Judaism - Central Council: Foundation for Rabbinical School about to begin
The Central Council of Jews expects the new foundation to start as planned as the carrier of rabbinical training in Potsdam during the winter semester. The Brandenburg Finance Ministry has given the green light for the foundation, and now only formalities remain, according to a spokesperson for the Central Council of Jews, speaking to the German Press Agency.
Background goes back to approximately two years ago when allegations of misconduct against the leadership of the Abraham Geiger College, where liberal rabbis are trained, surfaced. In early 2023, the Jewish Community in Berlin took over the rabbinical school as the sponsor. The Central Council of Jews, one of the major donors of the College, was not in agreement and instead planned a new start under the roof of the Foundation. The Central Council gained the support of the other public donors - the Federal Interior Ministry, the Brandenburg State Government, and the Cultural Ministers' Conference.
However, the Jewish Community in Berlin intends to continue as the sponsor and demands talks with all parties involved. The leadership of the Abraham Geiger College has also sued the Federal Interior Ministry for the payment of funding that is currently not flowing.
Apart from the Geiger College for liberal rabbis, there is the Zacharias Frankel College for conservative rabbis and a cantorial training in Potsdam. The institutes are affiliated with the University of Potsdam. All three pillars are supposed to come under the roof of the Foundation. The Central Council speaks of already having talks with the university about a cooperation agreement. However, this is not yet ready for signature, according to University spokeswoman Silke Engel. For a transitional period, it is likely that there will be double structures.
- The new foundation, aimed at providing rabbinical training in Potsdam, has the backing of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, following approval from the Brandenburg Finance Ministry.
- Amidst controversies regarding misconduct in the Abraham Geiger College, the Central Council of Jews opted for a fresh start, collaborating with the Federal Interior Ministry, Brandenburg State Government, and the Cultural Ministers' Conference.
- While the Central Council of Jews expects the foundation to commence operations during the winter semester, the Jewish Community in Berlin continues to act as the sponsor and desires a dialogue with all parties involved.
- Abraham Geiger College's leadership has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Interior Ministry for withheld funding, which has haltered the normal flow of funds.
- The University of Potsdam has been engaged in dialogues with the Central Council regarding a cooperation agreement, but the agreement is yet to be finalized.
- Potsdam will continue to host three prominent institutions for rabbis and cantors - the Geiger College, Zacharias Frankel College, and the cantorial training - that will eventually come under the management of the newly formed foundation.
