HEIMATKUNDE
Was in Deutschland heute gibt es zu feiern, für die, die Jüdisch sind?
This is a good place to start, when examining how today's Germany is making efforts to heal past wounds. How receptive is Germany now to the world's Jewish community? Check out this museum, as it celebrates its 10th Anniversary.
Once the video ends, there are a multitude of alternative videos to select to further enhance your understanding here.
As to where Jewish populations are strongest, one can see in Wikipedia that the USA and Israel are nearly tied for first place. Germany doesn't feature until 8th position, ahead of Australia and Brazil.
1 Israel 5,703,700 75.5% 42.5%
2 United States 5,275,000 1.7% 39.3%
3 France 483,000 0.73% 3.6%
4 Canada 375,000 1.1% 2.8%
5 United Kingdom 292,000 0.5% 2.2%
6 Russia 205,000 0.1% 1.5%
7 Argentina 182,300 0.4% 1.4%
8 Germany 119,000 0.1% 0.9%
9 Australia 107,500 0.3% 0.8%
10 Brazil 105,600 0.1% 0.7%
11 Ukraine 71,500 0.02% 0.5%
12 South Africa 70,800 0.1% 0.5%
13 Hungary 48,600 0.5% 0.4%
14 Mexico 39,400 0.04% 0.3%
15 Belgium 30,300 0.28% 0.21%
16 Netherlands 30,000 0.20% 0.21%
17 Poland 29,200 0.05% 0.21%
18 Italy 28,400 0.04% 0.20%
19 Chile 20,500 0.2% 0.14%
20 Switzerland 17,600 0.1% 0.13%
It's kind of odd how the German country expects the "wounds" that the old German goverment delt them by building muesums and such.
ReplyDeleteDylan hoy
I think that it was a nice idea to build this museum, but World War two ended a long time ago... besides, an official apology has been given a while ago... Plus, I dont think that this really says "were sorry" fully.. Though, it does do a good job of teaching people about cultural differences, and equality so it is the thought that counts, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI always found it kind of silly how Germany tries to make up for all the horrible things the Nazis did by constantly reminding everybody about all the horrible things the Nazis did. It's been close to 70 years, at this point they might as well just move on already.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid that Germany is stuck with this identity for then next few centuries. Their European neighbors certainly haven't forgotten -- or forgiven.
ReplyDeleteNote the new film about Margaret Thatcher, and how she shuddered to think of a united Europe, behind a strong Germany. I believe that she lost her job as Prime Minister of England in part because she wouldn't support the Euro. She dreaded a rising Germany, which became clear, particularly from her comments after 1989 and Germany's amazingly peaceful unification.
The UK still doesn't use the Euro. Now the skuttlebutt is that MT was right all along.
The fear continues. The younger generation in Germany wants to overlook it, but aren't able to. Two weeks ago, former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt addressed a joint session of German parliamentarians and brought that point sharply home once again. (His purpose was to show the ramifications for not supporting the Euro, in order to justify the upcoming expenses and discomfort.) For his efforts, he received a 6 minute ovation.
I think that it was a much different time when the nazis took power. The country was desperate and needed a radical leader, and unfortunately, it ended badly. I think that things in germany are way better now and nothing like that would ever happen again. I think the other European countries can definately trust germany, not fear it.
ReplyDelete