00:00This is a conference of rabbis from across Europe who've come here to Berlin to talk about the challenges they
00:06and their communities face.
00:08They want to show that Jewish life is strong and to underline a message of, in their words, togetherness, tolerance
00:16and positive cooperation.
00:19No question that's more difficult to do against the background of the war in Iran, which has stoked animosities across
00:27the region and around the world.
00:30Add to that rising anti-Semitism here in Europe, even before the war, and it's a bleak picture.
00:37I spoke to Rabbi Yehuda Teichdahl of Berlin's Chabad community and asked him about the challenges and the response to
00:47them.
00:48Rabbi Teichdahl, thanks for speaking to us.
00:50Let me ask you about security first.
00:52The war in Iran has raised concerns once again about the safety of Jews around the world.
01:00Some people would target Jews because of things that the Israeli government is doing.
01:07Do you feel especially under threat at this moment?
01:11It is no secret that the general security situation today is quite a challenge for Jewish communities across the world.
01:19At the same time, we are looking positive with gratitude and recognition for all the miracles.
01:27This is a regime that has threatened not only Israel, but Jews around the world, communities around the world.
01:34And we are hoping now, with the help of God, that things will become more stable and peaceful.
01:40Tell me about the special precautions that you're having to take in your community here in Berlin.
01:45So, obviously, there are quite a few precautions, which we cannot go into detail.
01:49But we have, thank God, a good, trustful cooperation with the police and security services.
01:56Of course, it requires everybody to be very observant of the situation, to look out what's happening, to be very
02:06careful.
02:06But at the same time, it's important for us to stress that Jewish life should not be dictated by a
02:13narrative of fear and trembling, rather positive going forward.
02:19I understand that positive approach.
02:22But nonetheless, an explosion at a synagogue in Belgium this week is being investigated as a possible terror attack.
02:30Is that the kind of thing that you are concerned about and your community?
02:34We're absolutely concerned about it.
02:36And we call upon all the governments around Europe and around the world to be very active, to not allow
02:43in any way or manner these matters to go over in the order of the day.
02:48At the same time, it's incumbent upon every single person in civil society to do all they can to make
02:55sure that we have a tolerant society.
02:57Let's be clear.
02:58Anti-Semitism is not only against Jews.
03:00Anti-Semitism is against all of us that respect democracy.
03:05Your Chabad movement, which is organizing this gathering here in Berlin, is one of the most visible groups of Hasidic
03:14Orthodox Jews.
03:16And it has a long tradition and institutions and active groups around the world.
03:24Does that openness, though, make you more vulnerable?
03:28The Jewish community, Chabad Berlin, is one of the fastest-growing Jewish communities in Germany.
03:3417,000 people have used our services in the past year.
03:37Ten synagogues in Berlin and across Germany in over 25 cities.
03:40It is not only for Orthodox Jews.
03:43It's for everybody.
03:44And, of course, we are concerned because we are very attractive.
03:47Many people come to us.
03:48People find us a positive force of Jewish life.
03:52So, of course, on one hand, we are quite concerned.
03:55We are quite worried about the situation.
03:57But we, at the same time, not only are diligent and looking at the situation in its security perspective,
04:05we want it to dictate.
04:07The narrative should not be dictated only by that fear, rather by that positive energy bringing young people into the
04:13fold.
04:13And that's really where we try to concentrate our efforts on.
04:17Israel's National Security Council says that because of the increased terror threat in the context of the war against Iran,
04:25Jews worldwide should be more cautious.
04:28And they specifically suggest that people avoid visiting sites identified as Jewish, such as Chabad houses and synagogues.
04:36What's your response to that?
04:37Well, have a look.
04:39Right here at the Parisa Platz, Brandenburg Gate, 180 rabbis representing the Judaism of Europe are here today,
04:45proud and happy.
04:47So, of course, we have to be careful.
04:49Of course, we have to take the necessary security precautions.
04:51But that will not define us.
04:53Let me be very loud and clear right here today.
04:56Judaism and Jewish life is here in Germany to stay with positivity, with identity and with security.
05:02At the same time, we have to take into account the situation that's going on today.
05:06Both things parallel at the same time with the help of God going forward.
05:10Rabbi, is your hope that Jews worldwide will be safer after this war is over?
05:16Absolutely.
05:17We are absolutely convinced this war, nobody likes war.
05:21War is never good.
05:22At the same time, this is an evil that for the past 47 years has been threatening millions of people
05:26across the world.
05:27Now we have to do all we can to make sure that after this war, there will be more peace
05:32and security for Jewish communities,
05:34for all people around society.
05:36If I may, you're originally from New York.
05:39Far-right podcaster Tucker Carlson was in the news this week claiming that the Chabad movement is somehow behind this
05:48war,
05:48in part wanting to foment a religious war.
05:52Now, is wild talk like that dangerous for you?
05:57Absolutely.
05:57Anti-Semitism is poison.
05:59It makes no difference if it comes from the extreme right, the extreme left, or the extreme Islam.
06:04And that has to be shut down, disregarding any source that comes from.
06:09Because anti-Semitism is not only against Jews, it's against all people that respect democracy and society.
06:15Anti-Semitism is a growing problem here in Germany as well.
06:19It has been for some years.
06:21There's more than 170 Jewish and Israeli buildings and sites in Berlin alone that are under police protection.
06:30Is that something that gives you a sense of security, or is it really just a sign of how bad
06:36the problem is?
06:37Well, it's both.
06:38We have a very positive cooperation, trustful cooperation with the security service and the police,
06:45and for that we are very thankful.
06:46At the same time, it is sad that it has to come to this.
06:49And we hope and dream for the day when it will not be necessary.
06:52But until then, we all have to be ourselves, lighthouses, looking around to trying to do all we can
06:58to make sure there's more tolerance and respect for all people in society.
07:02The rabbis are going afterwards to speak to people in the Bundestag.
07:07Now, there is one political party in Germany, the Alternative for Germany AFD,
07:12that's been identified by the Central Council of Jews here in Germany as racist and anti-Semitic.
07:19What is your feeling about the political landscape in Germany?
07:23It's extremely important that all parties that are for democracy, for respect for each other,
07:29stand strong today and that the people recognize the future is in our hands.
07:33And we have to do all we can to have a future of democracy, trust and cooperation for Jewish life
07:38if there is an active, positive, zicht body, Yudish is Lebanon, as they call it, visible Jewish life,
07:43then there is an active, positive future.
07:45And this is what today is all about, 180 rabbis from all across Europe.
07:49And that is hopefully a catalyst for more positive development of Jewish life and tolerance in Germany.
07:55Rabbi Teuchtel, thank you very much for speaking to Zorchel.
