The eternal Scripture – A Torah for Dresden

At a time when religious, cultural and social certainties were being shaken worldwide, the Jüdische Kultusgemeinde of Dresden set a remarkable example: on 21 August 2025, The Eternal Scripture – A Torah for Dresden launched a project that was spiritual, educational and social at the same time – and unprecedented in this form throughout Europe.

KI generiert: Das Bild zeigt einen Mann, der konzentriert mit einer Feder auf einer Schriftrolle schreibt. Er trägt eine Kippa und arbeitet unter einer Tischlampe.

Yhoshua Ze'ev beim Schreiben | Foto: © Heike Antoci

At the centre is a process that is extraordinary in every respect: the complete writing process of a Sefer Torah – the handwritten scroll of the five books of Moses – is being made visible to the public. In a specially designed glass writing pavilion on the forecourt of the Dresden City Museum, a work that is considered sacred in Jewish tradition will be created over a period of 18 months – and will now become an opportunity for exchange, learning and shared experience. Here, a Sofer Stam – a trained scribe of sacred texts – writes on kosher parchment according to the traditional rules of halacha, letter by letter, with the utmost precision and deep mental concentration. An act that otherwise takes place in secret thus becomes a cultural event that involves the urban community – as witnesses, questioners and participants.

Yehoshua Ze‘ev SAkiva Weingarten Foto Heike Antoci 200

Yehoshua Ze'ev und Akiva Weingarten | Foto: © Heike Antoci

Writing as a cultural technique – and as a bridge

This project is not a mere ritual ceremony, but a far-reaching cultural endeavour. »Eternal Writing« questions the meaning of writing itself – as the oldest cultural technique of mankind. Writing, it becomes clear here, is not just the production of text, but the ordering of the world, the attempt to capture the divine, the social, the knowable.

In Dresden, the city of books, archives and museum spaces, this practice becomes the occasion for a public educational space: accompanying exhibitions, school programmes, lectures, discussion series and interactive formats involve the public – from school classes and cultural workers to interested passers-by. At the same time, the Torah as an ethical and symbolic document takes centre stage: a text that has shaped European, Jewish and intercultural discourse for thousands of years – and can be re-read today as an impetus for tolerance, democracy and cultural memory.

»With The Eternal Scripture, we are bringing a central part of our faith into the public eye. This Torah is not written in secret, but in the centre of the city - for all to see. At a time of social tensions surrounding Jewish life worldwide, this is a sign that we are proud of our Judaism and will continue to live our traditions openly and without fear.«

— Akiva Weingarten, Rabbi of the Free State of Saxony, Rabbi of the Jüdische Kultusgemeinde Dresden

KI generiert: Das Bild zeigt einen Abschnitt einer hebräischen Schriftrolle, bei der ein silberner Zeiger auf die Schrift deutet. Im Hintergrund ist ein bunt verziertes Tuch sichtbar.

Thora und Thorazeiger | Foto: © Rotislav Komitov

A window into history – and into the present

The architecture of the pavilion itself symbolises the aim: a large display window allows an insight into the writing process at all times. What used to take place inside the synagogue is now visible in the centre of the city. The process is accompanied by live broadcasts, guided tours and talks.

The first letter was written on 21 August 2025 in Dresden City Hall – in an act that was both symbolic and real: the City Hall, a place of municipal self-government, became the threshold of a transcultural project. The writing pavilion was officially opened on the same evening.

Religion as part of urban society

For the Jewish Community of Dresden, the project is more than a symbolic act. It is a public commitment to the visibility of Jewish life in the city – not as folklore or a retrospective, but as a current, forward-looking practice.

»The Eternal Scripture« sees itself in three dimensions:

as a cultural project that places the Torah in the context of written culture and world cultural heritage, as a democracy project that provides education against anti-Semitism and creates spaces for encounters, as an expression of Jewish life that is open, plural and open to dialogue.

The project forms the conceptual framework for a large number of accompanying exhibitions, events and educational formats. It was developed in close cooperation with the Jewish Community of Dresden. Special thanks go to our co-operation partner, the Dresden City Museum. Its commitment makes visible what cultural responsibility can mean today: remembering together, shaping together.

The result is a project that builds bridges – between religion and the public, between past and present, between people.

The scribe requires peace and concentration while working on the Torah.
Please be considerate and allow him to work without disturbance.
We sincerely thank you for your understanding.

The curator offers talks and information on selected dates, which you can find in our events calendar.

The eternal scripture – A Torah for Dresden

Writing as a cultural technique – and as a bridge

A window into history – and into the present

Our partners & supporters

The eternal scripture – A Torah for Dresden

Location

Opening hours

Admission

Writing as a cultural technique – and as a bridge

A window into history – and into the present

Our partners & supporters