Muslim and Jewish exchanges and encounters have multiplied in Berlin and in the state of Brandenburg in recent years. Numerous projects of cultural and religious rapprochement and understanding have been most evident in the large city of Berlin, where there has been a “remarkable” growth of encounters between Muslim and Jewish artists and actors as well as religious exchange and collaboration in recent years. Examples of this include the ambitious House of One project in downtown Berlin and the Jewish Center at the Fraenkelufer Synagogue in Berlin-Kreuzberg. In the House of One, Christians, Jews, and Muslims are planning to bring a church, synagogue, and mosque under one roof, with active communities participating in joint and public activities. There will be no proselytism or “politicization” allowed in this congregation.
The Jewish Center at the synagogue in Berlin-Kreuzberg is serving as a social and cultural center where non-Jews are introduced to Judaism and there is a celebratory approach to the faith. There are also other initiatives where rabbis and imams partner to explain their faiths to visiting students. In Brandenburg, where there are smaller Jewish and Muslim communities, Jews with immigrant backgrounds, such as from the former Soviet Union, have partnered with recent Muslim immigrants. An intercultural network called Diamond brings together migrants and refugees from a variety of countries and religions to overcome prejudice and help them integrate into German society. These Jewish-Muslim encounters have continued even after October 7 and renewed Palestinian-Israeli tensions. (Source: Ethnicities, online in November 2024)
