Military rabbis to return
RABBIS ARE set to serve in the Bundeswehr after Germany’s defence minister signed a recruitment agreement with the country’s main Jewish group.
Anagret Kramp-Karrenbauer said the move, which will see Germany’s military provide religious counselling to serving Jews for the first time in a century, was a sign of her government’s commitment to fighting antisemitism in the country.
The JC reported in April that her predecessor Ursula von der Leyen was considering the move because every soldier was entitled to “undisturbed religious practice and pastoral care”.
“This is a strong sign for a diverse and open Bundeswehr,” Ms KrampKarrenbauer said at the meeting of the Central Council of Jews (ZdJ) in Berlin, according to AP. “This is also a strong sign for Jewish life in Germany.”
The Central Council’s president Josef Schuster said it was a “historic day”.
“Why shouldn’t a menorah be lighted in a barracks next to a Christmas tree?” he asked, saying the Bundeswehr was a reflection of German society.
There are no records kept of the religious affiliations of members of the German armed forces, but the Ministry of Defence estimates there are around 300 serving Jews. 1,400 Muslim are believed to be Muslim while 94,000 are Christian.
Mr Schuster told the JC in April that far-right antisemitism was also present in the Bundeswehr as much as in mainstream German society, meaning that military rabbis were needed not only to provide spiritual guidance to Jewish soldiers, but also to help acquaint all soldiers with Judaism.
The measures are expected to be approved by Germany’s parliament in the New Year.