TWO PIANOS: Playing for Life
A Production of Papers Please Inc.
A narrated multimedia concert series about human perseverance under oppression,
with companion exhibit and print materials
EXHIBIT ITEMS - A Deeper Dive
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"I confirm... I am a Jew"
-Kulturbund National Membership Card
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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.
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[All translations by Barbara Ann Schmutzler]
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KULTURBUND National Membership Card (1935-36)
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Anna’s national card for the “Association of Jewish Culture Groups in Germany” (changed from its original 1933 name, “Association of German-Jewish Culture Groups” to indicate Jews no longer were considered Germans).
I confirm by means of my accompanying signature that I am a Jew, that I recognize the Association’s conditions for my membership, and that the latter can be rescinded for compelling reasons.
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Case 1
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"
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
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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.
Undated unattributed newspaper article (c. late 1935), from Juden in Leipzig: Eine Dokumentation (Hermann Duncker, Leipzig, 1989)
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."
​Case 1
National Membership ID#845
Dimensions (folded), L: 3 3/4 " x W: 2 3/8"; (open outside) L:3 3/4" x W: 4 3/4"
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Anna Bieler-Suwalski: 1936 Leipzig Kulturbund Paid Membership Event tri-Fold card
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.