Call for Participants “Kolenu” (EN)

Kolenu | קולנו – Our Voice

Organiser: Hashomer Hatzair Deutschland e.V.
Location: Educational and Cultural Centre, Berlin-Friedrichshain (exact location provided after registration)

Kolenu | קולנו – Our Voice is an educational and exchange project for adult members of the Israeli and Jewish community in Berlin.

The next term begins on Saturday 12 September 2026 with a Rosh Hashanah messiba. The first reading group of the term will take place on Tuesday 15 September 2026.

You can register using the form at the bottom of this page.

Kolenu is aimed at people who would like to deepen their German skills, discuss social and political topics, and exchange ideas within a Jewish framework.

Current Semester

Period: Mid-September 2026 to end of January 2027

• Every Tuesday: Reading circle / discussion group
• Occasionally on weekends: Workshops on language, daily life, and society

The exact dates, times, and locations will be sent to participants after successful registration.

The next semester will start in March 2027 (subject to the grant being approved).

Topics in the current Reading Circle

This semester we are focusing, among other things, on:

• Politics of remembrance, memory culture, and collective memory
• The role of stories and narratives in politics
• Fundamental questions of politics, democracy, and plurality
• History and its influence on contemporary political thinking
• Universalism, particularism, and social cohesion
• Who is meant by “we”? Language, belonging, and right-wing rhetoric
• National identity, visions of society, and political communication

What can you expect?

Reading Circle
Shared reading and discussion of social, political, and literary topics – with a focus on language practice and opinion-building.

Workshops
Practical formats on language, everyday life in Berlin, media, rhetoric, and civic participation.

Community
Exchange with other Jewish and Israeli people in Berlin in an open and respectful setting.

Who can participate?

Adult members of the Israeli and Jewish community in Berlin who:

• would like to improve their German skills (approx. B2 and above)
• are interested in social topics
• enjoy discussion and learning together
• would like to become part of an active group

Participation Fee

The regular participation fee is 100 EUR per semester.

A confidential discount in cases of financial difficulty is also possible after inquiry.

Interested?

After registration, we will contact you with all details regarding schedule, location, and joining options.

Registration and further information:
https://www.hashomer-hatzair.de/2026/kolenu/

Questions welcome at:

kolenu [at] hashomer-hatzair [.] de

Kolenu – our voice counts.

Funded by the Senate Department for Labour, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination as part of the Participation and Integration Programme.