The name Estrongo Nachama is given space in Dahlem

The name Estrongo Nachama is given space in Dahlem

On February 16, 2024, the previously nameless place in front of the Gail-S.-Halvorsen School in Dahlem received the name of the long-time senior cantor of the Jewish community in Berlin, Estrongo Nachama. This solemn inauguration goes back to a decision by the district council (BVV) from 2021.

The district councilor for order, environmental and nature conservation, streets and green spaces, urban Aykal, emphasized in his greeting that it was democratic consensus in Steglitz-Zehlendorf to make the culture of remembrance visible in the district. This place name is the third important sign in this sense, after Maerckerweg was renamed Maria-Rimkus-Weg in February 2023 and a regional-historical information center was opened in honor of the film pioneer Karl Wolfssohn in December 2023.

Cerstin Richter-Kotowski, district councilor for Education, Culture and Sport, welcomed the name to the place for a man who acquired invaluable merit in interreligious dialogue, especially between Judaism and Christianity through his decades.

The inauguration was visited by around 200 people, including Prof. Andreas Nachama, son of Estrongo Nachama, and Dr. Gideon Joffe, chairman of the Jewish community in Berlin. Prof. Nachama emphasized the tireless operational readiness of his father for reconciliation, while Dr. Joffe emphasized that the name was an important symbol of solidarity with the Jewish community. The ceremonial unveiling of the place sign was accompanied by district mayor Maren Schellenberg, BVV leader René Rögner-Francke, the member of the Bundestag Ruppert Stüwe, as well as numerous district prescribers from various factions.

The district office thanks the Gail-S.-Halvorsen school for providing the required technology as well as the employees who have ensured that the event runs smoothly.

With the naming of the square after Estrongo Nachama, the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district honors a man who has made a name for himself far beyond the borders of Berlin, making another sign of the culture of remembrance and interreligious dialogue.

Table:
| Estrongo Nachama Square |
| ———————- |
| Decision year of BVV | 2021 |
| Previous name of the square | Nameless |
| Honorary prices | Democratic consensus in Steglitz-Zehlendorf |
| Previous signs | Renalization of the Maerreckerweg and the opening of a regional -historical information center |
| Special thanks | Gail-S.-Halvorsen School, District Office employees |
| Participant | Prof. Andreas Nachama, Dr. Gideon Joffe, Maren Schellenberg, René Rögner-Francke, Ruppert Stüwe, Dr. Sabine Lehmann-Brauns |

Source: www.berlin.de