The twin towns of Braunschweig and Kiryat Tivon have remained in close contact since October 7, 2023. Since then, a number of activities have been initiated as an expression of solidarity during this difficult time.

For example, immediately after the Hamas terror attack on Israeli territory on October 7, the German-Israeli Society Braunschweig called for a "Solidarity With Israel and its People" rally on October 12 to show support and express solidarity with Israel, its people affected by the terror attacks and the people of Braunschweig's twin town Kiryat Tivon. One former particpant of a youth exchange program between Braunschweig and Kiryat Tivon used this opportunity to hold a speech in solidarity with Israel on this rally. The next youth exchange was actually scheduled for November 2023 in Kiryat Tivon, but had to be cancelled.

Contacts between Braunschweig and Kiryat Tivon are also constant in the area of volunteer services and continue to be maintained. For example, former volunteers regularly exchange ideas with the people they met during their service in the twin town. One of these exchanges took the form of a video conference in which Rabbi Uri Themal from Kiryat Tivon, who helped supervise the young people during their stay there, reported on the current situation on the ground.

Rabbi Uri Themal from Kiryat Tivon, a member of the partnership committee, was included in the event program with a video contribution to commemorate the pogrom night on November 9, 1938.

There was another live broadcast on December 19, 2023: Mayor Ido Grinblum was connected from Kiryat Tivon at the beginning of the meeting of the Braunschweig City Council to report on the current situation on the ground. The citizens of Braunschweig had the opportunity to follow the report via a live stream.

To mark the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of National Socialism on January 27, 2024, the Wilhelm High School in Braunschweig hosted a talk with Rabbi Uri Themal from Kiryat Tivon, who told his life story as a Holocaust survivor. Pupils from several classes gathered with their teachers in the assembly hall and listened intently to Uri Themal's talk, which was broadcast on a video screen. Following his report, the young people asked a few questions and were interested in further explanations.

This impressive series is certainly not over yet and shows how strong the bond between the two cities is.

Source and more information:

Municipality of Braunschweig