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Erfurt, Germany, September 1, 2024 – The European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage officially launched the European Days of Jewish Culture 2024 today in the historic New Synagogue of Erfurt. This year, the EDJC is set to be Europe’s most extensive cross-border Jewish cultural initiative, with hundreds of events scheduled in more than two dozen countries from September through November.
The inauguration ceremony in Erfurt was attended by a large delegation from the AEPJ’s Board of Directors, including President François Moyse, Treasurer Patrick Bikard, Secretary General Assumpció Hosta, and Honorary President Claude Bloch. There was also a strong presence of AEPJ members and colleagues from other cultural routes, highlighting the collaborative spirit and shared commitment to preserving Jewish heritage across Europe.
The European Days of Jewish Culture 2024 is an annual celebration that unites communities across Europe in exploring and honoring Jewish heritage. This year’s theme, ‘Family,’ invites participants to delve into the many facets of Jewish family life, from traditions and values to stories of resilience and continuity. Through a variety of events, exhibitions, and educational activities, the EDJC 2024 aims to foster a deeper appreciation of the role that family plays in shaping Jewish identity and cultural legacy.
The EDJC have been extensively reinforced by the collaboration with the National Library of Israel, which has acted as a means to develop all kinds of exhibition and educational materials, which have given an important added value to the festival while facilitating its celebration throughout the continent.
The European Days of Jewish Culture 2024 will officially commence on the 1st of September, with a grand inauguration in Erfurt, Germany. This year’s festival, themed “Family,” will offer a rich variety of cultural activities across Europe, celebrating Jewish heritage through the lens of family traditions and histories.
This year’s opening ceremony will be particularly special as it coincides with the recent inclusion of Erfurt’s Jewish-Medieval heritage on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Following the decision by the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh on September 17, 2023, Erfurt’s Old Synagogue, Mikveh, and the “Stone House” have been recognized as sites of outstanding universal value. This prestigious title marks Erfurt as an essential part of human heritage, boosting its significance in international tourism and cultural preservation.
The European Days of Jewish Culture 2024 team is delighted to announce the completion of its latest exhibition, produced by the team of National Library of Israel, created specifically for the EDJC 2024. Under the theme “Family,” this exhibition offers a compelling exploration of the historical, cultural, and religious importance of family within Judaism.
This captivating exhibition comprises eight meticulously curated panels that guide visitors through various aspects of Jewish family life. From the foundational role of family values in Jewish tradition to the stories of influential families, the exhibition delves into the concept of chosen families, the significance of genealogy, marriage traditions, the parent-child relationship, family rituals, and the themes of separation and reunion.
Organisers and coordinators of the EDJC 2024 are encouraged to download, translate if necessary, and print the exhibition to enrich their local events.
The third phase of the MiDorLeDor-Europe cooperative project meeting, organized by the AEPJ in partnership with the Taube Center for Jewish Life & Learning, Centropa, and the Jewish Heritage Network, was held in Warsaw from Monday, July 7th to Friday, July 12th. Over the course of 5 days, the project’s team of trainers engaged in intensive training sessions in preparation for an upcoming educator training program on Jewish heritage in several European countries. The main goal is to enhance the network of education professionals in Jewish heritage as part of the European Routes of Jewish Heritage initiative, focusing on the accuracy, quality of the experiences, awareness rising capacity.
The working blocks of the training have mainly dealt with strategies to:
- convey knowledge about Jewish culture & heritage in its diversity through personal stories, using testimonies, photographs, films, exhibitions, and various audio-visual materials;
- point out Jewish contribution to the target countries’ societies, making Jewish life visible, audible, and tangible;
- promote a balanced culture of remembrance, present means to combat antisemitism and promote tolerance, dismantle (cultural) barriers and fearful, biased contact, and to build bridges from the past to the present.
https://forms.gle/EHTwuEPDXRDN6iyp6
DEADLINE: Sunday 14th of July
In an exciting new initiative under the NOA Project (Networks Overcoming Antisemitism), community leaders are being called upon to contribute their invaluable insights to draft the NOA Guidelines on Fostering Jewish Life. These guidelines aim to provide municipalities, national public authorities, and civil society with practical tools and strategies to create vibrant and inclusive environments for Jewish communities across Europe.
The NOA Guidelines on Fostering Jewish Life are a comprehensive set of recommendations and best practices designed to support and enrich Jewish communities. Covering various aspects of Jewish life—including cultural celebrations, education, community activities, and heritage promotion—the guidelines are poised to make a significant impact.
The importance of these guidelines cannot be overstated.
This year’s European Days of Jewish Culture is set to be an unforgettable celebration, focusing on the theme of “Family.” The concept of family is central to Jewish culture and heritage, reflecting the deep connections that bind us across generations and communities. As we prepare for the festival this September, we invite you to explore and celebrate the diverse and enriching narratives of Jewish families.
Family, as this year’s theme, offers a unique opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of Jewish life. From historical family traditions to contemporary practices, the EDJC 2024 will highlight the roles families play in preserving and promoting Jewish culture. Through various activities and events, we aim to showcase how families contribute to the continuity and vitality of Jewish heritage.
The Jewish Philanthropy Conference 2024, themed “Solidarity, Antisemitism, and Cultural Heritage,” took place on June 24-25 at the esteemed venues of Brasenose College (Oxford), Upton House, and Waddesdon Manor. Organized by the Jewish Country Houses project with support from the National Trust and Waddesdon Manor, the conference was a resounding success, bringing together leading experts from around the world.
The conference featured a series of thought-provoking sessions led by distinguished scholars and practitioners. Highlights included keynote speeches and engaging panel discussions that set the stage for deep discussions on Jewish philanthropy’s historical and contemporary impacts. Experts explored various themes, from national paradigms of philanthropy to cultural legacies and philanthropic activism. In addition, curatorial workshops and guided tours at Upton House and Waddesdon Manor offered practical insights into heritage preservation, providing participants with hands-on experiences.
The president of AEPJ François Moyse attended the Training Seminar for Enlarged Partial Agreement of Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe National Stakeholders in Vilnius, on 19-20 June 2024, at the occasion of the (rotating ) presidency of Lithuania of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
The European Routes of Jewish Heritage were presented as a successful example of a European Cultural Route. Indeed AEPJ and his president were specially mentioned to the audience by Mr Alfredas Jomantas , the Head of Division in the Department of Cultural Heritage, whom we commend for his tireless work.
It was an opportunity to visit the restored wooden synagogue of Ziezmariai, and find the AEPJ plaque that we had put there 20 years ago, when a delegation attended a seminar on Jewish Lithuania.