GOLLWITZ MANOR HOUSE
HOW WE STARTED
Never before in the history of Germany have so many endeavours been made to counter anti-semitism and xenophobia. In public life we have commemorations such as 9th November which attempt to confront Germany's dreadful history. On the other hand, never since the end of World War II have we heard so many anti-semitic statements from within society and from members of political parties.
In many of the rural areas of Germany we are confronted with a variety of different problems such as unemployment and lack of career prospects - problems whose solution seems to be anti-semitism, xenophobia and racism. Young people are provoking society with the desecration of Jewish cemeteries, attacks on Jewish institutions and physical attacks against Jews. Parents, educationalists and teachers are at a loss as to what to do in this situation.
In addition, ordinary Jewish life is not visible in Germany as it is in the United States, France or other European countries. For most Germans, contact with Jewish life is only possible in a passive way: in a guarded synagogue, in abandoned cemeteries or at public memorials.
In contrast to this situation we can see a very positive development of Jewish life in Germany which has been brought about through Jewish immigration from the former Soviet Union. Since the end of the Cold War the Jewish community in Germany has almost doubled. Jewish people persecuted in the Soviet Union come to Europe and to Germany with a different identity from that of the Jews who have been in Germany since 1945. In some cases they have no Jewish identity at all. The Jewish community here is having to deal with changes in Jewish identity on all sides.
The realisation that anti-semitism is on the increase has inspired us to renovate one of the many empty manor houses in Brandenburg and to establish a meeting place there - by means of a trust and through the support of the German Foundation for the Preservation of Monuments. As the centre is intended to host functions and seminars for people from all over Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and Israel, it needs to be easily accessible - Brandenburg therefore seems ideal.
Our institution is not "Jewish" or "Gentile"; it is intended as a neutral place for young people. We wish to reinforce the idea of democracy; we intend to teach about Jewish life and Jewish identity and hold meetings for young people from all over the world.
To do this, we hold international youth encounters, seminars and workshops. Our courses address teachers and youth workers as well as young people and other interested parties. Our aim is to point out what young people have in common rather than what differentiates them.
