About
What is OFEK?
OFEK e.V. is a non-profit association and an advice center for anti-Semitic violence and discrimination based in Berlin and with a nationwide orientation. OFEK was created in 2017 as a reaction to the emerging anti-Semitism and the increasing need for advice that specializes in anti-Semitism. OFEK's advice is based on the subject-specific quality standards of professional victim counseling * and applies to all cases with and without the criminal offense. OFEK offers advice on a case-by-case basis, group offers, a nationwide hotline and regional support in Berlin, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony-Anhalt. The advice is confidential, multilingual, free of charge and, if desired, anonymous.
* Association of advice centers for those affected by right-wing, racist and anti-Semitic violence (VBRG)
Who can reach out to us?
We advise individuals, their families and relatives as well as witnesses on anti-Semitic violence and discrimination in school, during studies, at work, in the neighborhood, in their personal environment, on the Internet or in authorities. In addition, we also offer institutions such as municipalities, schools or associations comprehensive specialist advice after incidents.
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
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. All advisory services can be in German, Russian, Hebrew or English,
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
