Bridging Histories, Transforming Perspectives
A German-Israeli Seminar for Educators, Youth Workers, Therapists, and Cultural Practitioners from 23 to 27 November 2026
We Are Part of the Past – The Past Is Part of Us: Defining Our Present and Our Future
Following our impactful 2024 gathering (Documentation available online) in Berlin-Mitte, we again invite Israelis and Germans working in education, youth work, therapy, activism, and the arts to join us for an intensive week of dialogue, self-discovery, and creative expression. As two societies deeply bound by historical memory—the Shoah—and current conflicts (October 7, the war in Gaza, and threats to Democracy), our shared space offers tools of resilience, mutual reflection, and professional insight. The seminar takes place in the heart of Berlin-Mitte’s historic „Little Jerusalem“, drawing inspiration directly from the surrounding urban scars and stories.
Together, we explore how transgenerational heritage shapes our identity, our worldview, and our response to present-day injustice and violence. Through dialogue, guided creative writing, sharing circles, and artistic reflection, we create a safe space to break the silence, listen deeply to contrasting family narratives, and cultivate shared responsibility in a complex world.
Core Modules
Memory and Politics: Exploring how the Shoah shapes the Israeli and German collective psyche and political sphere. Engaging critical questions such as: Can we come to terms with our past to see a future? We unpack the framing of contemporary security concerns, historical ideologies on the use of force, and current challenges to Israeli and German democracy and society.
Creative Writing: Utilizing guided writing prompts (poetry and prose) to reconnect with our inner voices, explore layers of personal identity and family history, and build emotional connections across German and Israeli perspectives.
Art & Symbolic Expression: Hands-on art workshops offering a sanctuary to create actively, release emotional paralysis, and process complex or stressful experiences symbolically within an appreciative group environment.
Expert Inputs & Field Explorations: Featuring specialized lectures on contemporary topics, film screenings and guided walking tours through Berlin’s historical Jewish areas.
Organizers & Facilitators
Barbara Stellbrink-Kesy (Art Therapist, Author, and Cultural Practitioner)
Based in Berlin, Barbara operates Spielraum für Kunst in Berlin-Mitte. Her work focuses on art therapy, transgenerational trauma processing, and biographical research, with a strong emphasis on creative expression and memorial culture.
Patricia Paweletz (Author, Editor, and Cultural Organizer)
Based in Hamburg and Berlin, Patricia is an established writer and publisher specializing in biographical literature, historical narratives, and creative writing workshops. She has extensive experience facilitating intercultural exchanges and narrative reflection.
Hanoch Katsir (Educator, Activist, and Founder of Metukenet)
Based in Israel, Hanoch has a background in humanities education and non-governmental activism. Through Metukenet, he initiates and directs Israeli German educational exchanges, focus groups, and dialogue projects centered on shared memory, identity, and social responsibility.
Through dialogue, guided creative writing, sharing circles, and artistic reflection, we create a safe space to break the silence, listen deeply to contrasting family narratives, and cultivate shared responsibility in a complex world. We are looking forward to sharing this space with you!
Participation Fee
The program is free but requires commitment. Donations welcome.
If necessary: Accommodation in Berlin in a nearby hotel. Cost borne by participants.
Workhop Days
23rd to 27th November 2026
Further information
- Location: Private Art Space, Auguststraße 89, Berlin-Mitte – www.spielraum-fuer-kunst.de
- Language: English (translation will be provided if necessary)
- Number of group members: 12 to 20
Registration
Until 01 November 2026: Please send an email with your full name, details of contact and some sentences about your background and expectations to Patricia (ppaweletz@gmx.com)
We look forward to welcoming you to Berlin for a transformative journey!