Sign up for Weekday J and get the latest on what's happening in the Jewish Bay Area.

The magazine's first edition, which was published last month, contains poems, essays, prose and photographs. There are contributions from Hungarian and Polish Jewish magazines, as well as a reprint of an article from 1920 about the nature of Jewish art.

Most articles in the 1,000-circulation magazine are in French, German and English, but editors hope to have more languages in future editions.

Ronnie Golz, a Berlin artist who contributed to the first edition, said language differences are the biggest hurdle in creating a European magazine.

"It's the same problem we have throughout Europe — we don't have a common tongue. And I don't think the magazine should be in Hebrew or in Yiddish."

Golz's article deals with the Four Questions. But unlike those asked at the Passover seder, Golz has four queries of his own — about Jewish symbols, the nature of a European Jewish identity, who is Jewish and what is Jewish art.

"I am the vicious child" who asks and answers his own questions, Golz said.

"I am against the belief that Jews who create art have created Jewish art because they are Jewish. The only Jewish art I accept is art that has a Jewish context, which can be done by a non-Jewish person."

Juergs said many volunteers collaborated on the magazine.

"This is just the beginning," she said. "And what is also important is that the magazine brings Eastern and Western Europe together."

"Yes, there is a renewal of Jewish life in Berlin," she said. "That is important for us, but we don't want to be narrow. And we want to get away from the idea that secular and religious Jews are such enemies. You will find both voices there."

For information about the magazine, e-mail Juergs at [email protected]