In recent years, repeated public confusions and misattributions have occurred concerning the identity and legal status of the Israelitische Synagogen-Gemeinde (Adass Jisroel) zu Berlin. Against this background, the community considers it necessary to set out its historical and legal position clearly and transparently.
This clarification serves the purposes of transparency, historical truth and legal certainty.
Historical Continuity of the Community
The Israelitische Synagogen-Gemeinde (Adass Jisroel) zu Berlin was founded in 1869.
In 1885, it received state recognition as a public-law religious corporation by royal decree.
This legal status continued to exist at the time of the entry into force of the Weimar Constitution in 1919 and is therefore constitutionally secured. Today, the community is the only Jewish religious community in Germany whose public-law corporate status has continued uninterrupted since before 1919 (so-called “old-corporate” status).
The legal identity and continuity of the community were confirmed at the highest judicial level by the judgment of the German Federal Administrative Court of 15 October 1997.
Legal Status under the German Constitution
The Israelitische Synagogen-Gemeinde (Adass Jisroel) zu Berlin is a religious community within the meaning of Article 4(1) and (2) of the German Constitution, in conjunction with Article 140 of the German Constitution and Article 137(3), first sentence, of the Weimar Constitution.
It is not subject to state supervision and enjoys full self-determination in religious, organisational and institutional matters.
Its existence, identity and legal status are not subject to political, social or religious negotiation, but are constitutionally guaranteed.
Distinction from a Private-Law Association
Since 2013, a private-law association bearing the name “Kahal Adass Jisroel e.V.” has existed in Berlin.
There is no legal, institutional, organisational or historical connection, nor any mandate or authority of representation, between this association and the Israelitische Synagogen-Gemeinde (Adass Jisroel) zu Berlin.
The association is neither a legal successor nor part of the community and is in no way authorised to speak or act on its behalf.
On the Issue of Identity Appropriation
The choice of an almost identical name, combined with public self-presentations suggesting historical, religious or institutional continuity, has repeatedly led to confusion.
These confusions affect the media, public authorities, the general public, as well as Jewish and non-Jewish actors alike. They are not the result of mere misunderstanding, but of a form of public presentation maintained since the association’s establishment which is capable of misleading third parties as to the actual circumstances.
At no time since the association’s existence has there been any contact, introduction or institutional communication with the existing religious community Adass Jisroel.
The Israelitische Synagogen-Gemeinde (Adass Jisroel) zu Berlin is obliged to protect its historical and legal identity against such forms of identity appropriation – not for confrontational reasons, but in order to safeguard legal clarity and historical truth.
Position of the Community
The community respects religious diversity and the right of private associations to independent religious practice.
At the same time, any form of dialogue, cooperation or collaboration presupposes recognition of the existing legal identity of a religious community.
Where such recognition is lacking, there can be no institutional dialogue.
The Israelitische Synagogen-Gemeinde (Adass Jisroel) zu Berlin will continue to fulfil its responsibility to preserve the history, legal order and continuity of Jewish communal life in Berlin.
Note
This statement serves as a public clarification.
It is final in nature and does not replace individual communication, but provides a reliable reference for the media, public authorities and the interested public.