Reborn Berlin synagogue reaches out to Muslim refugees
The Jewish Independent — 23 August 2018
Last updated: 4 March 2024
By Unknown author - Wikipedia.
Mati Shemoelof visits the Fraenkelufer Synagogue in Berlin and explores its efforts to rebuild its community and reach out to refugees and Muslim residents in the city.
The article looks at how the synagogue responded to the arrival of refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and Africa by organising volunteer activities, collecting donations and working with refugee centres. It also explores the community’s cooperation with Muslim initiatives in Neukölln and Kreuzberg, including educational projects that bring Muslim schoolchildren into the synagogue to learn about Jewish life.
At the centre of the story are Dekel and Nina Peretz, who helped revitalise the synagogue community and develop its social and educational activities. The article also describes the planned reconstruction and expansion of the historic synagogue, with support from Berlin politician Raed Saleh.
The story reflects on Jewish-Muslim encounters in Berlin and on the possibility of building lasting relationships between communities through local cultural, educational and social work.
Published in: The Jewish Independent
Published: 23 August 2018
Last updated: 4 March 2024
Keywords:
Mati Shemoelof, Fraenkelufer Synagogue, Berlin, Muslim refugees, Jewish-Muslim dialogue, Neukölln, Jewish community, The Jewish Independent