Why Many Pre-War Jewish Germans Chose to Stay in Germany: A Nexus of Guts, Greed, and Fear

Why did so many Jewish Germans stay in Germany in the years preceding Kristallnacht and the broader horrors of the Holocaust? It's a complex question, one that delves into the pre-war mentality of German Jews, the strict immigration barriers of the time, and the tragic reality that unfolded.

The Complexity of German Jewish Identity

Many German Jews considered themselves German first and Jewish second. This deep-rooted national identity, forged over generations, was a significant factor in their decision to stay. Despite the mounting dangers, they believed in the supposed assimilation and acceptance that had been part of the fabric of German society.

The Iron Curtain of Immigration Barriers

The reality, however, was that post-Kristallnacht, immigration barriers were almost insurmountable. Even before the rise of the Nazi regime, European countries were imposing strict limits on Jewish immigration, with the US setting a meager 25,957 immigration slots for people born in Germany in 1933, which had been limited in 1924.

United States: A Shining Yet Unattainable Star

The United States, seen as a beacon of hope, still issued only 1,241 visas to people born in Germany for the entire year. This is a stark reminder of the bureaucratic and xenophobic nature of the US immigration policies of the time. Such policies not only reflected the rise of anti-Semitism but also the overall fear and prejudice surrounding non-white and non-Western populations.

Britain and the Palestine Mandate

Even the United Kingdom, despite its historical ties to the Jewish people, refused to allow Jewish refugees into the Palestine Mandate, despite the historical ties. This decision was rooted in fears of changing the demographics of the region and concerns about the potential for violence in Palestine.

The Challenges of Immigration

Moving to a new country, especially one with different languages and cultures, was a daunting task. The need for special connections, financial resources, and the separation from family and community made the prospect of emigration seem both risky and unviable. For those who did emigrate, their journeys were fraught with peril and hardship.

Remarkable Survival Stories

Take, for example, the story of my friend Miranda, who left Warsaw on the eve of the Ghetto Uprising at the age of 14. Her family, with the help of American friends, managed to secure visas only after a two-year wait. They were smuggled into Russia by bandits, who robbed them of all their possessions. Miranda herself suffered frostbite and lost a toe. Her family then traveled to the remote Kamchatka Peninsula, where they boarded a ship to Japan, then another to California. They arrived in America with less than $5 between them.

A Legacy of Service and Hope

Miranda’s journey eventually led her to a life of teaching and community service in Brooklyn. She dedicated herself to helping gang-involved youth, instilling in them the value of education and a better future. Many of the young people she mentored went on to graduate high school and attend college, realizing the potential that Miranda had nurtured in them.

This story is a poignant reminder that even those who left Germany likely chose to stay for the hope they could afford to change their fate and create a better life for themselves and their families. It is, however, also a tragic tale of those who did not have such opportunities, and the horrors they faced.

The Inevitability of HindSight

It is easy to lay blame on the German Jews for not predicting the atrocities to come. However, the reality is that no one truly foresaw the depths of human evil, with eyes wide open and hearts full of hate. The German Jews of the pre-war era were enduring a festering societal cancer, unaware of the full extent of what was to come. Their decision to stay was not a lack of courage or foresight but a stark reflection of the historical and cultural context of their lives.

The lessons of the Holocaust go beyond historical tragedy; they are a testament to the enduring human spirit and the struggles in the face of existential threats. Understanding the factors that led to their decisions can help us better navigate the complexities of identity, immigration, and human survival in times of crisis.