Israeli President Visits Berlin

By COLlive reporter

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin is visiting Berlin this week to participate in a series of events commemorating 50 years of political ties between Germany and Israel.

On Monday, Rivlin took part in the memorial ceremony at Platform 17, the infamous place from where 55,000 Jews were sent to Nazi death camps.

Prayers were recited by Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, rabbi of the Jewish community of Berlin and the chairman of the Jewish Educational Center Chabad, as well as by Yitzhak Ehrenberg.

At the event, President Rivlin spoke about the importance of fighting against all forms of intolerance and anti-Semitisim.

“Today we look around us and we are greatly worried by the resurgence of anti-Semitism, which is again raising its ugly head,” he said, condemning the many incidents of racism that are so prevalent throughout the world, according to the Jerusalem Post.

“It is our joint obligation as Israelis and Germans, as democracies and as significant factors in humanity, to stand fast against such crimes,” he said. “The fact that we stand here together proves that we can not only overcome a dark past, but also look toward a more promising future. This can be done for as long as we remain committed to the values of freedom and democracy.”

Later, President Rivlin spoke with the local Chabad Shluchim and expressed his great appreciation for the outreach initiatives and programs of Chabad around the world and especially recently in Nepal, citing the help and shelter they provided.

Today, May 12th, the Israeli President will be a guest of honor at the event with 2500 participants which will be held in the City Center to commemorate the 50 years of friendly relationships between Germany and Israel. The event will serve kosher food certified by Rabbi Teichtal.