An educational project by the Bornplatz Synagogue Foundation
How do you impart knowledge about Judaism at a time when social media reinforce half-truths — and real encounters are becoming rarer? This is exactly where a joint project between the Bornplatz Synagogue Foundation and the Hamburg Jewish Community comes in. It brings people together, creates space for questions — and provides basic knowledge that is often lacking in everyday life.
A concept for the future — developed by volunteers
The Bornplatz Synagogue Foundation is not waiting for the synagogue to be rebuilt — it is actively helping to shape it. It is pushing ahead with reconstruction, is committed to long-term financing and makes the project visible to the public. But it is doing even more: Together with the community, a volunteer working group has been set up under the leadership of Stefanie Szczupak. There, outstanding educators, historians, cultural workers and community members are developing an overall educational concept for future educational work on Bornplatz. In close coordination with the municipality, a place is to be created that goes beyond visits and guided tours — with workshops, teaching materials and formats for all age groups. The focus is on the young generation in particular: Students, youth groups — but also adults should be better supported and involved in dialogue in the future. “We experience a great deal of openness — but also too much ignorance,” says Stefanie Szczupak. “Our goal is a place that enables real learning — and personal interaction. ”
The Jewish Community is doing extraordinary things
150 groups per year — that is the impressive number of visitors who have been guided through the synagogue over the past two school years. Organized and largely accompanied by volunteers from the Jewish Community, each of these meetings provides basic knowledge about Jewish life: What is a synagogue? What does kosher mean? How do Jews celebrate Shabbat? Among the guests were not only school classes, but also: - training groups for teachers - police forces - Bundeswehr members - employees from administration, social work and churches
“After the visit, many participants said: I had no idea how diverse Jewish life really was — and how little I knew about it,” said one of the volunteers.
How big are the knowledge gaps? The figures speak for themselves.
Much of what is circulating on social networks today contributes more to confusion than to clarification. Studies show that ignorance about Jewish life is widespread — and opens the door to prejudice.
Interview with Stefanie Szczupak
What do you want to achieve with the concept?
“The demand for visits to the synagogue is high; our community and our members are doing great things here! We will continue this, but we also want to offer workshops and offer more education against anti-Semitism. It's not just about content, it's about attitude. Anyone who comes here should not simply consume, but understand — and learn more about our identity, religion, history and present. ”
What does the work look like in practice?
“So far, everything has been done voluntarily — and very competently. We meet regularly in the evenings, discuss texts, develop modules and formats for different target groups. ”
What do you want?
“That our concept is implemented in the long term — and that every student in Hamburg visits a synagogue once. ”
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Testimonial from a visitor to a training group 03/2024:
“I'm a teacher and I thought I already knew a few things. But what I saw, heard and above all felt today — that was different. For real. And important. I'm going to bring a lot of it with me to my lessons. ”