Jewish Europe

Experience Israel on the River

Israel on the River, Strelecky Island The Israel on the River event is a vibrant cultural festival that takes place annually in Prague along the banks of the Vltava River. Celebrating Israeli heritage and culture, this event is a splendid blend of music, art, traditional food, and engaging activities. The festival aims to promote cultural exchange and appreciation, fostering a sense of unity and mutual respect among diverse communities. Israel on the River provides a platform for individuals interested in learning about and experiencing the rich culture and traditions of Israel, making it a must-visit event for those seeking cultural immersion. Join Prague's Jewish community in celebrating Israeli cuisine and culture by the Vltava River on Strelecky Island! Entry is free and dogs are welcome. For more information and the full program, visit the event's official site.

Krakow Film Festival

Every year since 1961, the city of Kraków has been hosting the Kraków Film Festival, making it one of Europe’s oldest events celebrating independent film. Each year, the festival hosts eight days of documentaries, shorts, and animated films submitted to an international competition for filmmakers and directors. Guests can watch a collection of around 250 Polish and international films as well as attend exhibitions, open-air screenings, concerts, and meet-and-greets with the filmmakers. The Kraków Film Festival is a historic event that celebrates the art of filmmaking with a Polish twist. Krakow’s film festival began in 1961, making it one of the oldest film festivals in the world. It started as a local Polish film festival, showing only films made by Polish filmmakers. In 1964, it expanded to include international films, and in 2001 its name was changed to the Krakow Film Festival. Today, the Krakow Film Festival includes film competitions across four categories - national films, international films, documentary films, and music documentaries (DocFilmMusic). The 900+ attendees can view over 250 films, as well as enjoying concerts, open-air screenings, exhibitions, and meetings with film industry professionals.

Forget and Remember Exhibition

On view from 4 June to 28 November 2021 in the Jewish Historical Museum: Forget & Remember by the exceptional artist duo Gil & Moti. They developed this exhibition, in which their family histories take central stage, especially for the JHM. Using the stories of Gil's father and Moti's mother, the artists explore the relationship between personal, subjective memories and the collective memory. Please note: this exhibition includes an audio tour. Please bring your own headphones or purchase headphones at the museum. The exhibition In Forget & Remember the visitor is introduced to the stories of ánd about the protagonists of the exhibition: Gil's father and Moti's mother. The exhibition is built around their very different collections: Gil's father has a collection of everyday objects that he either uses himself or has found on the street. Moti's mother's collection consists of paintings by famous Israeli immigrant artists from the 1930-1970s. Gil & Moti developed a special audio tour for the exhibition that connects the personal side, that of their own Jewish family background and migration history, with contemporary Israeli themes. In this, they experiment with existing presentation methods of historical museums. They've also made a series of videos showing intimate video conversations between the artists and their parents.

Festival of Jewish Cultures

The Festival of Jewish Cultures offers an eclectic cultural program each summer aimed at discovering the richness and diversity of Jewish culture, in a spirit of openness, dialogue and intercultural exchange. From June 12 to 17, 30 multidisciplinary events invite the public to discover great inspiring figures who have left their mark, their talent, their vision, the fabulous adventure of Jewish cultures but also the multiple influences and interbreeding that have irrigated a singular and plural story. Join us ! the 17th edition of the Festival returns more flourishing than ever, brandishes its composite heritage by declining them under multiple artistic expressions: music, theater (Yiddish!), literature, cinema, exhibitions, but also meetings, exchanges, great associative days and heritage discoveries in the footsteps of a precious past open to the future!

Jewish Film Festival Berlin and Brandenburg

Experience the Jewish Film Festival Berlin and Brandenburg Discover the vibrant tapestry of Jewish stories, history, and culture at the Jewish Film Festival Berlin and Brandenburg. This prestigious event is an ode to the rich and diverse narratives that Jewish filmmakers, actors, and storytellers bring to the screen. With its inception rooted in the dynamic artistic scenes of Berlin and Potsdam, the festival has been a beacon of Jewish cinematic excellence for decades. Here, at the crossroads of history, art, and communal spirit, the film festival unfolds within iconic venues, surrounded by the magnetism of these two cities that are steeped in profound historical significance. Annually attracting film enthusiasts, creators, and curators, the festival serves as a celebratory space that honors the prolific and resilient Jewish culture. Forged with the intention of connecting the past to the present through the medium of film, it not only entertains but also educates and inspires reflection on Jewish history. The festival is marked by special events, including premieres of new films, retrospectives of significant works, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions with prominent figures in the industry. Participants are treated to a curated selection of Jewish film and documentary storytelling, offering portrayals that range from the depths of human struggle to the peaks of joy and triumph. Welcoming a diverse audience of all backgrounds, the Jewish Film Festival Berlin and Brandenburg is a testament to the community's ties to its heritage and its future. The festival celebrates the unique contributions of Jewish artists to cinema while fostering an environment of understanding and dialogue. It is a poignant reminder of the power of film to traverse cultural barriers, touch hearts, and leave an indelible mark on its viewers. Whether you are a connoisseur of film, a student of culture, or simply someone with an appreciation for captivating storytelling, this festival promises to be an enriching and thought-provoking cultural pilgrimage. Images attribution: All from: <https://jfbb.info>, via JFBB;

Jewish Krakow Festival Online

One of the oldest and largest Jewish Culture festivals in the world, presenting contemporary Jewish culture from Israel and Diaspora, held in beautiful venues of Krakow's Jewish district of Kazimierz. Now watch recorded videos online!

Krakow Jewish Culture Festival

Krakow Jewish Culture Festival The Krakow Jewish Culture Festival is the largest presentation of contemporary culture created by the Jews in Israel and the entire Diaspora. The festival has become one of the most important cultural events of our time. Each year, the festival features almost 300 events over the course of 10 days, and hosts 30,000 participants from countries around the world who can enjoy workshops, lectures, discussions, guided tours, and of course various musical events from concerts to DJ-parties to jam sessions. The festival first began 1988 as series of events presenting Krakow's Jewish past and culture. It was held one year before communism ended in Krakow and was the first time after WWII that Jewish cultural and heritage was portrayed in a positive context. In previous years, Jewish culture in Poland was seen as a taboo and those who perished during the Holocaust or were expelled from the country were not a part of social memory. After this first small event, the festival began to expand and has since grown into one of the most important cultural events in Krakow and Poland. Outside of Poland, the Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow is one of the most well-known, highly recognized and appreciated cultural events by both artists and their audience. The festival prides itself in its forward-thinking mindest. While it has respect for tradition and the Jewish culture of the past, it also thinks unceasingly about the future, claiming to be the most old-school, radical, avant-garde festival of Jewish culture in the world.

Ride for the Living

This four-day event includes a one-day, 60-mile bike ride from Auschwitz-Birkenau to the Jewish Community Center in Krakow, among a packed program of cultural festivities. There is also a separate program running on the same day as the ride, for non-riding participants. You’ll receive a private guided tour of Auschwitz, unique tours of Krakow, and an invitation to the largest Shabbat dinner in Krakow since World War II. RFTL has welcomed participants as young as 16 and older than 80. It’s a festival that combines sad memories and cultural celebrations for an overall hopeful message about Jewish life in Poland. RFTL was started by Robert Desmond, who cycled 1,350 km from London to Auschwitz, visiting WWII Liberation sites along the way. Once Desmond learned about the Krakow JCC, he realized it was the perfect destination. The revival of Jewish life in Poland should be celebrated, and Desmond created a way to do so while paying tribute to a difficult past. Just 14 riders joined the first official RFTL from Auschwitz to the JCC in 2014, but now there are over 100 riders, and biking communities around the world host events in solidarity with with RFTL.

Jewish Cultural Festival

The first Jewish Cultural Festival took place in 1998 with the intent to introduce Jewish culture to people of other cultures. This included Jewish music, films, dance, art, and books.  The center of the event is in Great Synagogue on Dohany street, the second largest synagogue in the world.

Bankito Festival

"Bánk is a tiny village in Nógrád County with its not-so-tiny Lake Bánk in the middle. It has everything a tiny village built around a lake could need: a small store, a tobacco shop, a pizza place, a pub, some hotels, motels and a lakeshore eatery. Plus the extremely friendly locals. Bánkitó Festival has been in town for 10 years, mostly around the Lakeshore and the Camp, though throughout the years, we ventured out to settle around the Reeds and the Meadow. Besides the lake, the small wooden cabins and the venues hiding around small clearings throughout the enclosing forest make Bánkitó the festival it is." -Bankito

Yiddish Summer Weimar

Yiddish Summer Weimar has brought together artists, scholars, students, volunteers and audiences from all over the world for a unique atmosphere of learning, sharing and joy!

Cultural Summer

The Jewish Museum Berlin hosts an annual two-month-long festival during the summer. Traditionally hosted in the museum’s garden, visitors flock to the seemingly endless selection of events which include concerts, readings, the sharing of traditional and modern delicacies, as well as the popular Jazz in the Garden event. The Cultural Summer Festival attracts visitors and contributors from many diverse and exotic corners of the world. The festival, which began in 2004 as a secret event, is now a primary cultural event in Berlin where summer is celebrated, and guests can enjoy the museum's new additions and exhibits. Several known figures have attended past festivals, including fiction writer Molly Antopol, actress Katharina Marie Schubert, and Parisian singer Noëmi Waysfeld.

Moscow Jewish Film Festival

"For three thousand years, the Jewish people have been scattered around the world. That is why Jewish cinema is created in many different countries, alongside with special festivals that select and showcase those films. The Jewish Film Festival in Moscow became the first of its kind in Russia. It was founded in 2015 and has been held annually ever since. What is the Jewish cinema, after all? It encompasses far more than films made by Jewish directors or films which star famous Jewish actors. The never-ending search for Jewish identity, assimilation of diasporas and philosophy of self-determination and separation of the Jewish people in a society, return to the past, glorification of national heroes and mourning of victims, challenges of today’s world and the problem of relevance and preservation of traditions - these and many other issues attract filmmakers of all countries and continents. By searching and selecting the best Jewish films during the course of the past year we have attempted to shape an answer to the question of what these rapidly changing ethnic-themed films really are. Moscow, a large metropolitan area, a place where many cultures and nationalities live side-by-side, is one of the world’s most fitting locations for a festival that represents a dialogue of national communities. The MJFF holds screenings of the most important and resonant Jewish films of the latest years. At the centre of the Festival is the Feature Films Competition Program, which is complemented by screenings of documentary films, short films and documentary shorts (as part of either competition programs or special screenings), as well as by discussions with experts on different topics raised in films and critics who specialize in Jewish cinema." -MJFF

European Days of Jewish Culture

The AEPJ has promoted, together with the network of participating institutions, an edition that will be based on new technologies and the digital world, giving the opportunity to reach a wider audience worldwide. In this way, for the first time in 20 years, on the opening day of the Festival, an eight-hour online program will be held, open to the entire public, where conferences, interviews, concerts and videos on European Jewish heritage will take place, offering a unique look, from the inside, at the history and Jewish communities of a large number of European participating countries. We will connect live with Luxembourg, Barcelona, Jerusalem, Paris and Oxford.

Public Sukkah in Venice

Come celebrate Sukkot in Venice! Enjoy your meals  during this Jewish festival in the public Sukkah of the Venice Ghetto.   https://www.jewishvenice.org/

Warsaw Jewish Film Festival

Explore Jewish Stories at the Warsaw Jewish Film Festival The Warsaw Jewish Film Festival is a beacon of cultural heritage that lights up the city with its celebration of Jewish stories, heritage, and artistic expression. Conceived to honor and share the rich Jewish culture, this festival first cast its spell over the city of Warsaw commencing its cinematic voyage in the early 21st century. Today, it stands as a testament to the resilience and vibrancy of Jewish culture, transforming the city into a hub where film enthusiasts and storytellers converge to revel in the power of cinema. Set against the backdrop of Warsaw's historical and contemporary landscapes, the event unfolds in a city deeply woven with Jewish history. The festival usually takes place at prominent venues, inviting a fusion between the past and the present, with a profusion of events that engage residents and visitors alike. Each screening, panel, and discussion serves as a conduit connecting the lineage of Jewish tradition with modern narratives, uncovering stories that resonate with the shared human experience. The Warsaw Jewish Film Festival welcomes a diverse audience, from buffs of motion picture arts to those dedicated to the preservation and propagation of Jewish culture. Filmmakers, actors, scholars, and the public unite under the art of filmmaking to honor works that explore, document and celebrate Jewish life, history, and aspirations. Customs during the festival include the showcasing of Jewish films ranging from historic retrospectives to contemporaneous creations, followed by discussions that often take a deep-dive into pertinent Jewish themes and experiences. It is a unique opportunity for all participants to immerse themselves in a space that not only commemorates the past but also shapes contemporary culture through the lens of Jewish identity. Images attribution: All by Warsaw Jewish Film Festival

UK Jewish Film Festival

Immerse Yourself in the UK Jewish Film Festival Discover a vibrant celebration of Jewish culture, history, and storytelling at the UK Jewish Film Festival in London. This cinematic event is more than just an exhibition of movies; it's a rich tapestry of Jewish life, achievements and challenges, wrapped in the universal language of film. The festival, established during a time of burgeoning cinema culture, has been bringing diverse stories to the big screen since its inception in the late 20th century. Annually, it unfolds in the quaint theaters scattered around the historic and cosmopolitan streets of London, where tales of heritage and identity find a heartfelt showcase. The UK Jewish Film Festival commemorates the indelible legacy of Jewish narratives through a curated selection of films that span genres from documentary to drama, comedy, and beyond. Special events often accompany the screenings, including Q&A sessions with filmmakers, panel discussions that provide deeper insight into Jewish history, and workshops that inspire the next generation of storytellers. These customs have become a staple of the festival, enriching the experience for attendees and participants alike. It's where artists, scholars, and enthusiasts, regardless of their background, gather to celebrate the multifaceted nature of Jewish life and its contributions to the arts. The festival doesn't just celebrate Jewish artists and themes; it encourages a dialogue—an exchange where the resonance of Jewish history with the present and future can be explored and appreciated. Images attribution: Photos by UK Jewish Film

Hannukah Lighting in London

Come celebrate Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, with a giant menorah that will be lit up in Trafalgar Square!

Public Hannukah

Come join the Grand Menorah Lighting in the Campo del Ghetto, one of the oldest ghettos in the world. There will be music, delicious fresh doughnuts and crispy potato latkes tasting, and 100% chance of dancing.

The Day of Jewish Monuments in the Czech Republic

The annual Day of Jewish Monuments in the Czech Republic is a unique cultural event that opens the doors to 58 Jewish monuments scattered across Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia. This special event invites visitors to explore these historic sites free of charge or for a voluntary contribution. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of architecture, or someone keen on discovering hidden gems, this day offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich Jewish heritage of the region. Significance of the Event This year's roster includes both well-known landmarks and lesser-known sites that are usually closed to the public. For example, visitors in Prague can explore the Jerusalem (or Jubilee) synagogue, while those willing to venture off the beaten path will find treasures in Pacov, Mikulov, and Černovice. Many of these sites have recently undergone extensive renovations or are currently being restored, adding an extra layer of fascination to your visit. In addition to exploring these historic monuments, visitors can enjoy various programs such as guided tours and concerts, enriching the experience with context and ambiance. Mark your calendars for this inspiring day and prepare to be captivated by the stories and beauty of Jewish monuments in the Czech Republic. Image Attribution: <https://jewish-heritage-europe.eu>