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“Time and time again you have proven how strongly you feel about seeing German-Jewish life in the Federal Republic of Germany develop today in a positive way, and how important it is to you to see all migrants and descendents of migrants integrate into German society.”

This resolute stance has allowed Angela Merkel to help ban anti-Semitism in Germany from the realms of the acceptable, said Michael Blumenthal. He also thanked all German governments for the support they have given the museum.

We must check and fight anti-Semitism, declared the Chancellor

Thanking the Museum for the honour bestowed on her, Angela Merkel said that Jewish life has always been part of Germany and always will be. It is a national duty to demonstrate this, she added. At the same time the Chancellor reminded her audience that checking and fighting anti-Semitism remains an important duty. “Anti-Semitism is not on the retreat in Europe,” she stressed. Young people in particular must be given the support they need to make them immune to this sort of propaganda.

Against this background, the work of the Jewish Museum is indispensable. Angela Merkel hoped that the museum would continue to attract so many people, “So that intelligence triumphs over stupidity and respect for human life over hatred and anti-Semitism.”

Since 2002 the Jewish Museum in Berlin has honoured individuals who have performed a special service in promoting understanding and tolerance. Traditionally, theAward for Understanding and Tolerance is presented within the framework of the anniversary dinner to which the museum invites numerous friends and guests from the realms of politics, business, culture and the media every year. 

A place to remember the darkest chapter of German history

For ten years now the Jewish Museum has been dedicated to German-Jewish history. Its permanent exhibition provides information about two thousand years of Jewish life in Germany. In addition, special exhibitions provide an opportunity to find out more about Jewish culture and relations between Jews and non-Jews in Germany.

Thus the museum, explained Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media Bernd Neumann, illustrates the rich contribution made by German Jews in the fields of art and culture, academia and politics. The museum has, however, also become one of the most important places to remember the darkest chapter of German history, he said in the run up to the anniversary celebrations.

A magnet that attracts visitors from all over the world

The museum offers a programme that attracts about 750,000 visitors from all over the world every year. The building itself plays a not insignificant part in this success. The expressive architecture of Daniel Libeskind brings in visitors in droves.

Based on plans produced by Daniel Libeskind, the museum is currently being expanded to house an Academy. The converted wholesale flower market is to house not only the library and the archives, but also provide space for education work.  

Financed by the German government

The extension is to be financed by private donations and the German government, which will provide some six million euros. As a federal foundation under public law, the Jewish Museum in Berlin receives more than twelve million euros every year from the budget of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.