Tanya Raab calls for an honest culture of remembrance of Jewish history!

Tanya Raab calls for an honest culture of remembrance of Jewish history!

On May 8, 2025, Tanya Raab compiled her book “Shalom Together!” at the European University Viadrina. The event was organized by the Department for Equal Opportunities, the University Pastoral Care and the Ecumenical European Center Frankfurt (Oder) e. V. organized. In a varied reading, Raab entertained the audience with personal anecdotes about her life as a young, queer Jew and at the same time offered enlightening insights into the culture of remembrance of National Socialism.

The reading took place 80 years after the end of the Second World War, a historical context that Raab consciously addressed in her remarks. She criticized the widely used phrase “Liberation Day” and called for a more honest examination of history. Raab made it clear that many Germans fought against their liberators until the end of the war, with which she wanted to initiate a debate on remembrance that goes beyond mere holidays.

Personal perspectives and social challenges

Tanya Raab, born in Ukraine in 2000 and raised in Frankfurt (Oder), also discussed her own experiences with Judaism in her reading. Her family viewed Jewishness as a cultural matter and not primarily as a religious education. A formative turning point in Raab's life was a trip to Israel with her grandfather, which had a significant impact on her coming to terms with her Jewishness.

Active in the digital world, Raab lives visibly and openly as a Jew, which is also reflected in her presence on Instagram. She explains Shabbat to children and discusses everyday anti-Semitism. The author appealed to her audience to use the terms “Jew” and “Jewess” openly in order to reduce negative associations. This message received a positive response from the audience, who responded with applause and purchased copies of her book.

• Raabs Erzählungen beinhalteten auch persönliche Erlebnisse wie die Exotisierung und Fetischisierung von Jüdinnen und Juden in ihrem Dating-Leben.
• Sie äußerte Bedenken, ihre Tochter mit Kippah in die Kita zu schicken, aus Angst, sie sonst mit negativen Erfahrungen zu belasten.

Tanya Raab's reading was not only a literary event, but also an important contribution to the social discussion about identity, memory work and life in a plural society. It remains to be seen how their stirring impulses will be processed further by the public.

For more information about Tanya Raab and her reading, please visit the website European University.