The Preservation of Jewish Culture in East Berlin: An Interview with Hermann Simon

Publication Date: January 1986

Publisher: Conference of Jewish Communal Service (U.S.)

Author(s): Robin Ostow

Research Area: Culture and religion; Social conditions

Keywords: European Jews; Jewish Identification; Jewish Organizations

Type: Report

Coverage: Germany

Abstract:

Hermann Simon was born in Berlin in 1949. He studied in Prague and at Humboldt University in (East) Berlin where he received his Ph.D. in History and Oriental Studies in 1914. He is currently Curator for Oriental Medieval Coins at the Staatliche Museum zu Berlin. Dr. Simon is Vice-President of the (East) Berlin Jewish Community. He has written many articles in his field: his book, Das Berliner Jüdische Museum in der Oranienburger Strasse, was published by the (West) Berlin Museum in 1983. The interview, a transcript of which follows, was conducted by Dr. Ostow as part of a research project on Jewish identity and problems of Jewish communal organization in the German Democratic Republic.