The Chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA), Rabbi Menachem Margolin called upon the President of the Central Council of German Jews, Josef Schuster, to retract his call to Jews to refrain from wearing a yarmulke in public space in Germany.

In a statement, Rabbi Margolin said: “I have no doubt that the declaration stems from Mr. Schuster’s sincere concern for the safety of the Jews – a concern that I naturally share in light of the growing anti-Semitism in Europe, but unfortunately he is mistaken in the cure for the serious problem.”

Emphasizing the point, he went on: Not wearing a yarmulke due to fear of anti-Semitism is in fact the fulfilment of the vision of anti-Semites in Europe. The leaders of the Jewish communities and organizations must insist that every government care for the security of all its inhabitants and do more to educate and prevent this dangerous phenomenon. However, we must not agree, let alone encourage the Jews – or any other religious or ethnic group – to give up their religious attributes. That is why the call to refrain from wearing a yarmulke is also liable to turn those who wear skullcaps into a provocative act and deserving of a response.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)