EDJC 2023 - Report

2023 European Days of Jewish Culture: Romania Report

Fundatia Tarbut Sighet Cultura si Educatie Iudaica (FTS) is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the 2023 European Days of Jewish Culture (EDJC) grant program. With the support of the AEPJ, FTS reached a diverse audience across Romania with high-quality programming, fostering engagement with Jewish heritage and memory.

Theme: Memory

Building upon the 2023 EDJC theme of "Memory," FTS curated programs that explored the rich history and diverse cultures of Jewish communities in Romania, both past and present. This theme resonated particularly well with the recent legislation mandating Holocaust and Jewish history education in Romanian schools (passed November 2021).

Program Highlights

Community Engagement: FTS partnered with various communities and organizations, reaching locations that had never previously hosted EDJC events. This included Holocaust remembrance programs in areas without present Jewish populations.

Educational Programs: Highlighted activities included presentations about local Jewish history, visits to Jewish cemeteries and synagogues, engagement with survivor testimonies, and book launches.

Broad Audience: Programs attracted participants of all ages, from students to senior citizens, fostering intergenerational dialogue and cultural exchange.

Diverse Offerings: Events included a range of activities, such as exhibits, concerts, film screenings, culinary experiences, and educational seminars, ensuring something for everyone.

Impact

27 Programs: FTS successfully organized 27 programs across Romania, reaching an estimated 2500-3000 attendees, including over 1500 high school students.

Media Coverage: The events garnered positive media coverage, both locally and nationally, raising public awareness of Jewish heritage in Romania.

Increased Enthusiasm: Participants expressed strong interest in future programs, highlighting a growing desire to learn about and celebrate Jewish history and culture.

Challenges

Security Concerns: The October 2023 conflict in Israel led to the temporary closure of Jewish community centers, affecting some planned events. However, FTS adapted and continued programming in other locations.

Conclusion

The 2023 EDJC program in Romania was a resounding success. FTS is proud to have contributed to a deeper understanding and appreciation of Jewish heritage, fostering dialogue and remembrance across diverse communities. We look forward to continuing these efforts in the years to come.

Respectfully submitted,

Peninah Zilberman
Founder & CEO
Fundatia Tarbut Sighet Cultura si Educatie Iudaica

Appendix: Dates, Programs & Locations

Promoting Jewish culture and heritage since 2004, the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ) serves as a platform to develop cultural initiatives and educational programs to European Jewish sites. With a heritage approach in line with the Council of Europe, AEPJ promotes fundamental European values ​​of human rights, cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue seeking to bring the Jewish heritage closer to all European citizens, involving them in the production, circulation and conservation of Jewish culture and heritage.

The 2023 European Days of Jewish Culture took place under the umbrella and with funding from the European Union through its Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV), enhancing and expanding the range and quality of activities organised across Europe.