
XJAZZ! 2025
We catch up with the festival team to discuss this year's community-driven format.
Loading
A pre-launch event for Udi Raz's new book.
By Staff
On 13th May, join us for an evening of conversation, reading, and music rooted in Jewish resistance and solidarity with Palestine.
JEW. DESPITE GERMANY. is an illustrated autobiography written by Udi Raz with artwork by Ariel Victor. Powerfully blending accounts of true events, political analysis, and narrative fiction, this book is a personal and political journey, exploring the struggle between Judaism and Zionism through Udi's path from Palestine to Berlin. Exposing Germany’s complicity in silencing dissent and selectively protecting Jews, it critiques what it means to exist as a Jew, against all odds, despite Germany.
"We speak from a place of privilege. We are not as directly affected by what Palestinians are going through. Not in Gaza, and not here in Germany. And yet, this is the first time since the Holocaust that the targeting of Jews is encouraged by German state institutions and mainstream society. This book brings Gaza to Berlin. Not to compare, but to connect. To reveal how systems of violence are linked. To trace how Zionism, racism, and nationalism work across borders. And how resistance does, too."
Rooted in transformative justice, JEW. DESPITE GERMANY. challenges mainstream narratives and calls for resistance, truth-telling, and solidarity across borders. Through the artistic and personal dialogue between Udi’s text and Ariel’s illustrations, this book offers more than historical documentation, it is an invitation to readers to connect and join an ever-growing community of Trusting Sisters in these alienating times.
The German state insists that the genocide in Palestine is carried out in the name of protecting Jewish life and silence anyone who dares to challenge this ingrained logic. What does this reveal about Germany today? This event brings together Jewish voices to reflect on that question. We're excited to share a glimpse of the book-in-progress with a live chapter reading and artwork to take home. Special offers will be available for new and existing supporters. Event Details
Tuesday, 13 May | 18:30–22:00
Refuge Worldwide, Niemetzstraße 1, 12055 Berlin
Entry: 10–15 EUR suggested donation. All proceeds go to the JEW. DESPITE GERMANY Kickstarter campaign
Panel: What Palestine Taught Us About Germany, From Jewish Perspectives with Udi Raz, HP Loveshaft and Adam Broomberg moderated by Nicky Böhm
Learn more and support the JEW. DESPITE GERMANY project here.