Leaders of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement hosted a special reception honoring the president of the Berlin state parliament on Monday night at the Jewish Learning Institute headquarters in Brooklyn, N.Y.
About 50 guests gathered to honor Cornelia Seibeld, president of the Berlin State Assembly, and other German representatives to express gratitude for the government’s support of Israel and commitment to combating rising Jew-hatred throughout Europe.
Yehuda Teichtal, chief Chabad rabbi in Berlin, presented Seibeld with an award in recognition of her decision to raise an Israeli flag over the state Parliament building in Berlin last month in commemoration of one year since the Hamas terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7.
Teichtal told JNS that he organized the event to celebrate Germany’s efforts in helping foster a visible Jewish life in the Western European country. “The German government has made it a prime part of their policy to fight antisemitism and strengthen Jewish community across the world,” he said.
“We recognize their hard work, but we also recognize increasing rates of antisemitism,” he continued. “It is insufficient just to remember the past. We have to strengthen the Jewish future and promote Jewish continuity in a permanent manner.”
The American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League and the Syrian Jewish community helped organize the event, which featured speaker Nissen Mangel, a 91-year-old rabbi and a survivor of multiple concentration camps during the Holocaust. He was only 10 when he got off of a cattle car and into Auschwitz.
At the event, Seibeld said the ongoing political situation in the Middle East and rising antisemitism are of significant concern in Germany and around the world.
“A life of fear and worry is not at all appropriate for open, cosmopolitan cities known for their great diversity like New York or Berlin,” she said. “There is a deepening sense of insecurity among Jews but also among many citizens of our cities.”
“You are refusing to be intimidated, and are standing up for security and freedom,” she said.
Seibald told JNS that she hopes her decision to raise an Israeli flag over the state parliament building will serve as an enduring symbol of support: “It is a sign that Berlin is always going to be on the side of Jews in Germany and on the side of Israel all the time without doubt.”
‘Help Jewish people all over the world’
Alex Pustilnik, a board member of the American Jewish Committee, told JNS that Siebeld’s public support for Israel can help battle antisemitism.
“It is important for people who are in positions of power and influence to be outspoken against antisemitism and to show solidarity with Jews and Israel,” he told JNS. “In her public role, she’s done that. It serves as both an example to other politicians as well as sends a message to the Jewish community that they’re not alone.”
Harry Adjmi, president of the Syrian Jewish community, told JNS that he attended the event to express gratitude to the German government and to encourage its politicians and leaders to continue to support Israel.
“I want to help Jewish people all over the world, especially in Israel where they are struggling fighting for their lives,” he said.
“To see the president from the Berlin State Assembly come here and know that they know what happened 80 years ago and now to see her here, acknowledging us, respecting us and accepting our good wishes means the world to me,” he told JNS.
