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Open forum allows students to discuss the reasons for Jews visiting Germany
by Justine Root
Arts Editor
News | 3/11/08
Posted online at 3:24 AM EST on 3/11/08
/ Last updated at 7:01 PM EST on 3/11/08
Last Tuesday the Center for German and European Studies provided an open forum to discuss the question of whether Jews should visit Germany. The initial discussion focused on the validity of the idea that Jews who visit Germany are overlooking the country's actions during World War II.
The dialogue was lead by Prof. Sabine von Mering (GRAL) and guest lecturer Matthias Oppermann, a DAAD Visiting Scholar, part of the German Academic Exchange Service. As the discussion progressed, its scope broadened to include many other topics, some of which brought forth emotionally charged sentiments and enlightening statements regarding the fate of the Jewish legacy in Germany and modern German-Jewish relations.
After each member of the group introduced him or herself and elaborated on his or her German or Jewish heritage, von Mering jumped into the discussion by asking those in attendance whether it was important for those of Jewish descent to visit Germany.
Zachary Zorfas '10 detailed the personal importance of visiting Germany; he explained that he traveled to the country last summer in order to "get in touch with the history" and to learn about the Jewish culture that was left behind there. He was confused that some Jews are reluctant to visit Germany and Poland today simply because their relatives who were affected by the Holocaust refused to return there themselves.
Dr. Lawrence Wangh (BIOL) expressed a similar sentiment, explaining that it is also important for Jews to visit Germany in order to explore the portions of their heritage that are German or Polish.
"One goes to Germany and recognizes portions of one's character that are uniquely German," Wangh said. "Everything is familiar in a certain way, and part of the tragedy of the Nazi era is that Jews wondered, 'How could this happen to us? We're German.'"
One of the dominant topics of the discussion was how Germans today view and interact with Jews. Wangh, as well as several other Jews in attendance, described that when they visited Germany, they felt a sense of unease on the part of the German population while in the presence of Jews. Wangh described an instance when it was revealed that he was Jewish in the company of several Germans. The reaction, Wangh said, was "complete silence."
The dialogue was lead by Prof. Sabine von Mering (GRAL) and guest lecturer Matthias Oppermann, a DAAD Visiting Scholar, part of the German Academic Exchange Service. As the discussion progressed, its scope broadened to include many other topics, some of which brought forth emotionally charged sentiments and enlightening statements regarding the fate of the Jewish legacy in Germany and modern German-Jewish relations.
After each member of the group introduced him or herself and elaborated on his or her German or Jewish heritage, von Mering jumped into the discussion by asking those in attendance whether it was important for those of Jewish descent to visit Germany.
Zachary Zorfas '10 detailed the personal importance of visiting Germany; he explained that he traveled to the country last summer in order to "get in touch with the history" and to learn about the Jewish culture that was left behind there. He was confused that some Jews are reluctant to visit Germany and Poland today simply because their relatives who were affected by the Holocaust refused to return there themselves.
Dr. Lawrence Wangh (BIOL) expressed a similar sentiment, explaining that it is also important for Jews to visit Germany in order to explore the portions of their heritage that are German or Polish.
"One goes to Germany and recognizes portions of one's character that are uniquely German," Wangh said. "Everything is familiar in a certain way, and part of the tragedy of the Nazi era is that Jews wondered, 'How could this happen to us? We're German.'"
One of the dominant topics of the discussion was how Germans today view and interact with Jews. Wangh, as well as several other Jews in attendance, described that when they visited Germany, they felt a sense of unease on the part of the German population while in the presence of Jews. Wangh described an instance when it was revealed that he was Jewish in the company of several Germans. The reaction, Wangh said, was "complete silence."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Paul Trusten, R.Ph., '73
posted 3/11/08 @ 10:11 AM EST
Because of an Internet pen pal from Berlin, I, a Jewish Brandeis alumnus who had some relatives die in the Holocaust, visited Germany during the summer of 2005. (Continued…)
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