In close cooperation with civil society, political organizations, and government, the AJC Berlin Lawrence and Lee Ramer Institute for German-Jewish Relations has developed key programs to promote democratic values and combat antisemitism. Our perspectives, research, and analysis help our German partners formulate policies best suited to combat rising levels of antisemitism coming from all sectors of society.
Putting Policy into Practice
The AJC Berlin Ramer Institute played a vital role in Germany’s adoption of the IHRA Working Definition on Antisemitism and creation of the “Federal Commissioner for Jewish Life and the Fight against Antisemitism.” With similar positions now established in many German states, AJC Berlin is working to ensure every state adopts the position and fully implements the IHRA Working Definition at all operative levels of government.
The research AJC Berlin conducts also informs policy makers at all levels of government. For example, at the height of the influx of migration to Europe, our study "Attitudes of refugees from Syria and Iraq toward integration, identity, Jews and the Holocaust" brought public attention to the anti-democratic, antisemitic, and anti-Israeli beliefs amongst many refugees from Syria and Iraq. Similarly, our investigation into “Salafism and Anti-Semitism in Berlin Schools” was one of the first reports to uncover how widespread antisemitic attitudes have become in schools. Both studies received widespread media coverage, sparking public debate and political steps to address the issues.
Long aware of issues in the classroom, AJC Berlin, in cooperation with the Berlin state government, developed the school curriculum "Active Against Anti-Semitism and Salafism." This curriculum provides strategies to address antisemitism in the classroom, teach about Jewish life, and Islam. The curriculum is available online for teachers across Germany.
