I have thoughts about this issue from the opposite side. I'm Jewish, my family (some branches of it) had lived in Germany for hundreds of years. My grandparents managed to escape in time and survived the war, but many of their family members were murdered. They never returned, and never renewed their citizenship, which was revoked by the Nazis.
Although I don't live in Germany, a few years ago I discovered I was entitled to renew my German citizenship by law, and I actually went ahead and got it. My grandma was not happy about it, but finally helped me with the documents on condition that I don't move there while she's alive (she's passed since).
I had thought about going to live there for a couple of years, studying there, or at least learning the language. I have a few friends who did that and are actually extremely happy with it. I keep telling myself more or less what you are saying - most Germans today have nothing to do with it, etc etc.
But emotionally, I just don't think I'll ever be able to. A visit - sure. Nothing more, probably.
dvirsky40 karma
I have thoughts about this issue from the opposite side. I'm Jewish, my family (some branches of it) had lived in Germany for hundreds of years. My grandparents managed to escape in time and survived the war, but many of their family members were murdered. They never returned, and never renewed their citizenship, which was revoked by the Nazis.
Although I don't live in Germany, a few years ago I discovered I was entitled to renew my German citizenship by law, and I actually went ahead and got it. My grandma was not happy about it, but finally helped me with the documents on condition that I don't move there while she's alive (she's passed since).
I had thought about going to live there for a couple of years, studying there, or at least learning the language. I have a few friends who did that and are actually extremely happy with it. I keep telling myself more or less what you are saying - most Germans today have nothing to do with it, etc etc.
But emotionally, I just don't think I'll ever be able to. A visit - sure. Nothing more, probably.
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