Life in Berlin for Jewish newcomers to the city

hi all. husband has been offered a good job in Germany - probably Berlin. we have two sons, 1 and 2 years old. the question is, we are a Jewish family and we are wondering what life is like for Jews in Germany (Berlin) these days, i.e. what is the community life like, how easy is it to get kosher food etc, is there a lot of apparent anti-semitism, how does it feel to be living in Germany? we are not too religious but do observe some of the festivals etc and keep kosher at home. we would be moving from England. Honest opinions please. thank you!

Berlin has the largest Jewish community in Germany, so I guess kosher is not a problem.

I would guess that in some districts it would not be a good idea to advertise your jewish. Having said that I would suggest linking up with the Jewish Community in Berlin since they can give you a more realistic view.

Have fun in Berlin it's a great place to live though even if a few idiots are there but they seem to be everywhere

There is a relatively big Jewish population is Berlin with the majority coming from the former Soviet Union (Khol invited Soviet Jews to settle in Germany at the time of reunification). This website gives some details:

http://www.berlin-judentum.de/english.htm

Berlin has a solid Jewish community. It also depends with whom you are associating yourself with. It is much easier than anywhere else in Germany to get kosher food in Berlin. You have to take into consideration that kosher food is way more expensive in Germany than in England, and the selection is less. Each Jewish community has a Reform/Conservative branch which I assume you guys can relate to. The Orthodox minority is in charge of everything, just like many communities throughout Germany but the community members are usually Reform/Conservative. In Germany some groups in the Jewish community are obsessed about the topic "who is really Jewish" so if you ignore that crowd you and your kids will be fine.

From the sound of it I'd say I am pretty close to you regarding observance and keeping kosher. I have to say I find it pretty difficult with the Kosher meat so am basically living a vegetarian diet. There are about 3 or four shops all based in the west of berlin, but to me they are kind of redundant as they sell plenty of Israeli products etc but no meat. One is a butcher, but he does not really have much. A few bits in the frozen section, which might be good for you as a family, but its always too much for just me! Last time I saw a notice in the window that if you contact the local rabbi he will order your meat from Belgium/England and will not charge extra for the service. Don't have any problems or bad feelings about being in Germany, but I do think the poor selection of shops reflects the fact that the jewish community in berlin isn't quite as thriving as it is made out.

Does anyone know if there is an English-speaking reform congregation that meets in Berlin?

My girlfriend is coming for several months and would like to go to Passover services but she doesn't speak German.

Any suggestions welcomed...

Thanks!

Hi,

I'm an English Jew and have lived in Hamburg for quite a few years now.
I have never had any problems at all and although when I first moved here I felt a bit funny about things (well about Germans I suppose), I quickly got over that and I think Germany is a great place to live and bring up children.

I don't go to Synagogue myself, and never have done, but finding one and making contact with the "Jewish Community", if that's what you want to do, should be pretty easy. I believe that there is a large Russian Jewish presence here.

Good luck!

From a outsiders point of view, i aint Jewish at all...Athiest but i lived in Golders green years ago...and was fun as the only non Jew! anyway my German friends have been over here in England, and even stayed with my Jewish mates..never a problem, infact the only one with problems was me worrying about them and making daft jokes...

I am not jewish so i don't have the insider scoop for you but i have heard quite a few stories from friends about how it still isn't safe to advertise that you are jewish. I walk past 2 jewish schools everday and they are iron gated and have both private security and federal security. hate is everywhere though, you will find it no matter where you go (i know, i am american) but you just have to forgive those that are ignorant. if the situation is good for you husband and your family then take it, there are places that you definitely don't want to live in (like frankfurt oder) but then there are places that are fine.