The Charlotte Jewish News- September 2026- Page 10
Where to Next? Berlin: Discovering a Jewish Renaissance Beyond the Memorials
By Roni Fishkin For many Jewish travelers,
Berlin can be an emotionally complicated destination. The
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And I must admit, for years, I doubted I would ever want to visit. I had difficulty separating the city from its past. So if you are skeptical, I understand. But give Berlin a chance, and you will find a vibrant, young city turning the page on that history.
Of course, places like the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and the Jewish Museum Berlin are essential stops. They remind us why remembrance matters and any visit to the German capital should include them. But what surprised me most about Berlin wasn’ t its past. It was its present.
I was surprised to learn that Berlin is home to one of Europe’ s fastest-growing Jewish communities. Young Israelis have moved there to study, launch businesses, create art and open restaurants. Jewish festivals fill the calendar, new synagogues welcome worshippers and neighborhoods once marked by tragedy now buzz with creativity and conversation. This multicultural vibe isn’ t the Berlin I expected, and it is precisely what makes the city so fascinating.
The city doesn’ t ask visitors to choose between remembering the past and celebrating the present. It invites us to do both. Of course, there are remarkable historic sites to see but there are also unconventional ways to experience them. We chose a bike tour along the Berlin Wall, which offered a perspective we wouldn’ t have gained on a traditional walking tour. I would also encourage making time to visit the Boros Collection, a contemporary art collection housed in a former bunker that doesn’ t always appear in typical guidebooks. Tickets for the private tour must be purchased in advance, and the experience is well worth the effort.
Along with the history lessons, make time to experience the modern city. Visit neighborhood markets, have dinner at one of Berlin’ s contemporary Israeli or Middle Eastern restaurants and listen to the different languages being spoken on every corner. Strike up conversations. You may discover that today’ s Jewish Berlin is as much about innovation and culture as it is about remembrance. Berlin’ s outdoor spaces are also part of its charm. Known as one of Europe’ s greenest cities, Berlin boasts grand boulevards, beautiful parks and public squares. It truly rewards travelers who are willing to wander.
I am forever grateful that I stepped outside my comfort zone to visit Berlin. Perhaps the city’ s greatest lesson is that history must be examined, but resilience also deserves to be celebrated. As Jewish travelers, we can do both.