Judisher Kutlurbund, Berlin
Object numberM2012/047:001
TitleJudisher Kutlurbund, Berlin
DescriptionThis is a membership card for the Berlin arm of the Judischer Kulturbund in Germany. It belonged to Moritz Platus-Nachmann, an active member of the organisation from October 1937 to March 1938.
The Judischer Kulturbund was a Cultural Federation of German Jews established by Kurt Baumann and Kurt Singer in 1933. It provided Jewish artists with a means for artistic expression and spiritual support during their exclusion from the wider arts culture in Germany. These artists performed exclusively for Jewish patrons whilst operating under the strict regulations imposed by Nazi authorities, overseen directly by the head of the Prussian Theatre Commission, Hans Hinkel. The Kulturbund was completely self-funded, raising wages and other revenue from nominal member fees and the proceeds of their publication arm. From Hinkel’s perspective, their operation generated positive publicity about the Jewish situation in Germany and allowed for a greater segregation between German and Jewish culture.
Members could attend two events per month including lectures, plays and musical performances. By 1938 there were over 50, 000 members and 1700 artists involved across multiple arms of the Kulturbund.
In September 1941, the Judescher Kulturbund was disbanded by the Gestapo. Its existence was an untellable spiritual relief for thousands of German Jews and its presence continues to resonate in the memory of many who survived.
The Judischer Kulturbund was a Cultural Federation of German Jews established by Kurt Baumann and Kurt Singer in 1933. It provided Jewish artists with a means for artistic expression and spiritual support during their exclusion from the wider arts culture in Germany. These artists performed exclusively for Jewish patrons whilst operating under the strict regulations imposed by Nazi authorities, overseen directly by the head of the Prussian Theatre Commission, Hans Hinkel. The Kulturbund was completely self-funded, raising wages and other revenue from nominal member fees and the proceeds of their publication arm. From Hinkel’s perspective, their operation generated positive publicity about the Jewish situation in Germany and allowed for a greater segregation between German and Jewish culture.
Members could attend two events per month including lectures, plays and musical performances. By 1938 there were over 50, 000 members and 1700 artists involved across multiple arms of the Kulturbund.
In September 1941, the Judescher Kulturbund was disbanded by the Gestapo. Its existence was an untellable spiritual relief for thousands of German Jews and its presence continues to resonate in the memory of many who survived.
Production placeBerlin, Germany
Production date 1937 - 1938
Object namemembership documents
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- whole width: 1300.00 mm
whole width: 2600.00 mm
whole height: 1000.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr Jason Ayres