A Germany divided: Non-Jews seek education against antisemitism in a polarized nation

• Published date: 25 March 2024
• Author: AARON PORIS/THE MEDIA LINE
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

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But, contrary to expectations, not one person in the workshop—including its lead educator—was Jewish. Many of the participants admitted to The Media Line that they don't even know any Jews, who comprise fewer than 1% of the German population today.

This is not an isolated incident. Group after group, paid and free, people learn about a minority group they often know nothing about to address a societal ill that seemingly doesn't affect them.

"For a long time, I didn't want to offer any antisemitism workshops," Daniela Eisenstein, Director of the Jewish Museum Franconia in Fürth—which hosts the workshop—told The Media Line. "I believe our primary mission is to convey Jewish life and history," as opposed to antisemitism.

But the rising demand for the lessons changed her mind.

According to Eisenstein, many teachers and non-Jews, long before Oct. 7, 2023, "contacted us saying, 'Can you please offer something on antisemitism? We're dealing with it with our colleagues or students in class, and we don't know how to react.'"

"We started working on a concept for teachers and schoolchildren. … It took about three years before it was finally ready to offer."

Today, the workshop is requested by educators, law enforcement, and the average German Joe.

Concerns about antisemitism in Germany have been rising for years—reaching a fever pitch after a series of recent events across the country, including home invasions, attacks on the street, and threats against synagogues and Jewish businesses not seen since the 1930s.

"My question is, 'How can I deal rationally with people who are thinking irrationally?'" workshop participant Romy, who preferred not to give her last name, told The Media Line.

"What can I say if someone comes to me and says some antisemitic nonsense? I have no answer yet," Judith Kleinemas, another workshop participant, said to The Media Line.

Attendee David Micolay agreed, adding, "I always like to learn more about the state of Israel and efforts to make peace."

"I'm interested in what happened in the past, and I wanted more information," Maria Schwager noted.

And with that, a strange tale of two very different Germanys emerges.

In the first, what we'll call "Germany A," the government's position—as consistently laid out by the likes of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, and many others in the Bundestag (Germany's parliament)—suggests outright support for Israel's mission to eradicate Hamas from its borders, provided Israel does more to support innocent Palestinians caught in the crossfire.

Scholz visited Israel three times since the October 7 attacks alone, including most recently on March 17, where he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the need for increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.

"We cannot stand by and watch...