Sabbath, Schnitzel, Shared Room: A Cultural History Exhibition in Riehen

This exhibition explores the history of La Charmille, a Jewish retirement home in Riehen that served as a refuge and a place of Jewish culture between 1947 and 2002. It documents the lives, personal stories, and resilience of its residents, many of whom were Holocaust survivors.

The exhibition delves into the unique history of La Charmille, a sanctuary that provided safety and continuity for Jewish individuals in the aftermath of World War II. Located near the Swiss-German border, the home was one of the few facilities of its kind in Europe, welcoming residents from various countries and social backgrounds who sought a new beginning. Through personal biographies, archival materials, and interviews with contemporary witnesses, the exhibition reconstructs the daily lives, traditions, and collective experiences of those who called La Charmille home. The project highlights how the institution served as more than just a care facility; it was a vibrant space for Jewish life and tradition, fostering a resilient community despite the traumas many residents carried. Notable personalities from art and science spent their later years at La Charmille, which maintained an international reputation. The exhibition, developed in collaboration with the University of Basel's Center for Jewish Studies, offers an intimate look at this microcosm of 20th-century history and commemorates the legacy of a vital institution that closed its doors in 2002.

Information regarding admission and ticketing is available on the museum's official website. A related publication is available for purchase in the museum shop or via the publisher, Friedrich Reinhardt Verlag, for CHF 29.80.