Jewish Cultural Identity in Berlin Interviews Part 1

Irene Runge

Founder of the Juedischer Kulturverein (Jewish Cultural Association)

Age 68

Jewish

Born in New York

Moved to Berlin in 1949

How would you define your cultural identity?

“Intellectual Jewish”

What does it mean to be Jewish in Berlin?

“I enjoy being here...I want to be part of a Jewish Club…[the clubs] that were here are not the ones where I felt good, so I had to find my own."

Tamar Gablinger

PhD Sociologist and Tour Guide

Age 35

Jewish

Born in Israel

Moved to Berlin in 2001

How would you define your cultural identity?

“Israeli German”

What does it mean to be Jewish in Berlin?

"Every stone in Berlin has a story to tell, not only the houses... but really every building has something to tell and sometimes it is a bit challenging, but ... it’s part of the history of the city…

“I don’t like this pompous speak…’the best revenge of the Jews is to live in Berlin’… but yes, there is something about it… to say that I am Jewish and the Nazis wanted to clear the city of Jews."

Coco Schumann

Jazz Musician and Auschwitz Concentration Camp Survivor

Age 88

Jewish

Born in Germany

Moved to Australia shortly after WW2 and returned to Berlin 1954

How would you define your cultural identity?

“just a normal human being”

What does it mean to be Jewish in Berlin today?

“There are two kinds of people, good ones and bad ones; you’ve got bad Jews and bad Christians, and you’ve got good Jews and good Christians.”

Claudia Schlaier

University Student and Educator at Ravensbrueck Concentration Camp

Age 32

Non-Jewish

Born in Germany

How would you define your cultural identity?

“Feminist Antifascist Activist”

What does it mean to be Jewish in Berlin?

“When you’re not Jewish and you are talking to a Jewish person, people always feel the need to excuse themselves – like say, ‘Oh, I’m sorry the Holocaust happened.’”

Andre Lossin

Managing Director of the Jewish Community in Berlin

Age 47

Non-Jewish

Born in Germany

How would you define your cultural identity?

“German…but what is German?”

What does it mean to be Jewish in Berlin today?

“It starts with the process, and I think it has changed a lot in the last 20 years. Today… [it] is easier to be here Jewish… and [so] we have a very large community.”