Jews: Germany is our Fatherland - US and German Jews say 'No' to Aliya

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The leaders of Germany's Jewish community have warned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert they would request the German government's help in preventing Israel from encouraging Jews settled in Germany to immigrate to Israel.

 

For those who may not know, the overwhelming majoirty of German Jews prior to the rise of Hitler rejected Zionism because they insisted that Germany is their Fatherland. Emigration to Palestine was considered a fatuous idea. The case of Fritz Haber, who argued so vehemently with Weizmann, is famous. Eventually, the renowned scientist and German patriot made his way out of Germany and admitted his mistake. Others were not so fortunate.

 

Whoever believes that history does not repeat itself, should contemplate this story. "Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it." It is incredible that the Jews of Germany still resist Zionism, but it is true.  

 

Those who whine about the lack of Hebrew and Jewish education in the United States should also take note of the following:

 

Nativ also sought to extend its field of operations to North America, but the Foreign Ministry foiled this option, arguing it would jeopardize Israel's relations with Washington and with the U.S. Jewish community

Is there something particularly obnoxious about Nativ? Do they use the wrong kind of deodorant or what?

 

At one time, every Israeli was greeted constantly by giant advertisements for USA Green Cards. In his second year of university, my son got an invitation to come to the United States and work for an engineering firm when he graduates. They snatch our engineers before they are even hatched!  It did not appear to me that anyone in Israel raised objections to American recruiting of Israelis. But Israeli recruitment of Jews for emigration from Germany or the United States draws the most obnoxious, outspoken and unashamed resistance. Sometimes the people doing the resisting have the effrontery to represent themselves as "Zionists." It is emotional, and not logical resistance. Nobody will force any Jews to come to Israel, or to attend any Nativ program, and frankly, it seems unlikely that Nativ will ever organize mass Aliya . They will however, help to ensure a revival of Hebrew and Jewish culture, and form a nucleus of Jews who are interested in their culture and their people. Rather than emptying the Diaspora of Jewry, activity on behalf of Aliya in communities where Jews prosper would enrich those communities.

 

I am sure that these views will stir angry protests, but this is how I feel, and this is how this story hits me.

 

Ami Isseroff

 

Germany's Jews warn PM not to promote immigration to Israel

 

By Amiram Barkat, Haaretz Correspondent

 

The leaders of Germany's Jewish community have warned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert they would request the German government's help in preventing Israel from encouraging Jews settled in Germany to immigrate to Israel.

 

Stephan J. Kramer, who heads the Central Council of Jews in Germany, sent the warning following Israel's decision last week to extend the jurisdiction of Nativ , the government body in charge of promoting immigration from the Former Soviet Union to Israel. Nativ and the Jewish Agency will cooperate in running ulpans (Hebrew courses) and other educational programs in Germany, which is home to some 200,000 Russian-speaking Jews who moved there from the Former Soviet Union in recent years.

 

Two Nativ operatives are supposed to begin operating in Germany this September. Absorption Minister Ze'ev Boim, who opposed the Nativ decision, charged that such action would be wasteful, as such activities are currently performed by the Jewish Agency.

 

Nativ has long sought permission to operate in Germany, but was blocked by Jewish Agency opposition. Recently, however, Nativ was transferred from the Prime Minister's Office to the new Strategic Affairs Ministry, headed by Avigdor Lieberman, who has said in the past that he favors replacing the American-dominated Jewish Agency with Nativ entirely.

 

Nativ also sought to extend its field of operations to North America, but the Foreign Ministry foiled this option, arguing it would jeopardize Israel's relations with Washington and with the U.S. Jewish community