MAZEWA - Jewish life and death in the Zittau region

Name: MAZEWA - Jewish life and death in the Zittau region
Start: 2021-08-15
End: 2021-08-28
Location: Zittau, Germany

Germany Study Culture Renovation Study Culture +1 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Hillersche Villa gGmbH www.hillerschevilla.de

💼 What the programme involves

In a two-week workcamp, teenagers and young adults from all over Europe will work with experts to turn the Jewish cemetery in Zittau into an inclusive place of learning and remembrance. Participants will receive an introduction to the history of the cemetery and the region and will learn about different burial customs. We will also visit other places of Jewish life in Görlitz (GER), Liberec (CZ) and Sieniawka (PL) and gain an insight into the cultural characteristics of the region. In the second week, we want to make the outlines of the funeral hall at the Jewish cemetery, which was demolished by the Nazis in November 1938, visible again. And last but not least, we will install a tactile model of the funeral hall and a fountain, which will enable visitors of the cemetery to perform the ritual washing of hands. If you want more information you can visit www.mazewa.eu.

🏠 Accommodation on site

Accomodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in the environmental education center at Zittau’s zoo, which is a 5-minutes’ walk from the cemetery. You will be sleeping in bunk beds. There are bathrooms with showers, a kitchen, a common room and a washing machine. From the porch, you have a great view of the Zoo’s llamas. There is no Wi-Fi on the premises, but a large recreational outdoor area where volunteers can build a campfire, play games etc. Internet will be provided in our main building, a mansion that used to be home to the Hiller family (hence its name “Hillersche Villa”). Food: At the accommodation, there is a big kitchen for the group. The kitchen team of your group will be responsible for cleaning the kitchen. Volunteers will cook the meals for themselves. Ideas for cooking are welcome. In case you need any special spices or ingredients for your recipes, please bring them with you, as you might not be able to buy them in Germany. On some days, lunch may be taken care of by local volunteers or our restaurant.

📍 About the location

Location: Zittau is a small town with a beautiful historic center, located in the easternmost part of Germany, on the German, Polish and Czech border. In the late 19th century, a small Jewish population settled here, founding a religious community and establishing a Jewish cemetery. After World War II and the Shoah, Zittau’s Jewish cemetery has almost been forgotten. Being located outside of town, it fell prey to natural and violent destruction. Until 2003, numerous cases of vandalism were recorded. Since then, Hillersche Villa, together with volunteers and the municipality, has been working on the restoration of the Jewish cemetery. Our aim is to enhance its visibility and building awareness of the Jewish history of Zittau through guided tours and educational programs like this international workcamp. Leisure: We will offer cultural and social activities on some evenings. Generally, you are free to spend your leisure time on the grounds of the accommodation, in the Park next to it or in the old town of Zittau (ca. 30 min. walking from accommodation). In case you want to share any games/songs/traditions from your home, please bring the necessary equipment/instruments. If it is warm enough, we can organize for you to go to the nearby lake (Olbersdorfer See) to go swimming.

⚠️ Requirements

Please bring a five-minute presentation on the topic of death and funeral traditions in your cultural environment.

ℹ️ Additional information

Please note that we will be working on a cemetery. Basic rules of respect and decency should be followed. Please bring: - Working clothes - Working or hiking boots - for male participants: a hat, cap or headscarf - water-resistant clothing - swimwear in case you want to go to the lake - insect repellent - sunscreen

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.