The ink is barely dry. Two weeks ago, the State Association of Jewish Communities of Saxony and the Saxon State Ministry signed a cooperation agreement to combat antisemitism. This agreement envisions long-term and continuous collaboration to effectively counter antisemitic attitudes and crimes in Saxony and to strengthen Jewish life.
“We have good connections to the police in Dresden and Saxony, as well as with all departments of the Ministry. We are not alone,” said Ekaterina Kulakova, chairwoman of the state association, in an interview with the “Jüdische Allgemeine.” She signed the agreement together with her colleague Konstantin Zahariev and State Police President Jörg Kubiessa. The framework agreement covers training courses to be conducted in cooperation with the Dresden-based association Hatikva and the Saxony Cultural Office. The program initially consists of ten full-day workshops at the Saxony Police University of Applied Sciences, aimed at police commissioner candidates and master’s students in the Saxony police force.
“The Saxony state association has already carried out projects with the support of the ‘Open-Minded Saxony’ program. All those involved agreed that this is very beneficial for the future. We are still in discussions, and I am very pleased that the police want this opportunity and understand that it is a long-term and important task that needs to be carried out regularly,” said Kulakova.
The state association is also deliberately incorporating the perspective of those affected, in order to strengthen the trust of Saxon Jews in state institutions. For several years now, groups of police officers and members of the German Armed Forces have been visiting the Dresden community for discussions, “sometimes for two hours, sometimes for four. But these are essentially one-off events. Now we want to integrate all of this into a system, and I think that will be much more productive,” says state association head Kulakova.
The planned seminars are intended to impart in-depth knowledge of the forms and ideologies of antisemitism and improve the police’s ability to deal with victims. “Protecting Jewish life is a key task of the Saxon police. Therefore, with this newly established cooperation, we have created promising opportunities for comprehensive training and professional development measures between the police and the Jewish communities to strengthen intercultural competence,” explained Jörg Kubiessa, President of the Saxon State Police. “With this step, we underscore mutual trust and a shared sense of responsibility.”
The chairwoman of the state association shares this view. “Against this backdrop, understanding and highly sensitive cooperation between the Saxony State Association of Jewish Communities and the Saxon police is very important,” Ekaterina Kulakova affirmed at the signing ceremony. “Through the workshops, the prospective police officers not only receive practical support, but also an insight into Jewish life today and the concerns of the Jewish community. Our sincere thanks go to State Police President Jörg Kubiessa.”
The new cooperation builds on the successful project “Smart Against Antisemitism,” which the Saxon police implemented together with the Saxon State Association of Jewish Communities between 2022 and 2024 – and goes several steps further. “We convey history and traditions and address religious issues that police officers should also consider when working with us. This must be part of the ongoing cooperation; it is important for our future.”
“We want to start as soon as possible,” says Ekaterina Kulakova. “This attention from the police, the German Armed Forces, political parties, and government authorities is of great importance to the Jewish population of Saxony because, despite our relatively small numbers, we are recognized as part of society. We are the focus of German interest and can count on support and protection in difficult situations.”
