Acculturation and Reception of Soviet Jews in Germany after the collapse of the Soviet Union
I. Introduction
Since April of 1990, over a hundred thousand Soviet Jews and those with their origins in Soviet successor nations have immigrated to Germany, drastically changing the culture, size, and shape of Germanys Jewish population. The immigration mentioned above was unforeseen, unplanned for and disliked by both the Israeli and German governments and the majority of German Jews (Ostow, 110). It occurred in the aftermath of the Soviets dissolution and that of the German Democratic Republic: once it commenced, there was no stopping it. Throughout the Cold War era, German Jews were portrayed by the print media as an anomaly or endangered species. Still, in February of 1990, following news of anti-Jewish uprisings within Soviet territory, a small East Berlin-based Jewish group linked closely to the Socialist Unity Party entreated the then-existing government of East Germany to accord permission to Soviet Jews to seek refuge in East Germany (Ostow, 110). In this paper, Soviet Jews reception and acculturation in Germany following the Soviets collapse will be discussed.
II. Brief Overview
a. The Jewish community in Germany before Soviet emigration (numbers, ethnicity, class status, etc.)
Ambiguity exists regarding the precise demographics of Germanys Jewish population, particularly in the post-Holocaust age. Somewhat informed figures indicate that, as of 1945, roughly 3,000 Jews might have survived in all of the 4 Allied Zones combined. This very small figure grew swiftly on account of the extensive post-1945 migration from East to West: approximately five to six hundred thousand had fled the lethal anti-Semitism of the post-Holocaust era in Poland and other Eastern European nations (Wolffsohn, 19). Following the Israeli nations creation, these displaced persons decreased in number. A rather small number around 30,000 continued to reside in Germany. They perceived future dealings and interactions with the nations non-Jews to be a challenge. From 1946 to 1949, around 1,000 long-time intellectual Communists reverted to what was believed by them to be a better Germany. But by the year 1953, most Jews residing in East Germany had already bid the nation adieu. The state of this better Germany deteriorated, and along with the remaining Soviet Stalin-governed nations, persecuted the Jewish community from late 1948 until the time of Stalins death (i.e., March of 1953) (Wolffsohn, 21). During the Berlin Walls collapse, a mere 400 Jews were still residing in Germany, with about three-quarters of them residing in East Berlin. Local Jews outside East Berlin comprised only a few dozen individuals, of whom several were aged. Jewish influx from Russia during the early part of the 90s decade helped avert a structural collapse.
Before the Berlin Walls fall, in the year 1989, and the point where this essays central narrative commences, Jews had begun leading a better life in Germany. However, the situation wasnt particularly favorable for them. Between 20,000 and 30,000 Jews resided in West Germany or the Federal Republic, 6,000 were inhabitants of Berlin, roughly 500 were staying in East Germany or the German Democratic Republic, and 200 were East Berlin residents (Peck, 40-1). The majority of these were aged and dwindling in number. However, soon, the borders opened, the Soviet Union collapsed, and in the aftermath of these decisive events of 198990, Jewish migrants flooded the nation. Not many Americans appear to understand how such a shift in population saved German Jews from the extinction they were swiftly and surely headed towards, instead of making it Europes third-biggest community, as well as the worlds quickest growing and ninth biggest community. Also, not many understand how the abovementioned immigration and Jewish reconstitution within...
…or diversity might appear challenging to Soviet Jewish migrants ideas of their Jewish identity indelibly printed on their passports, inherited biologically from their parents, and religiously exemplified by Orthodox Judaism, despite the majority of previously Soviet Jews being secular. Up until now, both have failed to intersect with each other. Most Russians are unfamiliar with egalitarianism, feminism, and liberalism, which lies at the core of most debates on European Judaism the former are typically attracted more to a secular way of life or Chabad Lubavitch Hasidism as well as other ultra-Orthodox and Orthodox Jewish embodiments.VII. Conclusion
In this paper, the reception and acculturation of Soviet Jews in Germany following the Soviets collapse are discussed. Roughly 220,000 Jews of Soviet origins migrated into United Germany from 1991 to 2013. Several opted for Germany instead of America or Israel, owing to the nations economic opportunities, due to its nearness to Russia, or because it was presumably safer than the State of Israel. Immigration of soviet Jews to German was unforeseen, unplanned, and disliked by both the Israeli and German governments and the majority of German Jews. Of the soviet Jews arriving in German, only 50 percent joined Jewish communities, congregations, and other formal Jewish institutions. The influx resulting from many Soviet Jews led to tension financially, psychologically, and emotionally. Therefore, the German government stepped in and set up various requirements to restrict the previously unrestricted flow of immigrants. For Soviet Jews, Germany offered a chance and suitable conditions for reattaching themselves to their Jewish heritage and, owing to Israel becoming the center of Jewish unity even in the offspring of mixed parents and those living with their non-Jewish spouses. To many, the culture replaced the religious engagement they rejected or were excluded from. Compared with the overall German population, Jews continue…
Works cited
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Ostow, Robin. “From Victims of Antisemitism to Post-modern Hybrids: Representations of (Post) Soviet Jews in Germany.” European Judaism 36.2 (2003): 110-117.
Peck, Jeffrey M. “3. Russian Immigration and the Revitalization of German Jewry.” Being Jewish in the New Germany. Rutgers University Press, 2005. 40-59.
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