Most of the threads in liberal Jewish theology probably come together with Walter Homolka.

Anyone who wants to become a liberal rabbi in Germany can hardly ignore the powerful rector of the Potsdam Abraham Geiger College, the only academic institute for rabbis in this country.

Homolka is represented in all important committees, he chairs the Jewish Studienwerk Eles and the Leo Baeck Foundation, is director of the School of Jewish Theology at Potsdam University, to name just three of his many positions, and maintains excellent connections in the politic.

Thomas Thiel

Editor in the Feuilleton.

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The news that he intends to suspend his office as rector and his functions in the Jewish community for the time being is particularly explosive.

The reason is a report by "Welt" that accuses him of mishandling sexual harassment at the college and abuse of power.

Homolka's husband, then a lecturer and later spokesman for the university, is said to have sent a student a video with his genitals erected in 2019.

Homolka's husband initially admitted this, but then tried through a lawyer's office to prevent press reports on the matter.

Homolka is accused of not having made serious efforts to clarify the matter.

At the request of a member of the institute, he set up an investigative commission whose leaders were dependent on him.

Abuse of power and false information

In addition, the report accuses Homolka of abuse of power and incorrect information in his academic CV.

He created an atmosphere of fear at the Potsdam College and threatened opponents with professional annihilation.

There are also said to be other allegations of sexual harassment at the college.

The University of Potsdam, as the institute's employer, claims to have set up an investigative commission six weeks ago to examine "various allegations" against Homolka and a research assistant.

It is scheduled to present a report in August and make a recommendation on how to proceed.

Both the university and the Ministry of Science have declared that they take the allegations very seriously.

Walter Homolka rejects them in a public statement.

He was convinced that "he behaved correctly here too".

He cannot be held responsible for his husband's behavior.

The Commission will now have to clarify how long Homolka knew about this misconduct.