Café Julius im Schocken
Events
We offer a diverse program with regularly changing events.
Every Thursday | 6:15–7:00 PM
Reading: Bedouin Milk
Actress, musician, and Café Julius founder Nirit Sommerfeld reads (with occasional interruptions) from her debut novel BEDOUIN MILK, which will be published in July 2025 by ars vivendi. Every Thursday from 6:15 to 7:00 PM, she brings passages of the story to life. Over the course of the year, the cozy stage at Café Julius will also host a variety of other guests offering readings, talks, and live music.
2025 – Through the End of the Year
Permanent Installation: Shrine of Hope
In a square, golden shrine – surrounded by tall, dried seed heads of the plant Lapsana – lie 55 gold-colored leaves. Printed on them are texts written by young people aged 13 to 18, reflecting on the theme of dignity.
The Düsseldorf-based artist Katharina Gun Oehlert asked them three specific questions … On March 15, 2025 – the eve of Julius Sommerfeld’s 85th anniversary of death – the Shrine of Hope was unveiled during a special opening event. It will be on display at the café through the end of the year.
More information about the Shrine of Hope can be found in the flyer for the installation (German) and in the newspaper article “It’s All About Dignity.” (German).
Review
Past Events
May 8, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Panel Discussion on the Archaeology of the Nazi Era
Unearthing and Remembering
Eighty years after the end of World War II, traces of war and destruction can still be found in the ground today. During archaeological excavations, researchers encounter charred walls and wartime rubble. Volunteer metal detectorists discover coins and other metal objects from the past – including some dating back to the Nazi era.
On the occasion of the Day of Liberation and the closing event of the foyer exhibition From Rubble and Ashes, the panel of experts will discuss what these finds reveal about the past. How should we engage with this legacy today – and how can we preserve it for the future?
Panelists
- Josefine Falkenberg, Saxon State Office for Archaeology
- Ronald Hirte, Buchenwald Memorial
- Dr. Anne Klammt, Hannah Arendt Institute, Dresden
- Dr. Thomas Westphalen, Saxon Heritage Association
- Dr. Markus Pieper, Saxon Memorial Foundation
Admission: €3, tickets available at the museum front desk
May 1, 2025 | 6:15 PM
Concert: Lili Sommerfeld
Singer and choir director Lili Sommerfeld began composing and playing her own music on the piano at the age of four. She studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston on a scholarship before founding her pop choir Klangwerk 306 in Berlin, which she has successfully led for 16 years. Described by Süddeutsche Zeitung as “Germany’s answer to Adele”, she captivates audiences on both intimate and grand stages with her soulful, powerful voice and electrifying stage presence. With programs like “Diva’s Night”, “Divas at the Movies”, and “Pure Diva”, she performs as a guest artist around the world – on oceans far and wide. In Chemnitz, she last performed in 2023 with her mother Nirit and the program “Wir sind da”.
Free admission
April 24, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Show Talk: Boobs, Beliefs & Temperaments
Guest: Mining Engineer Esperança Bila
For a long time, mining was seen as strictly “men’s work.” But depictions dating back to 1490 prove that women have been active in the mining industry for centuries. Boobs, Beliefs & Temperaments is a one-hour show talk that dives straight into the lives of its guests – honest, bold, and full of personality. More about the show talk.
Hosted by: Gabi Reinhardt and René Szymanski / Kulturhaus Arthur
April 17, 2025 | 6:15–7:00 PM
Concert: Sara Alagha (vocals) and Maximilian Oehlschläger (piano)
Originally from Syria, Sara has been living in Germany since 2015. After completing her vocal studies at the Franz Liszt University of Music, she began working as a freelance singer and vocal coach. Maximilian, born in Chemnitz, has been playing piano as a passionate hobbyist for many years. Since 2016, the two have been performing together, blending a wide range of musical styles and genres – from Arabic and contemporary music to classical, soul, gospel, pop, and jazz. At Café Julius, they’ll treat us to a colorful mix from their diverse repertoire.
Free admission