Congregation Albert School of Jewish Studies

27/08/2025

In 1933, Miep Gies started working as Otto Frank’s secretary at Opekta, his trading company that specialised in producing gelling agents for making jam.

Before starting her office work, Otto insisted that Miep master jam-making. For a month, she worked in the office kitchen, experimenting and discovering every possible mistake that could be made, as well as how to fix them.

Once she had mastered the process, she swapped the kitchen for a desk and started answering customer phone calls.

In 1937, Miep starred in a demonstration film about using Opekta, which was filmed in the office kitchen. At Anne Frank's thirteenth birthday party, Otto showed the promotional film to all her guests, as well as a Rin Tin Tin film.

Years later, Miep was one of Opekta’s employees who played a crucial role in helping Otto Frank, his family and others hide in the Annex.

In 2003 Miep Gies was photographed in Opekta's kitchen.

23/11/2024

Join us on the 24th of November - Sharing Their Stories: Voices of Remembrance.
Founded in 2018, Erinnerungsort BADEHAUS, Teach the Shoah education partner and the 2022 Obermayer Award winner, is a living place of remembrance, encounter and learning where different generations, nations and religions come into conversation. Join Mrs. Stephanie Coenen for a guided story of this small place that has played a major role in history.
this program is free and on zoom - for registration please see the first comment.

20/03/2023

So proud of all the Israeli athletes!

20/03/2023

23/02/2022

The Jewish population in Ukraine that includes the current president, has dimished since the end of the 20th century. Check out the article below from today's The Forward, that includes the history of Jewish life and culture in Ukraine.

The Hasidic movement was founded in Ukraine and a number of Yiddish writers, most notably Sholem Aleichem, were Ukrainian Jews.

17/02/2022

Israel continues to be a leader in technology and renewable energy. Check out the news about Israeli innovation.

From generating, transmitting, distributing and storing energy to mitigating carbon and pioneering hydrogen power, Israeli startups are on the map.

26/01/2022

Meet the Israeli Olympians...this morning I'm sharing the back story of the Israeli figure skating pair who hope to earn recognition at the Beijing Olympics.

After training for only 3 months, Evgeni Krasnopolski and Hailey Kops won one of 19 slots allotted to figure-skating pairs at the Winter Olympics.

12/01/2022

Olympians come from all different backgrounds! Proud of this Camp Olin Sang Ruby alum.

Jason Brown is set to compete in his second Olympic Games in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, eight years after he made his debut in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. We're so excited to cheer on this Jewish figure…

29/12/2021

More reasons to appreciate the meaningful work of special libraries.

It has also offered itself as a home to documents and evidence from other genocides.

16/11/2021

Feel free to add your family's favorites here!

Just in time for the double holiday fun.

08/11/2021

Well deserved moment of rest and refueling, Congregation Albert is proud of your accomplishment and grateful for all you are doing to create community. Comment and share Rabbi Celia's posts!