The Return of Jewish Germany
Since World War II, Germany has partially rebuilt its Jewish population.
Credit: Glam - Shutterstock.com
Takeaways
- In 1933, more than 500,000 Jews lived in Germany. When WWII ended, only 15,000 remained.
- Many Jews came back to West Germany during the Cold War as businessmen, artists or refugees from other regimes.
- Tens of thousands of Soviet Jews were encouraged to relocate to Germany when the USSR broke up.
- Well over 100,000 Jews now live in Germany today, back up to a fifth of the prewar population.
1. More than 500,000 Jews lived in Germany when Hitler took power in 1933.
2. Only about 15,000 remained on German soil when World War II ended. Many planned to leave immediately.
3. As West Germany rapidly grew, more Jews came to the country as businessmen, artists or refugees.
4. After the fall of the Soviet Union, tens of thousands of Jews were encouraged to relocate to Germany.
5. Well over 100,000 Jews now live in the Federal Republic, which is back to a fifth of the prewar population.
From German, Jewish and Neither by Yascha Mounk (New York Times). Yascha Mounk the author of “Stranger in My Own Country: A Jewish Family in Modern Germany.” You can follow him on Twitter: @Yascha_Mounk
