GERMANY: German FM Frank-Walter Steinmeier among dignitaries opening a new Jewish cultural centre in Berlin

The Szloma Albam Jewish cultural centre was opened on Sunday (September 2) in southwest Berlin. The centre is "the first Jewish centre built after the war which was mainly financed by private donations," according to its director, rabbi Yehuda Teichtal of the Chabad Lubawitch community. "This is a sign that we believe we're approaching an era where Jewish life in Germany becomes open to everybody," Teichtal said during the ribbon cutting ceremony attended by dignitaries from the United States and several European countries. In a written statement, Chabad Lubawitch said that the 5 million euro (6.83 million U.S. dollars) project was "a sign for trust which people -- both Jewish and non-Jewish -- put in Germany." The country's foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, told reporters at the ceremony that "we know of and are still shocked about the atrocious way in which the Nazis erased every trace of Jewish life, not just in Berlin but all over Germany." "That's why I believe that today's inauguration of this centre for Jewish life here in Berlin marks a very special and important day," Foreing Minister Steinmeier said. The Szloma Albam centre houses a synagogue with 250 seats, a library, a multi-media centre, a lounge for youths, a kosher restaurant and several conference rooms. It is the community's goal "to strengthen awareness for Jewish life and to encourage the understanding between different cultures," according to a written statement.

ITN Source | September 3, 2007

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