Jewish Heritage Report
Vol. I, Nos. 3-4 / Winter 1997-98
People in the News
People in the News
Changes in Berlin
Andreas Nachama, director of Berlin's Topography of Terror Foundation
and organizer of the huge "Patterns of Jewish Life" exhibition
in Berlin in 1992, has been elected by the Berlin Jewish Community Parliament
as director of Berlin's Jewish Community. At the same time, Herman Simon,
director of the Centrum Judaicum, the research institute and museum established
in the restored remains of Berlin's former Oranianburgerstrasse Synagogue,.
has been elected Chairman of the Parliament. Nachama replaces Jerzy
Kanal, who retired. In addition to his credentials as a scholar and
promoter of Jewish culture, Nachama is the son of Estrongo Nachama,
the community's long-time cantor. Among the many issues Nachama must confront
is the future of Berlin's Jewish Museum, designed by Daniel Liebskind
as an addition to the Berlin City Museum, which is not yet open. Amnon
Barzel, the Israeli modern art curator first named as director of the
museum, was dismissed from his position by the city and is contesting the
dismissal. The episode has provoked a lively (and often acrimonious) public
debate on the role of the museum, and Jewish cultural institutions in General,
within Berlin. The situation took a new turn in November 1997, when German-born
American economist Michael Blumenthal was named as acting chairman
and chief executive of the museum. Mr. Blumenthal is former U.S. Treasury
Secretary and CEO of the Burroughs Corporation (now Unisys). His recent
ties to Germany include a seat on the Board of Daimler-Benz InterServices.
He also is writing a book on the history of German Jews.
Evelyn Friedlander Honored
Evelyn Friedlander, founder and president of the Hidden Legacy Foundation,
was honored by the German government at a ceremony held at the German Embassy
in London. Friedlander was awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz Erster Klasse
(Order of Merit) for her work towards bettering German-Jewish relations.
Friedlander has curated two recent traveling exhibitions: Genizah
and Mappot.
Clinton Appointees
U.S. President Bill Clinton has re-appointed Michael Lewan
to a third term as Chairman of the United States Commission for the Preservation
of America's Heritage Abroad. Mr. Lewan has served as Commission Chairman
since 1995, when he replaced Rabbi Arthur Schneier. President Clinton
also announced his intention to reappoint Rabbi Edgar Gluck of Brooklyn
to the Commission. Rabbi Gluck has served since 1987.
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Updated: 23-July-98