Deborah Kämper: New horizons for the Jewish community of Mannheim!

Deborah Kämper: New horizons for the Jewish community of Mannheim!

Mannheim, Deutschland - In Mannheim, the Jewish community with its chairman Deborah Kämper at the top. Kämper was elected in mid -May 2023 for a second term and brings her comprehensive life experience and her deep interest in the Jewish faith into her role. Born in an evangelical family, about 20 years ago she chose the Jewish faith what is a deep personal way for her.

Kämper, who met her husband Khoshlessan in the 1990s in the Mannheimer Kunsthalle, has received special insights into Judaism through his influence. Her husband is a Jew from Iran and has lived in Germany since 1974. It was very important to her to support him in his religion and to participate in the Jewish community. This support was also the reason for her official conversion to Judaism, which took place about 10 years after her first interest and was based on intensive learning, including the Hebrew acquisition.

cultural diversity in the municipality

Today, the Jewish community of Mannheim has around 450 members and is a lively part of the city. The community looks back on a rich cultural program. Already on April 30, 2025, a memorial service for fallen Israeli soldiers will take place on Rabbiner-Grünewald-Platz, followed by a party with Klezmer music and Israeli food. Such events strengthen the sense of community and promote the exchange of tradition and culture.

Furthermore, an interesting lecture with Esther Schapira and Georg Hafner is planned on May 6, 2025. Ein weiteres Highlight wird das Klezmer-Singspiel „Mendele Lohengrin“ am 19. Mai 2025 sein, bei dem der Eintritt für 12 Euro – ermäßigt 8 Euro – erhältlich ist. These cultural offers are part of the endeavor to make Jewish life alive and accessible in Mannheim.

a congregation in change

While the Jewish community is flourishing in Mannheim, there are challenges nationwide. According to a report by Deutschlandfunk there is a loss of membership in many Jewish communities, which affects not only the aging of the members, but also the topic of recognizing migrants as Jews under German law. Russian -speaking immigrants in particular are often faced with hurdles that make it difficult for them to become part of a Jewish community.

President Josef Schuster of the Central Council of Jews in Germany demands a facilitation of transition for these groups, while the Orthodox Rabbi Conference traditionally pursues strict rules. This situation illuminates the challenges with which many communities are faced with and the endeavor to make Jewish life accessible to everyone - both for long -established and for new hikers.

The Jewish community in Mannheim, under the leadership of Deborah Kämper, seems not only a center of faith, but also a place of intercultural exchange and continuous change. It remains exciting to see how the community develops in this dynamic environment and continues to beat bridges between tradition and modern challenges.