GERMANY ISRAEL JEWISH FATE Th e Tired Republic Yom Kippur War Th e New Woman RELUCTANT 45 YEARS OF LOTTE LASERSTEIN TO REFORM NATIONAL TRAUMA EXHIBITION PAGE 2 PAGE 8 PAGE 16 JEWISH VOICE FROM GERMANY

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שמחת תורה USA GERMANY ISRAEL SIMCHAT TORAH Self-Absorption

hen we refl ect upon His success is encouraging oth- the current situation er politicians to follow his lead. W in the US, Germany These developments are in- and Israel, and review the de- creasingly fracturing the coun- velopments of recent years, it try’s democratic consensus and is hard not to recall one of Bob chipping away at what remains Dylan’s early songs. The Times of common ground. They Are a-Changin’. The US After the defeat of Nazi Ger- has repeatedly been involved many, West Germany was a in foreign wars: Korea, Viet- “model student” of democracy. vecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en nam, the fateful attack of 9/11, This paid off during the postwar and military engagements in years, when the country was re- ps://crea Afghanistan and warded by the Iraq. But at home, Wirtschaftswun- there was a demo- der or “economic cratic consensus. miracle.” In rela- One symbol of tively short order, 2.0) / h on 2.0 Generic (CC BY this consensus was West Germany ribu Senator John Mc- became Europe’s Cain, who passed Common leading industri- away in August. “ al and economic He is rightly re- sense is in power. This posi- membered for his tion rested upon / Wikimedia A Cate Lawrie reply to a sup- the foundation porter late in the decline of a stable dem- The Torah is celebrated with good reason. It recounts the history of the Jewish people, serves as the 2008 campaign, ocratic system source of Jewish law, and teaches us to love God and our fellow human beings. who said she had and democratic heard that Barack political par- ce Israel, VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2018 / Photo: Städel Museum, JVG Städel Bonn 2018 / Photo: Bild-Kunst, VG ce Israel, ffi Obama was “an ties, who were FM HEIKO MAAS Arab.” “No, Ma’am,” McCain re- staunch supporters of the liberal plied, “Senator Obama is a de- order. After 1990, this political On Israel’s Security cent person.” President Donald and economic stability allowed 5779 Trump is indiff erent to this form West Germany to integrate the German For- of democratic common sense, if former communist East with rela- eign Minister A new year, and along with it vigorous statement of support not outright hostile to it. His po- tive ease. After reunifi cation, Ger- Heiko Maas con- a spirit of forgiveness, the an- is much appreciated. At the litical strategy is one of disrup- many bolstered its reputation as fi rms Germany’s nulment of vows, and above all same time, however, Iran is mbH, Tomarkin Yigal / Government Press O Press / Government Yigal mbH, Tomarkin tion. Trump seeks to strengthen a democratic force for peace. But responsibility for a commitment to reconcilia- objectively endangering Isra- his own hand by exacerbating beneath the surface, both the for- Israel’s security. tion, brings with it new oppor- el’s security. Tehran continues political and social divisions. mer East Germany and the West In an interview tunities. For humanity and for to proclaim the destruction of harbored a violent and xenopho- with Jewish Voice, he defends the peace. In the summer, I accom- the Jewish state. Iran is also bic neo-Nazi scene. nuclear deal with Iran. Maas be- panied German Foreign Minis- on the military off ensive, not } POLITICAL STRATEGY Despite a spirit of goodwill lieves that, despite its defi ciencies, ter Heiko Maas to Auschwitz. only in Syria but also in Iraq, and the mobilization of sub- the agreement enhances Israel’s My visit was made in com- Lebanon, and Yemen. stantial fi nancial resources, security. He fears that if Tehran memoration of my aunt Jente This is the reason why near- the infl ux of refugees in 2015 follows the example of the US and Hammersfeld and her family, ly all independent Arab states was the cause for considerable withdraws from the agreement, who were mur- are demand- Verlagsgesellscha vecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ , Zenodot diffi culty – people are never Iran will resume its uranium en- dered there. ing that any Order and Discourse easy, especially those fl ee- richment program. This could In this most deal with Iran ps://crea Keep democracy working ing violence and war. In the lead to war. êPAGE 4 horrifi c place must include PAGE 6 wake of this upheaval, Germa- in the world, Opportunity an affi rmation ny’s political landscape began Germany’s top “ of the right GERMAN BANKS } BREXIT shifting. The nationalist and diplomat ex- to achieve to existence populist AfD party contin- New Strategy plained, that of all states. 2.0) / h on 2.0 Generic (CC BY ued to gain ground, and soon every one of us peace, freedom Including the ribu joined forces with neo-Nazis. Germany’s economy may be is confronted State of Israel. The German model democracy booming, but its banks are suf- with a choice. and security The year is no longer as stable as it once fering from a wasting disease. Will we resign 5779 presents Longing for Europe seemed. Now more than ever, The crisis has its roots in pri- ourselves, or us with a new A personal appeal the country must mobilize a or mismanagement and cha- will we stand up for human dig- opportunity to achieve peace, PAGE 13 robust and confi dent commit- otic leadership. Former CEOs nity? For every humanist, every freedom and security. This } RELIGION ment to democracy. set their sights on investment democrat, and every rational must be defended not only in Israel’s new Nationality Law is banking as a way to boost prof- person, there can be only one Israel and the Middle East, but wholly superfl uous. Democracy its. However, they were no answer. We must all take ac- also in the heart of Europe and there is stable. As a result, calls match for the aggressive busi- tion to preserve human dignity. Germany. Here at the Jewish from abroad for greater democ- ness practices common to the As Maas states in his inter- Voice, we hope to contribute racy in Israel have grown quiet- sector. The banks suff ered mas- view with Jewish Voice, this in making this a reality. Praying for Rain er. Germany and the US are both sive losses. The new strategy is also includes solidarity on be- Sustenance and blessing preoccupied, and have turned to shift the focus back to regular half of Israel’s security. This Rafael Seligmann PAGE 24 sh Library London , JVG, 33834849300_c2f558f4d9_o / Tobias Nordhausen / Flickr A Nordhausen 33834849300_c2f558f4d9_o / Tobias London , JVG, sh Library ■ êPAGE 10 Bri their attention inward. banking operations. 2 | OPINION JEWISH VOICE FROM GERMANY | OCTOBER 2018

GERMANY 2018 The Tired Republic: Reluctant to Reform

By Rafael Seligmann In Syria, some half a million people – among them hundreds ermany today has no exis- of thousands of women and tential fears to contend with. children – have been killed in G German society is free to Assad’s war of annihilation. Half bask in its self-made prosperity and the population has been forced indulge in fretful overreactions. No to fl ee their homes. The world’s topic of debate is too small. Indeed, democracies, including Germany, Germany was the only country that watched from a safe distance and expressed a strong opinion on the provided humanitarian aid. most trivial of questions in an EU poll on whether daylight saving time Remember the 1930s should be abolished or not. Politi- cians, theologians and moralizers Then, in 2015, the German gov- of all stripes are debating whether ernment opened its doors to an opt-out organ donation system is refugees. Chancellor Merkel’s ral- ethically permissible, even as tens of lying cry was “Wir schaff en das” mbH thousands of critically ill people die – “we can do it.” That promise has before an organ becomes available. not yet been fulfi lled. It is not only It’s tempting to imagine how these Germany’s political leadership but opinionators and fi nger-waggers will the entire country that is to blame.

change their tune if they ever fi nd Verlagsgesellscha Zenodot Germany’s generosity in opening its themselves languishing on an organ Pieter Bruegel the Elder: The Land of Cockaigne (1567) doors to refugees was exemplary. donor list. But initially, at least, the rules were While time is frittered away debating Also, the awareness of citizens, and par- sile program, acquire regional dominance anything but clear. Why did Germany fail to trivialities and self-evident truths are de- ticularly the younger generation, needs to over states such as Iraq and Lebanon, pro- properly register so many of the new arrivals? liberated into oblivion, important ques- be raised. One year of compulsory military vide military support to the Syrian dictator Why were refugees not given to understand tions that will shape our future are avoid- or national service for young people would Bashar al-Assad in his total war against his that they, too, must observe German laws ed and ignored. In Germany, a nationalistic help foster the appreciation of the needs of own people, exacerbate the civil war in Ye- and norms? Why were people whose asylum political party that claims to represent the society and the community. The General men and persist in its outrageous threats of applications were denied not expelled? concerns of ordinary citizens but has so far Secretary of the Christian Democratic Par- annihilation against Israel – whose security Germany, Europe, and all the countries failed to put forth either a policy platform ty, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, fl oated Chancellor Angela Merkel has said is part of the Middle East could indeed benefi t or a charismatic leader has nonetheless this idea in August, but her proposal was of Germany’s reason of state. Nonetheless, from a viable nuclear deal with Iran. But managed to hoodwink millions of voters. dismissed as little more than a fi ller story all of this is ignored in favor of what is be- the prerequisite for such a deal is that Iran Will the European Union survive Britain’s for the slow news season. ing called “peace”. must acknowledge the right of all states to exit? Why are the member states unable to In the fall of 2018, Germany is a fool’s exist – and this includes Israel. Without join forces to bring Britain back on board? Self-righteous lethargy paradise – mired in a kind of self-righteous this prerequisite, we are inviting Tehran Despite his occasionally erratic behavior, lethargy. This desire to preserve the status to maintain its policy of expansion and some of US President Donald Trump’s ob- By contrast, the EU was unifi ed in its quo, however, threatens to devolve into annihilation by other means. Convincing servations are very much on the mark – for condemnation of President Trump’s with- political inertia. After all, even the very Iran it must accept this additional proviso example, his warning that Europe and espe- drawal from the Iran nuclear deal. Like- meekest cannot be at peace if his ill neigh- will not be easy. But it must be done. Our cially Germany have long been shortchang- wise, Europe has spoken with one voice bor will not let him rest. History has shown security and prosperity depend on our in- ing their defense budget. While its support of in its support of the International Atomic that such “ill neighbors” will always be with sistence that liberal norms and principles poor and developing countries is commend- Energy Report that found Tehran continu- us. Many would prefer to ignore the les- be observed on both a national and global able, Europe must nonetheless boost its de- ing to comply with the nuclear deal. At sons of history. But present circumstances level. Anything else would be a fatal policy fense capabilities. Germany, too, will need to the same time, however, Iran continues to off er ample proof that peaceful intentions of appeasement. The example of Europe in signifi cantly increase its defense budget. develop its nuclear-capable ballistic mis- do not always prevent aggression. the 1930s should serve as a warning. ■

GERMANY’S TROUBLED EAST The Dwindling Power of the 1989 Freedom Ideals

By Frank Bernbeck the former East that continues their share of the pie – a pie now giving rise to what can only many once fought so hard to to blur the boundaries between they have acquired themselves be understood as a profound dis- achieve, memories of civil dis- n the September 2017 German the so-called “besorgte Bürger” only recently. Along with these tortion of the ideals of democra- obedience are being revived federal election, the Alterna- – or “worried citizens” – and far- economic anxieties, many in cy that East Germans had fought for a new purpose. After all, if I tive for Germany (AfD) be- right extremists. But if we wish to eastern Germany feel unjustly for in 1989. Indeed, today many East Germany once succeeded came the strongest party in the prevent further erosion of demo- in overthrowing a hated re- eastern state of Saxony. This is cratic parties and norms, we must gime, why not again? Others a showing the far-right populists seek to reach those who are not are propagating arcane theo- hope to repeat in next year’s state – or not yet – radicalized. ries of the “right to resist” and parliamentary election. The AfD To prevent further erosion of overthrow tyranny – as though is currently polling just behind Economic anxieties “ Chancellor Angela Merkel the Christian Democrats. But were a dictator and not a free- why is that? In eastern Germany, Many people in eastern Germany democratic parties and norms, ly-elected head of government. many people feel that they are share a sentiment that is common The AfD and the Pegida move- not being heard or understood in eastern European countries. we must seek to reach those who ment may once have been mo- – a sentiment that continues to After the fall of the Iron Curtain, tivated by criticism of Merkel’s strengthen the hand of the AfD. many believed that they had fi nal- are not – or not yet – radicalized policy on refugees. Today, how- In the wake of the violent right- ly found a home in the West. But ever, they are betraying the ide- wing riots in several eastern by the start of the refugee crisis, if als that once gave rise to the German cities, the residents of not before, some Germans in the stigmatized by their fellow citi- hope that a win for the AfD in revolutions of 1989. Democracy Chemnitz are now claiming that former east felt that their home no zens in the West for their criti- Saxony could spark a wider con- does not mean that yours is the their town is being maligned as a longer belonged to them. cisms of German Chancellor servative-nationalist revolution. only opinion that matters. The “hotbed” of mob violence against Like a lot of Eastern Europe- Angela Merkel’s refugee policy. Although such a revolution slogan of the 1989 East German foreigners. It would be tempting ans, eastern Germans tend to This hostility toward Merkel’s would undermine rather than democratic uprising – “We are to simply blame the “ungrate- be deeply skeptical of refugees, refugee policy may be in parts promote the democracy that the people” – applies not only to ful East Germans.” After all, it is who they believe are stealing understandable. However, it is the citizens of eastern Ger- a select few, but to everyone. ■ Do we always need 4 wheels to move the world?

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HEIKO MAAS Better an Imperfect Deal than No Deal at All Foreign Minister on Israel’s security, the treaty with Iran and Germany’s responsibility

hat has happened to Ger- whether this nuclear deal has a future at many’s model democrats? all. In the wake of the US withdrawal, we They seem to be running must ensure that Iran continues to abide scared of right-wing ex- by the agreement and prevent a possible tremists,W or throwing up their hands in nuclear escalation. resignation. And worst of all, some are even marching alongside them… How can someone who is as aware of his- For far too long, many people have been tory and the past as you are be willing to lulled into complacency, believing that allow a state to continue to publicly and Germany does not have any problems without shame call for the destruction of with racism or anti-Semitism to speak of. the State of Israel? An exception has been Thanks to social media and networks, we made, but it is an unhuman and politically are now seeing the sad truth. This reality dangerous one… has long been ignored, largely because I cannot and will not reverse the deci- the debate within Germany has been sion that has been made. I’m more con- dominated by purely economic issues in cerned about the potential for further recent years. But now we have realized escalation should the nuclear deal fail. that we must urgently begin attending to The deal is not perfect, but we must do the values that defi ne us, and that have everything in our power to prevent such brought us a good life here in Germany. a dramatic escalation. Freedom, democracy and the rule of law must not be taken for granted. We must But Iran is waging a campaign of conquest make them our joint project, and stand and intimidation throughout the region… up for them. Together with France and Britain, we are devoting a great deal of attention to this You want people to get up off their sofas, topic, also because of the role Iran is play- and get loud. What exactly do you mean ing in Syria and in Yemen. The same holds by that? for Iran’s ballistic missile program, which is We can all help in some way. We often extremely problematic. encounter racism and anti-Semitism dur- ing our everyday lives – at home, at work, In the past, Iran and the Jewish state al- on the subway, on the soccer pitch. Then ways had a good relationship. We have it is up to us. Either we pretend we didn’t no common borders and no refugee prob- hear what was said, and look away. Or we lem. For Tehran, this is only a vehicle to speak up. In many cases, even asking “why would you say such a thing?” is enough to well as problems related to climate, secu- signal disagreement. We must all be will- rity and migration policy. No country in ing to take a stand against xenophobia and Europe, be it large or small, will be able anti-Semitism. It’s not that hard. to solve these problems on their own. We - can only do it together. That is why we “The German Israeli relationship When you visited Auschwitz in August, need the opposite of populism and nation- you said that we will need to choose be- alism. We need international cooperation will always be a very special one – tween resignation, hopelessness, or draw and shared rules and norms that we all upon fresh hope and strength… adhere to. when it comes to our international It may seem paradoxical at fi rst glance. When you’re at what I would call the You’ve called for a “balanced partnership” most horrifi c place in the world, and see between Europe and the US. What are the relationships, this one is unique what happened there, you fi nd yourself central pillars of that partnership? becoming very quiet. But we must not re- First of all, we must assume greater re- main quiet. The lessons of our own his- sponsibility here, in Europe. That’s the including Israel, has a right to exist? gain power and esteem within the Islamic tory demand that we fi nd the strength to only way we will succeed in preserving Given that the US has withdrawn from world. I believe that global pressure could ensure this past will never repeat itself. our own interests and values in those the deal, could Germany not take up this bring Iran to the point where it would be areas where President Trump has de- issue again? willing to affi rm the existence of all states. parted from our shared What we must remember is that those Honestly – even if were able to discuss path and left a vacuum. negotiations were being held to contain this issue, how realistic is it that we could We will have to join forces the looming threat of an acute nuclear reach such an agreement under the cur- to succeed. Our response crisis. The German government believed rent circumstances? to “America fi rst” must be that preventing Iran from becoming a “Europe united.” nuclear power would increase not only So it all looks quite bleak… our own security, but the security of Is- I hope that’s not the case. We also believe What do you see as the rael. That is why we decided to support that what Iran is doing is unacceptable, future of the German-Israeli the deal. both in Syriay and with respect to its missile relationship? program.program. But letlet’s ’s say Iran succeeded The German-Israeli re- Under the currentent circumstances, inin developing a nunnuclear program with lationship will always be a wouldn’t it be bestbest forfor us to in- militarymilitary capabilcapabilitiesiti – that would be very special one – when it sist on an affi rmation o off thethe a far greater escalationese than any- comes to our international right to exist? thingthing we are wwitnessingiti now. A deal Populism is on the rise worldwide – in the relationships, this one is unique. Even The German government ac- that gets Iran toto agree to shelve its Philippines, Russia, the US, Turkey, Hun- apart from our own history, one thing is knowledges Israel’sael’s right to exist nuclearnuclear ambitions, at least gary. Why are we calling it populism, rath- very clear: the security and existence of in every interactionction it has with forfor nnow,o is better than no er than nationalistic egotism, chauvinism, Israel will always be part of Germany’s Iran, at every level.vel. It would be deal.deala An imperfect deal or excessive nationalism...? reason of state. neither honest nnoror sincere for isis betterb than no deal That’s a good point. In fact, I do tend to us to do some- atat all. ■ talk about populism and nationalism in I am concerned and worried about the thing know- the same breath. Populism is a form of fact that a deal was reached with Iran in ing full well HeikoH Maas talked nationalism – one that seeks to promote 2015 that is purely technical in nature. that, given to JVG editors isolation and exclusion. It’s the opposite Would it not have been incumbent upon the current Elisabeth Neu of what we must do in order to meet the Germany, which has a special relation- situation, there is and Rafael challenges of our time. We will not be able ship to Israel, to say that we want the no chance that we Seligmann at the to solve our problems alone – and that in- agreement to incorporate a statement will succeed. RightRight FFederaled Foreign

cludes economic and social problems, as affi rming that every state in the region, now, our concerncern iiss OOfficeff in Berlin (3) JVG The greater the connections, the smaller the world. Discover over 400 destinations worldwide. 6 | POLITICS JEWISH VOICE FROM GERMANY | OCTOBER 2018

ANNEGRET KRAMP-KARRENBAUER Rise up? We Must Dare to Disagree! The CDU General Secretary issues a call to political leaders and committed democrats

By Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer – must stop allowing ourselves to be drawn into this spiral of ur republic is in tur- outrage. Democratic debate moil. Hatred and in- must be more than simply pro- citement are not con- fessions of outrage and indig- fi ned to social media. nation. Outrage is a dead-end; OOn the streets, we are witness- outrage is like a soft, warm blan- ing incidents of incitement and ket that allows me to withdraw abuse against people who are into my safe, comfortable world

members of certain groups. Jew- vecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ view. Democratic debate forces ish restaurants are being van- me out of my comfort zone. En- ps://crea dalized, and Jews are being at- gaging with those who disagree tacked. We are watching people with us is not always easy. But performing the Nazi salute, hear- democratic debate requires that ing calls to violence and slogans we address the questions and reminiscent of the darkest mo- dilemmas of our day together. 2.0) / h on 2.0 Generic (CC BY ments of our history. Police of- Democratic debate cannot be a ribu fi cers are being attacked and our one-way street. parliamentary inboxes are being fl ooded with mails and messag- Fact over emotion es roiling with violent fantasies. Anti-Semitism and xenophobia The democratic center, its have found their way directly political leadership and in- into the German Bundestag and stitutions, must take up the other parliamentary bodies. mantle of responsibility. We All of this – and much more are the ones who must lead – is repulsive, off ensive, and ig- by example. And that means

norant of the lessons of history. / Flickr A Nordhausen 33834849300_c2f558f4d9_o / Tobias valuing fact over emotion, and And all of this is quite rightly Reichstag building in Berlin: Down in the plenum poli cians are arguing, up in the dome the people are strolling valuing nuance and complex- arousing indignation, refusal ity over simplistic sloganeer- and resistance. We are hearing will issue unambiguous ver- our democratic state and its le- of opinion and respectfully en- ing. It means showing respect from all corners that it is time dicts. And these crimes are gal institutions would also help gage with people who do not for those who disagree with to take a stand. People are call- indeed wide-ranging – slan- reassure our citizens that the agree with us. We must main- us, rather than shouting them ing halt, calling foul, demanding der and defamation, perform- state is willing and able to take tain civil discourse. And we must down and defaming them. And that the off enders leave the fi eld ing the Nazi salute, vandalism, action. But this also means that understand that compromise is sometimes it means taking the – signaling that xenophobia and violence, disturbing the peace, political leaders must ensure essential to the maintenance of time to think and refl ect. I re- anti-Semitism have no place in calling for and threatening vi- that our security forces are pro- democracy in a free and open so- fuse to lose faith in the impor- Germany. So far, so good. Who olence, Holocaust denial, in- vided with the resources, staff , ciety. Democratic debate in Ger- tance of robust public debate. would disagree? citement, coercion, and more. and equipment they need. We many is foundering. The loudest Democracy cannot function voices today are the extremists, without it. Entrusted with a mandate the dogmatists, the simplifi ers: I have immense respect for ev- everyone in the state of Saxony eryone in this country who is There is no question: a free so- is a Nazi; all asylum-seekers are taking a stand, who is taking to ciety based on the values of re- criminals; anyone who speaks the streets in opposition to hate sponsibility, respect and civility out against left-wing extrem- and incitement. They deserve in our public interactions can- ism is by defi nition an adher- our support – whether it be in not remain silent and indiff erent “Anyone who believes hate ent of the far-right; anyone who the protest against right-wing in the face of such debasement does not repudiate all military extremism, the fi ght against of our shared values. But I still responsibility is by defi nition a anti-Semitism or homophobia, have my doubts whether such can be fought with hate has war-monger. Anyone who dis- or the fi ght against left-wing ex- calls for civic resistance are an sents or has a adequate response. Particularly already lost, has already diff erent opinion when some of these appeals are becomes the tar- made in such a paternalistic and ceded the terms of the debate get of defamation moralizing way. Here, I am al- or ridicule. Nu- so thinking of the demand that anced opinions citizens should “ get out of their are drowned out. comfort zones.” Is this really all Only the most that political leadership has to What is at stake is not simply cannot allow our leaders to is- simplistic and off er us? After all, these leaders our ideals of respectful and sue an appeal to civil society dogmatic opin- have all been entrusted with a civil discourse and behavior; – and then fail to support our ions are heard. mandate to undertake concrete we must also ensure that our police forces and other institu- This has created political action. Now they ap- criminal justice system takes tions charged with maintaining a culture of de- pear to be shifting that respon- a very clear stand. A state that security and the rule of law. The bate in which sibility to the citizenry and the operates according to the prin- overriding principle is clear: hate, incitement, broader public. ciples of the rule of law must any criminal off ence will be fundamentalism This is not an adequate re- set limits and enforce them met with a clear, unequivocal and extremism sponse. In my view, our po- with vigor and impartiality. and fi rm response by the state can fl ourish – on

litical leadership must issue To do that, however, we must and its legal authorities. And to all ends of the po- JVG a two-fold response. The fi rst assign adequate personnel and be completely clear: this applies litical spectrum. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer response is that of an assertive, legal resources to the problem. irrespective of the motives and Anyone who be- eff ective and resolute constitu- Why, for example, do we not the identity of the off ender. lieves hate can tional state. When crimes are send additional public prosecu- be fought with hate has already tremist violence. Civic engage- being committed, a calling tors to monitor certain demon- Target of defamation lost, has already ceded the terms ment is central to our democ- for a “revolt of the righteous” strations and rallies so that they of the debate. racy. Democracy cannot survive – however laudable – is inade- can identify criminal activities Secondly, our political leaders Our democracy – and espe- without committed democrats. quate. We need a vigorous po- as they are taking place, and must ensure that we cultivate cially its political leaders – must However, in the fi nal analysis, I lice force, public prosecutors initiate an appropriate police and value the process of open, be willing to endure disagree- believe that the greatest share of who are committed to prompt response? Such a direct and democratic debate. We must ment and engage with it in a re- the duty and responsibility lies investigation, and courts that visible response on the part of be able to tolerate diff erences spectful manner. We – all of us with our political leadership. ■ Stalemate or forward thinking? Starting a family? Building a house? Or beginning a business? You need courage to do any of these. We support curious people like you reliably, knowledgeably DQGZLWKILQDQFLDOEDFNERQH6WLOO going strong after 12 years. 8 | HISTORY JEWISH VOICE FROM GERMANY | OCTOBER 2018

THE 1973 YOM KIPPUR WAR Learning for Israel’s Survival Recklessness led Zion to the edge of the abyss ce Israel ce

A er severe setbacks, Israeli troops crossed the Suez Canal, October 1973 Ron Ilan / Government Press O ffi Press Government / Ilan Ron

By Rafael Seligmann other sentence is distorted or, especially, warning against euphoria. But both the fi nally consented in a remarkable man- misunderstood at the political and stra- government and military top brass were ner: Two hundred IDF tanks were to face orty-fi ve years ago, on Yom Kippur tegic level as this one. With it, Clause- set on staying where they were. The Su- 2,000 Syrian tanks. In the south, where at 2pm, the armies of Syria and witz clearly establishes and repeatedly ez Canal was “the best anti-tank ditch,” 200,000 Egyptian troops and more than Egypt simultaneously attacked Is- underscores the primacy of politics. This Dayan said. 2,000 Egyptian tanks stood poised to in- raeli positions at the Suez Canal means that the outcome of the fi ght- vade the Israeli-occupied east bank of Fand in the Golan Heights. It was the begin- ing, or the victory on the battlefi eld, is the Suez Canal, Dayan authorized the Misjudgments and arrogance ning of the Yom Kippur (or October) War. secondary. What matters more is what deployment of 150 Israeli tanks. These With the exception of the 1948-49 Israeli politics makes of military events. In the The Arab governments refused to ac- IDF forces would suffi ce to deter the Arab War of Independence, it would be the cost- October War, no one grasped and vigor- cept defeat. Egypt began a campaign of armies and political leaders from attack- liest armed confl ict for Israel in its history. ously exploited the political dimension of attrition at the Suez Canal. The casual- ing, Dayan believed, citing his victories in Some three thousand Israeli soldiers were the fi ghting better than Egypt’s president ties Israel suff ered from Egyptian shelling the 1956 Sinai War. killed in three weeks of fi ghting. Several Anwar el-Sadat. The Israeli side did not were untenable in the long term. Israel Dayan’s decision was suff used with ar- thousand became prisoners of war, many have this deep sense of politics and strat- therefore agreed to a truce on the basis rogance, perhaps even megalomania. of whom were abused or tortured. Some egy. This is all the more astonishing given of the status quo. The Israelis kept their He was certain that a modest amount of did not survive. As a percentage of the total that the Israeli chief of staff was Moshe side of the deal even after Egypt deployed Israeli armor was enough to hold back population, four times as many Israelis fell Dayan, who was recognized around the its Soviet-made anti-aircraft systems the an enemy with a ten-fold superiority in in October 1973 than Americans did during world as an outstanding commander and the entire Vietnam War. Consequently, Is- shrewd politician. Yet before and during rael’s chief of staff David Elazar, military in- the war, Dayan and his government lead- telligence chief Eli Zeira, Defense Minister er Golda Meir committed grave errors, Moshe Dayan and, fi nally, Prime Minister both in judgment and decision. As a re- Golda Meir all resigned. The confl ict be- sult, despite its military successes, Israel came a national trauma from which Israeli lost the war politically. And although his society has yet to recover. armies were defeated, Sadat won. “Despite military success, Israel in Tank ba le in the Golan Heights the end suffered a political defeat. Egypt’s President Sadat triumphed – despite the failure of his armies vecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en ps://crea following night directly along the Canal. numbers. Dayan also counted on the Is- That eff ectively neutralized Israel’s stron- raeli Air Force as the ace up his sleeve. But gest weapon, its air force – because Israel Dayan’s assessment was more than hu- wanted to avoid fresh casualties under bristic. His analysis was superfi cial strate- any circumstances. gically and, what is worse, ill considered. When Sadat, who became Egyptian Along the 160 kilometers of the Suez

on-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) / h (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported on-ShareAlike president in 1970, off ered Israel peace Canal, Israel maintained only 12 bunker ribu talks under the condition that it evacu- complexes manned by 1,000 troops in to-

A ate the Sinai Peninsula, the Israeli side re- tal. Even the most upbeat Israeli generals / יבצ ןרק

fused. Israel kept this stance all through doubted that these would suffi ce to hold רינ the following years, whilst Egypt and

Wikimedia / Syria rebuilt and modernized their armed forces with Moscow’s help. Understanding the impact of a war does How could it have come to this – and In early October 1973, Israeli intelli- not mean reconstructing battles with tin what can we learn from it today? The ori- gence reported that the Egyptian and soldiers, topographical models or – to- gins of the Yom Kippur War lay in the Syrian armies were ready for war. Ela- day – computer animation, but analyz- previous Arab-Israeli confl ict, the Six Day zar, the Israeli chief of staff , clamored to ing the confl ict’s political and strategic War of 1967. In the space of just a few mobilize the army. Yet Defense Minister signifi cance. With his brilliant work On days, Israel decisively defeated the com- Dayan dismissed the demand as unnec- War, the Prussian military philosopher bined armies of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. essary. Military intelligence chief Eli Zei- Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831) left us an Israeli troops occupied the Sinai Peninsu- ra likewise saw little danger of war, point- array of instruments to analyze wars that la, the Golan Heights and the West Bank. ing out that Israel’s armed forces or IDF remains sound even today. Clausewitz’ The Israeli army stood at the Suez Canal, far outclassed their Arab enemies. When philosophy is encapsulated in his asser- within 50 kilometers of Damascus, and Elazar insisted on reinforcing the troops

tion that “war is the mere continuation at the Jordan River. Israel’s fi rst prime at Suez and on the Golan Heights on Report & World News U.S. of politics by other means.” Perhaps no minister, David Ben-Gurion, was already the basis of intelligence reports, Dayan Prime Minister Golda Meir OCTOBER 2018 | JEWISH VOICE FROM GERMANY HISTORY | 9

out against a direct attack by ready ground forces. Despite positions in the Golan. Syrian 100,000 Egyptians supported by repeated warnings from his armor advanced following heavy masses of artillery. The former chief of staff , Dayan did not artillery shelling. The Israeli ar- commander in chief of the south budge from this position. mored units were too small to front, Ariel Sharon, a proven stop a Syrian force ten times commander during the Six Day Darkest hour their size. Israeli warplanes took War, considered the strategy of heavy losses to prevent a Syrian vecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/deed.en holding the Canal’s east bank On October 6 at 2pm, follow- breakthrough. After heavy fi ght- ps://crea with a handful of strong points ing a heavy artillery bombard- ing, Syrian paratroopers man- “dangerous nonsense.” The in- ment, 100,000 Egyptian infan- aged to occupy the Israeli posi- ferior Israeli bunkers suffi ced try crossed the Canal in several tions on Mount Hermon. Syrian at most for enemy observation, waves. They soon overran the tanks in the Golan Heights at- Sharon said, adding that they Israeli positions, with most of tacked in the south, towards would never withstand an Egyp- the Egyptian forces bypassing the Israeli Sea of Galilee, some tian attack. He recommended a them to strike deeper into the 2,000 meters below them. Dur- more fl exible approach instead. Israeli rear. The Israeli armored ing the night, Syrian armor The IDF should pull back about units struck out at the invaders, broke through the Israeli front. 30 kilometers from the Canal to but these were armed with anti- Israel’s north lay open to the in-

the Sinai mountains at the Mit- / h Pikiwiki Israel Archive Forces Defense Wikimedia / The Israel tank rockets. Within hours, the vaders. Dayan, having ignored la and Gidi Passes and await the Defense Minister Moshe Dayan and war hero Arik Sharon, the “King of Israel” Israeli armor was knocked out. earlier warnings, panicked. He Egyptians from secure positions And the Israeli Air Force? The declared this was the looming there. Dayan agreed with his People – including politicians an emergency meeting at fi rst military branch Dayan consid- destruction of the “Third Tem- maverick subordinate in princi- and military offi cers – often re- light, chief of staff Elazar de- ered his trump card was largely ple,” meaning the modern state ple from a military standpoint, ly on experience, even if events manded authorization for a neutralized by the Soviet-built of Israel. but considered the fl exible strat- have since overtaken the reali- preemptive strike by the Israeli SAM-2 and SAM-3 antiaircraft In this darkest hour, strong egy politically unacceptable. For ties of the past. To carry out his Air Force against the poised missiles of the Egyptian army. personalities rescued Israel from as soon as Israel withdrew from strategy, Dayan appointed Gen- enemy positions. Prime Minis- Behind the shield of the ad- disaster. Prime Minister Meir the Canal’s east bank, he was eral Shmuel Gonen, an infl exible ter Meir and Defense Minister vancing Egyptian infantry, en- recalled General Haim Bar Lev sure the Egyptians would oc- enactor of orders, to command Dayan rejected the demand – gineers built pontoon bridges from retirement to command the cupy it and, from this advanced the south front. Meir because she foresaw that that soon allowed thousands southern front. The armored re- position, draw Israel into a con- Israel would need US support of tanks and artillery pieces serve was entrusted to the like- fl ict of pinpricks. Hence, the IDF Repeated warnings in any future war. Dayan, on to cross to the Canal’s east wise reactivated Ariel Sharon, so had to hold out at the east bank the other hand, was sure that bank. With this superior force, that Elazar could fi nally send the for political reasons. The Israe- During the night of October Israel’s highly modern air force Egypt consolidated its posi- IDF back on the off ensive with a li forces at the waterway were 6, military intelligence received would infl ict such high casu- tion on the western side of the fi ghting spirit. For days Sharon certainly outnumbered, but the direct information that Syr- alties on the advancing Syrian Sinai Peninsula. searched for the Egyptian army’s IDF also counted on its greatly ian and Egyptian forces would and Egyptian armies that these Meanwhile, the Syrian army weak point. eff ective air force, which had de- simultaneously attack Israeli would then be engaged and under the orders of President termined the 1967 Six Day War. positions the following day. In thrown back by Israel’s battle- Hafez al-Assad attacked Israeli ê PAGE 14

I wish all our Jewish citizens here in Germany and their friends and family across the world a happy and peaceful new year: Shana Tova!

Peter Altmaier Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy 10 | ECONOMY JEWISH VOICE FROM GERMANY | OCTOBER 2018

GERMAN BANK CRISIS Reasons for Decline and a Way Out No longer a big player on the global market

Von Michael Balk European counterparts,” says cess. Bankers Trust epitomized a recent report by consultants the brash new Wall Street ap- hat’s going on Ernst & Young. And the gulf, it proach to moving markets, while with Germany’s adds, is widening. US banks got Frankfurt remained the domain big banks? Ten back on their feet quickly fol- of pinstriped banking with pri- years after the lowing the fi nancial crisis and vate customers and lending globalW fi nancial crisis the coun- forced capitalization by the to midmarket companies and try’s two leading lenders are in government. Currently they are prosperous industries. The out- worse shape than ever. On the benefi ting from the booming come of this Kulturkampf is well international stage, in their prof- domestic economy and Donald known: The investment bankers itability and market valuation, Trump’s tax reform. While in- won the upper hand and made Deutsche Bank and Commerz- terest rates at historic lows con- the lender their cash cow. CEOs bank now play only a marginal tinue to depress revenues in the Hilmar Kopper, Rolf Breuer role. Chaos in management and Eurozone, the Federal Reserve and Josef Ackermann failed to strategy, incessant scandals, began raising US rates long rein the investment bankers in. nose-diving share prices and ago, ensuring a more amenable Tasked with rolling out a new now, even the exit from Ger- banking environment. beginning at Deutsche, the fol- many’s blue chip index have all At the Frankfurt bank sum- lowing chief executive tandem of accompanied the former heavy- mit, German Finance Minis- Jürgen Fitschen and Anshu Jain, weights’ downfall. ter Olaf Scholz expressed the installed by still-serving supervi- While Germany’s economy government’s wish for a big sory board chair Paul Achleitner, keeps growing at a healthy clip and strong German bank that could not implement a new cul- and the country remains Eu- can accompany the country’s ture at the lender. rope’s political and economic booming exports abroad. With vecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.de locomotive, its banks – i.e. the this in mind, the possibility of A shoe that does not fi t

backbone of the economy – are merging Deutsche Bank and ps://crea caught lagging behind. As a Eu- Commerzbank has repeated- In 2015, despite the bank post- ropean banking market slowly ly been considered. But both ing billions in losses, it also paid takes shape and the EU moves lenders’ CEOs consider such out 2.4 billion euros in bonuses. ahead with plans for a banking plans illusory, at least in the Billions more in write-off s and union, the German players watch shorter term. Christian Sewing massive legal costs for its scan- from the sidelines, too preoccu- and Martin Zielke instead point dals followed. Deutsche Bank pied with their own problems. to the unfi nished business of re- is an illuminating case study of what happens when a com- 3.0) / h / (CC BY-SA Wikimedia / Epizentrum pany hurriedly adopts an An- Dresdner Bank, once Germany’s second largest bank, is history glo-Saxon business model that does not fi t, writes economic margins. France’s fi ve biggest for Germany’s export-based historian Werner Abelshauser. banks, including BNP Paribas, economy: back to the roots, i.e. Now, Deutsche Bank is caught Societé Générale and Crédit back to the business of fi nanc- Return to tried in a strategic trap: Investment Agricole, account for over 80 ing corporations that leave their “ banking, which once guaran- percent of the domestic mar- mark internationally. ■ and tested strategies teed high profi ts, no longer ket there. Germany’s top three works. And in retail and corpo- manage barely fi fteen percent. Michael Balk is head of the rate banking, Deutsche does not The relatively profi table and business section of the daily Policymakers in Berlin worry structuring both businesses. A have the necessary size. stable retail market is fi rmly Frankfurter Neue Presse that the two banks will become hurried merger would resemble Germany’s other big private in the hands of state-affi liated mere pawns in the looming con- an emergency operation with an sector bank off ers a similarly savings and loan banks (Spar- solidation of Europe’s banking uncertain outcome. bleak picture. Commerzbank kassen) as well as cooperative ISSN 2193-4800 ZKZ 24792 PvSt sector instead of helping shape the The reasons for the decline of had to be rescued from oblivi- Volks- and Raiff eisenbanken. JEWISH VOICE FROM GERMANY transformations. A brief look at Germany’s once-proud lenders on with billions of taxpayer eu- Sparkassen alone take 40 per- market valuation reveals the gulf do not lie only in the 2008 fi - ros in late 2008. Its takeover of cent of the domestic market. P, ..... between the German, French and nancial crisis. They were primar- Dresdner Bank shortly before Also, Germany is “over- Dr. Rafael Seligmann Spanish lenders. Both France’s ily homemade: mismanagement, Lehman Bros collapsed proved banked.” There is a bank branch BNP Paribas and Spain’s Santand- chaos at the top, loss of trust. disastrous for Commerzbank. for every 2,500 citizens. In Swe- E--C Hartmut Bomhoff , Dr. Elisabeth Neu er have market capitalizations ex- For Deutsche Bank things began Several subsequent changes den that fi gure is 5,000, and in ceeding 70 billion euros, which to sour when Germany’s then- in strategy have since cost the the UK even 6,000. That keeps M E Paul Siebel is three and a half times that of fl agship lender joined the free- bank its very identity. costs high and binds capital that Deutsche Bank. Even numbers for-all adventure of investment One handicap against inter- would otherwise go toward in- D two and three in France can eas- banking. With the takeover of national competition is Germa- vestments such as foreign ex- Lukas Kircher ily take on Commerzbank (market US investment bank Bankers ny’s splintered banking market. pansion or digitization. L cap 10 billion euros). Trust, then considered the bad While the country’s consumers Both German big banks share Michal Blum bboyoy ooff WWallall StStreet,reet, ththee benebenefi t fromfrom ththee iintensentense comcom-- a fear of being taken over from E S heretofore antiantiquatedquated petitionpetition by paying less for fi - abroad. Switzerland’s UBS is re- Sabine Dultz, Siegfried Guterman, WideningWideninggg ggulfulf Dr. Tong-Jin Smith, Deutsch-bankers set nancialnancial services than their EuEu-- portedly interested in Deutsche, Dr. Susanne Mauss (†2014) TThehe gap with US banks is far themselves a chalchal-- ropeanropean neighbors do, the banks while BNP Paribas and Italy’s A wider.wider. “Since“Since 2012 the proprofi ts lenge they would not themselves are saddled Unicredit are believed to have Michael S. Cullen, Michael Rutz of American banks have been rriseise to. Two worlds withwith inadequateinadequate mar- Commerzbank in their sights. at least doubledouble those of their ccollidedollided in the ppro-ro- ket share and pprorofi t The fates of Germany’s two T Nick Kumanoff big banks are not yet clear. Patricia Szobar Over the medium term a merg- Frankfurt is Germany’s fi nancial hub P er is very possible. A “Deutsche Frankfurter Societäts-Druckerei Commerzbank” would be num- Bartash Printing Philadelphia vecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.de ber three on the European mar- A S ket while fulfi lling the wish for ps://crea [email protected] a German national champion. C Yet a foreign takeover, includ- SVoice from Germany GmbH ing a hostile one, cannot be Postfach 311310 D-10643 Berlin ruled out given the lenders’ Phone: 0049 (0) 30-857 26 888 depressed share values. [email protected] For the historian Abelshauser www.jewish-voice-from-germany.de

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CLOSE FRIENDS? Economic Power – Political Weakness The EU must step up cohesion of its economic area to compete with the US

By Klaus D. Oehler this value. What the companies outcome of this dispute is vantaged in the end by the have in common, apart from diffi cult to predict given the measures taken in Brussels onald Trump has their market power, is their somewhat unconventional and the decisions taken a clear goal: Make network of customers, which approach of the American by individual EU govern- America great again. – thanks to digitization – can president. ments. Some felt patron- The US President re- be expanded almost infi nitely. ized, others did not want to Dpeats his election slogan tire- The European companies clos- pay so much for the rescue Diff erences in performance lessly. But his often controver- est to the trillion dollar mark of other states. Later, there sial and unusual methods and are SAP with 142 billion dollars It is equally diffi cult to pre- was the refugee crisis, to decisions are having an eff ect. and Royal Dutch Shell with 271 dict how the relationship be- which the governments The US economy is actually billion dollars, which makes it tween the long-standing “close also reacted diff erently; a doing well, not least because of the most valuable European friends”, the US and Europe, common European solu- the tax cuts, but also because of company. In order to give their will develop. Almost at the last tion could only be achieved protectionist measures Trump in part. Juncker also ad- wants to enforce to boost do- mits all this: there is no mestic industry. Whether all convincing single foreign this is necessary and how sus- and security policy and tainable this turnaround will even the monetary union be – politicians and economists is stagnating because of

are arguing about it. The US As a global currency, the all too great diff er- / Public Domain government federal U.S. President doesn’t seem to care “ ences in economic per- US Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross much about critical voices. He the € should be brought formance. However, the prefers to refer to his balance heads of state and governments economist of an asset manager sheet. And that's something to into line with the $ were able to agree on a banking belonging to Natixis Investment. be proud of: Only recently, on- union, a fi rst step forward. The The international reference cur- line giant Amazon rose to be- president of the EU Commission rency is the currency of the dom- come a company with a mar- also made it clear that a country inant political power. He recalls ket capitalization of a trillion economy a boost, according to minute, the President of the that wanted to leave the Union Japan having a strong economy dollars. This makes it the only experts recently quoted in the EU Commission, Jean-Claude could not only benefi t from the in the eighties. “But its currency company in the world besides newspaper “Die Welt”, closer Juncker, negotiated a compro- advantages a membership off ers never competed with the dollar Apple that has ever reached cooperation between the states mise with Trump that averted – a clear signal to London, where because of political weakness ... in addition to facilitat- punitive tariff s on German cars the Brexit is still controversial. And the same could be said of Eu- ing market access is to be sold in the US. The outgo- Juncker’s proposals for reform- rope, which does not manage to called for. ing convinced European Junck- ing the EU envisage that major- dictate strong political decisions The new US eco- er is the one who sees more ity decisions should make the EU in the long run,” says Waechter. nomic and fi nancial opportunity than risk for the more able to act in foreign and fi - But it should now be clear to policy is also having European Union in the new re- nancial policy terms. Migration is everyone involved that competi-

vecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ an eff ect in the rest of lationship with Washington. In to be managed effi ciently with a tion in the globalized world will the world. Trump has early September, in a much-not- mix of legalization and consistent be fought out primarily between ps://crea launched a veritable ed speech before the European repatriation. A new partnership three triads in the future: Ameri- trade dispute with Parliament in Strasbourg, he with Africa – also to combat the ca, Asia with a strong China, and China, which – ac- presented his vision of a united causes of fl ight – should comple- Europe. The Europeans, with their cording to the fears of Europe. The EU is a sovereign ment this. As a global currency, high export ratio, should above 2.0) / h on 2.0 Generic (CC BY some experts – could power that represents half a bil- the euro should fi nally be brought all be interested in strengthening ribu even turn into a trade lion people and has enormous into line with the US dollar. the cohesion of their economic war. Only in mid- economic power, Juncker said. Economists, however, regard area. Many German industries, September did the He added that nationalism had this goal diffi cult to achieve. “Dif- for example, now account for 60 US president impose never solved problems. ferent regions do not have the to 80 percent of sales abroad - on- new punitive tariff s on This reference was important same economic power, be it in ly free world trade can bring fur- Chinese goods worth because a trend towards nation- terms of growth trends or inno- ther growth in the long term. ■ 200 billion US dol- alist governments has increased vative capacity; they also do not lars and warned Bei- in Europe in recent years. The have the same political power, Klaus D. Oehler is the

16683410920_9e14caa877_o / Flickr / Friends of Europe / A / Flickr Friends of Europe 16683410920_9e14caa877_o jing not to react with fi rst trigger was the euro crisis, and that is the real challenge,” fi nancial editor at the EU Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström countermeasures. The in which both sides felt disad- says Philippe Waechter, chief daily Stuttgarter Zeitung

THE SPUDY COLUMN Garage Gold – A Safe Investment?

n the wake of the siasts or even hobbyists. This element major classic and vintage car auctions, Investors who do not wish to rely solely Iglobal fi nance crisis, also helps explain why this very inter- such vehicles usually sell for well below on their personal preferences or life ex- fi ne art and especially esting asset class can be unpredictablunpredictablee their purchase priceprice,, if they sell at allall.. periencesperien but who are seeking a safe and vecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/de/deed.de vintage cars have seen and diffi cult to assess. A vintage AstonAston Investors who choose unwisely or basebase proprofi tablet investment are well advised to a remarkable increase Martin, Bugatti or Ferrarirrari is generally their purchases on faulty market projec- consultconsu an expert who is knowledgeable ps://crea in value – up to fi ve regarded as a very secureure investment. tions are liable to incur a signifi cant loss. aboutabout vintage vehicles and their price or even ten percent These brands enjoy legendarygendaryyp pprestige,restig ge, , development.develo This, of course, must be www.spudy.com per year. This comes and prices for vintage sportssports cars havhavee coupledcouplle with careful asset-value man- as no surprise given risen steadily over the lalastast three agementagemem services. After all, two things that the market for decades. However, ma- areara crucial for the long-term main- artwork and vintage ny vintage cars are not tenancet of this class of asset – top- cars is governed by a highly limited and secure investments. notch asset management and a fi nite supply coupled with virtually un- These include many top-notch car mechanic! ■ limited capital availability. In addition pre-war vintage cars to the investment aspect, many such as well as the vintage JensJ Spudy is executive partner investors tend to be vintage car enthu- Ford Mustang. At the of SpudySp Family Offi ce Wikimedia / Lothar Spurzem / freely composed / (CC BY-SA 2.0 DE) / h / (CC BY-SA composed / freely Wikimedia / Lothar Spurzem OCTOBER 2018 | JEWISH VOICE FROM GERMANY BREXIT | 13

A PERSONAL APPEAL Britain Must Stay in Europe

By Elisabeth Neu “Now, I just feel sad and disoriented. tal, non-valid drivingg I can’t believe what is happening.” licenses, a stop to thee he tea is piping hot and strong, “To my horror, my parents voted fl ow of goods and workk, the cucumber sandwiches are de- Out,” says Michael, a GP from Man- and so on … here wee T licious, the lawn green and roll- chester. “They thought Brexit won’t have the issue with thee ing. A perfect English late summer af- aff ect them and their lifestyle. But for border to the Irish Re-- ternoon. But the mood is sombre. Like certain it will aff ect the life of their public. In Northern Ire-- everywhere on my short tour of the UK children and grandchildren very much. land, where 56% votedd and Ireland we are talking about: Brexit. I obviously failed to make that clear to “Remain”, this makess “This is a nightmare. I voted out – but them.” Michael’s wife, a nurse working people uneasy. Whatt I am beginning to think that was a huge with homeless people, is distraught: will happen to the peacee mistake,” muses Bob, a retired police- “We are already feeling the cuts in so- between Northern Ire-e- man. “We were misled. Right now, it cial spending. With Brexit, this will get land and the Irish Repub-ub- does not look like the promises of ‘Leave much worse. How on earth are we go- lic, which is only two de-de- JVG to Take Control’ will ever come true. ing to look after our people?” cades young and by no means Quite the contrary. We should not have as stable as it might appear? give the Bobs and grandmas and grandpas listened to these charlatans.” A rough ride The recent assessment of a senior police and Georges a moment to re-think. And Claire, who runs the admission de- offi cer in the Sunday Times that the forces another vote to all those who were against partment in a private school in Cam- “To be honest, I didn’t vote at all,” says are working 24/7 just to keep a lid on things Brexit in the fi rst run: all the Claires and bridge, makes sure “to get as many in- George, the cab driver. “Perhaps that was is less than assuring. Will the old confl ict, Michaels, the Olivers and Ingrids. All ternational kids in as we can – to keep not a clever move but there you are.” Is the old violence and hatred return? those who want to Remain. up the cosmopolitan atmosphere that he afraid of Brexit? “Well, the riding will Back to London. As a fi nancial hub, the And, above all, we are running out was always our school’s trade mark.” be rough for a bit. Probably very rough. city is especially dependent on close ties of time. A couple of months are a long And indeed that of Britain! Brexit itself But then things will look up again. And with Europe. Here, the fear of a hard Brex- time for child on a summer holiday. Claire deems nothing short of a “disas- as you know, when push comes to shove, it is especially great. Hence Mayor Sadiq But a short time for grown ups in dif- ter. I was born on the ‘continent’ as it we are a tough lot. We’ll pull through,” Khan cooked up the idea of a second ref- fi cult negotiations. Hard Brexit, No is called here,” she says with a smile, explains George as we head through the erendum. He is not the only one. And he is Deal, Chequers Plan, Soft Brexit, Nor- “but here in England I found the love of Belfast morning drizzle. not the only one who says “that this is not way Model … Stop the muscle fl exing. my life. We raised our family here. So Not everybody in Northern Ireland a re-run of the referendum but the Brit- Stop drawing up one emergency plan far I have always had the best of both shares George’s optimism. Apart from ish people having a say for the fi rst time after another. Stop the nightmare. Use worlds.” The smile leaves Claire’s face. the list of withdrawn fi nancial capi- on the outcome.” Bingo, Mr. Khan. Let’s common sense. All sides – Deal? ■

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LACK OF ALTERNATIVES Generation Bibi Young Israelis trust Netanyahu despite his shortcomings

By Sarah Fantl a testament to Netanyahu’s leader- the good outweighs the bad. Or perhaps ship. Despite some domestic politi- because we are simply too lazy or fear- erusalem – we humans are cal diffi culties, Israel is in a solid po- ful to leave and look for someone new. creatures of habit. We tend sition. It boasts one of the world’s A leap into the unknown is a daunting J to be wary of the unknown. most vibrant start-up scenes. Bibi and draining task. In the end, we may And embarking on something is a canny politician – he is charm- well fi nd ourselves left with nothing new requires courage, strength ing but also willing to demonstrate but regrets and the wish that we could and faith. When it comes to try- strength and to protect Israel. With turn back the clock. And who among ing a new café or experimenting some interruptions, he has served us doesn’t have all sorts of other things with an unfamiliar recipe, we’ll his country for more than twenty to worry about? So we stick with what take that risk every now and years. So why should Israel risk a we know. We choose Bibi, so at least we then. The decision to end a rela- leap into the unknown – one which know what we’re getting. He might not

tionship, though, requires a great ce might even end in disaster? be perfect – but who is? ■ ffi deal more thought. And when it Anna Avezova is a 36-year-old comes to electing a new prime who made aliyah from her native minister, the plunge into the un- Germany fi ve years ago. She also known is even more daunting. supports the reigning Prime Min- But this is precisely the problem ister: “I can’t imagine anyone else

Israel will soon fi nd itself con- O Press / Government Gideon Kobi in offi ce. He knows how to lead this fronted with. Elections are slated very complex country. That alone for November 2019 – but may well be ways be some who want to destroy you. If would be quite a lot to live up to. And as called even earlier. he did accept bribes, that’s not good. But far as his scandals are concerned: who The unknown is something that is it doesn’t aff ect Israel itself. His biggest is completely free of scandal? Everyone especially feared by the “Bibi genera- fl aw is his wife. He’s still the right man has something to hide.” But the ques- tion” – those Israelis who have little or for the job though. In any case, who else tion remains – does the Bibi generation no memory of any political leader be- could do it?” truly back the nearly 70-year-old char- fore Benjamin Netanyahu, who was fi rst ismatic statesman or do they simply see elected Prime Minister in 1996, nine No experiments no viable alternative? years before German Chancellor Angela But perhaps there’s a simpler expla- Merkel arrived on the scene. Such sentiments are common in the nation: people can get used to almost ce Michael Cohen, a 23-year-old from Je- Jewish state, which lives under a perma- anything. We grow familiar with the rusalem, is part of this generation: “Bibi is nent state of threat. Netanyahu is known nooks and crannies of our homes, to the a patriot. He knows this country, knows for staking out bold positions, particu- point where we can fi nd our way into what needs to be done, and protects it.” larly in the area of foreign policy. Israel the kitchen, in the dark, half asleep. We And what about Netanyahu’s scandals? is now the strongest and most secure grow used to our partner’s quirks and

“If you’re prime minister, there will al- country in the Middle East, which is also eccentricities and accept them, because O ffi Press / Government Avi Ohayon

45 Years Yom Kippur War

On the tenth help propel him decades later to é PAGE 9 day he discov- the offi ce of prime minister. ered a gap between the Egyptian The Golan Heights became 2nd and 3rd Armies, and prompt- the scene of bitter fi ghting. ly attacked with his armor. De- Only slowly did the Israeli re- fying the explicit orders of the serve units manage to fi rst halt general staff , Sharon crossed the the Syrian advance and fi nally Suez Canal on a single bridge. turn it back. After two weeks, He attacked the Egyptian SAM the IDF was on the off ensive in installations, thereby enabling both the north and the south. the Israeli warplanes to join the Israeli forces were advancing on fi ght eff ectively for the fi rst time both Cairo and Damascus. / Public Domain on Agency The decisive factor is

“ Informa States United Israel̕s readiness to fi ght Sadat and Kissinger: Cairo lost the war but won the peace and make sacrifi ces val Golda Meir, President Sadat suff ered a long-term political de- cordial relations with Vladi- kept his nerve. He turned his at- feat and heavy loss of life despite mir Putin. Yet Israel relies fi rst tention from the units that were its victories on the battlefi eld. and foremost on the United cut off in Suez and concentrated States, despite an erratic Donald instead completely on the politi- Foundations for peace Trump. The US has been Israel’s in the war. Through his bridge- Following the encirclement of cal fi eld. In US Secretary of State decisive political and military head on the African continent, the Egyptian 3rd Army and the Henry Kissinger, Sadat found Today Israel’s government insurance policy ever since the Sharon surrounded the Egyptian invasion of Africa, the Egyptian a sympathetic partner to work is more careful. It resolutely Jewish state’s inception. The de- 3rd Army in the following days and leadership became caught up in toward a new peacetime order. strikes at Iran’s units and hard- cisive factor, however, is Israel’s then advanced on Cairo. Sharon’s confusion, resignation and panic. The Egyptian’s eff orts paid off ware in Syria. But against Rus- readiness to fi ght and make sac- troops celebrated him as the “King The general staff wanted to pull because he believed the military sia’s modern weaponry, Israel rifi ces. This is the foundation for of Israel.” This was the beginning all forces back to defend the capi- was only a means toward a politi- is powerless. Hence, Benjamin peace – and, if necessary, for an of Sharon’s mystique, which would tal Cairo. But, like his Israeli ri- cal end. Israel, on the other hand, Netanyahu tries to maintain existential war. ■ OCTOBER 2018 | JEWISH VOICE FROM GERMANY PERSONAL HISTORY | 15 Hope in Auschwitz The duty to counteract evil

By Rafael Seligmann everywhere. In Greek mytholo- gy, Oedipus kills his own father. or many years, I was re- But the knowledge that murder, luctant to visit the former manslaughter, violence and war F death camp of Auschwitz. will always be with us must not I was of course familiar with its lead to resignation. Those who historical background. In an seek to prevent it are worthy of isolated area of Eastern Poland, our respect. Nazi Germany established a la- When I received an invitation bor camp, which was expanded to accompany Foreign Minister by the establishment of a death Maas on his visit to Auschwitz in camp the following year. More late summer, I accepted it imme- than a million people were diately, despite my deep misgiv- killed there. Among the victims ings. I traveled on a German mil- were my aunt Jente Hammers- itary aircraft decorated with the

feld, her husband Jechiel, and Iron Cross of the Bundeswehr to JVG their children. I knew I would Krakow. From there, I continued fi nd a visit to the former death onward to Auschwitz, traveling In his memoirs, written from old Auschwitz survivor Marian lose faith in humanity. Or you camp diffi cult to bear. on an air-conditioned bus. The prison in 1946 and 1947, the Turski, and listened to his ac- fi nd the hope and strength to Heiko Maas has often said that journey was an unsettling expe- commandant of Auschwitz Ru- count. At such a moment, ev- stand up for the protection of it was Auschwitz that inspired rience. My thoughts turned to dolf Höss described how two ery visitor is reduced to silence. human dignity.” Maas closed him to go into politics, a senti- 75 years ago, and my aunt Jente children entered the gas cham- But silence is not an option for with the following words: “We ment with which I felt an im- and her family. How long were ber, lost in play, suspecting a politician, who knows he is need this place, because our re- mediate affi nity. We all have to they forced to remain inside the nothing. Their mother asked expected to make a statement. sponsibility will never end.” do our part to ensure that such a cattle cars before they arrived at Höss: “How can you bring your- “I stood in the gas chamber … Visiting Auschwitz was the crime against humanity will nev- the ramps at Auschwitz, where self to kill such beautiful chil- saw thousands of children’s right choice. The Shoah was er be repeated. The desire to kill Joseph Mengele or one of his dren? Have you no heart at all?” shoes that were taken off them unique. But crimes are happen- is part of our human inheritance. fellow offi cers sent them to the But most of the victims, as we on their way to the gas cham- ing all the time, everywhere. The Bible tells of Cain’s murder of gas chambers? What fears were know, died without a word and ber, tons of human hair that We must not allow ourselves to his brother Abel. “Thou shalt not they forced to endure? What petrifi ed. was taken from people. … This be paralyzed by horror and suc- kill” is one of the most important forms of humiliation? The par- Heiko Mass was guided is the most horrifi c place on cumb to resignation. It is our biblical commandments. And ents, the children, and countless through the Auschwitz-Birke- Earth. It is a place where you duty to confront evil wherever yet, it happens all the time and other people. nau death camp by 92-year- must make a choice: either you we fi nd it. ■

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REDISCOVERY Face to Face with the New Woman Frankfurt’s Städel Museum presents a solo exhibition of Lotte Laserstein

the course of the Prussian Academy of tury her works remained virtually unknown the more pleased that our exhibition will Arts’ spring exhibition in 1928, she sold outside of her adoptive Sweden where she provide an opportunity to take a fresh look her painting In the Tavern to the Ber- stayed extremely productive. In 1987, a solo at the work of this important painter and lin City Council. That same year, Laser- show was mounted in London. In Berlin, introduce her to a wider audience." stein participated in the competition the artist was rediscovered in 2003 through In her portraits on show in Frankfurt, “The Most Beautiful German Portrait of the exhibition “Lotte Laserstein. My Only Laserstein brilliantly depicts the people a Woman” organized by the cosmetics Reality.” In 2010, the Nationalgalerie in of the interwar period, such as in Girl Ly- company Elida in cooperation with the Berlin acquired her monumental key work ing on Blue (1931) or The Mongolian (1927), Reich Association of Visual Artists. Out Evening over Potsdam from 1930. whereby her works are characterized by e / Berlinische Galerie of the 365 works submitted, her paint- sobriety, modernity and psychological ing Russian Girl with Compact, now in Sobriety and psychological depth depth. In her oeuvre, there are also motifs the collection of the Städel Museum, was that speak of the enthusiasm of the time nominated for the fi nal round and ex- Laserstein’s oeuvre is one of the great re- for technology and sports, although these hibited together with twenty-fi ve works cent art historical rediscoveries, featuring are much fewer in number. In her por- by almost exclusively male artists in the sensitive and compelling portraits from the traits, Laserstein paints types from mod- prestigious gallery of Fritz Gurlitt in Ber- fi nal years of the Weimar Republic. This ern everyday life: athletic women, young lin, where Laserstein’s fi rst solo exhibi- fall, the Städel Museum in Frankfurt am girls putting on make-up, a motorcyclist tion also took place in 1931. Main presents the artist’s fi rst solo exhibi- in full gear and fashionably dressed city After the National Socialists seized power, tion in Germany outside of Berlin. “Lotte dwellers. Her masterpiece Evening over Laserstein’s nascent career ended abrupt- Laserstein. Face to Face” builds upon works Potsdam is also included in the Frank-

VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2018 / Photo: Anja Elisabeth Wi Anja Elisabeth Bonn 2018 / Photo: Bild-Kunst, VG ly. She was declared a ‘three-quarters Jew’ from the collection of the museum, which furt exhibition. The seven foot long 1930 and no longer able to exhibit. Her painting in the past few years was successful in ac- painting shows fi ve young people sharing By Hartmut Bomhoff In the Tavern was confi scated as “degener- quiring important works by the artist. With a meal on their terrace, with Potsdam's ate art.” Dismissed from the board of the approximately forty paintings and draw- skyline arrayed in the far distance. The otte Laserstein was a forceful and Association of Berlin Women Artists, she ings, the exhibition focuses on Laserstein’s preparations for this picture were elabo- determined lady who told me could present her works only within the artistic development. Emphasis is placed rate, as her model Traute recalled: “The that she decided at the age of 11 frameworks of the Kulturbund Deutscher on works from the 1920s and 30s, which very long canvas was fi rst transported to that she would never marry, but Juden (Cultural League of German Jews). mark the peak of her artistic activity. Potsdam on the Berlin railway, and then Ldevote her life to painting,” remembered Caroline Stroude in her obituary of the artist. Said and done: Laserstein, who began “painting properly” when she was about nine, was one of the fi rst women to study art at the Berlin Academy and embarked upon a bright career in Weimar Germany. Born in Preussisch-Holland, a small town in Eastern Prussia, in 1898, Lotte La- serstein was the eldest daughter of phar- macist Hugo Laserstein and his wife Me- ta, née Birnbaum, a piano teacher. After the early death of her father, her mother moved with her and her sister Käthe to their widowed grandmother in Danzig. Being from a bourgeois Jewish family, Lotte later remarked she was raised with “no religion.” Ten years old, she received her fi rst drawing lessons from her aunt Elsa Birnbaum, who ran a private paint- ing school. In 1912, the family moved to Berlin. Six years later, Laserstein enrolled at Berlin’s Friedrich Wilhelm University, to study Philosophy and History of Art. From 1921 to 1927, she attended the Ber- lin Academy of Fine Arts where she was one of the fi rst women to complete her master studies.

A brilliant talent

She soon succeeded in building a reputa- tion with her sober neo-realistic style and

immaculate technique. Arts pages and Museum Städel Bonn 2018 / Photo: Bild-Kunst, VG critics acclaimed her as a “brilliant talent.” Russian Girl with Compact (1928) During Germany's runaway infl ation, she took a variety of odd jobs, including reduc- She had to close her private teaching stu- “Lotte Laserstein shares the fate of many by horse-drawn carriage to its destination ing oriental rug patterns for a carpet manu- dio and depended on friends to buy her of her contemporaries, who began to build with friends who had a roof garden over- facturer, decorating china, and illustrating paint and materials while working as an art a reputation during the Weimar Republic, looking Potsdam.” The mood is pensive a massive anatomical textbook. The paint- teacher at a private Jewish school. An ex- but whose artistic careers were severely with something melancholic about it. er’s predominant theme was people, fo- hibition at the Galerie Moderne in Stock- curtailed by the Nazi system,” emphasize “Face to Face” confi rms Lotte Laserstein’s cusing on representations of the so-called holm in 1937 off ered her the opportunity to the curators of the exhibition, Alexander reputation as one of the Weimar Repub- “New Woman”; the female nude was one leave Germany, taking many of her paint- Eiling and Elena Schroll. “She can be in- lic’s outstanding woman artists. After its of her principal subjects. Her tennis coach ings with her. To obtain Swedish citizen- cluded among the so-called ‘Lost Genera- launch at the Städel Museum in Frankfurt Gertrud “Traute” Rose became Laserstein’s ship, Lotte Laserstein married Sven Mar- tion’, since her realistically painted images am Main, the exhibition will travel to the favorite model and lifelong friend. She cus pro forma, but never lived with him. were neglected by post-war research orien- Berlinische Galerie, where it will be com- features in many works: “Traute, being a Laserstein died in 1993 at the age of 94 in tated toward the avant-garde.” Regarding plemented with, among others, works cre- natural athlete, was superb at holding long the southern Swedish town of Kalmar. She the exhibition, which he initiated, Städel ated by Lotte Laserstein while in exile. ■ and diffi cult poses." never returned to Germany. director Philipp Demandt comments, “the From 1928 to 1931, Lotte Laserstein Excluded from public activity as an artist, work of Lotte Laserstein in general has ac- Lotte Laserstein. Von Angesicht zu Ange- participated in 22 exhibitions and per- Lotte Laserstein disappeared from Germa- companied me both personally and pro- sicht runs at Städel Museum Frankfurt from formed well in various competitions. In ny’s collective consciousness. For half a cen- fessionally for many years. I am thus all 17 September 2018 to 17 March 2019 Your link to Germany www.deutschland.de

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GURLITT ART TROVE The Incomplete Status Report Berlin exhibition avoids key questions

By Robert Kahn been able to identify the former owners of only six paintings. The international eeping things secret is the best way sensation has been replaced by both dis- to keep them safe,” said Munich content and more serious research on K customs offi cial Siegfried Klöble looted art. in 2013, one and a half year after the This fall, an exhibition at Martin Gropius discovery of the Gurlitt trove. When Bau in Berlin presents about 250 works of art the public learnt about the 1,500 works from the Gurlitt collection, which belonged of art found in the homes of Cornelius to the German museum professional and Gurlitt, all kinds of speculations were art dealer Hildebrand Gurlitt (1895–1956), raised. Initial estimates placed their to- Cornelius Gurlitt’s father. Organized by the tal value at more than $1 billion. Gurlitt Bundeskunsthalle Bonn and Kunstmuseum died in 2014, leaving behind a tangle of Bern, Gurlitt: Status Report focuses on the questions about the vast art collection campaign against ‘degenerate art’ and on amassed by his father under the Nazis. the Nazi regime’s Europe-wide theft of cul- In the past few years, only few answers tural assets. It spans a wide range of eras and have been found. The Gurlitt task force, styles – from Dürer to Monet and from Cran- a group of German researchers, has been ach to Kirchner and Rodin. By shedding light trying to clarify the origins of what has on the provenance of each of the works on

been called the biggest artistic fi nd of show, the exhibition also presents the com- Bonn 2018 Bild-Kunst, VG the postwar era. The task force has faced plex history of the individual objects. For ex- Bernhard Kretzschmar: Streetcar much criticism over the slow pace of the ers. “Their stories appeal to our political and investigation. So far, the experts have moral obligation to address the issue of Nazi- looted cultural assets and their history in public and private collections with sensitivity and respect,” the organizers emphasize. Po litical and moral obligation to address To facilitate the investigation of the prov- “ enance of the individual works and safe- the issue of looted cultural assets guard the transparency of the process, the suspect works were registered on the Lost Art Database. In most cases, however, the ample Portrait of a Seated Young Woman by the curators. “The provenances of the provenance has not yet been verifi ed. This Thomas Couture, which has been identifi ed works shown here clearly demonstrate applies for example to Straßenbahn (Street- as Nazi-looted art in 2017, belonged to one that he had no qualms about their often car) by Bernhard Kretzschmar (1889–1972), of the most famous French victims of the problematic origin.” The exhibition de- a founding member of the Neue Dresdner Nazi regime, the high-ranking Jewish poli- picts Hildebrand Gurlitt as a man who Sezession in 1932. His art was regarded as 'de- tician and anti-Nazi Georges Mandel. was prepared to exploit every aspect of generate' during National Socialism. While The Gurlitt case draws attention to the Nazi policy to personally enrich himself. the exhibition doesn’t unravel the myster- role of the art trade within the crimi- The exhibition comprises works confi scat- ies of the reclusive Cornelius Gurlitt and his nal Nazi regime and to the fact that ed as ‘degenerate’ from German museums enigmatic father Hildebrandt, it sheds light Hildebrand Gurlitt benefi tted enormous- in 1937/38 as well as works whose origins re- on modernist artists whose achievements ly from the gradual disenfranchisement, main to be identifi ed. Some of the latter are have as yet not been completely explored dispossession and despoliation of Jews in under suspicion of having been seized as a and investigated. Still, Gurlitt: Status Report Europe. “As an art historian, Hildebrand result of Nazi persecution and of being Na- remains unfi nished business. ■ Gurlitt championed the art of the avant- zi-looted art. The exhibition also sheds light garde, but as an art dealer, he tendered on the fate of some of the previous owners Gurlitt: Status Report is on show at Martin

Kunst-und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland GmbH / Photo: Albrecht Fuchs Deutschland der Bundesrepublik Albrecht GmbH / Ausstellungshalle Photo: Kunst-und his services to the Nazi regime,” explain – most of them Jewish collectors or art deal- Gropius Bau Berlin until 7 January 2019 Auguste Rodin: The Crouching Woman

A Fresh Look at What Comes Next Israeli artists are shaping their future in Germany’s cultural landscape

By Fanny Schlesinger Over the past years, it has addressed issues certo as a soloist with orchestras around the that matter to a wide audience.udience. In 2015, the world; her fi rst full-length opera, Cinderel- hen we think of ‘Next Genera- festival’s theme was identity.entity. In 2016, re- la, was composedcomp between 2013-17 and per- tion,’ we think of kids and their fl ecting on the refugeeses in Germany, the formedformed initiinitiallya in Israel. The artists also ad- W future,” explains Ohad Ben-Ari festival’s topic was migration.ration. Building on dress their currentlycu biggest challenge: how the theme of this year’s ID Festival. “Chil- the previous years of work,ork, the 2017 theme does one appealapp to a younger audience? dren are our future, says the cliché. So what was “integration?”. Thiss year, from Octo- Since the program starts on a Friday is the next generation going to be like? I ber 12-18, the ID Festivall presentspresents new art-art- night,night, the aaudienceu is invited to participate fi nd this question fascinating, nonethe- ists and formats and tackleskles current debates inin a sspecialpecia Kabbalat Shabbat celebration less what is just as intriguing: what is our on the present and futurere of German-Israeli as an imimmersivem experience. Shabbat is a world going to be like for the next Gen?” coexistence. It touches uponupon issues like the taste of ttheh World to Come, thus fi tting The Berlin-based Israeli-American pianist motivation of many Israeliselis to emigrate, eses-- inin very wewelll in the exploration of the next and composer is the founder of the inter- pecially to Germany. Do they expect a prom- generation.generation. Ohad Ben-Ari is convinced disciplinary art event. Launched in 2015, ised land in Germany, wherehere milk and honeyhoney that the daysday of multi-genre artistic per- the festival explores concepts of identity, fl ow? What does the risingising anti-Semitism formancesformances canc usher in moments of the particularly the identities of Israelis who and openly expressed xenophobiaenophobia mean for heavenlyheavenly – “b“but it can also be seen as a taste live in Germany. Hence the telling name: the Israelis living here – eevenven in retrospect? ofof our ffutureutur here on earth, a future that ID, short for identity, stands also for Israel One highlight of the pprogramrogram is Cinder-Cinder- we can sshapehap ourselves by working hard all and Deutschland. ella, a ballet adaptationon ofof an opera by weekweek llong.ong. A future of peace and prosper- “When I moved to Berlin in 2010 I was 13-year-old composer AlmaAlma Deutscher,Deutscher, iity,ty, a next ggeneration of coexistence.” The amazed to meet so many Israeli musicians,” performed by the youngg ddancersancers ooff KinKinderder ID FesFestivalt is certainly a creative labo- Ben-Ari recalls. While the festival serves as Ballett Kompanie Berlin,n, ffoundedounded in 2016 rratoryato for progressive thinking. ■ a showcase platform for the works of Is- by David Simic. Deutscherher hashas performedperformed raeli artists, it aims at celebrating diversity. her own violin concerto anddi piano con- Johanna Ruebel hhttps://idfestival.de/ OCTOBER 2018 | JEWISH VOICE FROM GERMANY ARTS & CULTURE | 19

GILAD HOCHMAN Grant Peace to the World Berlin-based Israeli composer revives synagogue music

By Elisabeth Neu ing this old Hebrew text … after posed by those having left the all, it’s not the fi rst time I relate old continent behind to become rant peace to the world, to Jewish topics – but there was part of the New World. Richard goodness and blessing, an additional layer of spirituality Rodgers, born into a German- G grace, love and compas- being a part of the actual process Jewish family in New York, one sion for us and all the people of composing.” of America’s greatest compos- of Israel…” – the blessing “Sim Why “Sim Shalom”? When ers of musicals. Or the amazing Shalom” features twice on the commissioned to contribute a Kurt Weill, son of a cantor from album “Heritage”. Just released piece for the collection “Heri- Dessau. Both, his “My Ship” and on the eve of Yom Kippur, it is tage”, Hochman “started reading “Kiddush” feature in “Heritage.” dedicated to “Treasures of Jew- and was immediately captured by Vastly diff erent spiritual jour- ish-German Composers”. And it the Sim Shalom blessing which neys through music. just sounds like a long and rich puts ‘peace’ at its centre by re- tradition is being continued peating the word several times.” The sound of silence by a young composer – Gilad And then, Gilad Hochman be- Hochman, an Israeli who has gan talking to Azi Schwartz. The In his “Sim Shalom” Hochman, JVG found inspiration in Berlin. Israeli born celebrated cantor of a classically trained composer, “off ering a bridge where people of Why two renderings of “Sim Liturgical music is new grounds New York’s Park Avenue Syna- develops a dialogue between the diff erent beliefs can fi nd a com- Shalom” on one album? Max for Hochman. Acclaimed for his gogue introduced Hochman to chazan, steeped in Jewish tradi- mon cultural and spiritual place.” Janowski’s beautiful piece shows chamber music and his pieces the rich tradition of Jewish litur- tion, and a choir, using specifi c Hochman is very happy with a certain restraint and seeks to for solo instruments and for gical music created in Europe. modal scales, known in medi- the recording of his latest hold, to preserve. Hochman’s symphony orchestra, Hochman Much of it in Germany. Take eval tradition. The result of this piece. Berlin’s RIAS Kammer- fi nds doubt, departure, and by his own account “had never Louis Lewandowski, the doyen experiment makes you hold your chor, voted “one the world’s hope. Grant peace to the world. dealt with this kind of music be- of liturgical melodies, in his days breath. Silence. Filled with ten- best ten choirs”, directed by the “I am intrigued by the connec- fore. I had never composed for deemed the “Mendelssohn of sion, meaning, resolution, and young British Conductor, Justin tion between the words Shalom a chazan or with the idea that synagogue music.” His “Tsadik ultimately redemption. Silence. Doyle, has the range of purity, (meaning peace) and the word my music will be performed in a Katamar” features in “Heritage” As always in Hochman’s work. emotion and depth needed for shalem (meaning being com- synagogue. But after some time, as does Israel Alter’s “R’tze Vim- “I know that a piece works the liturgical music. “It was obvi- plete, whole)” … muses Hoch- music just started to surface.” nuhateinu.” And then, there are moment there is no sound, si- ous to me that they love their man. Hopefully he will put his He smiles. Suddenly, “there was fi ne samples of this very special lence,” Hochman says. And here work,” says Hochman, “Our refl ections on this connection a natural feeling about compos- worldly-spiritual music com- these split seconds work towards connection was immediate.” into music soon. ■

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HERITAGE As Time Flows By – Jewish Life on the Oder River Exploring the past and present along the German-Polish border

By Hartmut Bomhoff affi liations, has been a melting pot for centuries. Also German-Jewish and y mother tried to get me out Polish-Jewish cultures crossed here. In of Breslau whenever Hitler vis- modern times, nationalism, coupled M ited the town. Once I went to with anti-Semitism, threatened this a small village on the banks of the Riv- cultural diversity. National Socialism er Oder which was in fl ood, destroyed it. but the waters covering the After the Second World meadows through which War, the Oder River be- the village children and came the German-Polish I waded were quite warm.” border. The German popu- The memories of Kenneth lation from regions east of Graupner, formerly Klaus the river was expelled. Polish Gräupner, come to mind citizens found a new home at the travelling exhibi- here and for a short time it tion at the Berlin City Hall seemed that Jewish life could this fall, As Time Flows By. emerge again in Lower Silesia Twenty panels depict Jew- and Pomerania. Several tens

ish life along the River Od- Deutsches Kulturforum östliches Europa of thousands of Polish Jewish er, or Odra, from its begin- Holocaust survivors settled nings to the present day. here, but due to anti-Semitic Jewish cemetery in Groß Neuendorf JVG The river has carried many confl ict- violence most emigrated by the end of ing narratives, memories, and allusions the 1960s. The centuries-long presence area of Brandenburg, or of Silesia – all tural infl uences crossed paths and mu- with it since Ptolemy referred to it in of Jews on the Oder fell into oblivion, of which belong to the western region tually enriched one another. From at the second century c.e. Today, it is Po- their traces were often destroyed. of Poland since 1945 – there was a Jew- least the 19th century onwards, this led land's third-longest river, running from The exhibition has been designed by ish cultural presence since the Middle to a unique cultural and economic up- the Czech Republic to the Baltic Sea. It the German Culture Forum for Eastern Ages. It developed as a result of trade surge, which turned cities such as Bres- fl ows through many cities and touches Europe (Potsdam). The visitor learns and of immigration from both East and lau (today Wroclaw), Görlitz, Frankfurt many Jewish sites. The landscape, with that in regions which before WWII West. Over centuries, the Oder region and Stettin (Szczecin) into centers of art its changing dominional and national were part of Pomerania, of the Neumark became a place in which diff erent cul- and culture, science, and business.

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As Time Flows By explains how with ish-Jewish cultural heritage of this land- the realignment of Europe after 1945, scape.” Indeed, there are many Jewish the history of the former German East- spaces to explore alongside the border ern provinces has largely been forgotten. river. In Görlitz, the splendid synagogue Jewish history was particularly aff ected from 1911 has recently been thoroughly by this. “The exhibition is dedicated to renovated. In Groß Neuendorf, a small moments of Jewish history on both sides village in eastern Germany on the Pol- of the Oder,” explained the curators at ish border, one comes across a Jewish

Days of Jewish Music at the Na onal Museum Szczecin Jan-Niklas Hörmann

of Jewish Music in the Baltic port city wicht, the Jewish Community’s president. Wroclaw can fi nally Szczecin met an enthused crowd when Bente Kahan, whose foundation runs the “ the Vox Varshe singers and organist synagogue, which underwent extensive Jakub Stefek renewed and transformed reconstruction before being reopened in and proudly live as a city the musical tradition of Stettin’s pre- 2010, is grateful for lots of visitors every war Neue Synagogue, which is so close- day. Kahan and her team set up another of many cultures ly connected with the Jewish composer milestone event this October, the open- Louis Lewandowski. ing of the restored mikveh and spaces in The hub of Jewish life on the Oder river is the basement of the synagogue, including Wroclaw. Here the small Jewish commu- the new exhibitions “Jewish Lifecycle” and nity and its cultural attraction, the grand “Unfi nished Lives.” ■ its opening at Berlin’s city hall. “We cemetery, the only visible reminder of White Stork Synagogue, enjoy great inter- want to stimulate refl ection and conver- the small Jewish congregation which est. “Wroclaw can fi nally and proudly live As Time Flows By, which has been sation between the former and present thrived here in the 19th century; the for- its heritage as a city of many cultures and produced in both German and Polish, is inhabitants of the region. It is also an in- mer synagogue has been converted into can fi nd a new identity as a city of mu- presented in locations along the German- vitation to rediscover the German-Pol- a private home. In September, the Days tual respect,” hopes Aleksander Gleichge- Polish border from the middle of 2018 Shana Tova שנה טובה Wishing You a Sweet and Prosperous New Year 5779 22 | ARTS & CULTURE JEWISH VOICE FROM GERMANY | OCTOBER 2018

FUTURE CONGRESS Cause̒ I Want to Live Here New perspectives on Jewish identities in Germany

By Gideon Wollberg ies, and music than by young Jews being satiated the Jewish religion. The with chlichés about them, oday's diversity of Jewish life is same applies to many “disintegration” has become a stroke of luck, enlivening the Israelis who have made a keyword for rejecting so- T city in a way that one could only Berlin their home. When cial attributes and revers- dream of, given the history of Berlin and questioned about the fu- ing popular misperceptions the history of our country,” says Klaus ture of the Jewish com- of Jewishness. Lederer, Mayor and Senator for Culture munity in Germany, ma- Bringing together a wide and Europe in Berlin. Still haunted by its ny young adults express array of groups, the hope Nazi history, the capital has become the hope for a secular, plu- is that a broader sense epitome of personal freedom and a sym- ralistic European Judaism. of Jewish community bol for Jewish revival. It is the home of So what is the common de- will emerge. To stir dis- a diverse and sometimes divided Jewish nominator of Jewish iden- cussions, a book will be population which wavers between seclu- tities in Germany today? launched by the confer- sion and high visibility. The wave of im- ence organizers in mid- migration from the former Soviet Union Consolidation and renewal October, presenting multiplied Germany’s Jewish population young Jewish voices about in the 1990̕s and 2000̕s and boosted Jew- From November 5-8, the Germany and Europe. ish self-confi dence. Thousands of young Jewish Future Congress in With the rise of both Israelis have been moving to Berlin in Berlin will serve as a forum the far-right and of ha-

the past years, too. However, the offi cial that can provide impulses tred from Muslim immi- skongress membership numbers of Germany’s syn- for the consolidation and grants, its programmatic agogues are declining. While Jewish con- renewal of Jewish life in title, Weil ich hier leben gregations are graying swiftly though, Germany in all its diversity. will, suggests reasons for Jewish life outside synagogue walls is Initiated by the Leo Baeck Zukun Jüdischer both concern and confi - growing in importance and visibility. Foundation, Berlin’s Senate dence – ‘Cause I Want to Live Here. The Findings say that one third of second- Department for Culture and Eu- a space for self-refl ection. More than Jewish Future Congress will open up generation Russian Jewish immigrants rope and the Federal Agency for Civic sixty speakers and panelists will share an overall social perspective for a new believe that Jewishness is determined Education, the congress wants to link their ideas and encourage the audi- togetherness in Berlin, in Germany, more by Jewish culture, festivals, mov- opinion leaders and activists and create ence to think out of the box. With many and in Europe. ■

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BOMHOFF RECOMMENDS Have Your Say!

he other day, I went to an amaz- nal welfare and to advocate communal heralding threats to tolerance and Ting performance of “Cabaret,” the oversight as long as our economy is still democracy. We do know that when Weimar-era musical. As I heard “To- booming. a society turns on its minorities, it morrow Belongs to Me” eerily played Since the reunifi cation in 1990, Jews is usually a sign of wider ill health: on stage, the chilling anthem remind- around the world were always scared What happens to the Jews will even- ed me that the story of the rise of the of a German state that is too strong. tually befall everyone. We are trained Nazis is far from dated. Today, Ger- Today, it is the other way around: to feel how open a society is. If Jews man society is drifting apart, and our Jews are becoming afraid of a German are concerned, it should concern the ingrained social cohesion is showing state that is too weak to guarantee society. That is why the Jewish Future cracks. With far-right groups and the security. Those Jews who do support Congress taking place in Berlin in ear- nationalist Alternative for Germany the right-wing AfD to have an anti- ly November is of such great impor- party making their presence felt, the migration policy enforced are on the tance. It is an opportunity to speak up. lyrics of the catchy song appear in a wrong track. The party might claim 80 years after the November po- new light: “Now Fatherland, Father- that the country's Jewish population groms of 1938, Jewish life in Ber- land, show us the sign your children is safe, but in its program, it rejects lin is more diverse than could ever have waited to see.” Some call it pre- rituals which are at the core of Jewish have been imagined after the Second mature to see parallels with today, identity: circumcision and shechita. World War and the Shoah. The past but the musical production tells us Remember this scene in “Cabaret”? with the memory of the expulsion what happens when those inside the At fi rst, the Kit Kat Club regulars are and annihilation of Jewish life meets cabaret ignore what is really going poking fun at the Nazis. Then all of a a dynamic Jewish civil society today. on outside. sudden the audience is dominated by Young Jews not only shape their own In our polarized and fragmented so- party members, and after witnessing society but also Berlin's society at

ciety, we all live in our respective bub- JVG this growing support for the National large. The Jewish Future Congress ble. It’s convenient to mock the neo- Socialist movement, Brian asks Max, will focus on the confi dence and Nazis, to ignore them, or to be satisfi ed ties constantly. Many of our co-citizens "Do you still think you can control the concerns of the younger Jewish with futile gestures. Four years ago, have lost their sense of proportion in them?" Later, Brian's confrontation generation; it can spark debate and thousands rallied in Berlin against an- their pre-occupation with migration, with a Nazi in the street leads to him provide visions for a Germany more ti-Semitism and all racism. And where and this includes synagogue mem- being beaten up. open to social change. Instead of just are we now? We must get up to ad- bers, too. However, instead of having In the past decades, the Jewish com- keeling over and dropping dead like a dress, and confront, far-right issues in ideology come between us, we need munity in Germany has been per- canary, we must raise our voices and our neighborhood and our communi- to support a strong sense of commu- ceived as the ‘canary in the coal mine,’ have our say. ■

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By Rabbi Walter Homolka the beginning of our prayers for rain on yafi tz anan oro (“He also loads the death; for plenty and not for famine.” Shemini Atzeret, the holiday after Sukkot. clouds with moisture and scatters his The dates for the prayers for rain were it by years of drought, Israel is Rain in Israel is seasonal. It falls in the lightning-clouds”). Af means anger and fi xed by the rabbis with regard to the running out of water. Through- winter, seldom starting before the end the word beri means health, thus allud- climate and the agricultural needs of Hout the times, water was a lim- of Sukkot or continuing beyond Pesach. inging to thethe ttwowo ways in which rain can the LaLand of Israel. However, our sages ited resource in the Middle East, and the That is why there are special insertionssertions had to adjust these dates to the holiday Talmud says in the words of Rabbi Yosef in the Amidah – the central prayerer of all calendar.calend Thus the prayer for rain is not that the world’s dependence on rain for Jewish services – concerning rainain and recitedrecited before Shemini Atzeret, for rain in its sustenance is so total that rainfall is dew that change with the season.n. TeTefi l- the midstmi of the holiday is regarded as a compared to the revival of the dead. Our lat geshem, the principal prayer fforor rain, bad omen.o Moreover, praying for rain at sages tell us that the world is judged on is recited as part of the second benedic-nedic- thethe beginning of the holiday would be all aspects already on Rosh Hashanah tion of the Amidah where the rabbisabbis inappropriateina since it would prevent but the fi nal judgment is sealed for each inserted the phrase mashiv ha-ruachuach oneon from the mitzvah of dwelling in feature only in its specifi c time; for grain umorid ha-geshem, “He makes thethe theth Sukkah. Remember that Sukkot on Pesach, for fruits of trees on Shavuot wind to blow and the rain to fall.”all.” isi one of the three pilgrimage festi- and for rain on Sukkot. In rabbinic think- God is acknowledged as the powerwer vals?v That is the reason why anoth- ing, Sukkot is a rain holiday. Rabbi Akiva causing natural phenomena. Thishis London sh Library ere petition in the ninth benediction Bri states this most clearly: “Bring the water special prayer on Shemini Atzeretret ofo the Amidah, “and give dew and libation on the holiday so that you be is composed of piyyutim, liturgicalical rainra for a blessing” is recited only blessed with rain …” verses. The most popular in Ashke-hke- twotw weeks or more after the tefi llat Prayers for rain are among the earli- nazi tradition is by the poet Eliezerliezer geshemges : in Temple times, the pilgrims est liturgical texts and the Hebrew Bible Kallir. In his alphabetical acrosticc ppoem,oem, had to return from Jerusalem to their regards withholding of rain as a punish- God is asked to remember the merits homeshome before heavy rain would cause ment from God who pledges: “I will grant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Mosesses anandd themthemm hhardship. And of course, there are no the rain for you in season” (Deuteronomy Aaron, and the Twelve Tribes of Israel.srael. rurulesles wwithout exceptions: Babylonian Jews 11:13–14). In Temple times, a libation of bebegangan requesting rain on the 60th day of water was made together with the pour- For plenty and not for famine “Aquarius”, Tripar te Mahzor, S. Germany, 1332 ththee faffallll equinox, which marked the begin- ing of wine at the morning service on the ningi off their rainy season. Whatever date last six days of the week-long Sukkot holi- The opening words mention Af-Beri, fall. The prayer for abundant water cul- and tradition we follow today: the Prayer day. Today, we continue recognizing the the ruler of rain, and are derived from minates in the words “for a blessing, for Rain is an important reminder to appre- value of water through tefi llat geshem, a verse in Job 37:11, Af beri yatri’ah av and not for a curse; for life and not for ciate and protect our water resources. ■ Public Domain

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