EXHIBIT ITEMS - A deeper dive
“I confirm . . . I am a Jew”
— Kulturbund National Membership Card
The Exhibit‘s lead case items are Anna’s Kulturbund photo-ID cards. The cards indicate further restrictions on Jews already barred from participating in “German culture.” Kulturbund members had to display them to be admitted to any “Kubu” program. Gestapo and local police patrolled to stop unauthorized entry and ensure “pure Germans” would not be contaminated. These police gauntlets also were meant to intimidate.
National Membership ID #845
Dimensions (folded), L: 3 3/4 " x W: 2 3/8"; (open inside) L: 3 3/4" x W: 4 3/4"
"Our Community"
[All translations by Barbara Ann Schmutzler]
The Association of German-Jewish Youth has changed its name to The Association of Jewish Youth.
Events of the Reich Association of Jewish Culture Leagues in Germany
The Leipzig branch requests: We once again call attention to the fact that association events can be attended only if either the Kulturbundkarte, which is valid only for the persons to whom it is issued, or the Reichsverbandkarte, is personally presented. By order of the Gestapo, cards are valid only when used in person. Violators are liable to prosecution and risk unpleasantness. We are obliged to see to the strictest adherence to the regulations. Without these personal identification cards which are not transferable, access will be denied, even if we know the respective patrons are in possession of a card but have forgotten to bring it.
KULTURBUND RULES — National Membership Card
This ID conveys the right to participate in Jewish events.
The holder is authorized to work, but the Association does not guarantee employment.
Kulturbund Membership Identification Cards and Rules
Two types of ID cards were issued to members: one for the National League and one with detachable subscription tickets for the local Leipzig branch.
In 1935/36 the national card was pink National Membership ID #845 (above) and the Leipzig
card was green (below).
The pink national card was titled “Cultural Association of German Jews,” the Kulturbund’s original name. Later in 1935 the Nazis instructed the Kulturbund to drop “German” from its title. The name was changed to “The Jewish Kulturbund” as shown on the green card.
These cards repeated the restrictive rules that Kulturbund founders had negotiated with Joseph Goebbels’ Ministry of Propaganda and Enlightenment in 1933.
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Jewish Cultural Association Leipzig
Paragraph 1: The Kulturbund’s goal is to foster the artistic and scientific interests of the Jewish population and make them utilizable for the benefit of Jewish artists and scientists. To this end, it will organize for its members theater performances and concerts, lectures and art exhibits, the artistic and scientific part of which will as a matter of principle be provided for by Jews. Any gainful purposes are precluded. Surplus income must be used for the Kulturbund’s purposes only.
Paragraph 4: Any Jew and any Jewess can become a member of the Kulturbund.
Paragraph 5: Membership is acquired by means of a written declaration to the board of the Kulturbund. Resignation . . . can be declared only by giving three months’ notice, which takes effect December 31 of any given year.
This ID is valid only for the
months for which a contribution stamp has been pasted in the adjoining section.
Without a contribution stamp access to events is blocked. The ID must be shown
to the controller unprompted.