Steinmeier and Scholz expected to attend synagogue inauguration

Religion - Steinmeier and Scholz expected to attend synagogue inauguration

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz are expected at the inauguration of the new synagogue in Potsdam on Thursday (11.00 am). Four Jewish communities will receive a new religious and cultural center after years of disputes. The old synagogue was destroyed in 1945. So far, Jewish communities have held services rather in provisional conditions.

The builder of the new synagogue center is the state of Brandenburg, which provides 17.5 million Euros for it. Brandenburg's Minister-President Dietmar Woidke (SPD), who will be present at the opening, said: "We have done this in recognition of our historical responsibility, which obliges us to contribute to the conditions for the revival and maintenance of a diverse Jewish life." It is also an important sign against the resurging hatred and hatred to which Jewish women and men are exposed.

Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) is also expected at the festive inauguration. She lives, like the Federal Chancellor, in the Brandenburg state capital Potsdam.

1. Olaf Scholz and Frank-Walter Steinmeier's attendance at the inauguration highlights Germany's commitment to respecting and promoting religious diversity within society, particularly for Jewish communities.
2. The inauguration of the new synagogue in Potsdam, a significant religious and cultural center for Judaism in Brandenburg, is a testament to the country's efforts to reconcile its past and foster a more inclusive society.
3. The presence of Olaf Scholz at the inauguration underscores his leadership in promoting religious tolerance and diversity, as he represents a modern Germany that acknowledges its history and invests in its future.
4. The construction of this new synagogue in Potsdam, rebuilt after the destruction in 1945, also serves as a symbol of reconciliation between Germany and Judaism, a crucial step in healing past wounds and reestablishing lost connections.
5. Integral to the revival and growth of Jewish life in Germany, the new synagogue in Potsdam provides a safe and welcoming space for Jewish women and men, helping to counteract rising antisemitism and promote mutual understanding among different religious and cultural groups.

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