The Digital Transformation of the JMB
Expanding Access, Strengthening Collaboration
For museums like the Jewish Museum Berlin, digitalization provides new accessible and sustainable ways to share cultural heritage with the public. Digital offerings transcend physical barriers, open doors to diverse audiences, and reach people around the world. At the same time, they promote sustainability by providing resource-efficient alternatives to physical presence. In an era of social transformation, digitalization is not just an opportunity, but a responsibility for museums. It is up to museums to stay relevant and play an active role in shaping the cultural future.
“We are establishing the JMB’s place in the digital realm as a leading platform for Jewish history and contemporary life in Germany. The analog JMB and the digital JMB are interconnected, providing people around the world with free access to our subject matter and thus extending its impact into the public sphere. The JMB strengthens social cohesion by facilitating engagement with history and culture, by encouraging a wide range of dialogue, and by fostering constructive discourse in cooperation with other institutions. The JMB’s digital transformation is playing out in three key areas: offerings, collections, and teamwork.”
—Barbara Thiele, Director of Education and Digital Engagement
Digital Strategy
Digital Transformation at the Jewish Museum Berlin, 2023–2025
Download the JMB Digital Strategy
Download (PDF / 251.95 KB / in English / not accessible)Offerings – Interconnected Perspectives: Experiencing Jewish Culture On-Site and Online
The Jewish Museum Berlin gives equal importance to its digital and in-person offerings to create a holistic museum experience. Online and on-site exhibitions, events, and educational programs are seamlessly interwoven, complementing each other meaningfully to provide diverse entry points and perspectives on Jewish culture in Germany.
Use Cases: The JMB’s Digital Offerings and Projects (4)
-
The JMB’s Digital Offerings and Projects
-
Jewish Places
Since 2018, this online platform has gathered local historical data on Jewish history, art, and culture, integrating it into one interactive map
Online Project
-
JMB App
The Jewish Museum Berlin’s audio guide offers tours in German, German Sign Language, English, French, Italian, Simple German, Spanish, Hebrew, and Russian
App
-
Eyewitness Talks
Video recordings of past events and an overview of scheduled events
Discussion Series
-
Topography of Violence
This visualization documents antisemitic acts of violence in Germany from 1930 to 1938. Designed as a cross-media project, it is both incorporated into the core exhibition and available online
Online Project
Collections – Digital Bridges to Jewish Culture and History in Germany
The Jewish Museum Berlin’s collections are a core component of its research and educational activities – which is why the digital transformation is such a strong focus of the museum’s work. By digitally cataloging and curating its unique objects and stories, the museum is making Jewish culture and history accessible to a broad audience while permanently preserving this valuable knowledge for future generations. Digitization enables the Jewish Museum Berlin to document its collections, conserve them, and make them accessible worldwide. This strengthens both the museum’s mission and its role in society.
Use Cases: The JMB’s Digitized Collections (2)
Digitalization as Teamwork
The JMB views the digital transformation as a collaborative process that engages all staff members. Together with all relevant departments, we choose user-friendly and sustainable tools that simplify workflows and promote cooperation across departments.
Targeted initiatives empower all staff members to work digitally and support the development of an agile work culture. In the process, user experiences are continuously evaluated to improve processes and tools.
Digitalization succeeds when everyone can participate and workplaces are adequately equipped. The digital transformation is not a one-time challenge, but a key, ongoing component of the museum’s work. The JMB encourages all colleagues to stay informed about technological developments and take advantage of them to collectively shape the museum’s future.
Workshop with students; Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Svea Pietschmann
Contact
Barbara Thiele
Director of Education and Digital Engagement
T +49 (0)30 259 93 308
b.thiele@jmberlin.de
