Daniel Neumann is the new chairman of the regional association of Jewish communities in Hesse. The lawyer from Darmstadt replaces Jacob Gutmark, who held the office for eight years. Neumann was unanimously elected as Gutmark’s successor by the assembly of delegates of the state’s Jewish communities.
Neumann had previously worked as director of the association. The 49-year-old said that the generational change that has now taken place is “a strong sign in a challenging time.” The Jewish community must work in an environment in which anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel
constantly increasing, self-confident and committed to a plural, vital and visible Jewish life in Hesse.
According to Neumann, this requires security, education, a self-confident Jewish identity and a broad network of political and civil society support. Unfortunately, the latter has left a lot to be desired since the Hamas massacre of Israeli civilians on October 7th.
Only Jewish state
“Despite all the justified criticism of the Israeli government and its decisions, one thing is certain: we stand by Israel’s side without any ifs or buts,” explained Daniel Neumann. »Not because we Jews in Germany are Israelis. And not because we are uncritical. But because it’s about the life and survival of the only Jewish state in the world.”
Israel is not only waging a military battle against a terrorist organization, but also a battle of ideas, as well as a “fight for our Western values, which are under attack not only in the Middle East.” A lasting peace and a shared future
will only have a chance “if the Islamist terrorist organizations and their hateful, inhumane and deadly ideologies are overcome,” said the newly elected chairman.
The regional association of Jewish communities in Hesse includes ten Jewish communities, namely those in Wiesbaden, Offenbach, Darmstadt,
Limburg, Hanau, Bad Nauheim, Marburg, Giessen, Fulda and Kassel. Neumann also wants to work consistently to expand rabbinical care, Jewish education, security for communities and the promotion of Jewish culture through culture days, culture weeks and other formats in the country.
Reliable partner
Daniel Neumann announced that he would continue to rely on the support of the Hessian state government in the future, which has always been a reliable partner for the Jewish community in Hesse.
The new board of the regional association includes Jacob Gutmark, Mark Dainow and Alfred Jacoby. and
2023-12-11 07:51:50
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