After the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023 and in the context of the Israeli counter-reaction, anti-Semitic incidents and crimes are also increasing in Germany. The Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen ( THM ) and all universities of applied sciences in Hesse resolutely oppose anti-Semitism and discrimination in any form.
To express this, on July 19, 2024, the THM in cooperation with the university town Gießen im Town hall on the gallery in front of the city library the public traveling exhibition “You Jew! Everyday anti-Semitism in Germany” opened by the Cologne Society for Christian-Jewish Cooperation. It is free until July 25th Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m to visit.
Prof. Dr. Katja Specht, Vice President of the THM , explained: “With this exhibition we want to send a clear signal against the increasingly widespread anti-Semitism in Germany, which does not stop at universities. As a university of applied sciences, we are of course in favor of a substantive and scientifically reflected debate, but where Jewish colleagues and students encounter hostility because of their faith, we will take decisive action. This obviously applies to discrimination of any kind.”
The exhibition's cooperation partners were Harciye Agirman-Ortac and Dr. Stefanie Klos from the THM Anti-Discrimination Office at the opening on site.
Frank Tilo Becher, mayor of the university town of Gießen , and Birgit Schlathölter, DEXT specialist office for democracy promotion and cross-phenomenon extremism prevention of the university town of Gießen , also came to the opening.
“We are very happy to support this traveling exhibition and, together with the THM and the Society for Christian-Jewish Cooperation, are setting an example for more tolerance and democracy, because inhumane anti-Semitic activities are incompatible with our basic democratic order. I see it as particularly positive that many institutions in Gießen are working together on this issue, be it at our round table against anti-Semitism and to promote Jewish life or on concrete projects like this exhibition,” said the mayor.
The exhibition is shown in cooperation with the Society for Christian-Jewish Cooperation Gießen -Wetzlar eV. Gießen is the last stop of the traveling exhibition at all universities of applied sciences in Hesse. Those interested are warmly invited.
The exhibition shows the everyday reality of life for Jews
Anti-Semitism is still often viewed as a historical phenomenon that has little relevance and is primarily linked to National Socialism. However, empirical studies have shown for years that anti-Semitism is an everyday reality for Jews in Germany, that it takes on various forms, including new ones, and that it can be found in all social classes and milieus. Around 70 percent of the Jews living here avoid identifying as Jewish for reasons of self-protection. The rampant conspiracy theories since the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic, as well as the attack in Halle in 2019, have also proven the virulent threat.
Educational work critical of anti-Semitism
The exhibition, which not only provides basic information about anti-Semitism, but also provides an in-depth insight into its various facets, including anti-Judaism, modern anti-Semitism and Israel-related anti-Semitism, aims to make a contribution to educational work critical of anti-Semitism. Three Jewish protagonists lead through the exhibition. The aim is to make the perspectives and everyday experiences of Jews as well as the threats and diversity of Jewish life in Germany even more tangible.