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75 years of the Central Council of Jews: A fight against anti-Semitism and for democracy!
Frankfurt am Main is celebrating 75 years of the Central Council of Jews, which fights against anti-Semitism and strengthens Jewish life.
75 years of the Central Council of Jews: A fight against anti-Semitism and for democracy!
On July 19, 2025, the Central Council of Jews in Germany will celebrate its 75th anniversary. The organization was founded in Frankfurt am Main in 1950, just a few years after the devastating end of the Second World War and the terrible Holocaust, which claimed the lives of six million Jews in Europe. The Central Council has since established itself as an essential institution that creates spaces for Jewish life and identity and actively advocates for the interests of the Jewish community. Again Deutschlandfunk reports, the Central Council is not only a political representative, but also a part of the social and religious landscape in Germany.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) acknowledged the importance of the Central Council and emphasized that Germany must be a “safe space for Jews”. On Platform X he explained that Jewish life is an indispensable part of Germany and that the Central Council has been actively contributing to it since 1950. Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer, a non-party representative, called the Central Council an “irreplaceable” voice of democratic civil society and pointed out the dangers of rising anti-Semitism. This makes it clear that despite the positive developments, challenges remain.
Appreciation from all directions
The celebrations were also accompanied by leading representatives of the church communities. Kirsten Fehrs from the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) praised the Central Council as a reliable counterpart in the Jewish-Christian dialogue. Georg Bätzing from the German Bishops' Conference also congratulated and highlighted the unique commitment of Josef Schuster, Chairman of the Central Council, to Jewish life in Germany. Cardinal Reinhard Marx described the anniversary as a sign of hope and responsibility and championed the importance of interreligious dialogue.
The Central Council today
Today, the Central Council of Jews in Germany is an umbrella organization that represents 105 Jewish communities with around 100,000 members. Since its founding, it has campaigned against hatred, exclusion and anti-Semitism. Josef Schuster explained that the Central Council has been standing up for democracy and the people of Germany for 75 years. This ongoing mission shows how deeply embedded the values of tolerance and respect are in the work of the Central Council.
Last week, in the run-up to the anniversary, the importance of confronting the challenges of anti-Semitism and strengthening the voice of the Jewish community at both national and international levels was reiterated. The daily news notes that the Central Council plays a central role as a bulwark against discrimination and as a promoter of Jewish life.
The 75th anniversary is an occasion for celebration, but also a rethinking of the challenges facing Jewish life in Germany. This reflection is essential so that the community can continue to develop unhindered and respectful dialogue is promoted - both between the different religious groups and in wider society.