Student association as a contact point for young Jews
The student association Hinenu is to be founded as a network for young Jews in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. "We don't just want to be a point of contact for students, but for all young Jews aged between 18 and 35," co-founder David Rosenberg told the German Press Agency at the founding meeting on Wednesday in the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament in Mainz. "The only requirement to join is to be Jewish."
The 27-year-old student reported that the association's aim is to promote Jewish identity and to communicate the culture and religion. "Our foundation is not a reaction to the Hamas attack from Israel," Rosenberg emphasized. The planning had already been going on for a year. There have already been meetings and the 15 participants so far are well connected via social media. However, he sees significantly more potential for interested parties.
The aim of the student association is also to contribute to understanding and education. Much still needs to be done to combat prejudice against Jews and anti-Semitism, said the son of an Israeli woman. He himself tries to contribute to this by giving talks in schools. He openly confronts the diverse opinions of children and young people in ethics lessons, for example. He has also been confronted with anti-Semitism. Educating the young population in particular is therefore extremely important.
Rosenberg strongly condemned the attack by the Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas. However, Israel is not at war with the Palestinian population, explained the member of the Jewish community in Speyer. A clear distinction must be made between the two.
With the founding event, the student association is aiming to establish a constitution and elect a board. Rosenberg, who is currently working as a student trainee in the Mainz state parliament and is also involved in the SPD, has said that he will chair the association in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. Similar student associations also exist in other federal states.
Universities in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland will likely become involved with Hinenu, the newly established student association for young Jews, as it aims to promote Jewish identity and culture, and foster understanding and education among students. This association, which is open to Jews aged between 18 and 35, draws inspiration from Judaism's rich religious and cultural heritage.
Source: www.dpa.com
