A festival of diversity and commemoration

“Our history and the fact that our people has got around so much makes our culture extremely diverse. Through the Days of Jewish Culture I want to introduce people to this culture,” says Avi Toubiana, Director of the Days of Jewish Culture Berlin, which took place in mid-September. It is the biggest festival of Jewish life in the German capital. With over 40 events ranging from Israeli rap performances to classical music and film showings, the festival attractive many visitors. One particularly important element for Toubiana was to have a great programme for children and young people. “I lived in America for a long time and young people are involved in culture from an early age. We wanted to do the same here,” he says. The festival included a puppet theatre for its younger guests.

The motto for this year’s festival was “אוֹר”, the Hebrew word for “light” (pronounced “or”). The motto and several items on the programme commemorated the victims of 7 October 2023, the day when Hamas attacked Israel. “Every one of those who were killed had a name and we must not forget that name,” said Avi Toubiana. At the same time, he stressed it was important for the Jewish community to remain visible and not to be afraid. For that, he says, the welcoming global metropolis of Berlin is the right place.

People celebrated together in that spirit. The highlights of the Days of Culture included a performance by the actress and singer Shiri Maimon who represented Israel at the European Song Contest, and a show by the US comedian Elon Gold. The end of the festival was marked with the ceremonial completion of a new Torah scroll in the literature tent on Bebelplatz. Normally only a “Sofer” or scribe would be allowed to do this, but in Berlin, visitors and participants were able to contribute a letter. Accompanied by 700 people, the new Torah scroll was then carried in a procession through central Berlin to the Beth Zion synagogue where it was dedicated.