Jewish Pride at Berlin Kosherfest

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Sunday, March 15th it was difficult to recognize the halls of InterContinental Hotel Berlin. Hundreds of women and children gathered for a tremendous event, taking place in Berlin for the first time – a Mega Challah Bake, followed by a Kosherfest event.

Aprons, recipe brochures, bowls, flour, sugar, eggs, oil, sesame seeds and everything else needed for baking was prepared for the ladies to conduct one of the three major commandments they are supposed to perform – the blessing for baking challah.

“Come on, ladies, the dough is like life, show it some power,” motivated Sheina Tiechtel, the Principal at Bais Rivkah school in Crown Heights and the moderator of the event, who came to Berlin from New York especially to participate.

Just as the numerous challahs were sent to the oven, the Kosher-Fest kicked off with words of greeting by Rabbi Teichtal – Rabbi of the Jewish community of Berlin.

“Especially now, when some Jewish people in Germany have concerns about being openly Jewish, it is extremely important that we are here today. It shows that we are here, we are proud and that we want to share our culture and traditions,” he said.

Kosher-Fest was a combination of a fair where the producers and sellers of Kosher products and services could present themselves and an opportunity to learn at the workshops and seminars, as well as a chance to taste fine kosher dishes made by the chef cook of InterConti Berlin in a live-cooking show and just to enjoy a great Sunday in a warm atmosphere with great Jewish music.

Among others, the event was visited by vice president of German Bundestag Ms. Petra Pau, members of the parliament among them Mr. Klaus-Dieter Gröhler, ambassadors of Poland and other countries, and State Secretary at the Berlin Senate Ms. Toepfer-Kataw.

“I am very happy and proud to be here today,” said Ms. Pau. “This event shows that Jewish people are an integral part of the German society. It is a sign of tolerance and respectful co-existance of various cultures.”

Altogether Kosher-Fest was attended by 2500 Berliners and guests of the city.