AEPJ and National Library of Israel collaborate on pilot projects to enrich the European Routes of Jewish Heritage
As part of the ongoing efforts to enhance the European Routes of Jewish Heritage, the AEPJ has embarked on a significant collaboration with the National Library of Israel to develop pilot projects that integrate NLI’s educational and cultural content into the promotion and development of Jewish heritage routes across Europe. This initiative seeks to create a replicable model that can bridge the gap between archives, collections, and the general public through innovative cultural programming.
One of the key milestones in this initiative was the participation of Caron Sethill from NLI in the AEPJ Routes Incubator 2022, held in Izmir, Turkey. Sethill’s active involvement allowed for crucial networking and collaboration between NLI and route managers from across Europe. This has led to fruitful discussions on how NLI’s vast resources can be effectively incorporated into local Jewish heritage initiatives, with promising synergies already beginning to emerge.
As the project progresses, two pilot collaborations have been launched to demonstrate the potential of this partnership. The first pilot project, based in Barcelona, is part of the Catalan Route of Jewish Heritage in collaboration with Toldot Barcelona. This initiative has successfully integrated NLI content into historical tours and workshops, enriching participants’ experiences by drawing upon NLI’s archival materials. This collaboration has deepened public understanding of the region’s Jewish history and culture. More information about this project can be found here.
The second pilot project is being conducted in Belarus through the Jewish Heritage Route organized by The Together Plan. By utilizing NLI’s archival resources, this project has created an engaging educational experience for both local communities and international visitors, further highlighting the importance of Jewish heritage in the region. For more information, visit here.
In addition, the Shtetl Routes project, managed by Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre in Lublin, Poland, is also developing a collaboration with NLI. This initiative focuses on exploring Jewish heritage across Eastern Europe and has recently integrated NLI’s materials into its educational programs. You can find more information on this project here.
These pilot projects serve as a tangible example of how NLI’s extensive collection of archives and educational materials can be seamlessly integrated into local Jewish heritage initiatives. As the collaboration between AEPJ and NLI continues to grow, these initial successes offer a promising framework for expanding the model to other regions, enriching the cultural and educational landscape of Jewish heritage routes across Europe.
