Synod Chief Speaks Out Against Modern-Day Hate Crimes
Recently, Harald Geywitz, the president of the regional synod of the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia (EKBO), raised his voice against anti-Semitism and the hatred of Israel. Reflecting on the heinous acts committed by Hamas on October 7 and the jubilant responses seen on German streets, Geywitz underscored the ominous proximity of civilization's demise when people revel in the pain and suffering of others.
Addressing the gathered synod members at the church parliament's fall session in Potsdam on Wednesday, Geywitz stressed that anti-Semitism, both globally and domestically, persists despite its clear-cut condemnation. He highlighted that modern anti-Semitism's foundation in Christian beliefs is not exempt from criticism, and it is high time the church confronted and denounced these unacceptable traditions as deviations.
Harald Geywitz acknowledged that numerous congregations have extended support to Jewish communities, and he expressed his hope for even more active cooperation going forward. Despite the threats targeted at congregations, such as the desecration of a display case in Fürstenwalde, Geywitz affirmed that the church should remain steadfast in its commitment to foster unity among different faiths.
On November 11, unidentified individuals destroyed a Star of David-adorned notice in Fürstenwalde and removed the appeal for protecting Jewish life. In response, the church members hope to show resilience in their efforts to combat anti-Semitism while promoting harmony between faiths.
Starting on Thursday, the EKBO Synod's plenary session in Berlin-Friedrichshain will convene, with approximately 100 members debating church and social issues and proposing various resolutions until Saturday. The EKBO consists of around 1100 parishes, accounting for around 830,000 members in Berlin and Brandenburg, as well as Görlitz, Saxony.
While the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia (EKBO) vehemently opposes anti-Semitism globally and locally, the search results did not provide specific information about the church's initiatives aimed at confronting and addressing the antiquated Christian traditions that foster anti-Semitism. Diving deeper into the church's official sources or recent news articles can provide more detailed insights into the EKBO's actions in this regard.
[1] For more information on events and discussions focused on combating anti-Semitism in Berlin, visit .
