Dusseldorf's City Hall appoints Wolfgang Rolshoven as its Antisemitism Commissioner
In a bid to combat the rising tide of anti-Semitism in Düsseldorf, the city has appointed Wolfgang Rolshoven as its Anti-Semitism Commissioner. This role, established on December 12, 2024, is a dedicated position within the mayor's office, and Rolshoven officially began his tenure on July 1, 2025.
Rolshoven, a well-respected Düsseldorf resident, brings a wealth of experience to the table. His background includes extensive engagement with Jewish community issues, civil rights, and social justice, making him well-equipped to tackle discrimination and promote tolerance.
As Anti-Semitism Commissioner, Rolshoven's role is multifaceted. He is responsible for monitoring anti-Semitic incidents, raising public awareness, supporting victims, and advising municipal institutions.
- Monitoring anti-Semitic incidents: Rolshoven works closely with local authorities, community organizations, and law enforcement to track and analyze acts of anti-Semitism in the city.
- Raising public awareness: He organizes educational programs, public talks, and events aimed at informing citizens about the dangers of anti-Semitism and the importance of remembrance and respect.
- Supporting victims: Providing guidance, advocacy, and direct assistance to individuals and groups affected by anti-Semitic hate crimes.
- Advising municipal institutions: Helping schools, cultural institutions, and local government adopt policies that counteract hate speech and discrimination.
Rolshoven has spearheaded several initiatives to combat anti-Semitism in Düsseldorf. These include educational campaigns in schools, commemorative events, interfaith dialogues, and public reporting mechanisms.
- Educational campaigns in schools: Implementing programs that teach students about the history of Jewish communities in Germany, the Holocaust, and contemporary forms of anti-Semitism.
- Commemorative events: Organizing memorial ceremonies to honor victims of anti-Semitism and promote a culture of remembrance in Düsseldorf.
- Interfaith dialogues: Facilitating conversations and cooperative efforts between diverse religious and ethnic groups to foster mutual understanding and solidarity against anti-Semitism.
- Public reporting mechanisms: Enhancing ways for citizens to report anti-Semitic incidents easily and ensuring follow-up from authorities.
One such initiative was launched on the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, January 27, 2025. Rolshoven launched an advertisement encouraging figures in the city to stand against antisemitism, which resulted in donations totaling 56,000 euros, to be used for projects and measures against antisemitism and to promote Jewish life in the state capital.
Rolshoven is also the contact person for individuals affected by anti-Semitic incidents and can be reached via the email address [email protected].
The city of Düsseldorf, with its third-largest Jewish community in the Federal Republic, is committed to combating hate and promoting human rights. For more information about recent initiatives or public statements by Rolshoven, checking the city’s official communications or local news covering Düsseldorf’s civic matters would be beneficial.
In addition, the round table "Antisemitism in Düsseldorf Schools" has developed a guide for teachers, aimed at facilitating the handling of antisemitic incidents. This guide will be presented at all school types in the fall.
Rolshoven is also working on a broad citizens' alliance against Jew-hatred, to which many relevant institutions and associations, churches, trade unions, and major clubs are expected to join. The city's duty, as stated by Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller, is to firmly oppose such hatred, discrimination, and exclusion.
In conclusion, Wolfgang Rolshoven's work significantly contributes to building a more inclusive and vigilant community in Düsseldorf, dedicated to combating hate and promoting human rights.
- Rolshoven, in his role as Anti-Semitism Commissioner, is working on establishing a broad citizens' alliance against Jew-hatred, welcoming the participation of institutions, associations, churches, trade unions, and major clubs to ensure a unified effort against anti-Semitism.
- Furthermore, Rolshoven is dedicated to personal growth and education-and-self-development, as evidenced by his development of initiatives such as the guide for teachers to tackle antisemitic incidents and his educational campaigns in schools aimed at increasing awareness about the history of Jewish communities in Germany, the Holocaust, and contemporary forms of anti-Semitism.
