Jewish Life and the Fight Against anti-Semitism

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IMAGO / Pacific Press Agency

Jewish Life and the Fight Against anti-Semitism

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We will fight all forms of anti-Semitism not only because it is undesirable for us in foreign and domestic policy, but also because we emphatically reject it on humanitarian grounds.

Konrad Adenauer, 1949

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At a glance

Anti-Semitism is not just a problem of the past. For years, there has been a tangible increase in attacks on Jews, as well as hate speech, abuse and threats on social media.
Anti-Semitism is not only deeply rooted in the DNA of the political right; while also finding more and more support among left-wing extremists, conspiracy thinkers, Islamists and even mainstream society.
As the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung we take a clear stance: We see it as a mission and incentive to continue the fight against Anti-Semitism and to advocate Jewish life in Germany.
We keep the memory of the Holocaust alive through various educational programmes. Our programmes aim to inform, raise awareness, educate, encourage reflection and show solidarity.

Content

1. Vilification, incitement and violence against Jews on the rise

2. News forms of anti-Semitism

3. Solidarity with Jews

4. Against hostility towards Jews and for Jewish life in Germany

5. Our offers and projects on the topic

6. Publications, events and media contributions on the topic

Vilification, incitement and violence against Jews on the rise

Anti-Semitism is not a ghost of the past. For some years now, attacks on Jews, assaults on synagogues and Jewish cemeteries, the burning of Israeli flags as well as anti-Semitic abuse, incitement and threats on social networks have been noticeably on the rise again. But it's not just the numbers that are rising. The attacks of Halle in 2019, the antisemitic incidents at demonstrations against Israel in 2021 and, above all, the shocking antisemitic reactions in Germany to the terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel on the 7th of October 2023 make it clear that the backgrounds and contexts of anti-Jewish attitudes and antisemitic violence are also increasing and becoming more complex.

News forms of anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism was never just a phenomenon of the radical right. The rejection of Jewishness is also finding increasing support among left-wing extremists, conspiracy thinkers, Islamists, parts of the migrant milieu and also sadly in the centre of society. This rejection manifests itself in hatred, agitation and violence. But it also manifests itself in subtle and indirect forms of rejection and hostility. And it manifests itself particularly in times of crisis, such as during pandemics or wars, as it did in previous centuries, in the search for a “scapegoat”.

Solidarity with Jews

Jewish life has existed on the territory of present-day Germany for more than 1700 years. Jewish life enriches German society beyond synagogues and Jewish institutions. It is a disgrace that Jews in Germany today, almost 80 years after the Holocaust, still cannot lead a safe and free life. The fight against anti-Semitism and clear solidarity with Jews is therefore a mission for society as a whole, and applies to each and everyone of us. Anti-Semitism is not an opinion, but – echoing the words of Konrad Adenauer – an attack on humanity.

Against hostility towards Jews and for Jewish life in Germany

For Konrad Adenauer, who already promoted Jewish life in his city as Lord Mayor of Cologne, reconciliation with Israel and solidarity with Jews was an affair of the heart. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung sees this as a reminder, a mission and an incentive to continue the fight against anti-Semitism and stand up for Jewish life in Germany. Through educational measures, background analyses, encounters and debates, we want to inform, raise awareness, enlighten, wake up, show solidarity and encourage reflection. This topic page will present you with a selection of current texts, reports and other media formats about our work on the theme of anti-Semitism and Jewish life in Germany.

Our offers and projects on the topic

Video series

As part of our political education work, we have produced two video series on Jewish life and everyday life in Germany.

Aftertaste – Jewish Everyday Life in Germany

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„Aftertaste – Jewish Everyday Life in Germany“, Trailer

(only in German)

YouTube, Onlinekas

What does everyday life for Jews in Germany really look like today? On the occasion of the anniversary “1700 years of Jewish life in Germany”, we have issued the video series “Aftertaste – Jewish everyday life in Germany”. Britta Herres, who is on her voluntary social year, embarks on a journey through the republic to talk to different people of Jewish origin.

See all episodes of our video series

Britta’s Hanukkah Week

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Britta’s Hanukkah Week

(only in German)

YouTube, Onlinekas

We sent Britta Herres, who is on a voluntary social year with us, on a little journey. Together with Leni, a young woman who has decided to become a rabbi, she explores Berlin. What motivated Leni to take up rabbinical studies? What is it like to celebrate holidays in Berlin? And where does the origin of the Hanukkah festival actually lie? More on this can be found in our video series “Britta’s Hanukkah Week”.

See all episodes of our video series on YouTube.

Event series

All about the official day of remembrance for victims of National Socialism, 27 January, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Political Education Forums offer a variety of different events on the topic within the framework of the DenkTag event series.

DenkTag and denkt@g Competition

For many years, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has used the official day of remembrance as an occasion for nationwide projects and events. As part of the DenkTag event series, talks with contemporary witnesses, lecture events, readings and exhibitions will be held on all matters relating to 27 January in numerous federal states.

Every two years, the nationwide internet youth competition “denkt@g” also takes place under the patronage of the former President of the Germany Bundestag Dr Norbert Lammert.

Find out more about the DenkTag

Discover more about the denkt@g competition

Selected projects

In the menu below we present you with selected projects that deal with the fight against anti-Semitism or Jewish life in Germany.

Virtual Walk to Places of Jewish Life in Berlin

Header virtueller Stadtrundgang Jüdisches Leben in Berlin

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V.

Today, Jewish life has once again become an integral part of Berlin. Experience the eventful history of Jewish life in Berlin on our virtual city tour. We take you on a journey that will show you impressive 360-degree images of important places, historic pictures and illustrations of Jewish places of activity in Berlin, as well as information on important personalities, such as Moses Mendelsohn. You can listen to audio explanations during the virtual city tour that put what you see into context.

Learn more about the virtual walk in Berlin

Campaign #StandUpToJewishHate

Antisemitism does not only exist on the fringes of society. Hatred of Jews is also expressed in many everyday contexts and modern movements - often unnoticed or unreflected upon. The fight against climate change, social injustice and discrimination, but also the commitment to freedom of belief and opinion are important political and social concerns. Hatred of Jews and antisemitism have no place here. With its #StandUpToJewishHate campaign, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation wants to make it clear that commitment and dedication to better politics and society always require commitment and dedication against anti-Semitism. What should be self-evident is more important than ever: Anyone who is in favour of sustainability, justice and democracy is also #StandUpToJewishHate .

I support equal rights. And I stand up to Jewish hate.

#StandUpToJewishHate

I support freedom of speech. And I stand up to Jewish hate.

#StandUpToJewishHate

I support climate protection. And I stand up to Jewish hate.

#StandUpToJewishHate

I support patriotism. And I stand up to Jewish hate.

#StandUpToJewishHate

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Contact

Dr. Melanie Piepenschneider

Department Head, Department Civic Education

melanie.piepenschneider@kas.de 030 26996 -3576 030 26996 -53576

Contact

Dr. Andreas Jacobs

Head of Department Social Cohesion

andreas.jacobs@kas.de +49 (0)30 26996 3744

Contact

Richard Ottinger

International Religious Dialogue

richard.ottinger@kas.de (0)30 26996 - 3446

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Statement of October 9, 2023

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Islamic organisations on the sidelines

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