Katharina von Schnurbein
Katharina von Schnurbein (born 1973) is a German civil servant who has served as the European Commission's coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life since 2015. She is the first person to hold this role, which reports to Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas under his portfolio of European Commissioner for Promoting our European Way of Life.
Katharina von Schnurbein | |
|---|---|
 | |
| European Commission coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life | |
| Assumed office December 2015 | |
| President | Ursula von der Leyen |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1973 Bavaria, Germany |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | University of Bonn Oxford University (M.St.) Center for European Integration Studies (MES) |
Personal life
Von Schnurbein was born in the German state of Bavaria in 1973. Despite not being Jewish, her parents emphasized the responsibility that Germans had toward Jews and were ardent supporters of Israel.[1] Even before her appointment as Antisemitism coordinator, von Schnurbein learned Hebrew.[2]
Von Schnurbein completed her undergraduate studies in political science and Slavic studies at Charles University in Prague and at the University of Bonn. She earned a master's degree in Slavic studies from Oxford University in 1997 and a master's degree in of European studies from the Center for European Integration Studies in Bonn in 1999.[3]
Von Schnurbein is married to Alexander David von Franquemont, a lawyer, and has 4 children.[1]
Professional career
After her studies, von Schnurbein worked for a management consulting firm. From 2000 to 2002, she worked for the chairman of the European Affairs Committee in the Bundestag in Berlin.[3]
European Commission career
Von Schnurbein began her career at the European Union in 2002 as a press officer for the EU Delegation in Prague, Czech Republic. In 2004, she transferred to Brussels to be the spokesman on employment, social affairs and equal opportunities for European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Vladimir Špidla. From 2010 to 2015, she coordinated the European Commission’s dialogue with churches, religions, philosophical and secular organizations, as well as think tanks in Germany, as an advisor to President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso.[3]
Antisemitism Coordinator
In October 2015, the EC created the Antisemitism coordinator position in response to rising Antisemitism in Europe.[2] As a career EC bureaucrat, Von Schnurbein applied for and was selected by then First Vice-President Frans Timmermans for the position in December 2015.[4]
Her key responsibilities are to liaise with European Jewish communities and bodies such as the Conference of European Rabbis and to propose and implement policies to address Antisemitism, foster Jewish life, and promote Holocaust education.[2]
In 2022, von Schnurbein argued that Belgian bans on ritual slaughter risked painting the Jewish and Muslim communities in Europe as "medieval".[5] In response, von Schnurbein convened the first joint meeting between European Jewish and Muslim leaders and EU official to discuss meat production.[6]
Awards
- Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medaon Medal, from the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG)[3]
- Human Rights Prize, B'nai B'rith Europe[3]
- Rabbi Moshe Rosen Prize, Conference of the European Rabbis[3]
- Top 100 people positively influencing Jewish life (2020), the Algemeiner[7]
References
- Liphshiz, Cnaan (18 June 2019). "This mother of 4 is the EU's 'indefatigable heroine' in the fight against anti-Semitism". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- Sirkus, Thomas (27 January 2016). "Q&A: EU Anti-Semitism Envoy Katharina von Schnurbein". Moment. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- "Katharina von Schnurbein CV" (PDF). European Commission. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- Junger, Rifka (23 December 2018). "Interview with Ms. Katharina von Schnurbein, European Coordinator on Combating Anti-Semitism". Hamodia. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- Wax, Eddy (27 January 2022). "Top EU official: Religious slaughter bans paint Jews, Muslims as 'medieval'". Politico Europe. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- Liphshiz, Cnaan (21 October 2022). "In a first, EU invites Jews and Muslims to stand up for kosher and halal slaughter amid local bans". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "Katharina von Schnurbein". Algemeiner. Retrieved 21 March 2023.