Documentary

Episode about Dresden

The episode about Dresden is part of the documentary series of the project “HANNAH – Challenging and Debunking Antisemitic Myths” which focuses on Jewish history, culture, and life, the phenomenon of Antisemitism and different approaches on combatting it in five European cities: Athens, Dresden, Hamburg, Krakow and Novi Sad. This episode gives the opportunity to the viewers to experience a short journey through the history of the Jewish community of Dresden with the historian Daniel Ristau. The second part of the documentary is dedicated to the culture, religious life, and celebrations of the Jewish community in Dresden as well as the current challenges that the Jewish community in Dresden is facing today. Finally, the phenomenon of antisemitism in Dresden and the State of Saxony is analysed by Dr. Thomas Feist, whereas different strategies and practices on combatting antisemitism are presented by representatives of civil society organisations, the Municipality of Dresden, the Jewish Community and the Saxon State Government for Jewish life.

Episode about Hamburg

The episode about Hamburg is part of the documentary series of the project “HANNAH – Challenging and Debunking Antisemitic Myths” which focuses on Jewish history, culture, and life as well as on the phenomenon of Antisemitism and different approaches on combatting it in five European cities: Athens (Greece), Dresden (Germany), Hamburg (Germany), Krakow (Poland) and Novi Sad (Serbia). Through interviews with historians, members of the Jewish community and representatives of civil society such as Rabbi Bistritzky, Stefan Hensel, Carmen Bisotti and others, the episode about Hamburg gives an overview of the history of Jews from their first settlement in Hamburg until today, the contemporary life of Jews in Hamburg, and the phenomenon of antisemitism in Hamburg along with Hamburg’s strategies and policies, civil society projects, exchange programmes and awareness-raising activities to combat antisemitism.

Episode about Athens

The episode about Athens is part of the documentary series of the project “HANNAH – Challenging and Debunking Antisemitic Myths” which focuses on Jewish history, culture, and life, the phenomenon of antisemitism and different approaches on combatting it in five European cities: Athens, Dresden, Hamburg, Krakow and Novi Sad. This episode gives the opportunity to the viewers to experience a short journey through the history of the Jewish Community of Athens as described by its representatives, specifically by JCA President Alvertos Taraboulous and the JCA Director, Taly Maira. The Rabbi of Athens Gabriel Negrin and JMG Director, Zanet Battinou briefly discuss historical aspects of Jewish life in Athens and the role of the Jewish Museum of Greece in promoting Jewish life in Greece and combatting antisemitism. The second part of the documentary is dedicated to the culture, religious life, but also Holocaust commemoration and trauma. These topics were also discussed with the renown contemporary artist, Artemis Alcalay. JMG researcher Dr. Alexandra Patrikiou refers to the history of antisemitism in Greece, as well as the current antisemitic challenges Greek society is facing. The episode closes with the opera and theater student, Annita Soussi who wonderfully sings “Adio Kerida”, a traditional ladino song.

Episode about Kraków

The episode about Kraków is part of the documentary series created in the framework of the project “HANNAH – Challenging and Debunking Antisemitic Myths”, which focuses on Jewish history, culture, and life, the phenomenon of antisemitism, and different approaches to combatting it in five European cities: Athens, Dresden, Hamburg, Kraków and Novi Sad. This episode offers the viewers an opportunity to experience a short journey through the history of the Jews in Kraków as described by Bartosz Wencel, a local tour guide and historian. Serhii Czupryna and Mateusz Lagosz, who are members of the Jewish Community Centre (JCC Kraków), speak about the Jewish community of Kraków and how they are involved in the community, the modern Jewish life of Kraków, and FestivALT – a Jewish artistic group that contributes to discussions about the Jewish past and present in Kraków. Michael Rubenfeld, FestivALT co-founder, speaks about their projects that raise awareness of antisemitism and stereotypes against Jews. Anna Wencel, an educator at the Galicia Jewish Museum, explains the role of the Museum in challenging misconceptions relating to the Jewish past through the Museum’s educational programmes which aim to raise awareness of Jewish history, antisemitism, and the Holocaust.

Episode about Novi Sad

The episode about Novi Sad is part of the documentary series of the project “HANNAH – Challenging and Debunking Antisemitic Myths” which focuses on Jewish history, culture, and life, the phenomenon of Antisemitism and different approaches on combatting it in five European cities: Athens, Dresden, Hamburg, Krakow and Novi Sad. This episode gives the opportunity to the viewers to experience a short journey through the history of the Jewish community of Novi Sad with the Director of the Historical Archives of the City of Novi Sad, Petar Djurdjev, the President of the Jewish Community, Mirko Štark and the historian and member of the Jewish Community, Olga Adraši. The second part of the documentary is dedicated to the work of Terraforming on promoting Memory Culture, education about the Holocaust and raising awareness of antisemitism in Serbia. The phenomenon of Antisemitism in Novi Sad and the region of Vojvodina is presented by Miško Stanišić, Director of Terraforming, and historian Olga Adraši. The final part of the episode refers to the current life of the Jewish community in Novi Sad which is very active, their traditions and customs which they try to preserve by involving young people in various cultural programs and activities. The episode closes with the Choir of the Jewish Community singing the song “Tradition” of the musical “Fiddler on the Roof”.