Cornelia Seibeld, President of the Abgeordnetenhaus of Berlin, the state parliament of Berlin, Germany, paid a visit to Lubavitch World Headquarters in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York.
Accompanying Seibeld of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party were Vice President Dennis Buchner; Adrian Grasse of the CDU; Derya Caglar, member of the Abgeordnetenhaus from the SPD center-left party; Ario Mitzaie from the Green Party; and others.
Welcoming them at 770 Eastern Parkway were Berlin’s Chief Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal and Rabbi Ephraim Mintz, Director of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI). They toured the private study of the Rebbe, which is now used as a shul, where they had a chance to pause for a moment of prayer and reflection.
Before the tour, a special reception was held at the JLI headquarters on Eastern Parkway, attended by leaders from Jewish organizations across a wide spectrum.
Rabbi Nissan Mangel, the youngest survivor of Auschwitz and a respected scholar, author, speaker, was the guest of honor. He shared with President Seibeld his powerful story of survival, recounting how he was saved despite having endured four concentration camps and three encounters with Dr. Josef Mengele, the infamous “Angel of Death.”
Rabbi Teichtal addressed the crowd, emphasizing the German government’s steadfast support for the Jewish people and Israel during challenging times. He expressed gratitude for their solidarity while underscoring the urgent need for concrete measures to strengthen visible Jewish life now more than ever.
Rabbi Mintz, who hosted the reception, also shared greetings and highlighted the significance of education and awareness for all communities.
Seibeld, in her address, spoke of the meaningfulness and urgency of supporting Jewish life, especially in today’s climate. She expressed her gratitude to Rabbi Teichtal for his ongoing impact on Jewish life in Berlin. Rabbi Mangel spoke further of his past experiences and of the enduring resilience of the Jewish spirit.
Harry Adjmi, President of the Syrian Jewish Community, presented The Book of Jewish Knowledge along with words of greeting. Closing remarks were delivered by Yossi Popack.
Numerous Jewish organizations were represented at the event, including Alex Pustilnik of the American Jewish Committee, Debra Pflafker of the Anti-Defamation League, Pesach Osina of the Jewish Council of New York, Rabbi Shmaya Krinsky of Machane Yisroel, Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Director of Merkos 302, Yossi Friedman from Hatzolah, along with Shaya Gordon, Yossi Michalaschvilli, and Rabbi Moshe Pinson and other distinguished leaders.
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