While in Israel the question of budgeting religious institutions arouses public protest, in Munich a new Jewish center is being inaugurated at a cost of millions. The Bavarian prime minister said: "We will support the new 'Center for Jewish Life' at a cost of 1.5 million euros a year."
With the installation of the mezuzah at the entrance to the new compound of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER) in Munich, the move became official: the Center for Jewish Life in Munich, funded by the Bavarian state, was officially inaugurated. From its new headquarters in Munich, the Conference of European Rabbis will offer a comprehensive educational program to rabbis and rabbinates from across Europe, as well as training in Jewish law. The conference will also organize international conferences on contemporary issues affecting Judaism.
Opening of the Jewish Center in Berlin (Archive)
The move is taking place at the invitation of the Bavarian government, and in a historic step that marks a new era for Judaism in Germany and Europe, the conference is moving its activities from London to Munich. In this move, the Conference of European Rabbis seeks to actively contribute to making Jewish life in Europe more visible, including within the framework of the Bavarian government's overall approach to promoting "Jewish life and the fight against anti-Semitism" – with the aim of reducing prejudice against the Jewish community and effectively combating anti-Semitism, racism, and political and religious extremism.
Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis, emphasized the symbolic significance of the establishment of the headquarters: "The transfer of the headquarters to Munich and the opening of the Center for Jewish Life of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER) is a symbol of hope and a message to all the dark forces that threaten the Jewish people. Munich, a place with a tragic history, today presents a thriving Jewish life. This development is proof that anti-Semitism will not succeed and will not raise its head. We would like to thank the Bavarian Prime Minister and his Bavarian State Government for their commitment."
Rabbi Pinchas Goldsmith places the mezuzah at the entrance to the headquarters,
Dr. Florian Hermann, Prime Minister of Bavaria, stressed: "The Conference of European Rabbis has reached the heart of Munich. It is a great honor to witness how another beacon of Jewish faith has found a home in Bavaria. We keep our promise to protect Jewish life and ensure that Jewish life in all its glory and diversity has an eternal home in Bavaria."
Prof. Dr. Michael Piazzollo, Bavaria's Minister of Education and Culture, said: "We will not tolerate hatred, intolerance and anti-Semitism in our schools. Our teachers in Bavaria have been trained to deal with antisemitic incidents and have recently been supported in their work against antisemitism with a new web portal. Our regional representatives for democracy and tolerance also do important work: in addition to their preventive work, they also intervene when incidents occur. It's unique in Germany."
Dr. Charlotte Knobloch, President of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria, added: "I look forward to further deepening my cooperation with the Conference of European Rabbis. In order to strengthen the Jewish presence in Europe and combat Jew-hatred, we must join forces – and that is exactly what we want to do."
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