00:05My religion gives me so many different things.
00:08I always feel supported, like I always have something to hold on to.
00:16What is it like to be Jewish in Berlin?
00:19And why does Yuval wear a baseball cap when he's out?
00:25Hi, my name is Yuval. I'm 18, from Berlin, and I'm Jewish.
00:29Today, I'll show you a day in my life.
00:33Yuval recently graduated from high school.
00:36He lives with his parents, the middle child, in a traditional conservative Jewish family.
00:40He's worn a kippah since childhood.
00:45This is a kippah, a Yemeni kippah, reflecting my heritage.
00:51My ancestors came from Yemen.
00:54Wearing a kippah means recognizing that I submit to God and acknowledge Him.
01:00That's why I wear it pretty much all the time, except for sports like soccer with friends.
01:06When I go out, I usually wear a cap over the top so it's not visible.
01:15We'll get to why later on. But first, it's off to the kosher supermarket.
01:21Yuval is getting ready for Shabbat, the Jewish weekly day of rest.
01:27Here on the door frame is a messuza.
01:30You usually find them at entrances to Jewish institutions, houses, or even private apartments.
01:36They're supposed to keep out evil or bad energies.
01:43The supermarket is Yuval's one-stop shop for kosher food.
01:47Kosher being Hebrew for proper.
01:50That means it's prepared in line with religious guidelines.
01:53Kosher guidelines are described in the Torah, the holy scriptures of Judaism.
01:58Pork, for example, is forbidden.
01:59Berlin is home to some 35,000 Jewish people. Many who wear kippah cover it in public.
02:05Since October 7th, 2023, anti-Semitism has risen worldwide, and also in Germany.
02:11But Yuval has always covered his kippah.
02:13In public, I wear a cap over my kippah. I don't want to be seen wearing it.
02:21There have been quite a few anti-Semitic incidents. It's a risk.
02:26I've had a few experiences myself, so it's for safety.
02:30I feel more comfortable knowing people can't openly see that I'm Jewish.
02:39Yuval makes traditional pita bread for Shabbat.
02:42But most Jews bake challah bread.
02:45Here, Yuval uses flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and water.
02:48And a few secret ingredients.
02:52It's a family recipe, so I can't share it.
02:57Not all Jewish people strictly observe kosher laws.
03:01But for Yuval, it's important to follow the guidelines.
03:04It's how he grew up.
03:05And it reminds him to live more mindfully.
03:10For me, being Jewish means following the core principles of Judaism.
03:16Treating everyone with respect, for example.
03:19But it also means being part of a community.
03:26It's safe to say Yuval is a bit of a pro when it comes to pita bread.
03:30Tossing the dough makes it even and fluffy.
03:32He's preparing a batch for the family ahead of Shabbat,
03:35as cooking on Shabbat is forbidden and the bread lasts for several days.
03:39Shabbat is Hebrew for rest.
03:41It starts at sunset on Friday and ends with sunset on Saturday.
03:45Before eating his hummus, Yuval blesses the bread, giving thanks to God.
03:57Delicious.
03:58Berlin has over 750 years of Jewish history, but was also a site of atrocities.
04:04Around 12,000 brass plaques called Stolpersteine, or tripping stones,
04:10mark victims' last known residences, honoring those persecuted and murdered by the Nazis.
04:15For Jewish people, Berlin is unique.
04:20For me, being Jewish in Berlin means living in one of Germany's largest Jewish communities,
04:26that offers us good options to practice our faith and way of life.
04:33Obviously, history is still visible on many corners, like what happened in the Holocaust.
04:39Not just to Jewish people, but all Holocaust victims.
04:46It does hurt to be constantly reminded of it.
04:49But still good to see that the victims aren't forgotten.
04:56Back home, Yuval meets his friend Noam to read the Torah, or rather, to chant it.
05:08How often does he pray?
05:11In Judaism, there are generally three prayers throughout the day.
05:15One in the morning, one at midday or afternoon, and one in the evening.
05:20For me, it's really important on Shabbat.
05:23Then we have an additional fourth prayer.
05:25I usually go to the synagogue.
05:28When possible, Yuval meets his friends in the evening to play soccer.
05:33He has friends of many faiths and beliefs.
05:37But when it comes to finding a partner, should they be Jewish?
05:44You could say it's preferred to have a Jewish partner.
05:48But for me personally, it is important, especially because Judaism has passed down via the mother.
05:55And it's important to me that my children have a Jewish upbringing and are raised with the traditions.
06:05Also something important for Yuval is living within the Jewish community.
06:11That was a day in my life.
06:14I had a great day and I hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse.
06:17Enjoy the rest of your day.
06:19Ciao!
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