The High Holidays in Berlin: Activities, Feasts and More!

For those of you who feel the need to get an apology for me (Yom Kippur and all), there is one about the lack of time in the bottom of the page. Not really an interesting piece, so in small print... 

However, most of you are here because you're interested in celebrating the High Holidays of 2014 in Berlin, so here's the information. 

* * * 

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah will begin this year on the evening of September 24th and will end on September 26th. All of the synagogues and temples in Berlin will offer Rosh Hashanah services. Usually one does not have to coordinate the visit or pay for a seat, but it is going to be pretty tight. 

Before the holiday, there will be several activities, mostly for children. On September 21st, Bambinim will offer the show  "Liat empfängt das neue Jahr" (in German 3 pm, Fürstenwalder Str, for a fee); the same show will be offered in Hebrew on the 22nd in Brandenburgische Str (5 pm). 

The beginning of the year also marks the beginning of the activities of two Israeli youth movements in Berlin. HaShomer HaTzair will offer activities in German (with a little Hebrew); will the Hebrew Scouts (text in Hebrew) will offer activities in Hebrew. Both will lounch this Sunday with a respective Rosh Hashanah party and will continue to be active on Sundays throughout the year. Activities are for second graders and older kids. 

Hashomer Hatzair (click to enlarge and get the details)

Holiday Meals 

 From the Feinberg Invitation

There will also be some communal Rosh Hashanah dinners on September 24th

• Chabad Alexanderplatz (Hebrew) , 6:45 pm, limited space; registration closes on September 17th (registration form)

• Feinberg's will offer a meal at 7 pm with a variety of salats and meats in a buffet (information and registration via Facebook)

• Also at 7 pm, a meal at Shiloh, Keren Shachar's wonderful vegetarian on Torstr. (Facebook info)

• Milo in the Western Chabad House will offer the meal at 8 pm, details on the poster (click to enlarge) 

How lucky are Todanke? Rosh Hashanah is this year during their regular day, Thursday! They will offer a party for the kids that will include storytime, activities and the big attraction - Shofar blowing. Further information 

Bambinim in West Berlin (Brandenburgische Str) will also hold a Rosh Hashanah party, starting at 4 pm, on September 26th

from Bambinim

Yom Kippur 

Yom Kippur will take place between October 3rd in the evening and will end by the evening of October 4th. You can find services for Yom Kippur in all synagogues and temples in Berlin , expect it to be pretty tight. 

A break fast meal will be offered at the Milo kosher restaurant at the West Berlin Chabad House, at 7:45 pm. Details in the image (click to enlarge):

Bambinim (in Brandenburgische Str) will offer a Yom Kippur even for children and families on October 5th. 

Picture by Bambinim

Sukkot

On October 6th, Bambinim will start (in Brandenburgische Str) to decorate the Sukkah. Bambinim will also offer a summer camp to children who have a Sukkot holiday from school/kita. 

Bambinim will celebrate Sukkot and Simchat Torah on October 17th in Friedrichshain 

Picture : Bambinim

Due apology: I started to update this blog and translate what I publish in the Hebrew blog. This, however, is a mammoth task that I unfortunately cannot find the time to do every week! I hope I will have more time soon, once the tourist season will calm down. However, having said that - there are so many nice activities for the High Holidays, I decided to translate my Hebrew article on the subject. I hope this also means I will re-start to publish here as well as the Hebrew blog.

Events in Berlin for this Weekend, 20 - 22 June

Friday

Today in the afternoon, you can join Hebrew/German afternoon activity at Bambinim West (Brandenburgische Str), with Inbar Yemini.

Also on this Friday, the "Kinderfest" at the Humboldt University. The event includes all kinds of "academic" activities for children, including a robot stand, a place where you can learn how animals talk and much more.
HU Children Fest, Friday from 3 pm. Main Building, Unter den Linden 6 (Bus 100/200: Staatsoper ; S/U/Tram to Friedrichstrasse)

Saturday: CSD Berlin

Christopher Street Day is the German name for the Pride Parade demonstration for LGTBI rights (after the name of the street where the Stonewall Riots started). The Parade in Berlin has never been blamed of being too prude or modest, so it is left for your consideration, whether or not to participate with your kids: it might has an education value.
CSD Parade, Saturday, from 12:30 from Olivaer Platz to the Victory Column.

Besides, have you seen the nice Google dedication to the day?

Saturday: Fete de la Musique

However, there is another huge event this Saturday! The Fete de la Musique is originally a French event, but Berlin also celebrates it in the past 20 years. Artists - some of them well known like the Element of Crime - perform for free from Saturday afternoon. There is also a specific programme for children, although kids can of course also come to all other gigs. The full programme can be searched by venue, Bezirk or type of event (e.g., for kids)

Also on Saturday

• A street fair on Eosanderstr. 13, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the local puppet theatre. 

• Summer fair also at the Archenhold Observatory, with children programme that includes rocket building and other cool activities. 

• The Victoria Football Club organises a tournament for children. Anyone can join, but has to register in advance (details) 

• The Open Day at the Tagesspiegel newspaper includes lots of children events, like a scavenger hunt, crafts, and more. 

Sunday

• Cooking  class for kids at Bambinim West 

• A swim of 750 m between Gatow and Schildhorn in Grunewald, based on a Medieval Legend. 
• Also on Saturday: crafts for the whole family and building puppets at the Figurentheater Grasshüpfer in Treptow. 

German French Fair 

The fairgrounds in Kurt Schumacher Damm host this funfair, which includes a Ferris Wheel, rides, stands and lots of crepes with Nutella. 

Fair: from June 20th till July 20th, every day. Wednesday is family day with reduction on the rides. 

Events for Families this Long-Weekend, June 6th - 9th

Is it only me, or are there more long weekends since I have started this blog?

Today - 20th Anniversary of the Children Adventure Playgrounds

There are several dozen specially supervised playgrounds in Berlin, called, Abenteuerspielplätze, where staff offers children activities, sometimes also operates a small children club or a kiddie farm. One of the associations of such places, AKIB, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in the Tempelhofer Feld with activities for kids.
Place: Temperlhofer Feld (U Platz der Luftbrücke, Paradenstr etc)
When : Friday, 3-6 pm
Further details: free, AKIB's website


Today/Tomorrow: Last Chance to See the Terracotta Army

Who knew? Few artefacts from the Terracotta Army were brought to the Gesundbrunnen Shopping Centre, and are on display there, for free, until Saturday.

Friday - Monday: Carnival of Cultures

The main events of the Carnival of Cultures (Karneval-der-Kulturen-der-Welt) are divided into three:

First, there is a big street party (Friday-Monday) on Blücherplatz in Kreuzberg, which includes lots of music and dance acts from different cultural heritages, food stands and even a few rides.

The second main event is a Children Procession (Saturday) from Mariannenplatz in Kreuzberg to Görlitzer Park, followed by a special children event in the park.

The third event is the largest, a huge carnival procession (Sunday), from Hermannplatz to Yorckstraße.

If you have never been to the carnival, I recommend. However, please note - this might be the most crowded event in Berlin. Lots of people come to see the procession, and seriously - mind your belongings (wallet, mobile phone etc) and your kids (not in that order), both will easily get lost or trumped by the crowds.

Friday-Monday: Street party in Blücherplatz in Kreuzberg  (U Mehringdamm or U Hallesches Tor), all day long, for free
Saturday: Children Procession, begins in Mariannenplatz at 1:30 pm (U Kotbusser Tor or S Ostbahnhof), continues to an event in Görlitzer Park from 3 till 6 pm.
Sunday : The Main Carnival Procession, a big parade from U Hermannplatz through to Yorckstrasse, including the whole street between. Parade begins at 12:30, but it is so huge, last trucks will probably arrive to the Yorckstrasse station by 6 or 7.

Further Fairs and Street Events

There are several other fairs and street events in Berlin this weekend.

Steglitzer Festwoche 

This fair will close on Monday, with fireworks on Saturday. Open every day, for free.

Where: Krahmerstraße 12207, Berlin (S Lichterfelde Ost or bus M85 to Krahmerstr./Stockweg )

Steglitzer Festwoche

The Happy Helle Mitte 

Open Fri - Mon, all day, for free.

Where: Alice-Solomon-Platz (near S/U Hellersdorf)

Hellersdorf Celebrates

German Russian Festival

This festival has all kinds of music and folklore acts, as well as food , On Fri-Sun, for free.

Where:: Pferdesportpark Karlshorst, Treskowallee 129 10318 Berlin (S Karlshorst)

Pankow Jazz Festival

Mostly Jazz acts, on Sat - Mon, admission fee  is EUR 5 for adults

Where: Bürgerpark Pankow  (M1 till Bürgerpark Pankow).


Malzwiese

Crafts activities, shows in an old malt factory, just behind Ikea Tempelhof, for free - on Saturday only

Where: Malzfabrik, Bessemerstr. 2-14 12103 Berlin (S Südkreuz)

Tinti Pool Party

A heat wave is expected and perhaps the pool is the best place to be on such a day. The Tinti bath products company will run its pool party for kids in the Humboldthain Summer Pool (admission fee: to the pool)

Where: Humboldthain Summer Pool (S Humboldthain)

Monday: Open Mill Day

Have you always been curious, to see how meal and other milled products are being made? The Open Mill Day enables you to visit the Marzahn Mill, the Britz Mill and other traditional mills, e.g. in the Technical Museum.


Further Activities and Events

In Oranienburg and in Potsdam, you will find two medieval fairs (both with admission fees).

You can also see the events suggested by the wonderful Berlin For All The Family Blog, which has a slightly different selection than mine. Next week, if I may already reveal, they are running a family picnic in Friedrichshain...

Activities for Families and Kids on the 24th - 25th of May

Saturday: The Long Night of the Families 

We haven't recovered from the "Long Night of the Museums", and there is yet another Long Night, this time with activities for children and their families. Many of the activities are either free of charge or very cheap, but there are way too many activities, for me to even recommend. Just browse their website: you can filter activities by age, categories and district (Bezirk). 

Another "Long Night" is the "Long Nights of the Books", in and around Oranienstrasse in Kreuzberg. This Long Night is mostly for adults and all about book readings, signing, etc. However, there are a couple of activities for kids as well. 

Street Fairs, Block Parties, Fairs - I think you get it: this weekend is full of them! 

The Britzer Mühle will open its doors to anyone interested to see how the mill works, see how the flour is being used etc. On both weekend days, for free. 
Where: Buckower Damm 130 12349 Berlin 

Österreichpark, a park located at the southern end of  Sömmeringstraße in Chatlottenburg is celebrating its first birthday with a picnic, animals, music and more. For free. 
Place: Sömmeringstraße 
Transit: Mierendorffplatz (U7)

In Schöneberg, the Primavera Fest will take place on Akazienstraße, with the regular mixture of food, music, bouncy castles and other activities to celebrate spring. 

On Saturday only, the district of Treptow will celebrate the "Fest für Demokratie und Toleranz mit 15 Bands" near Bahnhof Schöneweide. 

On Sunday, on the other hand, the Pfefferberg Biergarten will celebrate 170 years, from 12:00 
Place: Schönhauser Allee 176 
Transit: Senefelderplatz (U2) 

There is also a big fair starting this weekend: the Steglitzer Festwoche, There are rides, food, music and more. Entrance is free, rides cost money (50% off on Wednesdays). On Saturdays, there will be fireworks. 
Place: Bäkestraße 1, 12207 Berlin
Transit: ca. 10 minutes walk from Lichterfelde Ost (S25) 

Steglitzer Festwoche in the olden days 

Also on Sunday: Don't forget to vote! 

If you're EU citizens, you can vote in the EU elections this Sunday. In addition, German citizens can also vote on the future of the Tempelhofer Feld. It is not clear to me why only Germans and not all legal residents of Berlin, but if you have this right - use it! 

Not sure which party to vote for? Try the Wahl-o-Mat. 


And after you cast your vote

Go fight ---  I mean, water fight. On Sunday, in the Lustgarten, at 3 pm. Bring only environmentally friendly containers (bottles, buckets, water guns - no "water bombs" for example. 

Or meet fairies - The Britzer Gardens have a fairy event on Sunday, from 2 till , including many activities for fans of the winged creatures. 

And Just a Kind Reminder...

Next weekend is a four-day-weekend, again! Yippie (unless you work on Friday and have to find arrangement for the kids). 

And also Shavu'ot is in the next two weeks, I promise to write about events there


A Sad Farewell... 

Bambinim has been running their Kabalat Shabbath for a year now. Unfortunately, money has dried out - and unless they find new support, this Friday was the last event. Thank you Bambinim for the nice Friday!!! 

Here is the farewell note. 

Let's hope we'll see them again! 

Events for Families on May 17th-18th, including Lag BaOmer

Footy on Saturday

You might have noticed the yellow masses storming through Berlin. One example, here:

They came all the way from Dortmund, to cheer Borussia Dortmund on the German Cup Final against Bayern Munich. Football is all over the city, in beer gardens, restaurants and other public viewing places.

Long Night of the Museums

On the night between Saturday and Sunday (and in fact - from Saturday afternoon), museums all over the city will offer all kinds of interesting activities (and sometimes very special stuff, e.g. access to places that are usually closed to the public). There are also some children-oriented activities. You can find those by filtering the activities on the Long Night website by "Do something with children".

The Long Night

One of the places that will be open (all day) on Saturday will be the Classic/Antique Car Depot of the Technical Museum. 

Address: Monumentenstraße 15 10965 Berlin (U Yorckstr)

Free admission 

Also on Saturday : Mass Picnic in Wuhlheide

A mass picnic will take place in Wuhlheide, to celebrate 100 years of the Wasserwerk Wuhlheide (waterworks Wuhlheide). It will include lots of activities for kids, including games, music and more. Information on the website

Wuhlheide's Wet Party

The FEZ, meanwhile, will celebrate Berlin's Turkish party and also young-non-Turks are warmly invited. 

Water on Saturday? Fire on Sunday! 

Lag BaOmer is on Sunday, and it's a great opportunity to celebrate in all kind of events. The major event is organised by Chabad. Even people slightly reluctant do Chabad things participate on this one - it is just too awesome. 

The "Jewish Parade for Peace and Tolerance" will start on Sunday at 2 pm in Olivaer Platz, and will continue in Münstersche Str from 3 pm. Participation and admission free

But that's not all! The family events team at the Rykestrasse Synagogue organises a fun Lag BaOmer event, with bows, arrows and even a (small) bonfire. This event will take place between 11 and 2 pm, so theoretically, you can make it to both. 

Bambinim also organises an activity (in Hebrew and German) in their Fürstenwalder Str. branch, from 3 pm. And there will be quite a bonfire there as well. 

Also on Sunday 

To make the choice even more difficult, there are three children concerts on Sunday. One, in the Jagdschloss Grunewald (Hüttenweg 100 14193 Berlin); one at the Philharmonie and one at Radialsystem V. 

And in Brandenburg, both on Saturday and Sunday, you can visit the Drachen Magie Spektakel, in Gut Hobrechstfelde, not far from Buch in Northern Berlin.

And if all of this is not enough: Keren's Shiloh is offering a  Jachnun Sunday Brunch.

Events for Kids and Families in Berlin, May 9-11th 2014

This weekend is full of interesting events, so take a deep breath and...

Friday: Kabalat Shabbat for Families 

As usual, there are two Kabalot Shabbath - one in Bambinim (Fürstenwalder Str, at 4 pm) and one in Rykestr. (at 6 pm). 

Homemade Challah @ Bambinim 

Also on Friday, a street party in Treptower Park to commemorate the "Soviet" V-Europe Day, and "Israel Day" in Wittenbergplatz with some sort of an entertainment programme organised by the Deutsch-Israelische Gesellschaft. 

Saturday/Sunday 

Lots of street parties and fairs will take place at the weekend. In the "Fest der Nationen" in Prager Platz, you can enjoy some regional and ethnic specialities and also see the big firework show on Saturday at 10:30 PM (U9 Günzelstr., Fr. from 2 pm; Sat-Sun all day). 

Fest der Nationen (credit: Berliner Woche)

The spring fair in Hasenheide continues this week as well, with rides and food stands and other fair elements. Fireworks on Saturday at 10 pm (Neuköllner Maientagen, Hasenheide, U7 Südstern or U7/U8 Hermannplatz, admission free, rides for a fee). 

Neuköllner Maientagen

Another party is first and foremost for kids: In Washingtonplatz, organised by Radio Teddy, again both for Sunday and Saturday. The Hits4Kids party will include Maya the Bee and Vickie the Viking (Hauptbahnhof, admission free). 

 

Korea, Roma/Sinti and also the Fire Brigade on Saturday (and many other activities) 

There are also some recommended events on Saturday only. There are, apparently, two religious holidays in this multicultural city. The first one is the Korean Lotus Lantern Festival (연등회 연등축제 in Korean, Lotuslaternenfest in German). The Gardens of the World celebrate it with traditional music, shows and much more, on Saturday from 6pm. The actual parade will be at 9:30 pm. (Sa from 6 pm, Gärten der Welt , Eisenacher Straße 99, 12685 Berlin; Bus 195 from Bahnhof Marzahn or 194/195 from S Mahlsdorf; Admission fee: €6/2.5)

Lotuslaternenfest

Not only the Koreans celebrate this weekend. The Roma and Sinti of Berlin celebrate Herdelezi (St. George's Day). The street party will take place in Boddinstraße near Rathaus Neukölln on Saturday from 2 pm (free admission). 

But for some toddlers, real excitement is neither Korean culture nor Roma festivals - it is the fire brigade! The Berlin Fire Brigade will have its annual run up the stairs of the mighty Park Inn Hotel in Alexanderplatz, all 41 floors of it. The actual race starts at 11:00, but there will be engines and gear in the square long before that. 

The Fire Brigade Run (source: Morgenpost)

Comics fans can also rejoice on Saturday, the "Free Comics Day". Participant stores will give away copies of comics and some will also hold events. Further Details

The Spandau Citadel will hold its Children Museum Day: Free admission and all kinds of cool activities for kids aged 4 and up. Cool pictures from previous years

Further events on Saturday

Re-Opening party of the Prib Art School in Mitte (U Bernauer Str), including craft activities, etc. 

Plants, music and more in the Regenbogenfabrik on Saturday afternoon. 

The Kaffeeklatsch in Markthalle IX will dedicate itself to Mother's Day

Sunday: Mother's Day 

Mother's Day is a bit of an invented holiday, mostly for those who sell chocolate and flowers, but who cares. 

And the archetypical mom, so says Hollywood, is the Jewish Mother. The Jewish Museum has an especially nice offer for this Mother's Day : A family-oriented tour through the exhibition about the Creation of the World, followed by buffet breakfast and creative activity. Registeration: g.struve@jmberlin.de , Further Details, EUR 25 for adults, under 18 for free. 

If you (or your children) understand Hebrew, there is a Hebrew-language children theatre on Sunday, organised by Kumsitz. For children aged 2-9. Registration: yeladim.berlin@gmail.com , Child: EUR 10, Adults: EUR 4. 

On Sunday evening, you can also join a Yom Haatzmaút party on a boat on the Spree. Barak Balistic will provide beats and all seems quite awesome. 

But there are also other cool events on Sunday, for example the Spielfest in Mauerpark (in addition to the regular events that take place in Mauerpark on Sundays), or an open day at the Konzerthaus in Gendarmenmarkt. I think I have warned before: busy weekend ahead! 

Next Week: Lag BaOmer 

Next week will be Lag BaOmer. I know already of three events for kids (a parade by Chabad, an event at Rykestr and one in Bambinim), news will follow. In the meanwhile, enjoy your weekend! 

Events this Weekend for Families and Kids

Friday Night is Alright

I am posting late today, so the Friday night events at both Bambinim (Fürstenwalder Str) and the Rykestraße Synagogue have taken place. Still, just a reminder - perhaps for next Friday, of a nice place to meet other families with some Jewish cultural background. You don't have to be excessively religious (Bambinim is non-religious; Rykestr. is a liberal synagogue) or even have both Jewish parents.


Funfair Season Continues 

We have many street parties this weekend as well. The Easter Markets in Alexanderplatz and in Breitscheidplatz continue, with the regular combination of food stalls, stands selling all kinds of bric a brac and small rides. There is also a small street party in the old city (Altstadt) of Spandau on Saturday.

Easter Market in breitscheidplatz

Nature Activities 

Spring is out there and it's an ideal time to get to Berlin's forests and parks.

On Saturday, the Waldschule (nature education centre) in Zehlendorf organises a bird watching walk, combined with a picnic, from 10:30 to 2 pm. For families and kids older than 5.
Starting Point: Stahnsdorfer Damm 3, 14109 Berlin
Getting There: Not far from the Wannsee Train Station
Website: http://www.jibw.de/veranstaltungen/familien
Further in this area: Ferry service F10, which is part of the BVG public transportation, provides a "cruise" on the Havel for a BVG (AB) ticket fare. If it's warm enough, you can also visit the Wannsee Beach, or the Loretta am Wannsee Biergarten.

On Sunday, a similar event will take place, this time in the Plänterwald not discussing birds, but crawly animals.
Where: Dammweg 1b 12437 Berlin
Getting There: S Plänterwald
Website: http://www.inu-berlin.de/inuws/wspl/aktuell.php
Further in this area: There isn't any special event at the Insel in Treptow this weekend, but the place is always worth a visit. This is also the last weekned of the Spreepark ruins. This place is surprisingly very interesting for kids to visit, you can read some more about it here.

Plaenterwald

Also in Treptower Park 

The Archenhold Observatory will offer lego building activity on Saturday


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Yom Hashoah in Berlin

Monday is Yom Hashoah, and there will be a ceremony, between 9 am and 7 pm, at the Fasanenstrasse JCC. Names of Berlin Jews murdered in the Holocaust will be read.

Events for Families on the Very Long Easter Weekend

Friday: Kabbalat Shabbath

Like every week, there are family-oriented Saturday-Eve activities at the Rykestrasse Synagogue and in the Bambinim Centre on Fürstenwalder Straße.

International Children Day - 23 Nisan

The International Children Day is the 3-day party in Brandenburg Gate (on Saturday, Sunday and Monday), originating in Turkey (read more background, in German, here). It is a mega-event, with stands and stages from the Brandenburg Gate all the way to Yitzhak Rabin Str. Admission is free.

Easter in Berlin

There are many events especially for Easter in Berlin. Besides the really religious events, this long weekend has many Easter-Fires and events.

The largest Easter Fire in Brandenburg will take place in Basdorf near Wandlitz, on April 19th in the evening. The full event description can be found here, but one thing that might be overly exciting is the option to ride all the way there with an old tank engine. All in all this event end very late (at about midnight!), so despite the trains and fire, this is definitely not for your average 3-year-old Thomas fan.
Basdorf Easter Fire - Saturday, 19th, at 6 pm, in Basdorf bei Wandlitz; ride the train from Wilmhelmsruher Damm. Entrance and train ride for a fee.

EASTER FIRE

Spring Fairs

Three major fairs this week : the Zentraler Festplatz and in Britz have been mentioned last week; on Friday (11th) you can enjoy the fair in Alexanderplatz and in Breitscheidplatz (till the 27th)

Easter Fair in Alexanderplatz, till the 27th

The Spring Fair in the Zentraler Festplatz continues (until April 21st) and includes rides, food stalls, and general fair fares. Free entrance; Wednesday is family day (with half price on the rides). 

Where Kurt-Schumacher-Damm 207, 13405 Berlin
Getting There  U7 to Jakob-Kaiser-Platz and then X21, M21 or N21



Another spring fair will take place in Britz, not far from the beautiful Britzer Gardens. The fair is on the  Fulhamer Allee and Parchimer Allee and includes "non-stop entertainment", rides and more. Also, a 8.5m high Easter Bunny will be there. 

The mighty Easter Bunny in Britz

Britzer Baumblüte (until April 21st),, Fulhamer/Parchimer Allee (Getting there: U7 Parchimer Allee)