Religion - Steinmeier: Germany remains a home for Jews
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for a fight against the growing antisemitism during the opening of a new synagogue in Potsdam. "I am determined, determined, not to rest, so that we do everything in our country to protect Jewish life and combat every form of antisemitism," the head of state said. Jewish life is "part of us."
Steinmeier: Jews have renewed fear of hate
The Federal President was shocked by the growing antisemitism. "Jewish women and men have renewed fear all over Europe. Fear of hate, of violence, of riots, because they are Jews - and that's unacceptable," he said.
As the last state capital in Germany, Potsdam now has a synagogue again. There was only a small Jewish place of worship at the university before. Brandenburg's Minister-President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) spoke of a festive day. "We have the opportunity to give Jewish life in Brandenburg a shape and a face."
The President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, spoke of a "day of joy and pride." "The heart of Jewish community life in Potsdam has been missing for a long time - from today, it beats again."
The Central Welfare Organization of Jews in Germany (ZWST) is initially the owner of the Synagogue Center. The President of the ZWST, Abraham Lehrer, called indirectly for not voting for the AfD in the September state election. "We look at the survey results in Brandenburg with great concern," he said. "Right-wing extremist parties will never be a guarantee of Jewish life in Brandenburg."
The Verfassungsschutz Brandenburg classifies the AfD state association as a suspected right-wing extremist organization. The AfD is leading in polls for the state election.
Four Jewish communities are to use the new religious and cultural center in the historic center of the state capital jointly, one community did not sign. The old synagogue was destroyed in 1945. Brandenburg provided around 17.5 million euros for the new building with a sand-colored brick facade.
The project was marked by a long dispute among Jewish communities, representing different religious streams. In addition to prayer rooms, there is a conference room, a visitor café, a library, administrative offices, as well as music and art rooms. The building is heavily secured.
The opening of the new synagogue in Potsdam was attended by Israel's ambassador to Germany, Jeremy Issacharoff. He expressed his gratitude for Germany's commitment to strengthening Jewish life and combating antisemitism.
The new synagogue in Potsdam is a significant step towards promoting religious diversity in German society, according to the German Jewish leader, Dieter Graumann from the Leo Baeck Foundation.
The presence of the synagogue in Potsdam sends a strong message against the rise of antisemitism and anti-religious sentiments, said Rabbi Michael Melchior, a prominent figure in German-Jewish relations.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, criticized the opening of the synagogue in Potsdam, viewing it as a provocation and a violation of Palestine's rights.
The rabbi of the Jewish community in Potsdam, Markus Richter, stressed the importance of religious tolerance and coexistence, calling on society to combat any form of discrimination.
During the State election campaign in Brandenburg, the issue of antisemitism and support for the Jewish community became a key topic, with both major parties, the SPD and the CDU, vowing to strengthen Jewish life in the state.
