About

TaMaR Germany is a group which stands for a strong, open, warm, inspiring, modern Jewish community. 

We want to grow together, reinforce each other and thereby experience our deep connection with Progressive Judaism. We see ourselves as the Progressive young Jewish voice in Germany. 

We welcome everyone, from students, trainees to young parents. If you are between 18 and 35 years old, Jewish and are interested in a lively exchange and new experiences together, feel free to contact us. 

We offer you a wide program, lots of exciting activities and events, the opportunity for self-determined participation and above all a young, creative and motivated community in and with which you can live your Judaism. You are welcome to shape TaMaR with your individual interests, because diversity is our strength. Together we can make progressive Jewish life in Germany more visible and heard. We are open for debate and learning so we can grow together.

History of TaMaR Germany

In 1999, after a Kabbalat Shabbat, members of the Liberal Jewish Community in Hanover had the idea of ​​creating a program for young adults aged 18 to 35 years. As a result, Jung und Jüdisch Hanover eV was founded, which was the pioneer for Jung und Jüdisch Deutschland. Even though the group already had a clear liberal orientation at the time, it was always open to other perspectives. For this reason, in addition to the events on Judaism and the informal get-togethers that served as an exchange and support in everyday life, there were also discussions and controversial debates with Orthodox visitors.

The core initially consisted of 15 people from Berlin and Hanover. Seminars were held and the first mini-machane took place with 25 people. Another group was formed in Munich, more were added and the number of members grew steadily. As a consequence, Jung und Jüdisch Deutschland was founded in 2001; It should serve as an umbrella organization which finances the regional groups and simplifies coordination. Jung und Jüdisch was a pioneer in demonstrating an "alternative Jewry" for young people in Germany.

Over the years, JuJ became particularly known for the Jewish Journeys Seminar. It is a multi-day seminar with around 60 participants from Germany, Europe and Israel. Workshops are held on topics related to Judaism, politics and Israel. Joint Shabbat celebrations and exploring respective Jewish places are part of the seminar. In addition, networking with other progressive young adult groups in the Jewish world, such as Tamar Olami and the participation in the Tamar Veida are integral parts of the annual seminars.

At the 2019 general meeting, the name Jung und Jüdisch Deutschland was changed to TaMaR Germany to symbolize international unity with other progressive young adult programs of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, whereby JuJ served as a model for other organizations for young adults.

Self-conception and values

TaMaR Germany is a registered association in the tradition of Progressive Judaism. TaMaR is a platform for joint education, exchange and critical questioning of one's own and social norms. With this, the association wants to strengthen young people's personality and encourage them to work politically and personally from a Jewish perspective in everyday life in Germany.

The association warmly welcomes all young adults, regardless of their own Jewish denomination. TaMaR Germany's events are clearly progressively Jewish. For us, this means that we place particular value on gender equality. Patrilineal and matrilineal Jews are equally welcome. All participants, organizers and workshop leaders are treated equally. Our Judaism moves in time, adjusts traditions to the modern world and is open to change and changes.

TaMaR Germany is part of the worldwide TaMaR Olami community wich represents the young generation from 18 to 35 at WUPJ and at ARZENU. Many who grow up in the Netzer youth movement begin to volunteer as young adults. Following Netzer, TaMaR offers the opportunity to continue advocating for progressive Judaism and creating a strong community. This includes: organizing events for peers in regional structures, celebrating together, leading discussions, social engagement, inter-religious dialogue, international encounters etc. TaMaR is a network and a platform for engagement and exchange of progressive-Jewish young adults.

TaMaR Germany is open to Jewish people between the ages of 18 and 35 in Germany. The events are organized by young adults for young adults on a regional, nationwide and international level. The hierarchies are flat and the organization of seminars and programs are worked on together.

The members of TaMaR determine where the national and international seminars take place and which topics should be focused on. The seminars often take place in locations with a liberal community that we get to know and, if possible, participate in their Shabbat services or conduct workshops with the rabbis. 

Sometimes TaMaR members also lead the service or offer workshops on religious questions and socio-political issues. We particularly value the cooperation with other TaMaR groups, for example from Austria or Israel. It offers a great opportunity to get to know new perspectives and to make lifelong friendships with people from a wide variety of places, to be collectively aware of the responsibility towards our social and ecological environment, to acquire appropriate knowledge, and to recognize and exercise our effectiveness. In order to act more sustainably at our meetings, we only offer vegetarian meals.

Organizational structure

TaMaR Germany is vibrant because of the commitment of its volunteer members.

The board consists of 3 members. At the annual general meeting, either one or two people are alternately elected for two years. This ensures that there is continuity over the years. The board currently includes Yahel Viering, Anna Fuhrmann and Alexandra Bandl. The board’s tasks are diverse: seminar and event planning, bookkeeping, social media and public relations and much more.

The general meeting takes place once a year. Here, active members have a chance to learn about the board’s work and the past years activities. The meeting is also important to plan for the coming year. In addition, the board and a treasurer are elected here. Activities are planned for the following year.

For our national and international seminars, there are usually 4-5 active members who are in charge of the planning. The seminar goals, locations and potential periods are determined in a joint decision-making process at the general meeting. The team members then meet or catch up regularly in the months leading up to the seminar. Each one takes on tasks such as the logistical planning (accommodation, restaurants), as well as the content (speaker inquiries for workshops and planning of community activities).

Our seminars are volunteer led, instead of by professionals, and everyone that takes part is encouraged to volunteer in some way. This means the seminars have a community atmosphere rather than a formal one. It is important that the extensive voluntary work is valued when participating.

There are working groups at TaMaR Germany for certain long-term tasks. Those take care of the maintenance of social media channels or material and stands for TaMaR at events such as the youth congress or the campus weeks.

TaMaR members can get involved in regional groups for local events. They organize mostly daily events such as workshops, meetings around Jewish holidays, visits to exhibitions or small excursions and a common meal after those activities.