Social Work and the Jewish Community in East Berlin

Author(s):  
Sonja Berne
2021 ◽  
pp. 321-340
Author(s):  
Tina Frühauf

In the aftermath of the purges of 1952/1953, the Jewish community in Berlin was divided into East and West constituencies. This chapter traces the trajectory of the East Berlin community from this division until 1971. Against all odds and in the midst of turmoil, communal life in East Berlin continued, centered around its only synagogue, which was rededicated in 1953 as Friedenstempel. Rykestraße Synagogue became a cultural hub. It instigated a series of synagogue concerts and opened its doors for the annual commemorations of the November pogroms. Given the dearth of cantors, the community also maintained contacts with West Berlin, which regularly freed its cantors from their duties so that they could assist, especially for funerals at the Weißensee cemetery and for special events. The continual presence of cantors from West Berlin was most significant. It gave way to a mobility of musical practices both in Kultus and concerts.


Author(s):  
Norman Linzer

The author highlights the role of values in determining agency policy by analyzing an agency's policy on sexual behavior of persons with cognitive disabilities in group homes. The value orientations of the social work staff, parents, Jewish community, and state government are compared. The conflicting values placed the agency in a quandary from which it extricated itself by resorting to a policy compromise.


2021 ◽  
pp. 375-388
Author(s):  
Tina Frühauf

In the 1970s and early 1980s the Jewish community in East Berlin was able to restore its declining cultural life, in spite of a shrinking membership. Events at the new culture hall at Oranienburger Straße ensued with programs featuring discussions of Judaism, Yiddish literature, and other literary works, as well as recitals. Unlike the community center at Fasanenstraße in West Berlin, the East Berlin community closely adhered to Jewish cultural heritage and especially embraced Yiddish culture. In parallel, Yiddish music as a perceived expression of Jewish secularity and antifascism began to attain a new position in mainstream events, a development mainly driven by Lin Jaldati. Aside from this, the Jewish community maintained their Kultus at Rykestraße Synagogue, continued the series of synagogue concerts, and the annual Kristallnacht commemorations. In parallel to the community, alternative Jewish groups began to form.


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