about us
OFEK e.V.
What's OFEK e.V.?
OFEK e.V. is the first an advice center specialized in antisemitic violence and discrimination in Germany. OFEK advises, accompanies and supports those affected, their relatives as well as witnesses to anti-Semitic incidents and acts of violence. OFEK stands by the side of those seeking advice and sees its task in bringing Jewish perspectives into the social and political debate. OFEK's counselling is based on the quality standards of professional victim counselling and refers to all cases with and without criminal offenses. OFEK offers individual counseling, group formats, a nationwide hotline and regional support in Berlin, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony-Anhalt and Sachsen. Next to the regional counselling offices, OFEK hosts two regional reporting offices in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.
The counselling follows the wishes, needs, and requirements of our clients and is available in German, Hebrew, Russian and English. We advise in crisis situations and also offer talks regarding the psychological processing of after-effects. We advise on legal issues, support in applying for financial support, write statements, accompany to authorities, offices, the police and courts. We advise institutions where the incidents took place and arrange strengthening or training offers if desired. Even if the incident happened some time ago, a consultation can determine which steps are sensible and possible.
Counselling young people, families and students after incidents at school or during their studies as well as providing specialist advice to teachers and school-based actors represent an important focus of OFEK's work.
What do we offer?
- Comprehensive counselling in the course of anti-Semitic incidents
- Legal advice in dealing with antisemitism
- Strengthening group counselling
- Providing further advice (e.g. specialized psychological advice)
- Case-related public relations
- Psychosocial process support
- Support in organisational development and crisis management
- Workshops, lectures and training on request
How do we work?
- partial, confidential, free of charge and, if desired, anonymous
- based on the wishes and needs of those seeking advice
- taking into account the presence of anti-Semitism and experiences of anti-Semitism
- with a view to the starting conditions, perspectives and needs of Jewish communities
- with a focus on material and immaterial coping with the consequences of anti-Semitic violence and discrimination
- always concerned with restoring the power to act and enforcing rights
- in close cooperation with Jewish institutions, civil society organizations and advisory networks
Other measures
- Coaching for children, youth and families experiencing discrimination
- Coaching, consulting and training for schools and other educational institutions
- Support in organisational development and crisis management
- On request: case-specific public relations work and process support