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| German Chancellor Angela Merkel receives her prize |
(Scroll down for video) The German Chancellor won a prize after her longtime work on behalf of the entire Jewish community, according to a statement released by the Conference of European Rabbis.
The Conference of European Rabbis, honored German Chancellor Angela Merkel this week with the Lord Jakobovits Prize of European Jewry, at the Great Synagogue of Europe in Brussels, for her public denunciation of European anti-Semitism and support of the German Jewish community.
"Chancellor Merkel is a worthy winner of the prize in recognition of her continuing efforts of harmony between communities throughout Europe. Her friendship with the Jewish community and outstanding contributions to the promotion of tolerance and understanding, is remarkable," the president of the CER Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt said.
In her acceptance speech, Merkel said that the fight against anti-Semitism "is a primary duty of a free and democratic state,” and also stressed the importance of educating new generations about the atrocities of the Nazi era.
“Giving awards for our non Jewish friends is a great idea. I am sure that the German Chancellor will forever be grateful for the recognition she received from the Jewish community for her work to help the Jewish community,” Ida Greenhaultz, 34, of Berlin, Germany told YourJewishNews.com after being asked to comment on Merkel’s winning of the prize.Mobile video not loading? Click here to view