Report by J.P.Lambert (original text in French: see attached PDF file)

The European Day of Jewish Culture lies now behind us. The Day has passed well, with brilliant success in Thann or Schirrhoffen, for example, with moving instants, such as in Mackenheim, and a few disappointments: very few visitors in Ettendorf for example.
The goal of 5000 visitors will be reached, and possibly even amply surpassed, which is quite good, since this year we have not presented any exhibition stretching over several weeks.
A very positive point:
The very fine media coverage has enabled us to reach one of our goals, the first, which is to raise awareness among Alsatians about the problem of preserving their Jewish heritage.
A few observations:
Visitors are mainly local, and the local advertisements – in the local pages of newspapers, on local television- are crucial for the levels of attendance.
There have been appearing certain signs of saturation, such as in Villé.
The Open Doors on occasion of the National Heritage Day attract a huge number of interested visitors, more than on occasion of the EDJC, often in the form of quick, curious glimpses in case of the former, whereas the latter attracts visitors because of its activities.

A meeting is planned in order to prepare for the future
Preparing for the future by pooling our experiences: Patrick Blum in Ettendorf for example, has shown that a good implanting of tomb stones protects them.
Preparing for the future by thinking about the future route of Jewish heritage.
Preparing for the future by trying to come up with ideas to help our partners to enhance their restored but unused synagogues.
Preparing for the future by pondering on ways and means to save the books and objects we have left and have not yet been pilfered.
My greatest joy today is to see that rejuvenated teams are being set up -even if no one is a baby-, working together on this great route which is the defense of the Jewish heritage in Alsace, a heritage which has marked and is still marking our region. In spite of violently hostile periods between the human components of Alsace, co-existence has often been peaceful. May this example be followed here and else-where.
Let me mention a few teams:
The Society of the History of the Jews of Alsace, where a changeover from Freddy Raphaël to Jean-Camille Bloch has taken place. The construction of the genizah of the synagogue in Dambach is his work.
The Association of Friends of the Museum of Bouxwiller, well shouldered by Gilbert Weil.
The Friends of the Synagogue of Thann, very active with regards to the building work being carried out at the synagogue.
The Historic and Contemporary Jewish Art Fund of the Haut-Rhin, who will monitor the restructuring of the collections housed by the Bartholdi Museum and the sanctuary of Pfastatt.
The members of B’nai B’rith Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse are increasingly becoming involved with the “heritage” commissions.
The members of the Historical Society of Reichshoffen, who are very active searching for a use to give to the synagogue of Reichshoffen.
The Historical Society for the Transmission of the Memory of Durmenach, dedicated to the safeguarding of the memory, including the material, of what once had been a great and fine community.
The Friends of the Synagogue of Ingwiller, who has managed to present the magnificent newly restored stained-glass windows of the synagogue.
And of course the consistories of the Bas-Rhin and the Haut-Rhin, as well as all our communities, with special mention of the community of Belfort, the nearly (or truly?) Alsatian one.
Finally, in order to prepare well for 2014, I would like to remind you that the intended subject matter evolves around:
Women in Judaism
The date of the EDJC has not been fixed yet. The possibilities, to my way of thinking, are the following:
Return to the first Sunday of September
Fusion with the Heritage Days, with the risk of losing our media impact
Change to Spring, for example June 10th, after Shavuot (let’s avoid Omer…)
We will bring this issue to mind on November 17th (the decision by the AEPJ will be in December)

Very cordially,
Jean Pierre Lambert
October 14th 2013