18. December 2024
Goodbye and Hello! Reflections and Prospects: Year-End Review
by Barbara Staudinger
Year-end transitions offer a chance to reflect – celebrating successes and learning from challenges.
2024: A Year of Social Engagement and Refelction
This year, the Jewish Museum Vienna embraced social engagement as part of the exhibition "Who Cares? Jewish Responses to Suffering". Beyond participating in numerous social projects, the museum initiated its own, such as fundraising campaigns, a Prater outing with residents of the Maimonides Centre, or a day at the museum with the Samaritan Association. These experiences reaffirmed that fostering social cohesion requires daily effort - an effort that truly pays off.
Promoting togetherness and democratic discourse was also central to the exhibition "Peace," which opened in November 2023 at Museum Judenplatz. In times of war, it’s easy to forget that peace is more than the absence of conflict - it must be actively pursued. A highlight was a panel discussion in cooperation with the Vienna Lectures, featuring voices from the Israeli-Palestinian peace initiatives "Women Wage Peace" and "Women of the Sun."
Two exhibitions shed light on societal disintegration through theft and persecution: "Theft," a cooperative exhibition with the Wien Museum, traced the systematic plundering of Vienna's Jewish population by the Nazis and the incorporation of stolen goods into public collections. "Viennese Nostalgia. Connected Memories of Emil Singer" told the poignant story of a Viennese etcher’s desperate but unsuccessful attempts to escape Austria under Nazi persecution, reuniting his memorabilia for the first time.
New Formats and Broader Access
Through innovative formats, the museum continued to engage with Vienna’s society. The Project Space in the museum's atrium showcased small exhibitions on current topics, such as artist Deborah Sengl’s commentary on elections ("The Last Days of Democracy") and an installation featuring Holocaust survivor interviews. Our “window to the world” expo at Museum Dorotheergassebrought museum content to while the launch of our online collection, made over 3,000 objects, including never-before-seen items, accessible to the public.
Looking to 2025
Two exhibitions from 2024 continue into 2025:
2024 was not without difficulty. Since October 7, 2023, the war in Gaza has caused a significant drop in visitors and heightened societal polarization. The term “Jewish” has, for some, taken on negative connotations, challenging our mission.
Celebrating 130 Years: A Milestone in 2025
Despite these challenges, we eagerly anticipate 2025, marking the 130th anniversary of the Jewish Museum Vienna—the first Jewish museum in the world. This special year will feature:
2024: A Year of Social Engagement and Refelction
This year, the Jewish Museum Vienna embraced social engagement as part of the exhibition "Who Cares? Jewish Responses to Suffering". Beyond participating in numerous social projects, the museum initiated its own, such as fundraising campaigns, a Prater outing with residents of the Maimonides Centre, or a day at the museum with the Samaritan Association. These experiences reaffirmed that fostering social cohesion requires daily effort - an effort that truly pays off.
Promoting togetherness and democratic discourse was also central to the exhibition "Peace," which opened in November 2023 at Museum Judenplatz. In times of war, it’s easy to forget that peace is more than the absence of conflict - it must be actively pursued. A highlight was a panel discussion in cooperation with the Vienna Lectures, featuring voices from the Israeli-Palestinian peace initiatives "Women Wage Peace" and "Women of the Sun."
Two exhibitions shed light on societal disintegration through theft and persecution: "Theft," a cooperative exhibition with the Wien Museum, traced the systematic plundering of Vienna's Jewish population by the Nazis and the incorporation of stolen goods into public collections. "Viennese Nostalgia. Connected Memories of Emil Singer" told the poignant story of a Viennese etcher’s desperate but unsuccessful attempts to escape Austria under Nazi persecution, reuniting his memorabilia for the first time.
New Formats and Broader Access
Through innovative formats, the museum continued to engage with Vienna’s society. The Project Space in the museum's atrium showcased small exhibitions on current topics, such as artist Deborah Sengl’s commentary on elections ("The Last Days of Democracy") and an installation featuring Holocaust survivor interviews. Our “window to the world” expo at Museum Dorotheergassebrought museum content to while the launch of our online collection, made over 3,000 objects, including never-before-seen items, accessible to the public.
Looking to 2025
Two exhibitions from 2024 continue into 2025:
- The Third Generation. The Holocaust in Family Memory explores how grandchildren of Holocaust survivors grapple with inherited trauma and family silence. The accompanying Generation Talks and blog interviews provide further insights.
- Fear at Museum Judenplatz delves into the universal feeling of fear through a Jewish lens, showing how confronting fears can lead to resilience.
2024 was not without difficulty. Since October 7, 2023, the war in Gaza has caused a significant drop in visitors and heightened societal polarization. The term “Jewish” has, for some, taken on negative connotations, challenging our mission.
Celebrating 130 Years: A Milestone in 2025
Despite these challenges, we eagerly anticipate 2025, marking the 130th anniversary of the Jewish Museum Vienna—the first Jewish museum in the world. This special year will feature:
- Exhibitions:
- G*D. Reflections between Heaven and Earth (Opening April 2) explores humanity's relationship with God through Judaica and contemporary art.
- Tell Me Where the Flowers Are... 80 Years After the War (Opening May 8) features Roger Cremers' evocative photographs of European memorial sites, prompting reflection on memory and its complexities.
- No Room for Confrontation? (May 13) examines new antisemitism following October 7, 2023, fostering dialogue across differing perspectives.
- Black Jews, White Jews? On Skin Colors and Prejudices (Opening October 22) challenges stereotypes and explores the intersections of antisemitism and racism.
- Special Initiatives:
- An open day on Nov 21 and special offers to enhance accessibility.
- New media formats, including a podcast, to expand our reach.
