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GERMANY page 78
Here, as we stood next to
weathered old stones with He-
brew and German inscriptions,
Ms. Liebsch explained how Jews
were forbidden to live in Saxony
from 1430 until 1705. Their
cemetery was destroyed; and
they had to bury their dead in a
cemetery near the Czech border,
60 miles away.
Finally, when they were al-
lowed to live freely in Saxony,
they raised the money for their
own cemetery, opened in 1751.
When Hatikva was founded, its
members were delighted to be able
to establish their Center in a build-
ing right next to the cemetery. Its
presence was a tangible reminder
of the Jewish history which Hatik-
va honors. "It was a great incen-
tive as we got our Center started,"
said Ms. Liebsch.
She told me much more about
Hatikva after we walked next
door to the Center. 'We started
in 1990 with a very small group
and then in '92 we made it more
official," Ms. Liebsch related as
we sat in the conference room
where many German students
have learned about Judaism.
"We've spoken to about 3000
children from elementary school
to college. Mostly what we do is
give information about Jewish
religion, traditions, and the his-
tory of Jews in Germany and
during the time of the Nazis."
This is important, she said,
because many young people in
eastern Germany have no idea
at all about Judaism or Jewish
history. Or, if they do have ideas,
they are often distorted- espe-
cially because religion of any
kind was discouraged during the
Communist era of the GDR.
"Children come with preju-
dices about religion in general
from their parents," said Ms.
Liebsch. And their teachers are
often uninformed about Ju-
daism. Some, too, are very wary
of giving any information be-
cause teaching anything about
religion was strongly discour-
aged in the GDR era.
"It was forbidden for clergy-
men to go into the schools be-
cause there was fear they would
propagandize the students or
teach them religion," explained
Ms. Liebsch.
And even now, some teachers
in public schools tend to be very
guarded. "Many are against any
kind of religion," said Ms. Lieb-
sch. "And they think it's dogma
even if it's information. That's
why it's better for students to
come to our headquarters."
And when they do, they get
a presentation from knowledge-
able Hatikva members. Ms.
Liebsch, for instance — who is
not Jewish — has become a vir-
tual expert on Judaism.
She's a thoughtful, serious
young woman — and a cos-
mopolitan one, who has traveled
extensively but dearly loves her
native city of Dresden.
Like many East Germans, she
knew almost nothing about Ju-
daism until she got involved
with Hatikva. What's more, she
was anti-Israel. "During the
GDR times, I was anti-Zionist,"
she confessed. "The GDR said,
`Zionism is racism,' and I be-
lieved it."
Not any more. She's been to
Israel five times, has close
friends there, and next year
plans to study Hebrew in
Jerusalem.
Often Hatikva
gives over
50 tours a year.
She's also acquired extensive
knowledge about the Jewish his-
tory of Saxony, about Dresden's
small Jewish community, and
about Jewish customs and ritu-
als. She uses this knowledge
when she talks to students or
when she takes groups on tours.
Often Hatikva gives over 50
tours a year. They've guided
groups of visitors from the Unit-
ed States, Europe and Israel.
"Many people are surprised
that we have Jews in Germany,"
said Ms. Liebsch. "And the Is-
raelis always ask, 'Why do Jews
live here?'"
She's quite accustomed to this
question, and she welcomes the
dialogue between Israelis and
Germans which it often pro-
vokes.
Whether she's talking to
youngsters or monitoring a spir-
ited dialogue with Israelis, Ms.
Liebsch finds Hatikva work,
which occupies her full time,
completely absorbing and satis-
fying.
"I'm glad to do work that I
think is so important," she re-
flected. She paused, searching
for the right words in English. "
For me, the ideal is to do some-
thing that is also special to my
heart. "
Publicity
Deadlines
The normal deadline for local
news and publicity items is noon
Thursday, eight days prior to is-
sue date. The deadline for birth
announcements is 10 a.m. Mon-
day, four days prior to issue date;
out-of-town obituaries, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, three days prior to is-
sue date.
All material must be typewrit-
ten, double-spaced, on 8'/2 x 11
paper and include the name and
daytime telephone number of
sender.