In order to take account of the changed framework conditions for Jewish life in the state, Minister President Winfried Kretschmann signed an amended state treaty together with the Jewish religious communities (IRGen) of Baden and Württemberg in Stuttgart on Friday (November 8). The aim is to stabilize the state's services for the protection of Jewish institutions and to strengthen the German-Jewish cultural heritage as a visible sign of Jewish life.
"The state of Baden-Württemberg and the Jewish communities stand together. Together, we are resolutely opposing anti-Semitism and securing the future of Jewish life in our state - so that the tree we planted together in 2010 with the State Treaty will continue to grow and become stronger," said Minister President Kretschmann at the signing ceremony.
Deputy Minister-President and Interior Minister Thomas Strobl emphasized: "The barbaric terrorist attack by HAMAS on the State of Israel on October 7, 2023 has left a deep mark on all of our memories. This day has changed the lives of Jews here in Baden-Württemberg too. Now more than ever, we need to stick together. Jews should not only be objectively safe, they should also feel safe in our country. We are taking care of that. We stand firmly by their side."
State Secretary for Culture Sandra Boser added: "The events and social developments of recent months show us that Jewish life, which has been at home in Baden-Württemberg for centuries, is unfortunately under threat again today. With the amendment agreement, we are underlining our efforts to continue to offer Jewish life in Baden-Württemberg a safe religious home. Jewish life is an important part of Baden-Württemberg."
State treaty between Baden-Württemberg and IRGen since 2010
The fact that Jewish life is part of Baden-Württemberg was confirmed by a state treaty concluded between the state and the IRGen in 2010. It regulated matters of Jewish religious practice where they come into contact with the state's legal system, for example cemeteries, public holidays and religious education. in 2021, an additional three-year security agreement was concluded - also in response to the anti-Semitic attack in Halle (Saale) - as the Jewish communities' need for security personnel and facilities had increased. Since then, the threat to Jewish life has remained at a high level, so that the state treaty is now being permanently adapted.
Prof. Barbara Traub, Chairwoman of the IRG Württemberg, said: "In the years since the first state treaty was signed, a strong bond of trust has grown between our communities and the state. And an incredibly lively and resilient Jewish life has developed in our state, which is now also expressed in the form of a treaty. The security concerns of the Jewish communities are also taken into account and our Jewish Educational Center Baden-Württemberg is given planning security for the coming years so that it can develop, for which we are extremely grateful to the state of Baden-Württemberg."
The Chairman of the IRG Baden, Rami Suliman, emphasized: "The Jewish community in Baden-Württemberg sees itself as an integral part of the state's civil society. The sense of security and the actual security situation for Jews in the state have unfortunately deteriorated significantly in recent years. The revision of the State Treaty at this point in time is the right and important signal for a sustainable, future-proof and reliable positioning of the Jewish community in the state in the medium term. We would like to thank those responsible in the state for working together in a spirit of trust to strengthen religious and cultural diversity."
Consolidating the protection of Jewish institutions - preventing anti-Semitism through education
Specific changes to the state treaty relate to the area of security. For example, funding for security personnel and maintenance of security facilities will be increased.
A vibrant Jewish community life that radiates throughout society should also help to prevent anti-Semitic acts or prevent the ideology behind them from developing in the first place. Increased funding is therefore also being invested in education: funding for the new Jewish educational institution is now being made permanent following initial funding in the 2021 security agreement. Funding for German-Jewish cultural heritage is also increasing.
Overall, the state's funding will increase by around 2.37 million euros per year compared to the previous state agreement. Of this, a good 1.5 million euros will be used to finance safeguarding measures and around 150,000 euros to support the Jewish Educational Center. German-Jewish cultural heritage will receive increased funding of around 720,000 euros.
Other changes, some of them clarifying, concern employment law regulations for devout Jewish religious members that go beyond previous holiday regulations, as well as the significance of Shabbat and Jewish holidays for Jewish students.
