Special exhibitions


16th of Decembre 2010 to the 31st of March 2011 (daily from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm)

„Anti-Semitism? Anti-Zionism? Criticism of Israel?”

An exhibition by the “Centre of Anti-Semitic Research” from the Technical University of Berlin in collaboration with Yad Vashem, Jerusalem

Theodor Adorno once said that “Anti- Semitism is rumors regarding Jews.“ Rumors are best confronted via education.  The exhibition „Anti- Semitism? Anti- Zionism? Criticism of Israel?” is willing to make a contribution regarding this topic. It exposes current stereotypes and forms of anti- semitism that have manifested themselves within various social groups and which still exist to this day. It also focuses on how they are becoming increasingly more virulent.

Although Jews are not discriminated anymore because of their “race” or religion, nevertheless, the current forms of anti- semitism focus more on conspiracy theories. Concepts such as “influencing the financial world, the economy, the media and politics” in order to “control the world” are wide spread. This presentation challenges these assumptions and stereotypes and tries to clarify the various manifestations of anti-semitism.

Furthermore, anti-semitism differentiates itself from anti-zionism and criticism regarding Israel. Although anti-zionism is a form of self contained „hostility“ with regards to Israel’s politics, it can nevertheless be disguised as a form of anti-semitism. Criticism of Israel’s politics is a legitimate form of political discussion, however, it too can be used as a means of stigmatizing “the Jews” and expressing anti- Jewish sentiments. This exhibition will attempt to define these various differences.



5th of November 2010 to the 31st of March 2011 (daily from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm)

"Fire! Fire! Anti Semitic Terror during November 1938"

An exhibition by the foundation Topography of Terror in collaboration with the foundation Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and the foundation New Synagogue Berlin - Centrum Judaicum

The exhibition caption “Fire!” is the chorus from a song by Mordechai Gebirtig. The song was written in March 1936, as a reaction to the Pogrom carried out in the Polish city of Przytyk. Following the German occupation of Poland, the song became a symbol of self assertion for the Jews living in the ghettoes.

The central themes of the presentation are photographs depicting the violence carried out against the Jewish population in Germany. These acts of violence reached their zenith during the “Reichskristallnacht” which took place from the 9^th to the 10^th of November 1938. Eight large sized pictures convey the extent of the violence that was carried out against the Jews, their Synagogues and their shops and homes. On the backside of the pictures the historical background is explained and put into context via additional photos. Audio stations present early testimonials of the experiences witnessed by German Jews during the November days of 1938.

The exhibition also documents the prehistory of the Pogroms, the reaction of the non Jewish population and how this contributed to the process of social ostracism that reached its murderous completion with “The Final Solution.”