The Spanish poster for    the European Day of Jewish Culture    (1999)

The aim of the Day is to open the doors of European Jewish sites to the general public, in order to promote a better awareness, knowledge and preservation of this heritage that, still today, remains quite unknown. During one day, it will be possible to discover Jewish heritage (synagogues, cemeteries, ritual baths?) as well as Jewish traditions. In addition to guided tours proposed by volunteers and associations, several activities will be organised: concerts, conferences, exhibitions, hikes?

Background
The Agence de Developpement Touristique du Bas-Rhin (ADT), in partnership with the B'nai B'rith Hirschler in Strasbourg, has been leading this yearly operation under the name of Open Day since its beginning in 1996, with a number of participants doubling every year.

On August 29, 1999, new partners from France, Spain and Italy and the European Council of Jewish Communities enlarged the operation to 5 European countries (75 sites). It has then been decided to expand the event to all European countries, with the support of B'nai B'rith Europe and the European Council of Jewish Communities. The date of the next European Day of Jewish Culture has also been fixed to September 3, 2000.

Organisation
The ADT Bas-Rhin will coordinate the whole operation, in cooperation with B'nai B'rith Europe and the European Council of Jewish Communities. Each participating country will have to ensure its own coordination and communication: a technical dossier, explaining each step of the operation, will be distributed to all partners who signed the convention. A common bill is under creation.

The French National Committee has also selected the European Day of Jewish Culture, to be included on a campaign of the Council of Europe called "Europe, a common heritage".

Deadline for European Funding: April 15, 2000
This project will be submitted to the European Commission, for funding under the "Culture 2000" program. Your intention to participate would therefore be most appreciated by April 15 at the latest, in order to present a complete project on time.

Information
Agence de Developpement Touristique du Bas Rhin - Strasbourg
Tel + 33 3 88 15 45 92, fax + 33 3 88 75 67 64, e-mail adt-devloc@sdv.fr.
Contact: Catherine LEHMANN

B'nai B'rith Europe - Brussels Tel + 32 2 64 69 298, fax + 32 2 6468 949
Committee on Heritage: Mrs. Claude BLOCH. Contact: Francois MOYSE
fmbbeurope@compuserve.com

European Council of Jewish Communities - Paris, Tel + 33 1 43 15 85 00, fax + 33 1 43 15 85 05. Committee on Heritage: Ruth Zilkha. Contact: Karine SACHS karine@ecjc.org

Announced in the eLink 5, the online newsletter of the European Council of Jewish Communities (ECJC).