Last week, a good friend of mine took his entire clan of two sons and four grand-children to the German consulate to apply for citizenship. As part of its penance for the Holocaust, that nation has offered citizenship to the descendants of survivors. I gave some thought as to why they are taking that drastic step. I wrote this to him, trying to describe my feelings.
Your decision to create an off ramp or exit plan for your children and grand-children was not a novel idea to me. Over the past few years, there have been many public ruminations on the need. (e.g., from Utah: https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2022/06/29/commentary-when-is-it-time/). Your quest for German/EU citizenship led me to delve into the possible “Why” a bit more.
The triggers are obvious (from the WA Post, a few days before we visited: https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2022/06/29/commentary-when-is-it-time/). As an outsider, I see a need for action, as distinct from fear or worry, as something ingrained in Jewish history. There is really no group (?nation ?religion ?culture) which has persisted with a self-identity for as long. China, the Catholic church, Buddhism, much less the UK or the US (my background) – none of them have a documented story of three-plus millenia. All the more remarkable considering there is no obvious central governing authority, no emperor or pope, to maintain and enforce a shared sense of community.
I considered slavery in Goshen/Egypt and Assyria, expulsion from Palestine by the Romans and the Arabs, exile from Spain 1492, pogroms in eastern Europe in the 16th-19th centuries. (The Mormons believe two of the “lost tribes” floated to North America and became the indigenous population here.) Culminating with the genocide of the last century. Major holidays remind you annually of this: Hanukkah, Pesach. I can see why you would have a stronger loyalty to your tribe/religion/culture than to the rather more youthful country in which you live. You’ve “seen this play before.”
Recent generations have proclaimed “Never Again”, and created the Jewish homeland of Israel. Seen in the light of this shared history, your visit to the German consulate last week is not frivolous, not based on fantasy, but a realistic and logical response. Which makes me angry and sad. Not at you, but at the environment which leads you to this.
Having said all that, of course I hope that action never becomes necessary.
Just my 2 €…