Celebrated Berlin Jewish bakery closes, citing harassment since October 7

Babka & Krantz, a Jewish bakery in Berlin owned by Polish and Israeli immigrants, has ceased operations, citing a combination of economic hardship and a rise in antisemitic harassment. The bakery, which opened its first location in November 2022 and a second in December 2024, announced the closure of its second site at the House of the Wannsee Conference memorial on November 30. The memorial's statement acknowledged the "verbal abuse and the difficult situation" faced by the bakery's staff.

“

We regret the verbal abuse and the difficult situation to which the managing directors and employees of BABKA & KRANTZ Meisterkonditorei were exposed and express our full understanding for the termination of the cooperation under these circumstances.

Owners Shahar Elkin and Marcin Liera-Elkin stated that a prolonged construction project had significantly reduced foot traffic to their original location. However, they also pointed to an increase in hostility since the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The bakery reportedly endured "constant verbal abuse" in Berlin, a city that has seen a surge in anti-Israel sentiment. The couple declined further media comment, stating a need to "settle down and attend to a few matters."

“

We and our family need to settle down and attend to a few matters.

Customers expressed sadness over the closure. One regular, Rebecca, noted she visited daily after learning of the impending shutdown. "It makes me sad that things are this way," she said, referencing both the economic impact and the reported harassment. The closure of Babka & Krantz follows a trend of businesses, particularly those with Israeli or Jewish connections, experiencing difficulties. In Berlin, the hummus bar Kanaan closed in March after protests, and similar closures due to harassment have been reported for Israeli restaurants in Portugal and an Ethiopian-Israeli eatery in New York City.

“

I was actually going there every day recently, after I found out they were closing. I found that really unfortunate. It makes me sad that things are this way. I’m trying not to cry.