Jewish themed escape room experience sets up shop in Dortmund-Dorstfeld station
The interactive escape room "Fixing the Boat – Finding Identity" is set to make its debut in Dortmund, Germany, from August 29 to September 17, 2025. This unique experience, hosted at Bürgerhaus Pulsschlag in Dortmund-Dorstfeld, invites participants to assume the role of a crew on a sinking boat, solving puzzles that delve into Jewish identity and culture[1][2].
Objectives:
- To foster a positive and nuanced understanding of Jewish identities
- To creatively address social issues such as antisemitism, prejudice, and questions of identity
- To encourage teamwork, cooperation, and communication through engaging, themed puzzles
- To confront and prevent stereotypes, resentments, and prejudices by providing cultural education in an immersive format[1][3]
Format and Details:
Suitable for beginners aged 16 and up, the escape room is played in small groups of 4 to 6 participants. Experiences last approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, including an introduction and reflection session. Set inside a detailed replica of a ship’s cabin (Kajüte), the immersive environment aims to heighten the experience[1][3].
Developed by SABRA, an affiliate of the Jewish Community of Düsseldorf specializing in anti-discrimination work[1][3], this event is poised to offer a fresh perspective on Jewish life and culture.
Registration:
Participation is free of charge, but requires prior registration to reserve a time slot. Interested individuals can register through the website quartiersdemokraten.de/escape-room[1].
This innovative escape room marks a significant milestone as the first escape room in Europe centered specifically on Jewish life and identity, combining cultural education with interactive gameplay to challenge participants' perspectives in a constructive environment[1][3]. The organizers, which include the ADIRA counseling center, the coordinating office for diversity, tolerance, and democracy of the city of Dortmund, and the Quartiersdemokraten project, look forward to welcoming many puzzle enthusiasts who want to discover new perspectives playfully. The escape room is designed to preventively address clichés, prejudices, and stereotypes.
After attending the innovative escape room "Fixing the Boat – Finding Identity" in Dortmund, Germany, participants can expect to gain a better appreciation for home-and-garden environments, as the immersive experience is set inside a detailed replica of a ship’s cabin. In addition, this entertainment event offers a unique opportunity to learn about the lifestyle, culture, and identity of the Jewish community, encouraging teamwork, cooperation, and communication.
