Jewish Week Leipzig
„Schalom“ — 17th Jewish Week as part of the thematic year „TACHELES. Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony 2026“ from June 21 to 28
About Jewish Week Leipzig
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17th Jewish Week 2026 — „Schalom“
Since 1992, the city of Leipzig, in cooperation with the Israelite Religious Community, has regularly organized the Jewish Week — a series of events that focuses on Jewish religion, culture, and history. In 2026, the 17th edition is under the Hebrew greeting of peace „Schalom“ and is part of a very special year: Saxony is celebrating the statewide thematic year „TACHELES. Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony 2026“ in 2026 — a program with hundreds of events spread across the entire state.
From June 21 to 28, 2026 — Over 130 Events
Over eight days, more than 130 events will be spread across numerous venues in Leipzig's city center. Classical concerts (Klezmer, Jewish liturgy, Yiddish songs), readings by Jewish and non-Jewish authors, film series with Israeli and Eastern European productions, theater performances, discussion formats on antisemitism and contemporary Jewish life, eyewitness talks with survivors, exhibitions on the Jewish history of Leipzig and Saxony, religious services in the synagogue, culinary evenings with kosher cuisine, workshops for schools.
The Synagogue and Jewish Leipzig
Before 1933, Leipzig had one of the largest Jewish communities in Germany with over 18,000 members. The Brody Synagogue in Keilstraße, opened in 1855, was the central place of worship. It survived the Reichspogromnacht in 1938 as one of the few synagogues in Germany and is still active today. The Israelite Religious Community in Leipzig currently has around 1,200 members, many of whom are immigrants from the successor states of the Soviet Union. The Jewish Week is also a commitment of this community to the city and to openness towards the non-Jewish majority society.
Saxony, Leipzig, and the TACHELES Thematic Year
With „TACHELES“ (Yiddish: plain speaking, honest conversation), the Free State of Saxony has dedicated an entire year to Jewish culture for the first time in 2026. Hundreds of cultural institutions — from theaters to museums to church communities — are participating. The Jewish Week Leipzig is one of the largest events of this thematic year and concentrates the program in a city whose Jewish history is exemplary for many aspects of German-Jewish life: a flourishing pre-war community, the Shoah, a slow re-establishment after 1989, and contemporary diversity.
Jewish Week Leipzig — edition 2026
June 21 to 28, 2026 — „Schalom“
Eight days of Jewish culture in Leipzig — embedded in the Saxony-wide TACHELES thematic year. Over 130 events in concert halls, theaters, museums, bookstores, schools, and in the Synagoge Keilstraße. Klezmer and classical music, Yiddish and Hebrew songs, Israeli films, Jewish literature, theater productions, discussions on contemporary Jewish life and antisemitism, formats for encounters for schools and families.
Participating venues include the Leipzig Opera, Gewandhaus, Theater der Jungen Welt, GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts, Schaubühne Lindenfels, and the synagogue of the Israelite Religious Community.
Programme Jewish Week Leipzig 2026
Program Highlights June 21–28, 2026
- Opening June 21: Festive opening in the Synagoge Keilstraße with cantor and Klezmer ensemble
- Concerts: Klezmer and classical concerts at the Gewandhaus, Yiddish songs at Felsenkeller, Hebrew liturgy at the synagogue
- Theater: Performances at the Theater der Jungen Welt (for school classes), at the Leipzig Opera, and the Schaubühne Lindenfels
- Literature: Readings by Jewish authors in bookstores and the City Library
- Film: Film series with Israeli and Eastern European productions, film discussions
- Eyewitnesses: Talks with Shoah survivors and their descendants
- Exhibitions: Special exhibition at the GRASSI Museum, exhibitions on Leipzig's Jewish history
- Religion: Shabbat service on June 26/27 (limited number of guests, registration required)
- Culinary: Kosher evening, tasting of Israeli wines, Klezmer dinner
- Education: Workshops for schools, educational accompanying program
- Closing June 28: Concert on Augustusplatz
Full program with dates and venues available on leipzig.de/juedische-woche from April 2026.
Highlights Jewish Week Leipzig 2026
- 17th edition as part of the TACHELES 2026 thematic year
- Over 130 events in one week
- Opening in the historic Synagoge Keilstraße
- Concerts at Gewandhaus and Leipzig Opera
- Eyewitness talks with Shoah survivors
- Israeli films and Klezmer concerts
- Workshops for schools — educational outreach
- Many events are free
Prices Jewish Week Leipzig 2026
Readings, discussions, and exhibitions are mostly free. Concerts and theater performances cost €10–€35. Religious services and encounter formats are free, often requiring prior registration. School events are discounted or free.
Practical information — Jewish Week Leipzig
Date
Sunday, June 21, to Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Venues
Synagoge Keilstraße, Oper Leipzig, Gewandhaus, Theater der Jungen Welt, GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts, Kunstmuseum, Schaubühne Lindenfels, City Library, Felsenkeller, bookstores, and schools.
Admission
Many events are free (readings, discussions, exhibitions). Concerts and theater performances are ticketed (approx. €10–€35). Individual religious services are open to visitors.
Getting There
By train ICE/IC to Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, all venues within the city center ring are reachable on foot or by tram. By plane to Leipzig/Halle Airport, then take S-Bahn line S5 to the city center.
Organizer
City of Leipzig (Cultural Department) in cooperation with the Israelite Religious Community of Leipzig, as part of TACHELES 2026.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Jewish Week Leipzig
Verschiedene Spielstätten in Leipzig
Innenstadt Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig