In keeping with the times and place, the Jewish Museum Augsburg reconciles different eras and influences, sharing Jewish culture, particularly through an exhibition presented in the former Kriegshaber synagogue, as Annika Ramsaier, head of Communications and Public Relations at the museum, tells us.
Jguideeurope : How do you perceive the importance of such a theme for this year’s EDJC?
Annika Ramsaier : When planning the EDJC, we always consider the theme of the day and try to organize activities that fit in with it. The exhibition “Yiddish. Jewish. Taytsch.” about the Yiddish language is running in the former Kriegshaber synagogue until the end of September – and of course fits in perfectly with this year’s theme. We are also decorating the museum accordingly. This September, for example, we want to hang large Hebrew letters in the inner courtyard of the Great Augsburg Synagogue and the museum foyer.
Which events will be organized?
The Jewish Museum Augsburg Swabia has two locations and there will be various guided tours on offer at both. Families and children can, for example, discover the permanent exhibition and the synagogue with our “synagogue mice”, who will be peeking out of their hiding places on this day. There will also be an interesting lecture by Dr. David Freis entitled “Psychotherapy in Yiddishland” in the former Kriegshaber synagogue. The lecture presents the life and work of the Yiddish-speaking writer and psychologist Fischl Schneersohn (1887-1958), who grew up in a Hasidic dynasty in today’s Ukraine.
Which other cultural events are scheduled at the museum in 2025-6?
In autumn, we will celebrate the 40th year anniversary of the museum with a festive event. From October to November, works of art on the theme of “Being human – remaining human” by students from Augsburg University of Applied Sciences will be on display in the former synagogue Kriegshaber. And on 3 December, we will be opening the special exhibition “Peace” there.
Do you think such events help in the fight against the rise of antisemitism in Europe?
We believe that our task as a Jewish museum is to help people learn about the region’s Jewish history and heritage. We hope that through our work, not only at the EDJC, we can reduce ignorance and prejudice and thus also help in the fight against anti-Semitism.
In our experience, many people who come to the EDJC are first time visitors to the Jewish Museum and the synagogues in Augsburg. For them, this open day is an opportunity to get to know Jewish culture and Jewish life.