In the final episode in the “Challenging Conversations video series marking the 25th anniversary of of the Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe, Dr. Brigitte Sion, curator of the Judaica Index and Museum Grants Manager at the Foundation, brings together two leading experts on Jewish Museums:
- Professor Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, Professor Emerita at New York University and Ronald S. Lauder Chief Curator of the Core Exhibition, POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jewsand
- Professor Mirjam Wenzel, Director of the Jewish Museum Frankfurt and Honorary Professor of Jewish Studies, Goethe University and Chair of the Association of European Jewish Museums
.They reflect on the future of Jewish museums and discuss the development of Jewish Museums over the past 25 years, the diversity of core exhibitions, and the incorporation of technology and contemporary art. They also address the issue of training for professionals working in Jewish museums and how to ensure they are ready for the next 25 years.
Twenty-five years ago, the Jewish museum landscape in Europe was quite different from today. There were fewer institutions, many museums were built around local Judaica collections and there was a lack of professionally trained staff to manage collections and curate exhibitions. Today, the landscape has evolved with major new museums in Berlin, Warsaw and new members joining the Association of European Jewish Museums each year.