The cornerstone of a new $500,000 Jewish community center to be built here by the Berlin municipality in moral expiration of the destruction of the city’s synagogues by Nazi storm troopers 19 years ago was dedicated here yesterday at ceremonies at which the Mayor of this city and various German and Jewish leaders played major roles.
Mayor Willy Brandt, a non-Jewish Socialist who fled the Nazis twice during their regime, was the major speaker at the dedication. He also read a message from German President Theodor Heuss calling the building of the community center a good omen that the Jews were against “taking root” in Germany. Other speakers included Ernst Lemmer. a member of the Bonn Cabinet and a longtime friend of the Jews, and Charles H. Jordan. Joint Distribution Committee European director. Heinz Galinski, president of the Berlin Jewish community, was awarded Germany’s Distinguished Service Cross at the ceremonies.
The Berlin community center will have two halls, eight meeting rooms, a library, museum room, a snack bar where kosher food will be served.
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