Speaker Introduction
The positive, benevolent welcome speeches on August 24th, 7 pm – 7:30 were a highlight of the conference. Child Survivors from 18 countries came to Berlin with tensions, fears and hopes. All speakers contributed to an excellent start, to a unique feeling of the attendees of being accepted and understood.
Masters of Ceremony:
Max Arpels Lezer / European President of WFJCSH&D (Abbrev. “ML”)
Dr. Philipp Sonntag / German Section CSD Child Survivors Deutschland (Abbrev. “PhS)
Three Introductions by Phil Sonntag
Introduction for Speaker Nr. 2, Klaus Wowereit, Mayor of Berlin:
It is my honor to introduce the Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit.
It will be our priviledge, to receive an official answer to our uneasy feelings about visiting Berlin, the origin of our bitter fate.
Today, how far is Berlin away from the vicious Nazis? We hope to find a modern spirit.
I promise: with mayor Klaus Wowereit, you will feel the spirit!
(download speech)
Introduction for Speaker Nr. 3, Dr. Josef Schuster
I am happy to introduce Dr. Josef Schuster, Vice President of the “Central Counsel of Jews in Germany” (info addendum: since December 2014 President).
I am happy, because now there is a vivid Jewish life in Germany. Quite a wonder, as we remember the restraints about 60 years ago: “How can a Jew, especially a Survivor ever again live in Germany?”
Well meantime today, “yes he can!”, and I promise, you will see!
(download speech)
Philipp Sonntag (CSD, l.) und Dr. Josef Schuster (ZdJ) (© Uwe Steinert)
Introduction, as prepared for Speaker Nr. 6, Ambassador Dr. Felix Klein, Foreign Office
It is my pleasure to introduce Ambassador Dr. Felix Klein, Foreign Office Germany, and “Special Representative of the Federal Government of Germany for Relations to Jewish Organizations, and for Issues of Anti-Semitism”.
Thus we are in the fortunate position, to receive a message on behalf of the German Government for our most intimate worries. There has been dramatic development over the decades:
Thus we hope, that there will be a fine future ahead! The office of Dr. Felix Klein exactly has this purpose, and you will see, Dr. Felix Klein himself does apply the spirit.