Many Jewish families living in Germany today have roots in the former Soviet Union. In the 1990s thousands came to Germany to start fresh chapters. Their children and grandchildren now navigate a rich mix of cultures—combining their family heritage, German life, and connections to Israel.
The exhibition highlights moments how young Jews in Germany shape vibrant identities across borders and generations.
We also explore how history influences the present, and what we can learn to help shape meaningful jewish life today and resilient future.
„Starting Point - Shalom“ is a photographic exhibition about life shaped by movement, memory, and new beginnings.
Reuven Guberman began photographing as soon as phones got cameras.
It all started in the yeshiva Torat Chaim, but his journey took him forward and upward (and sometimes back and down…). These explorations led him to Moscow’s concert clubs and the poetic Tuesdays in Perm. Eventually, he ended up at the BIGsmall art theater, where he worked as an administrator and organized musicians for the play “Tricks of a Lonely Fairy.”
The war that began in 2022 forced him to leave Russia. Although his black-and-white series remains in the yeshiva, capturing a frozen time of introspective search.
In Israel, in the city of Kiryat Gat, and with the help of Rivka Rubin and her publishing house Rubin Art, Reuven presented the photo exhibition “Add Color”, which showed the diverse cultures and lifestyles that make up Israel.
After the war started, Reuven moved to Germany. In Nuremberg, at the Nordkurve showroom, thanks to the initiative of Inna Volovik (supported by the venue owner Jean-François Drozák), the exhibition Nonbinäre Blicke was organized. It focused on themes of radicalization and the search for a “golden mean” in our contradictory times.
And finally, our hero reached the center: Berlin—today the free capital of the free world. Reuven’s first exhibition in Berlin, “Starting Point: Shalom,” explores peace (shalom) as the foundation of identity. As his alter ego, Alexander Hanin highlights the consequences of war and destruction—motivating us to keep moving toward the light.
Alex Hanin is a photojournalist, a member of the GPO and the organization of journalists in Israel. His work is known for its sharp perspective and ability to capture significant and touching moments.
On Saturday, October 7, 2023, a tragic event occurred that changed the lives of many. The war with Hamas began. Alex did not hesitate and went south—into the area around Gaza, which had been invaded by terrorists. For three days during the most intense period of the “Black Saturday,” he worked in the most affected places: the site of the NOVA festival, Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Nahal Oz, Be'eri, and the military base “Shura,” where the identification of victims took place. Later, he visited evacuation centers for residents from the south and the north, including Kiryat Shmona, and documented the stories of displaced people, as well as rehabilitation efforts and civilian aid.
During this time, Alex Hanin created over 40 photographs that deeply document the scale of the tragedy, the heroism of soldiers, the pain of victims and families of hostages, and also the inspiring unity of civil society when each person tried to help the victims of the war.
This exhibition is a powerful and emotional visual testimony to the lives of people affected by these events. It includes selected works from 2023–2025, many of which are being shown for the first time.
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