What does tomorrow sound like? And how do you write about it? The 38th Jewish Culture Days this November offers a response you can read, feel, and dance to, in a vibrant mosaic of contemporary Jewish life, through music, stories, and encounters. The conversation starts early, with a taste of what’s to come this July. “Atid” (Hebrew for future) is this year’s theme. It’s a call for hope and togetherness, driving the Jewish Culture Days forward with music, humor, and storytelling. And you can quite literally get a taste of that vision this July, at Europe’s largest Kosher Street Food Market. Held in the courtyard of the Neue Synagoge and free to attend, it will feature 40 food stands and trucks serving Sabich, falafel, freshly pressed pomegranate juice, and more. There’s also a full program of family-friendly entertainment, ranging from jazz performances to magic shows and a bouncy castle. In November, the festival’s layered program shows the many faces of Jewish culture — tender and bold, rhythmic, political, surprising. Over 40 events, including readings, film screenings, concerts, and workshops, invite audiences to engage, reflect, and celebrate. The festival opens with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra conducted by Igor Budinstein.
Through contemporary soundscapes, the orchestra tells stories of Jewish history, honoring the memory of those lost to terrorism and persecution. The performance features iconic film scores from Yentl, Life Is Beautiful, and Fiddler on the Roof, accompanied by choreography from Evgeny Kozlov. Between groove and poetry lies the music of jazz bassist and composer Avishai Cohen, who brings both new and well-loved compositions from his 30-year career to the stage. The literary program follows with Dutch author Leon de Winter, reading from his latest novel Stadt der Hunde (City of Dogs) — a poignant story of love, loss, and hope in the Middle East. Also featured: the Yamma Ensemble presents multilingual, multi-instrumental songs from their latest album Teiman. With sitar, duduk, cajón, original compositions, and melodies from the diaspora, they share untold stories of Yemenite Jews. The festival closes on a high note with the politically charged, poetic lyrics of Hadag Nahash, performed over a bold blend of hip-hop, funk, and folk beats. Film also takes the spotlight: running parallel to the festival, the Seret International Film Festival will take place at Hackesche Höfe Kino. The future is now. And it’s ready to be told, starting this July, and continuing in the fall, across the stages and venues of the city.
Text: Emma Zylla / Photos: Boaz Arad
38th Jewish Culture Days 13.11.2025–23.11.2025
Synagoge Rykestraße, Rykestr.53, 10405 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map
Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 8, 10117 Berlin–Mitte; map
Fotografiska, Oranienburger Str.54, 10117 Berlin Mitte; map
Hackesche Höfe Kino, Rosenthaler Str.40-41, 10178 Berlin–Mitte; map
4th Kosher Street Food Market 06.07.2025 11–21h
Neue Synagoge (Hof), Oranienburger Str.28-31, 10117 Berlin–Mitte; map
To mark the advance ticket sale launch for the Jewish Culture Days on 06.06.2025, at the Kosher Street Food Market, visitors will receive 20 percent off selected festival highlights. Because of the support from the Antisemitism Action Fund, free tickets for the opening will also be available.
@juedischekulturtageberlin
