The Lord Mayor of the city of Cologne, Torsten Burmester (Oberbürgermeister der Stadt Köln), who was in Dnipro on an official visit of solidarity and support, visited the world’s largest Jewish center, “Menorah,” in addition to many other locations. During the visit, a meeting took place with the Chief Rabbi of Dnipro and the region, Shmuel Kaminezki.
During this visit, the distinguished guest learned about the activities of one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe, which plays an important role in the spiritual, educational, social, and cultural life of the city, region, and country. Mr. Burmester was informed about the multifaceted work of the Dnipro Jewish Community, its humanitarian, educational, social, and charitable projects, as well as the activities of the community’s numerous institutions, which continue their active work even under current conditions. Special attention was paid to projects providing aid to the population, support for families, the development of Jewish education, and the preservation of traditions.
Together with the Mayor of Dnipro, Borys Filatov, and the Director of the Dnipro Jewish Community, Zeilig Brez, Torsten Burmester visited the “Golden Rose” Central Synagogue, where he learned about the history of Jewish life in the city and the community’s contemporary projects. The Lord Mayor of Cologne also visited the “JMC” Jewish Medical Center, where he became acquainted with the work of this important medical institution, which provides assistance to residents of Dnipro and the region.
The visit to the Menorah Center and other institutions of the Dnipro Jewish Community was an important part of Mr. Torsten Burmester’s introduction to the life of a city that has maintained close partnership relations with Cologne for many years. As part of his visit, the Lord Mayor also visited a number of city facilities and delivered another shipment of humanitarian aid, including ambulances for Dnipro and other communities in the region.
The distinguished guest was deeply impressed by everything he saw. “The main thing I will take with me is that we have seen how the people of Dnipro are firmly convinced of their intention to defend their city and make it better,” emphasized Torsten Burmester, Lord Mayor of Cologne. “And that is something in which we, as Germans, as residents of Cologne, are ready to support and help you.”
The Dnipro Jewish Community expressed its gratitude to Mr. Torsten Burmester for his attention to the community’s activities, his support for Ukraine, and the development of the long-standing fraternal cooperation between Dnipro and Cologne, based on mutual respect, friendship, and the striving for a better future.
