Persecuted Jews and Their Helpers: Three Biographical Exhibitions at Hackescher Markt In Berlin-Mitte, near Hackescher Markt, there are three sites of remembrance showing exhibitions on the persecution of Jews during the Nazi period: the Silent Heroes Memorial Center, the Museum Otto Weidt’s Workshop for the Blind, and the Anne Frank Center. These three facilities offer a joint educational program for groups that includes visits to the three exhibitions. There is a short and a long version of the program. This is particularly suited for large groups and is designed for students ninth grade and up or adults. It is desirable that the young people have some prior knowledge of the Nazi period. Version 1: Three exhibitions in parallel small groups (particularly suited for large groups) Duration: 2 hours Number of Participants: min. 30, max. 80 Content: Parallel programs in all three facilities. Participants decide in advance which of the three exhibitions they would like to visit. The small groups should all be the same size. Cost: Entry and docent charge in the Anne Frank Center, upon request Version 2: All students visit all three exhibitions Duration: 5 hours Number of Participants: min. 15, max. 45 Content: Participants form small groups and visit each of the three exhibitions consecutively in approx. 1.5 hour tours Cost: Entry and docent charge in the Anne Frank Center, upon request The Exhibitions at a Glance Anne Frank Center: Anne Frank. Here and Now. The exhibition in the Anne Frank Center centers around the diary and life story of Anne Frank. At listening stations and in short video portraits, visitors can hear what young Berliners have to say. They deal with questions today that Anne Frank sought answers for in her life. These include very personal questions of identity, values, and the future, as well as more general questions about war, discrimination, and civil courage. The exhibition encourages visitors to consider these questions too. © Anne Frank Zentrum / Thomas Hebler In the guided tours of the exhibition, the Anne Frank Center focuses on the active participation of the young people, integrating their very varied perspectives. Groups are accompanied by adolescents and young adults based on the successful concept of “peer guides.” Silent Heroes Memorial Center: Resistance to the Persecution of the Jews The Silent Heroes Memorial Center commemorates those people who supported Jews during the Nazi dictatorship. The example set by the helpers often described as “silent heroes” shows that even in Nazi Germany there were ways to save people. In the German-occupied territories as well, despite the risk, individual Germans found the courage to exploit any leeway they had for maneuvering. © Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand / Thomas Bruns In the first part of the exhibition, a media table presents eighteen stories that can be accessed by touch screen. Since the same stories are available on every screen, this medium is well-suited for a group. In the second part, selected stories are depicted in nine showcases. Each showcase includes a short film as well as photographs, documents, and original objects. A separate room has computer workstations for students to work on their own, searching for names and places of individual people. Museum Otto Weidt’s Workshop for the Blind: Blind Trust The Museum Otto Weidt’s Workshop for the Blind tells the story of the workshop. During the Second World War, the brush manufacturer Otto Weidt employed mainly blind and deaf Jews who produced brooms and brushes here. Various life stories testify to Otto Weidt’s efforts to protect his Jewish employees from persecution and deportation. As the danger grew, he searched for hiding places for some of them. One of these hideouts was in the rooms that are now part of the museum. © Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand / Thomas Bruns Groups are led through the authentic rooms of the former brush workshop. More detailed information on individual exhibition themes is available at the computer workstations. The story of Otto Weidt and his helpers is thought-provoking, encouraging discussion on bravery, civil courage, and identifying room for maneuvering within a system of terror. For further information on the three exhibitions, go to: w w w . a n n e f r a n k . d e w w w . g e d e n ks t a e t t e -s ti ll e - h e l d e n . d e w w w .mu s e um - b l i n d e n w e r ks t a tt.de If interested, contact: Anne Frank Zentrum Anka Jahneke Rosenthaler Straße 39 10178 Berlin Tel: 030 288 86 56-16 Fax: 030 288 86 56-11 Email: [email protected].