Exhibition on Jewish entrepreneurs in Chemnitz
With the exhibition "Traces of success. Jewish Entrepreneurs in Chemnitz", the Industrial Museum is making a key contribution to the "Tacheles" theme year. In 2026, this year will focus on Jewish culture, Jewish-Saxon history and Jewish life in Saxony today. The exhibition opens on 5 June.
<p<p>Until 22 August 2027, the Museum of Industry is dedicated to the economic success story of Jewish entrepreneurs - particularly in the textile industry.
The exhibition shows how closely economic advancement, cultural commitment and urban development were intertwined and how strongly Jewish entrepreneurs shaped the city's heyday from the late 19th century to the 1930s.
<p<p>The exhibition is divided into four chapters: "Arrival", "Success", "Persecution" and "Traces", tracing a historical development that tells of new beginnings and innovation as well as disenfranchisement and loss.
New evidence can be seen in the industrial museum itself: in 2024, John Simons, descendant of an employee of the textile syndicate, handed over valuable documents and a photo album. Louis Goldschmidt, founder of the "Tesyra" brand, later continued his success in England with the hosiery brand "Pantherella".
<p<p>The exhibition is accompanied by several interactive stations for young visitors as well as themed walks, which alternate between Kaßberg and Kapellenberg and visualise real traces of Jewish entrepreneurs. The first walk will take place on 7 June from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.</p