Jews in Berlin 1

Nechama Aronson, 20  Petach Tikva

Where are you from?

I was born in Crown Heights. My father was the photographer of the Lubawitscher Rebbe. When I was three years old we moved to Israel.

Why are you in Berlin?

I came for Shlichut to the Chabad Kindergarden. I am also teaching in the Chabad school.

What was your first impression when you came to Berlin?

I could not believe that this is the place where the Holocaust happened. It seemed very modern and not so scary like I thought it would be. I was also impressed with the Chabad House. It is very big and beautiful.

What is your favorite place in Berlin?

my favourite place is the Chabad House but I also like the stores in the Wilmersdorfer Straße.

How do you feel about Jewish Life here in Berlin?

I did not expect the community to be so big. There is a lot of Jewish life here. I thought there would be less religious people. But I still hope that it gonna grow.

What is the difference between the Israeli and the German mentality?

Wow, that is a complicated question because they have a lot of differences. I miss the Israeli mentality a lot because I am so used to it. At the beginning I even wanted to go back to Israel. The German people are very nice and wait in line to enter the bus. They also do not get nervous when the bus is late. But in Israel the people talk and having a lot of conversations. Here it can happen to you that you see a person every day and do not even know who the person really is.

Did you get in contact with Antisemitism here in Berlin?

While I was talking in the train with a friend of mine a group of seven Arabs started shouting at us. They asked why we are making war with the Palestinians. We did not answered them we just went on. 

What did you learn here?

I learned a lot. For example to be more quiet. What I also learned from the Shluchim is that the giving never ends. In the spiritual and the material aspect.

What can Israel learn from Germany?

To be on time. And to be more quiet.

What can Germany learn from Israel?

To be more kind and relaxed and not so strict about things.

Do you have an unforgettable moment of Berlin?

Because I am on Shlichut here I have the confidence to talk to people that come to  Chabad. I meet Israelis that I would never get in contact with in Israel. I really like those moments. I started to see Divine Providence in everything even more here in Berlin. Here I have more time to think.

So you think you got closer to H-shem here?

Yes, for sure. I have more time to think about everything. In Israel I am very busy with working. Here I am more able to observe my surrounding. 

What is the main job of Chabad here in Berlin?

Chabad is touching all the important places of Judaism. All around the world Jews know that there is a place they can go to no matter where they are. The Shluchim are making a very holy job. Everybody can learn from the Shluchim. Every Jew is a Shaliach from G-d. We know that G-d send us to this world to make a difference. 

I love Israel because...?

it is the Holy place that was given to us by H-shem.

I am happy to be Jewish because...?

I have Thora and Mizvoth

H-shem...?

means everything to me.

Moshiach...?

will come soon.

Emunah...?

something that everybody has and we can not live without.

Berlin...?

a place that we can change to the Holy.


For more information about Chabad in Berlin: www.chabadberlin.de