For Further Information:              
FOR A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITES OF THE LEHRHAUS AND EXAMPLES OF GIVING OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

RABBI GESA EDERBERG:
gederberg@masorti.de

Eislebener Str. 4
10789 Berlin - Germany
Tel: 0049-(0) 30- 21 01 65 51

  

The Goals of the Lehrhaus are:

1. To enrich Jewish religious life in German-speaking Europe with meaningful, relevant, and exciting experiences of Judaism in an observant, yet non-coercive atmosphere

2. To introduce people to a pluralistic vision of Judaism, true to tradition and relevant for modern times

3. To immediately provide congregations with rabbinical services

4. To develop lay leadership for the congregations, especially young leadership

5. To encourage people to chose Jewish education or the rabbinate as a career and provide them with the necessary background prior to formal study

6. To provide learning opportunities in the areas of synagogue skills, Jewish texts and Hebrew language and to develop the necessary teaching material in German

7. To share experiences and strive for excellence in areas of communal services, such as Jewish social work, integration of immigrants, visiting the sick, etc.

The Situation of Jews in Germany Today


Lehrhaus in Berlin
“Bringing Masorti Judaism back to Germany”

The fastest growing Jewish community worldwide: Since the wall came down, the community has nearly tripled in size, due to immigration from the FSU. Today, the Jewish communities in Germany have about 100,000 members, mostly in small congregations of 100-300 members. Simultaneously, a new generation, born in post-war Germany, is assuming leadership roles within the German Jewish community.

Two groups merging: New immigrants and Jews born in post-war Germany.
Both groups identify strongly as Jewish on an historical or cultural basis, although most have little or no Jewish knowledge and are not leading a religious Jewish life. However, many are searching for a Judaism which answers their needs as modern Jews in a pluralistic society. Through its equal commitment to tradition and renewal, Masorti/Conservative Judaism is in a unique position to provide the answer for which many German speaking Jews living in Europe today are searching.

Impressive infrastructure, but lack of rabbis and educators.
Congregations, even in small places, show an impressive range of activities taking place including: Social welfare, German instruction for Russian speaking immigrants, social and cultural activities, as well as religious services.

But there is much more space and need for religious Jewish content. For the growing number of Jews, there are not enough rabbis or Jewish educators. The approximately 90 congregations are served by only 30 rabbis – and most of them live only temporarily in Germany. Many are not necessarily familiar with the language, culture and reality of life in Germany.

Most of the teachers, are secular Israelis, whose main qualification is Hebrew, but with no religious lifestyle. Therefore, they do not serve as the best role models for young people searching for a religious Jewish identity.


A Solution: The Lehrhaus

The solution needs to be two-fold: a) to change the current atmosphere by organizing relevant and exciting study opportunities and events for individuals and congregations and b) to interest and recruit suitable candidates for a career in Jewish education.

In order to break the vicious circle and to provide a meaningful, modern and relevant option of Jewish life, the Conservative/Masorti Movement has established a "Masorti Lehrhaus" in Berlin. The Lehrhaus will serve as a resource center for the small congregations. It will be a center of Jewish learning and living, providing both informal learning as well as professional training in an open, pluralistic atmosphere. Lehrhaus activities already began in August 2002.