• Germany edition
Photo: DPA

Jewish council lauds 'renaissance' in Germany

Published: 3 Feb 10 09:27 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20100203-25003.html

Germany is experiencing a “renaissance of Judaism” as the number of synagogues and community members continues to grow some 65 years after the end of the Nazi reign of terror, the German Jewish Council said on Wednesday.

“I am very happy that we can now experience the renaissance that we’ve been talking about for so many years,” council President Charlotte Knobloch told daily Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung.

Since the end of the Second World War 107 Jewish congregations have developed with a total of 106,000 members, the paper reported.

“Twenty years ago we referred to 30,000 as a lot,” the 77-year-old said ahead opening a new synagogue and community centre in Osnabrück on Wednesday.

Jews in Germany no longer sit on what Knobloch called “packed suitcases.” Instead they have become a part of German society and want to participate in its future, she said.

Knobloch also called for stronger action against racism and anti-Semitism in Germany, saying she was concerned by the high incidence of anti-Semitic attacks in parts of the country.

DDP/The Local (news@thelocal.de)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

11:52 February 3, 2010 by kimberlyfr
Will this make it easier to find bagels here?
12:25 February 3, 2010 by moreanon
Most of the births of this renaissance occurred in Russia and Israel: that's where the immigrants come from.
21:32 February 3, 2010 by wxman
Just in time for the second Holocaust when the Muslims are the majority.
00:32 February 4, 2010 by Logic Guy
Well, I want to first say, to be moral is to wish everyone well. And as someone who has the character to co-exsit with various types of people, I do however know that according to history, serious problems arise when several different groups desire a limited amout of land. And I'm sure that I'm not the only that knows this to be true.

I find it very interesting, that Jewish people would want to re-establish themselves in Germany. Most German people are non-violent and tolerant. But like other all other countries, some are not. There is no perfect nation. However, I honestly believe that anti-semitism in Europe altogether, is an existential problem.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Brutal cold triggers reserve power plants

After exporting power to France earlier this week, Germany has switched on reserve energy plants amid surging demand for electricity due to the ongoing deep freeze hitting Europe. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Artist compensated for two lost French fries

A Munich court on Thursday awarded an artist €2,000 in damages because a gallery lost two 22-year-old chips that were the basis of an artwork in which the fries lay across each other in a cross. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Star cyclist Ullrich found guilty of doping

Germany’s most famous cyclist Jan Ullrich was found guilty of doping and stripped of his third place in the 2005 Tour de France by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Germany expels four Syrian diplomats

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Thursday Germany was expelling four diplomats from the Syrian embassy in Berlin after the arrest of two men suspected of spying on regime opponents. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

Berlinale opens with revolutionary drama

Diane Kruger stars as Marie Antoinette in "Farewell My Queen," a lush costume drama set on the eve of the French Revolution that will open the 62nd Berlin film festival on Thursday. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

Rent-jumping family caught by police

An eight-person family that avoided paying rent for years by moving house every two to three weeks has finally been caught in the northern German town of Schneverdingen. READ (7 COMMENTS) »

Photo: The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain

What's on in Germany: February 9 - 15

This Week's Highlights: The star-studded Berlinale film festival kicks off in Berlin, Munch goes on view in Frankfurt, and a ukelele orchestra sets up in Munich. READ »

Photo: DPA

Sick pups found in van

German police this week rescued 92 puppies from a van, after the dogs had spent 13 hours being transported across Europe without food or water. READ (5 COMMENTS) »

More National
Highlights
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Sabine Devins tackles immunisations and baby pharmaceuticals in the latest instalment of Motherhood in the Fatherland.
Photo: Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain
SOCIETY »
What's on in Germany: February 9 - 15
Photo: Hugo, Jaap Buitendijk. (c) 2011 GK Films, LLC.
LIFESTYLE »
Find the latest movies in English playing in Germany with The Local's cinema guide.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Germany is battling the increasingly widespread phenomenon of "burnout" which is supposedly costing its economy billions of euros each year.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
The economy in shambles, angry street protests and the government on the brink after passing unpopular reforms. But this is not Greece in 2012 – it was Germany a decade ago. Marc Young looks back to see an agenda for the future.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
Germany’s public transportation largely operates on the honour system, which makes fare dodging easy. You can have your say on how Germany should deal with the problem.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Macho German football legend Rudi Assauer says he has Alzheimer’s Disease, an admission one expert told The Local could help stoke discussion of an illness often considered taboo.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
A 64-year-old tub of American lard has been deemed fit for human consumption by food safety authorities in the eastern German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
As Hamburg’s legendary Reeperbahn strip gentrifies, Stephen Lowman reports how the city’s “sinful mile” is changing.
Photo: Bavarian International School
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A global education - a Bavarian community
Photo ECLA
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A truly international education at the heart of Berlin



See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

1326 jobs available
721 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline

Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
English-speaking educators (native level)

Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!