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JEWISH Berlin

Jewish city story of Berlin

The Jewish history of Germany predates the establishment of Berlin as it is known today by more than 1000 years. The community has seen success, innovation, and acceptance. It has also been subjected to the horrors of antisemitism culminating in one of the worst travesties against humanity the world as ever seen, the Holocaust. No one would ever have thought that after such trauma the Jewish community of Germany would continue, let alone rise to the heights it has today.

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אתרים מומלצים Sites to see

Sites

House of The Wannsee Conference

The House of Wannsee Conference is located on the Wannsee River, on the outskirts of West Berlin. This historical landmark was built in 1915 for Ernst Marlier, a prominent businessman. He was arrested in 1940 for embezzlement and sold his property. During the Nazi era, the Wannsee House came to be used by the SS Security Service, the Nazi intelligence service. It was at the villa that SS officers planned the future of the Third Reich. After the war, the house was used as a residence, until the August Bebel Institute acquired the building in 1947. It was then used as a school and hostel for the Berlin Social Democratic Party, until 1988 when it became the memorial site it is today. The Wannsee Conference was a meeting of senior government officials of Nazi Germany and Schutzstaffel (SS) leaders, held in the Berlin suburb of Wannsee on 20 January 1942. The purpose of the conference, called by the director of the Reich Security Main Office SS-Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich, was to ensure the co-operation of administrative leaders of various government departments in the implementation of the Final Solution to the Jewish question, whereby most of the Jews of German-occupied Europe would be deported to occupied Poland and murdered. Conference participants included representatives from several government ministries, including state secretaries from the Foreign Office, the justice, interior, and state ministries, and representatives from the SS. In the course of the meeting, Heydrich outlined how European Jews would be rounded up and sent to extermination camps in the General Government (the occupied part of Poland), where they would be killed. Auschwitz survivor, Joseph Wulf, is really to thank for the inauguration of the Wannsee House as a memorial site. Mr. Wulf published the first comprehensive collection of documents from the Nazi regime, and suggested creating a documenter center in the Marlier villa. Although Wulf had wide public support, the Berlin Senate was slow to accept his proposal. Sadly, Joseph Wulf did not see his vision realized, as the man committed suicide in 1974.

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Tours of Berlin

Tours

Berlin Bike Tour

Are you tired of booking an exciting tour, getting up early but then finding out you’re in a group of 50 tourists and you can’t hear or see what’s going on? It happens a lot, especially in major cities like Berlin. All too often is your money wasted on big tours where you have to wrestle past the other group members just to ask the guide a simple question. That’s where the Berlin Bike Tour comes in. For all of their public tours, they guarantee your group will be no larger than eight people, who are all like-minded individuals looking to have a cultural, insider experience of Berlin on two wheels.  If you’re a Berliner but have family coming to town, what better way to keep visitors entertained than show them the city’s astounding history? Their experts also cater to corporate events, school tours, and family vacations - whatever you’re up to in the city, they’ve got you covered. The best thing about the Berlin Bike Tour is that it can be fun for all of the family. Berlin is a very bike-friendly city, suitable for kids and older adults. It is a safe, fun, and educational way to spend a day in one of the world’s best cities. The tours run twice daily from April to October, with a morning and early afternoon tour to suit all sightseeing schedules. In the winter months, the tours run once a day in the morning to make the most of the beautiful German winter. The Berlin Bike Tour historians can guide you through all of Berlin’s historical landmarks, including: The Berlin Wall Bike Tour: this tour traces the infamous Cold War through important historical monuments such as the Tranenpalast and Checkpoint Charlie, amongst others. The Berlin Mitte Bike Tour: this tour will take you and your group through the most important centres of Berlin’s history, including monuments like the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate. With the Berlin Bike Tour guides, you can cover some 800 years of history in one afternoon. The Berlin Potpourri Tour: this tour takes you through some of the lesser-spotted areas and monuments of Berlin’s impressive history. This is great for those who really want to get an insider’s look at the German capital.   On a sunny day in Berlin, there’s nothing better to do than put on your helmet and your sunglasses and set off on your bike. So many tourists sit in buses during the summer weather, not able to fully engage with the history they’re seeing. That’s why the Berlin Bike Tour offers a real, interactive tour of all of Berlin’s history, with professionals who know the city inside out.  

Tours

Alternative Berlin Tours

Come explore the wonders of Berlin from a new perspective. From free tours to food tours, from art tours to night tours, Alternative Berlin Tours offer a bit of everything. These walking tours are educational, informational and lots and lots of fun. Check out world-famous graffiti and the secret sights of this historical city or discover the cultural epicenter of punk and electronic music or where the reggae and rock history is hiding. Alternative Berlin Tours offers a handful of great tours: Alternative Berlin Tour - the original free tour that allows you to see Berlin as a local does. Visit everything from skateparks to multicultural neighborhoods and iconic landmarks. Alternative Nightlife Tour - visit some of Berlin’s top nightclubs and bars. Known for its amazing nightlife, from the Absinthe bar to historically significant clubs, this is a tour not to be missed. Street Art Workshop - see some of the world’s most famous graffiti and even make some art of your own. See the sights of Berlin through an artist’s eyes with this unique tour. Street Art Tour - for those who want to explore the city’s street art but without the hands-on experience. Discover incredible art that you never knew existed right here. Real Berlin Experience - discover how Berlin balances trends and traditions. This cultural tour takes you through the backstreets of the city to explore underground galleries and hidden markets. Craft Beer and German Beer Tour - start in the brewing district and get to the root of this delicious beverage. Learn about German beer, it’s history and how it tastes - that’s right, samples included) Green City Tour - this unique tour takes you from organic supermarkets to local bee farms as you visit the green businesses and sites of the city. All tours are walking tours and open to the public, though some have age restrictions. For a more personalized experience, you can book a private tour for individuals, groups or even students. Berlin’s rich history is multi-faceted and exploring it from different perspectives and with a local guide is a great way to get a deeper understanding of this city’s past. Alternative Berlin Tours take place almost every day of the year and have been recommended by guidebooks, travel magazines, and world-renowned publications since their inception in 2006. While other tours might take you to visit the wall and the site of Hitler’s bunkers and Charlie’s Checkpoint, these tours will show you the things you didn’t read about in a guidebook. Explore the fascinating alternative Berlin with one of these eye-opening, educational tours.  

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מדריכים בעיר CITY GUIDES

Guides

Jeremy Minsberg

Jeremy Minsberg - The Berlin Expert If you’re looking for a private tour in English, Jeremy Minsberg, aka Mr. Berlin, might just be your guy. Jeremy is an American Jew who has been enjoying the exciting Berlin life for over 17 years. TripAdvisor has given him the Certificate of Excellence 2017 and he’s received a score of 99% from hundreds of happy tourists. So what makes Mr. Berlin’s tours so great? If you want to hear more about Jewish history or learn about architecture, he’ll make sure your topics of choice are covered. Jeremy’s tours are all in English but he does things like the locals do - you’ll explore the city using public transportation from the Underground and the S-Bahn to biking and walking, you’ll see Berlin from many angles and perspectives. Jeremy does his tours out of passion and his love of Berlin and all its amazing history, so he doesn’t offer set fees and instead encourages his guests to name their price. Tours usually last between half a day and a full day, depending on weather, interest, time, and sights on the agenda. Some of Jeremy’s amazing tour options include: Berlin Overview Tour: see all the top sites in one grand afternoon Jewish Berlin Tour: explore the ups-and-downs of Jewish life in this city Cold War Berlin Tour: learn how a city rebuilds itself after division Destruction and Construction Tour: the must-take tour for architecture fanatics Times of Terror Tour: visit the sites of the darkest period of Berlin, the Nazi era Gay Berlin Tour: enjoy the tolerant, open-minded history of Berlin Bike Tour of Berlin: explore the city on two wheels and from a whole new perspective Minsberg also offers a few tours that head out of Berlin proper. His Potsdam tour takes you to the neighboring state of Brandenburg, known for hosting the Prussian kings and Germain Kaiser. He also offers a tour of Sachsenhausen, a concentration camp about 45 minutes north of Berlin. If you don’t want to walk, there’s also an option to rent a limousine or private car for the tour - driver included. Lastly, Jeremy offers a Daytime Companion option where you can simply ‘hang out’ for the day exploring the city from Jeremy’s perspective. One of the nicest features of Jeremy’s tours is that he donates a portion of his fees to a local charity. Minsberg supports cultural organizations, a Berlin Jewish educational center, and a Berlin school that helps HIV positive children integrate into mainstream society. So by going on a tour with The Berlin Expert, you are not only experiencing a unique and exciting side of Berlin, but contributing to the local community.

Guides

Nirit Ben-Joseph

Nirit Ben Joseph started working as a tour guide in Berlin in 1989. She offers comfortable, luxurious, air-conditioned van tours for up to six guests and uses a microphone and loudspeaker so she’s easy to hear. Nirit offers tours on subjects that can be very specific and detailed or more general. While most of her tours last six hours, different subjects can be combined to create multiple-day tours if requested. Nirit creates a personal experience for her clients. She’ll pick you up at your hotel and finish the tour in your location of choice. Her tours are friendly for children and youth, so no need to reserve separate activities for younger family members. On top of that, Nirit will help you with hotel and restaurant reservations and even recommend cultural events for your visit. One of the nicest things that Nirit helps with is searching for family connections. For visitors coming to Berlin who have a family history, Nirit will help search archives and cemetery data to find the story of your ancestors. Join one of Nirit Ben Joseph’s educational and exciting tours of Berlin and you’ll be exploring this fascinating city in comfort and style. Some of her tours include: The Best of Berlin: a six-hour tour exploring the highlights of the city, the best option for visitors who have a limited amount of time The Jewish Tour: learn about all the trials and tribulations that fill the rich history of Jews in Berlin and how the community has recuperated since then The Architecture Tour: explore the wonders of modern architecture and see how the urban part of the city has grown over the years The Cold War and the Berlin Wall: delve into the dark recent history of Berlin and the building and destruction of the Wall as you explore it yourselves Wannsee and Potsdam Tour: visit the prime location of the Potsdam Conference, the palace of Sanssouci and the palace of Cecilien Hof, in Berlin’s neighboring Brandenburg The Art Tour: see the best of Berlin’s art scene by exploring some of the most famous and unseen galleries the city has to offer For guests who are exploring other parts of Germany, Nirit also offers tours in Dresden and Leipzig. The tour of Sachsenhausen concentration camp is highly recommended and it’s just a 45-minute trip out of central Berlin. While Nirit started studying in Tel Aviv University in 1987, her move to to Berlin in 1987 captivated her enough to stay in the city. Now, Nirit shares the parts that made her fall in love with Berlin with her tour guests.

Guides

Eyal Dov Roth

Born and raised in Israel, Eyal Roth moved to Berlin in 2010 and has been a tour guide for more than 6 years. Enchanted by the dark history of the European Jews and his own heritage as the grandson of four Holocaust survivors, Eyal became an expert in all things Jewish in Berlin. Given the sensitivity of the tours subject matter, Eyal encourages asking questions and engaging in conversation while also giving tour participants time to process things in silence. Join Eyal on a four or five-hour tour walking, biking or driving around the city while uncovering the history of the Jews of Berlin. Eyal will meet you at your hotel and take you through the old Jewish quarter, the Jewish cemetery of Berlin, and the secret, underground life of Jews during the Nazi regime. The tour will also include the Otto Weidt museum, the AHAVA orphanage, the New Synagogue Berlin, and many other historical Jewish sights. The tour continues on to cover the Jewish persecution in the early 1900's and the infamous Platform 17 where the Jews of Berlin were sent to the concentration camps. Eyal is open to adding and removing sites from the tour depending on the needs and wants of his clients, so you can get a more tailored experience if you’d like. He can also include a coffee or lunch break and is accommodating to youth and people with disabilities. This private tour is a great way to experience a personal connection to the rich history of the Jews of Berlin. While Eyal may focus on the Jewish history of the city, he does offer a variety of other tours: The Introductory Tour of Berlin - cover all the basics by putting 700 years of history into just a few hours A Tour Following the Berlin Wall - find the method to the madness on this trip along the infamous Wall The Alternative Berlin Tour - head off the beaten path on this art-focused tour The Night Tour - experience the famous clubs, bars, pubs and galleries of this raging city Bike Tours - see more in a shorter span of time, great for those on a time limit Eyal Dov Roth’s tours are one of Tripadvisor’s top 5 recommended outdoor activities and in 2016 he received their Certificate of Excellence. For those truly wanting to delve into the incredibly complicated history of Berlin’s Jews, a tour with Eyal is a must.

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קראו עוד בלוגים וספרים אלקטרוניים READ MORE BLOGS AND EBOOKS

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Summary
The story of the Jewish people in Europe is long and rich; a journey of discovery to this heritage at ancient and modern sites, and in museums and neighborhoods will undoubtedly surprise and touch you deeply. Learn of the innumerable contributions that the Jewish community has made to society despite waves of unspeakable persecution
Jack Dev May 6, 2023

Berlin, Germany: A City of Jewish Culture, History, and Resilience

The Jewish history of Germany predates the establishment of Berlin as it is known today by more than 1000 years. The community has seen success, innovation, and acceptance. It has also been subjected to the horrors of antisemitism culminating in one of the worst travesties against humanity the world as ever seen, the Holocaust. No one would ever have thought that after such trauma the Jewish community of Germany would continue, let alone rise to the heights it has today.

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Context Travel May 8, 2023

Holocaust Memorials in Berlin, Budapest, and Amsterdam

There are hundreds of Holocaust memorials around the world, including many in cities where we run walking tours. We sat down with scholars in Berlin, Budapest, and Amsterdam to learn more about some of the most significant Holocaust memorials around the world, and to get their insight into some of the trickier aspects of interpretation and memorialization.

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Summary
The tour starts at Kastanienallee 65 at the Hotel Kastanienhof. From the front door of the hotel, head left down Kastanienallee. Here, you can let go and whizz downhill as the street becomes the steep Weinbergsweg. It‘s fun, but be careful: there are tram tracks embedded in the street.

Hotels in Berlin

Hotels

Melia Berlin

This 4-star hotel in the heart of Berlin is located right along the River Spree for beautiful views of the city center. Melia Berlin is just a 10-minute walk from the historic Foundation New Synagogue Berlin and less than 20 minutes away from the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Among other Berlin sites in walking distance, guests can visit the Modern Art Museum, the famous Brandenburg Gate, Museums Island, Friedrichstadtpalast and Reichstag easily by foot or bicycle. For those interested in a bit of Berlin’s famous shopping, the Gendarmenmarkt and Hackescher Markt are also nearby. Melia Berlin's riverside location also offers access to several river tour operators, so you can explore Berlin from a totally different perspective - on water. The hotel is close to Friedrichstraße station which allows guests to easily connect with any other part of Berlin’s city center or suburbs. Around the hotel there are dozens of restaurants, bars and shops to explore, so whether you intend on staying close by or venturing further, this is essentially one of the best hotel locations in the city. As for the Melia itself, this beautiful hotel has room for up to 650 guests and offers accommodations suitable for both business and leisure trips. It’s well-equipped with great guest services like a 24/7 fitness room and sauna, underground car parking and two spacious dining areas - the Melia Lounge & Bar and Melia Tapas Bar. While Melias Lounge & Bar is beverages only, Melias Tapas Bar is a Spanish-themed restaurant with an open-air terrace available in the summer season. Hotel guests can also enjoy the breakfast buffet with panoramic views of the River Spree every day of the week. When it comes to the rooms, Melia Berlin wants their guests to stay in a high level of comfort. The rooms are spacious and furnished with flat-screen TVs, a minibar, a dining area for two, and a fully equipped bathroom. The rooms are modern and sleek, yet cozy and inviting. For those wishing to indulge, there are three different Suites to choose from aside from: the Melia Room, the Premium Room, and the Level Room. The Melia Berlin has received rave reviews online for its great customer service, professional staff, and beautiful location. Tripadvisor has also awarded the Melia with its coveted Certificate of Excellence. No matter what your trip to Berlin entails, the Melia Berlin is here to cater to your needs and help you enjoy a pleasant and memorable stay in this incredible city.

Hotels

Hotel 103

Hotel 103 is a mid-sized hotel featuring 43 rooms centrally located on Schönhauser Allee in North Berlin. The hotel is walking distance from dozens of restaurants and bars including some famous institutions like the Kulturbrauerei brewery and Mauerpark. The Mauerpark is a beautiful park known for its diversely filled flea market and karaoke held in an outdoor amphitheater. The local neighborhood is known as Prenzlauer Berg and is a hip and young area filled with cafes, boutiques, and exclusive designer shops. There are many great places to people watch and take in the life of Berliners and visitors alike. If you want to explore a wider reach of the city, Hotel 103 is conveniently located near S-Bahn, U-bahn and Tram stations. The hotel is a quick bus or tram ride to the Natural History Museum, the Berlin Dungeon, Sea Life Berlin, the Berlin TV Tower, and many other tourist sites in Berlin.  As for the hotel itself, despite the basic rooms, it offers quite a few nice amenities. At Hotel 103, guests can rent bikes to explore the city or enjoy some downtime in the game room which is complete with a billiard table, dartboard, and Xbox 360. While there isn’t a full restaurant, there is an option to add a continental breakfast to your booking and there is a lovely outdoor terrace where guests can sit out and enjoy beverages from the hotel bar. Hotel 103 also offers packed lunches to make touring easier on guests. Guests staying at Hotel 103 can opt for a single, double, triple, or quadruple room, making it easy for individuals, families, or groups of friends to fit comfortably. The hotel spans five floors, all of which are handicap accessible, and it has the capacity to host conferences for up to 60 guests. The rooms are minimally furnished with beds, a shower, a TV, a small table and a chair, and are decorated simply. This 2-star hotel is budget-friendly and offers visitors of Berlin a clean and hospitable place to stay in a beautiful Berlin neighborhood. From restaurants and cafes to people watching in the park, Hotel 103 is a great option for backpackers on a budget and families alike.

Hotels

Hotel AMANO

Hotel Amano is a beautiful hotel in the heart of cultural Berlin on the North side of the Spree river. This three-star hotel was built in 2008 and opened it’s 163 rooms and fully-furnished apartments to the public with a flare of contemporary elegance. The interior of the hotel is sleek and minimalistic while the exterior is modern and bold- fitting in with the trendy neighborhood of Mitte where the hotel is located. Visitors can find Hotel Amano on the corner of Rosenthalar Straẞe and Augustraẞe. It has been said that Hotel Amano’s location is unbeatable. Located in Berlin-mitte (the center of the city), the hotel is walking distance to Alexanderplatz, Museum Island, and Hackescher Markt. There are several recommended dining locations around the hotel, all within a few minutes walk, and some of which are sister bars or restaurants to Amano. Check out MANI for delicious Israeli fusion or DEAN club for fantastic cocktails. The hotel is also surrounded by an array of galleries, boutiques, and bars, so there is exploring to do in every direction. Whether you are visiting for the scenery or the shopping, Hotel Amano is the perfect home base for soaking in all the entertainment Berlin has to offer. Hotel Amano’s friendly staff are knowledgeable and helpful when it comes to what to do, see, and eat. The hotel itself also offers some nice amenities. While rooms are rather basic, the apartments provide guests with a full kitchen, large living room, and unique wall art. As a guest at the hotel, you will have access to bicycle rentals and yoga mats, and have the option to join one of the hotel-affiliated walking tours. You can also enjoy signature, hand-crafted cocktails at the AMANO bar on the ground floor or drink your delicious beverages on the rooftop terrace while soaking in the views of the city.    Ask some of the Hotel Amano staff for their top recommendations on where to go or for one of the hotel’s mini maps marked with the best sites in the neighborhood. Hotel Amano is also just a 10-minute walk to the Foundation New Synagogue Berlin, an intricately decorated synagogue which has been operating since 1866. It was once the main synagogue of Berlin’s Jewish community and is well known for its extremely detailed Moorish style. There is no shortage of culture, history, and entertainment in Berlin-mitte. Hotel Amano calls itself 100% Berlin from bars, bike rentals, rooftop terraces, and cultural sites around every corner - a stay at Amano practically guarantees guests with the best experience of Berlin.

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