By Sheila Orysiek
SAN DIEGO– Through the centuries Jews in Europe were treated as if they were foreigners, interlopers, intruders and aliens; unwanted, unneeded and uninvited. But, overwhelmingly they originally came at the invitation of the local prince because of their skills and connections in commerce and crafts. However, as they succeeded and as the ruler borrowed increasingly larger sums of money from them, (which the Jews had no option but to lend) he, the ruler, blamed them for various crimes and cast them out. This, of course, ended the need to repay the loan.
Today, the last place one would think to find a strongly growing Jewish community is in modern Germany. Since the reunification of the country and the fall of the USSR, the German government has pro-actively invited Jews from Russia and Eastern Europe by offering an easy entry, subsidies of money, housing, language instruction and other help. Eastern Germany is still struggling to recover from 50 years of communist rule and it is hoped that the educated Jewish immigrants will be an asset.
However, defeating the Nazi regime did not mean the end of anti-Semitism and as Germans sifted through the ashes of their cities, many of them blamed the Jews and turned on the few who had survived. And, it persists to this day.
Peter Laufer in Exodus to Berlin: The return of the Jews to Germany,” published in 2003, explores this turn of events. Through interviews with people in many walks of life, he delves into the question OF why Jews would want to live in Germany and their safety both now and in the future. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, pro-Nazi activity has grown with, according to Laufer, little meaningful response from the government.
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From the Jewish Library
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A number of the Germans he spoke to voiced their concern, not only for the Jewish community, but for their own safety if one doesn’t “look” (blond hair/blue eyes) German. There have been mass marches on both sides: the pro-Nazis and those against them.
Once again a vulnerable minority is being welcomed by the government – but with such a history – is it a risk worth taking? Are we watching history repeat itself? This book is well worth reading – with much to think about.
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Orysiek is a freelance writer who focuses on arts and literature. She may be contacted via sheila.orysiek@sdjewishworld.com