2. Conference of European Women Rabbis,
Cantors, Jewish Scholars and Activists

Journal 2

Lara Dämmig and Elisa Klapheck

Editorial

[German]

Debate among Jews about the renewal of European Jewry is overdue. The aim of Bet Debora is to provide an impetus for this. At our first conference in May 1999, we discussed the continued development of Jewish tradition. We addressed the question of how women rabbis, activists or scholars increasingly influence life in Jewish communities and synagogues. At this conference we will tackle an issue that plays a major role in contemporary discourse: "Does the family have a future?"

This question is decisive for the future of the Jewish community. As in the past, the classical nuclear family is still viewed as a foundation of Jewish tradition. There, the roles of women seem to be fairly clearly defined. But in reality, the Jewish dream family is no longer the rule. Jewish men and women live as singles, single parents, in "mixed" partnerships, and as lesbians and gays. Their lifestyles are, in short, diverse, which reflects the general development of society. At our conference, "The Jewish Family, Myth and Reality”, we would like to examine these trends from a Jewish women's perspective in order to formulate our own standpoints and introduce them to the current debate.

In this context, it seems important to us that both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities are aware of Bet Debora. We hope to encourage that with this journal, which documents the conference and invites further inquiry. We welcome a response and would like to greet readers at the next Bet Debora conference in 2003.

Acknowledgements

The publication of this journal would not have been possible without  financial support from the Federal Ministry for Family, Seniors, Women, and Youth. In addition, we would like to thank all who helped with the conference and this journal. Among the other sponsors for Bet Debora are the Berlin Jewish Community, the Axel Springer Foundation, the Hanadiv Charitable Foundation and Schering AG. The success of the conference is also due to the efforts of many others. Carolyn Naumann, Grit Beel, Katrin Baumeister and Rainer Krokat and many other helpers.

Simultaneous interpreters were Karin Fleischhacker and Catherine Johnson. Gaby Nonhoff did the catering, which was enthusiastically enjoyed by all. Eva Nickel and the Xenon company contributed to the smooth running of the conference on the part of the Jewish community. The commissarial dean of the Jewish High School, Raissa Kruk, gracefully provided space for our meetings. Darja Bartsch and Susanne Grunwald organised the children’s programme.

Last but not least we would like to extend our special thanks to all the speakers, moderators and artists. We were also pleased by the good and inspiring co-operation of the authors.
The journal will again be published in German, English and Russian. The translators, Ludmila Duwidowitsch, Dr. Irene Runge, Taryn Toro, and Julia Vinikova have tackled an enormous job. Silke Helmerdig and Burkhard Peter photographed the conference. Graphic artist Sonja Hennersdorf composed the original layout.

Lara Dämmig and Elisa Klapheck
Initiators of Bet Debora