Centropa is proud to announce the launch of Remember. Empower. Act: Memory, Identity, and Education Against Antisemitism (REACT), a new 24-month European project bringing together intergenerational memory, Jewish youth activism, education, and artistic expression co-funded by the European Union.
At a time when antisemitism continues to threaten Jewish communities across Europe, and while fewer people have a direct connection to Holocaust survivors and lived memory, REACT asks an important question: How can we keep memory alive while empowering the next generation to shape the future?
The project brings together educational, cultural, and Jewish organisations from across Europe to explore how family memories of the Holocaust continue to shape Jewish identity, belonging, and resilience today. At its heart are the voices of descendants of Holocaust survivors, young Jewish activists, and educators.
One of REACT's central activities is an intergenerational interview project documenting the experiences of descendants of Holocaust survivors across Europe. Building on Centropa's long-standing experience of collecting and sharing Jewish life stories, the interviews will explore how memories and family narratives are passed between generations and how they influence contemporary Jewish identity. These stories will be transformed into educational, digital, and campaigning materials that connect historical memory with the realities of antisemitism today.
REACT also puts young Jewish people at the centre of the project. Through capacity-building, mentorship, and campaign incubators, Jewish youth leaders and activists will develop the skills to create campaigns addressing antisemitism, identity, belonging, and inclusion. By supporting young people to tell their own stories and use digital and social media creatively, REACT aims to amplify diverse Jewish voices and strengthen leadership within Jewish communities.
Education is another key pillar of REACT. Educators will collaborate to develop interactive learning materials for Kaleidoscope of Jewish Memories, Centropa's digital platform. The materials will connect Jewish history and personal stories with contemporary questions, helping students develop empathy, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of Jewish life. Rather than treating remembrance as something confined to the past, REACT seeks to make it a living and participatory process.
The project will also take Jewish memory and contemporary Jewish life beyond classrooms and digital spaces. Artistic performances and exhibitions presented during the European Days of Jewish Culture in Ljubljana will bring the project's themes into public and cultural spaces.
REACT is being implemented by a consortium of nine educational, cultural, and Jewish organisations, including Centropa Germany, Centropa Hungary, Haver Serbia, Haver Hungary, Jewish Community of Osijek, Jewish Community of Ljubljana/ Mini Teater, Organization of Jews in Bulgaria - Shalom, International Network Against Cyber Hate (INACH) and associated partner European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ).
The project consists of five interconnected work packages covering project coordination, intergenerational interviews, youth empowerment, education, and artistic engagement. Partner meetings will take place in Belgrade, Budapest, and Ljubljana over the course of the project.
By connecting memory with action, education with creativity, and generations with one another, REACT aims to strengthen Jewish life, challenge antisemitism, and contribute to a more inclusive and resilient Europe.
For Centropa, REACT is a natural continuation of our work using personal stories and Jewish life histories to create meaningful connections between the past and the present. We look forward to sharing the stories, ideas, and creative work that emerge from the project over the next two years.
The project is co-funded by the European Union.
