Building Bridges for the Future

Judge and wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier as well as Board Member of the German-Israeli Future Forum Foundation (DIZF)

Researching the history of German Jewry at the Leo Baeck Institute Jerusalem enables us to better understand the past. The current project to renovate and refurbish the LBI Jerusalem is also a wonderful opportunity to bring together the young generation of our two countries. Personal encounters and joint craftsmanship form an important foundation for the sustainable strengthening of German Israeli relations. This is how we build strong bridges for the future.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Leo Baeck Institute Jerusalem (LBI) and Professor of Comparative Literature Tel Aviv University

Renewal is a work of the future that depends on a careful reconstruction of our past.

Former Federal Minister of Justice, Economics and Energy Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the German-Israeli Future Forum Foundation (DIZF)

Investing in our younger generations, involving everyone and helping them broaden their horizons, is an investment in a better and fairer future for Israeli-German relations. Our initiative “Building Bridges for the Future” includes an exchange program for craftspeople and practical work - it will enrich Israeli-German relations.

State Minister with the German Foreign Office and Board Member of the German-Israeli Future Forum Foundation (DIZF)

“Building Bridges for the Future” means to learn from one another and to invest into a common future. Our innovative and unique project carries this idea into the future of German Israeli relations in the field of skilled crafts.

Attorney and Member of the German Bundestag as well as Budget Policy Spokesman of the FDP Parliamentary Group

What craftsmanship needs are our young generations who want to make a career in this important professional field. Our innovative program Building Bridges has the goal of attracting these younger generations to the skilled crafts.

Member of the German Bundestag for the SPD

"Building Bridges" makes an important contribution to the mutual understanding of our societies by giving young craftspeople from different backgrounds the chance to gain professional experience abroad, get to know one another and build friendships. These experiences are the solid foundations on which the future German Israeli relations will rest upon.

Member of the German Bundestag Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen

The project “Building Bridges” focuses on inclusion and democratic structures by bringing people from different social backgrounds and trades together and giving them an equal voice.

Professor for Jewish History and Culture at the Ludwig-Maximillians-University Munich

"Building Bridges” offers a unique learning environment in which knowledge and techniques are exchanged across cultural and professional boundaries, allowing all participants to grow personally and professionally.

CEO of the Harel Insurance Company and Harel Insurance & Finance Group as well as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the German-Israeli Future Forum Foundation (DIZF)

A strong society is based on the participation of all its members. With our “Building Bridges” program, we enable young craftspeople to participate in Israeli German exchange and thus strengthen craftsmanship as an important pillar of both our societies. 

Ambassador of the State of Israel to Germany and Board Member of the German-Israeli Future Forum Foundation

For me, as the Israeli ambassador to Germany, youth exchange is a top priority! I believe that exchange programs have the power to lay the foundation for a brighter future for both our countries. Now we have an amazing opportunity to build bridges by introducing this innovative exchange program that brings together young trainees and craftspeople from Israel and Germany. Yalla Kadima!

Emissary of the Jewish Agency for Israel in the USA and Board Member of the German-Israeli Future Forum Foundation (DIZF)

Craftsmanship is the backbone of every and each society. The lack of new entrants to the skilled trades is a social problem for Germany and Israel alike, that we want to solve together with our unique and innovative program “Building Bridges for the Future”.

Director of the Max-Planck-Institute for Educational Research and Board Member of the German-Israeli Future Forum Foundation (DIZF)

Gaining intercultural experience abroad is something that should be granted to everybody. Encountering different people from different social and cultural backgrounds broadens our horizons and strengthens our democratic values – an experience that should be granted to young craftsmen and women as well.