Sunday Programs
The Jewish Museum Vienna offers a diverse program for kids and families. For further information please see our tour calendar.
The Jewish Museum Vienna for at home
Celina tells it like it is
Celina, the museum doll, lives (of course) in the museum, is awake at night and talks with the objects. She was long thought to be shy because she sits in the foyer during the day and only seems to observe. We don’t know what exactly she’s watching, and we can’t read her mind either. But we finally found out that she is definitely not shy and asked her to give us an interview. She said she’d love to.
Celina, which Jewish holiday do you like best?
I like all festivals. Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Greek, Viennese, Swiss, Syrian – but I like Shabbat best. More specifically, the end of Shabbat.
So, you like it when the holiday ends? That’s not logical.
I didn’t say that! Resting is a fantastic thing!! What makes the Jewish holidays special is that they begin in a specific way and end in a specific way. This is called ‘Havdalah’ and it means ‘separation.’ You say goodbye to the day of rest and meanwhile make it clear that after the ‘time out’ the normal program will start again.
What exactly happens at this ‘separation?’
What fascinates me most is the spice box; it is passed around among those present, a blessing is said about these spices and then everyone smells them. The pleasant smell makes it easier to say goodbye to the holiday and provides energy for the new week that starts on Sunday.
How many such boxes are there in the museum?
Very many. And they are quite different. There are larger and smaller ones made of metal or wood. They look like fruit, like flowers, like a bird, like a fish...
What fascinates me most is the spice box; it is passed around among those present, a blessing is said about these spices and then everyone smells them. The pleasant smell makes it easier to say goodbye to the holiday and provides energy for the new week that starts on Sunday.
How many such boxes are there in the museum?
Very many. And they are quite different. There are larger and smaller ones made of metal or wood. They look like fruit, like flowers, like a bird, like a fish...
© Jüdisches Museum Wien
Really?
Yes. You can even find old cloves in this fish...
Amazing. But they don’t smell anymore, do they?
No, but you can still imagine it. In the museum, imagination is a pretty important thing.
I don’t understand that. I can see everything that is on display – I don’t have to imagine anything.
You only see what is on display. You have to imagine the stories that an object tells.
Yes. You can even find old cloves in this fish...
Amazing. But they don’t smell anymore, do they?
No, but you can still imagine it. In the museum, imagination is a pretty important thing.
I don’t understand that. I can see everything that is on display – I don’t have to imagine anything.
You only see what is on display. You have to imagine the stories that an object tells.
© Jüdisches Museum Wien
That’s difficult.
No, if you have help, it’s very easy! On the second floor there is the ‘Shabbat Room’ by the Israeli artist Maya Zack. Using her computer, she was able to furnish rooms that no longer exist. In the first Jewish Museum, a special room was set up for Shabbat – with furniture and objects and – supposedly always fresh flowers. Now only photos of it remain. Maya Zack takes us on a journey that leads to Isidor Kaufmann’s studio.
No, if you have help, it’s very easy! On the second floor there is the ‘Shabbat Room’ by the Israeli artist Maya Zack. Using her computer, she was able to furnish rooms that no longer exist. In the first Jewish Museum, a special room was set up for Shabbat – with furniture and objects and – supposedly always fresh flowers. Now only photos of it remain. Maya Zack takes us on a journey that leads to Isidor Kaufmann’s studio.
That was the director of the first Jewish Museum, right?
No, he was a very important and well-known painter, and he had the idea of furnishing this Shabbat room.
Cool!
Yes! In today’s Jewish Museum Vienna there is a program for families with children every Sunday – these Shabbat rooms were designed by the young guests.
Almost like in the first Jewish Museum...
Even better, I think!
Shabbat rooms are set up every Sunday?
No, there are as many different topics as there are Sundays. You can read all about it on the museum website
Thanks very much for the interesting conversation, Celina!
No, he was a very important and well-known painter, and he had the idea of furnishing this Shabbat room.
Cool!
Yes! In today’s Jewish Museum Vienna there is a program for families with children every Sunday – these Shabbat rooms were designed by the young guests.
Almost like in the first Jewish Museum...
Even better, I think!
Shabbat rooms are set up every Sunday?
No, there are as many different topics as there are Sundays. You can read all about it on the museum website
Thanks very much for the interesting conversation, Celina!
© Jüdisches Museum Wien
© Jüdisches Museum Wien
© Jüdisches Museum Wien
© Jüdisches Museum Wien
(Hi)story with Celina
Travel with Celina around the world
If you can’t or don’t want to travel far, you can accompany Celina on her world tours in the Jewish Museum Vienna. She walks through the floors and travels from Vienna around the globe. Once you can come to visit us at the museum again, then look for her usual spot in the museum and take a photo of her. Because Celina loves photos. And so do we.
You can send us your stories and photos of your creations either per post or via E-Mail.
Jewish Museum Vienna
c/o Vermittlung
Dorotheergasse 11
1010 Vienna
Austria
© JMW
