Jewish Places
Jewish places – and by extension, Jewish history – are present everywhere in Germany. However, they are not always recognizable at first glance. Through a quiz, students will explore different Jewish places, both religious and secular. In the process, they will learn what these places mean in the daily lives of Jewish people. Students will also be encouraged to reflect on the significance of certain places in their own lives. Additionally, they will be introduced to the “Jewish Places” website, an interactive online map that documents Jewish places and their histories.
Sections45 minGrades 7–8
- A Jewish Place?
- Behind the Facades
- Jewish Places
- The Platform Jewish Places
- Jewish Places in Your Neighborhood
Learning Objectives
Discover
Learn about “Jewish places” and their religious and cultural significance in day-to-day Jewish life.
Understand
Recognize how history connects to places all around us and how Jewish history relates to the history of our society as a whole.
Reflect
Think about places that hold personal significance. Reflect on the concept of self-determination.
Apply
Use the “Jewish Places” citizen science platform to research local and regional Jewish history.
Progress
What Is Your Role As a Teacher?
Even though students will be working on individual screens, an important part of learning happens together in the classroom. As the teacher, your role is to facilitate discussions, guide students as they share their results, and supervise them as they watch and listen to media together. Poll results are displayed anonymously, while text responses show students’ names. The “Tips for Teachers” sections offer guidance on teaching strategies. The icon indicates the type of activity students are engaged in.
Discussion
Students discuss and share personal experiences. This may evoke emotional responses.
A Jewish Place?
What do you think?
Do any places where Jewish people once were count as “Jewish places”? Cast your vote!
Behind the Facades
Take a Closer Look!
What makes a place Jewish? Watch the video now and find out.
Jewish Places
First place
Now, take a look at four Jewish places. Take the quiz and learn more about them.
A Jewish place in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district1
What kind of Jewish place is this?
What do people do at this place?
The cantor (prayer leader) sings part of the Friday evening Shabbat service in the synagogue. Listen to how it sounds.
Shabbat prayer, sung by Cantor Amnon Seelig2
Second Place
A Jewish place in Oranienburg3
What kind of Jewish place do you see here?
What is special about this place?
This picture shows a Jewish gravestone with small pebbles on it. When relatives visit a grave, it’s customary for the visitors to place little stones on the gravestone. These stones show that the person has not been forgotten. One explanation is that this custom came from a time when the dead were buried in the desert. Back then, stones were placed on the grave to protect the body from wild animals.
Gravestone with stones on it4
Third Place
A Jewish place in Frankfurt5
And what kind of Jewish place is this?
Which of these is the name of a real Jewish sports club?
What is it like to play for Makkabi Berlin? Listen to the captain of the club’s soccer team talking about history of the club and his team.
An interview with the captain of the Makkabi Berlin soccer team 6
Fourth Place
A Jewish place in Berlin7
Last place. What is it?
What subjects are taught there?
What is it like to study and teach at a Jewish school? Listen to these two interviews to find out.
The Platform Jewish Places
Treasure Hunt on Jewish Places
“Jewish Places” is a Germany-wide platform for local Jewish history. On its digital map, you can discover many different Jewish places and learn more about them. To explore the platform, complete the five searches below. The letters from your answers will combine to form a hidden word.
Complete the searches on Jewish Places to find the hidden word.
- On the homepage, you will see the main categories for places included on the map. How many main categories (colorful circles) are there? Write the number as a word and note down the first letter. The word has four letters.
- Search for the former Jewish Girls’ School in Berlin. Where is the school building’s modern address? Write down the street name and note the first letter. The street name has 13 letters.
- Search for the biography of Leo Trepp. Where was he born? Write down the name of his birth city and note the first letter. The city’s name has five letters.
- Search for the Jewish Museum Berlin. What is the first name of the museum’s architect? Write down his first name and note the fourth and sixth letters. His first name has six letters.
- Under the category “Locations,” you will find the city of Potsdam. The “chronicle” (timeline) lists some information. In 1933, the boycott of Jewish businesses began. What was the name of the Jewish attorney who was arrested by the Nazis? Write down the lawyer’s last name and note the fourth letter. The last name has four letters.
Looking for letters
Were you able to find everything and answer the questions? Put together the seven-letter hidden word and type it in the text box.
Jewish Places in Your Neighborhood
Which of the questions interests you?
You’ve now learned about several Jewish places and their significance for Jewish people. You’ve also explored the Jewish Places platform, where you can discover Jewish sites. If you come across a Jewish place that isn’t yet listed, you can add it to the Jewish Places map at any time.
Choose a question.
- What is the Jewish place you know in your area? Describe the place (e.g., its architecture, location in the city, what people do there, your personal experience with it).
- Do you know of a Jewish place that should be added to Jewish Places? If so, what information would you post about it?
- Why is it so important for people to be able to shape places for themselves? What places do you play a role in shaping?
Provide this module to students
Simply share the module with your class using the QR code or link provided.