jews and jewish education in germany today - The Westbury Group

keep the kindergarten afloat financially. I hope that in the future we will continue to be able to do so, but it’s
difficult because we don’t have a budget for the kindergarten, and also not for this social center.
● And the kindergarten is new?
Very. That’s why we need partners, partners who support us and our projects. We are looking for partners.
Fortunately the Rothschild Foundation supports our cultural projects this year, but next year, we don’t know.
● Rothschild Europe?
Yes.
● In large cities and Jewish Communities in Germany, what is missing in the chain of Jewish education?
Often there’s a kindergarten, or there’s an elementary school.
A Torah center as a Lehrhaus, a Beit Midrasch, as a learning center for children and teens and adults.
● There is no plan for a Jewish school in Leipzig?
For that, you need to have enough children. Also you’d need the accreditation from the government of
Saxony. We are not yet at that point.
● There are probably also plans for a youth center here and for the older people, they come anyway.
Not necessarily. But the Community itself does a lot.
● Where do you see the biggest gap in the educational programs? Where do you need the most support?
I think we need more support for projects that already exist or have been planned for Jewish culture and
tradition. Because these tracks or windows will allow us to reach those people more easily who are still
distant to religion and have unfounded fears of religion. People who think to themselves that they’re Jewish,
but don’t want to join because they don’t like the restrictions. We need to show people that Judaism has a
5,000 year old tradition and can adapt to modern life, and that it in no way would stand in the way of success.
With such programs, we could really reach these Jewish people. I think that it’s also important, through the
cultural events, lectures, podium discussions, seminars, to show ourselves open to non-Jews as well. We are
not a closed sect, nor have we ghettoized ourselves. We are open for everyone; we have the courage to debate
issues with people. We are able to hear different opinions. I’m talking about people with a positive approach,
not hostile. Such projects that are dealing with culture and tradition are also dealing with religion anyway.
They are important; this is a large gap that needs support.
● Do you combine your outreach efforts among the former immigrants with Russian components?
We combine that, yes. But what does it mean to combine this with Russian culture? That is not our primary
task. We are a part of Russian culture, our general education is based on our roots, and our roots are in
Russian culture. It’s not about opening a Russian club. That’s not our responsibility. We can’t just leave it,
though, because 90% of the Community is Russian-speaking. Sometimes you can only communicate in
Russian. That’s naturally a question of time; the next generation won’t need it any more. That’s also
interesting; we offer Russian lessons for children.
● Right now, here?
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