Jüdische Kulturtage, or Days of Jewish Culture, is right around the corner. Starting September 12th, the 10-day festival aims to celebrate the vibrancy of the Jewish community in Germany and around the world. “Light” – Hebrew “ורֹא“, pronounced “Or”, is the theme of the 37th instalment of the event, which aims to spread hope and unity. With over 40 events happening at five different venues around the city, the programme might leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed. Unsure where to start? From Kollwitzkiez to Bebelplatz, here’s our guide to the unmissable acts.
Shiri Maimon with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra & live graffiti art
Thursday Sept 12
The opening event of Days of Jewish Culture starts off strong with a performance by Israeli singer Shiri Maimon, accompanied by The Berlin Symphony Orchestra. As far as orchestras go, the Berlin Philharmonic is considered one of the best and most respected worldwide. But the real star is Maimon, who, after placing fourth in the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest, released four albums between 2005-2012. After a 12 year break, which included a stint on Broadway in New York, fans will get a new record from her this summer. Incredibly, while Maimon performs, an Israeli street artist named Benzi Brofman will create large-scale artwork on the spot! The piece will remain in the courtyard of the Rykestraße Synagogue.
- Synagoge Rykestraße, Rykestr. 53, from 20:00, Mitte, details.
Franz Kafka walking tour
Sunday Sept 15
A positive Kafkaesque experience might seem like an oxymoron, but fans of the beloved Jewish writer, who spent the last year of his life in Berlin, will be treated to an enlightening and enjoyable tour through the icon’s favorite outposts. Open to anyone over the age of 15, the tour begins at the New Synagogue Berlin and will take you on an odyssey through a 1920s Berlin unlike any other.
- Neue Synagoge Berlin – Centrum Judaicum, Oranienburger Str. 28-30, Mitte, 15:00 – 16:30, details.
Graffiti workshop with Benzi Brofman
Monday Sept 16
Open to both children (ages 10+) and adults, this workshop provides a fun and novice-friendly intro into the art of graffiti. Benzi Brofman will be your graffiti guru during this 90-minute workshop, where you will learn how to sketch your name on paper in graffiti style, and how to make a simple picture in spray paint. And the best part is you can take home your newly made art after the session ends.
- Zusammen Center Berlin, 09:00 – 10:30, details.
Movie premiere: The Monkey House
Monday Sept 16
Head to Prenzlauer Berg’s Kulturbrauerei for a new film by the acclaimed writer and director Avi Nesher. The Monkey House is a story of spontaneous connection between two unlikely people, one a worn-out novelist looking to revive his career, and the other a chaotic and actress who he involves in his unruly scheme. The dramady will will be screened in the original Hebrew / Italian with German subtitles.
- Kino in der Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg, 19:00, details.
Elon Gold stand up comedy show
Tuesday Sept 17
Just when you thought we couldn’t possibly fit another American in Berlin, please welcome Elon Gold. The New Yorker first broke onto the comedy scene at 17 at the Comic Strip, NYC’s oldest comedy club, which skyrocketed the careers of some of the biggest names in the industry. After much success worldwide, he’s making his Berlin stage debut for the first time during the Days of Jewish Culture. Keeping in line with this year’s festival theme “Light” Gold assures audiences, “I don’t do dark or dark comedy. Light goes hand in hand with lightheartedness and laughter.”
- Synagoge Rykestraße, Rykestr. 53, Mitte, 20:00, details.
Israeli children’s film: Abulele
Wednesday Sept 18
Have a little one at home? Head back out to Kino in der Kulturbrauerei for this family-friendly movie morning, well ahead of anyone’s bed time. The film, screened in Hebrew with English subtitles, stars a 10-year old boy named Adam who meets a mythical, bear-like creature named Abulele who helps him during a time of personal grief and sadness. Adam in turn tries to rescue his new friend from forces that would seek to harm him.
- Kino in der Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg, 10:30, details.
Calligraphy workshop
Thursday Sept 19
This workshop is perfect for both artsy-types and history buffs. During the hour and a half, workshop leader Micha Mark Farnadi-Jerusálmi will teach you how to use the three essential yet simple tools; ink, quill and parchment, to form Hebrew letters and then write your name. Whether you can read and write in Hebrew or not, this is a perfect workshop for those looking for a creative afternoon activity.
- Bebelplatz, Mitte, 10:30 – 12:00, details.
Literature tent at Bebelplatz: David Walliams reading
Friday Sept 20
The literature tent at Bebelplatz is a large part of the 10-day festival, hosting numerous authors, panelists and speakers with a wide range of topics. Bestselling author David Walliams’ new book Robodog is a fun, super-powered adventure story for any bookish child. Admission is free for children, young people, and their companions. This reading is among the more lighthearted, and kid-friendly events, but if you’re looking to return on another day and leave the kids at home, head to the events programme page to see what else the Literature tent has to offer for adults.
- Literaturzelt am Bebelplatz, Bebelplatz, Mitte, 11:00 – 12:30, details.
Indie-Folk band Jane Bordeaux
Saturday Sept 21
While the title promises American country and folk music, the Jane Bordeaux quartet are actually one of Israel’s most popular indie bands. Although she’s fluent in English, frontwoman Doron Talmon prefers to express herself artistically in her native Hebrew. The show is the perfect teaser for their new album Magic, set to release later this year.
- Synagoge Ryckestraße, Rykestr. 53, Mitte, 21:00, details.
Closing ceremony
Sunday Sept 22
Don’t cry because it’s over, throw an epic closing ceremony because it happened. The closing event of this year’s Jewish Culture Days begins on Bebelplatz at the historic and somber site of the massive 1933 book burning. As a symbolic gesture of remembrance, the names of the 1,200 people killed on October 7th will be transcribed into the writing of a new Torah scroll, which will be completed right then and there after almost a full year of craftsmanship and work, accompanied by live music, dance, and a unity procession, which is open to all.
- Bebelplatz, Bebelpl. 1, Mitte, 14:00, details.
Days of Jewish Culture will take place from September 12-22 in 5 venues across Berlin. Details, full programme, and ticket info here.
