewish exile began with the deportation of Jews to Babylon in 722 BCE

Where, when, what?

Whenby appointment
Duration90 minutes
Where Old Building, ground level, “Meeting Point” in the foyer
Lindenstraße 9–14, 10969 Berlin
See location on map

Cost per group90 €
60 € reduced rate

Booking requestFor groups we offer guided tours on your desired date. Please contact us at least 4-6 weeks before your desired date for this service. Booking request

Languages We generally offer this tour in German and English. If you would like to request it to be held in French, Italian, Hebrew, or Simple German, please contact us and we will confirm whether this is possible for your desired date and time.

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

Number of participants15