Kurt Gerron stayed and entertained inmates at Theresienstadt until his death in 1944

Berlin once flourished with Jewish culture, nearly 180,000 lived there in the Golden Twenties and were integrated quite well into society. This was partly due to the Prussian Jewish Edict of 1812, which nearly gave them equal rights, apart from entry into military service and the justice system. Only until the Emancipation Law of the Northern German Union in 1869 did they receive complete equality.

It lasted for 64 years. During the Nazi regime, Germany's biggest brain drain were the Jews in science, business and culture. Most of them emigrated to the US and found social inclusion and opportunities. Some joined the military and fought against Germany and Japan. Others lost loved ones, never looked back, whereas some still live as academics on the Upper East Side, assimilated into American culture and dare to buy a German car. Amidst this chosen path, a few remained in touch with their cultural roots, even in written form: Aufbau, a monthly magazine from New York, is a strong remnant from that immigration period in the early 30s.

Today, the Jewish synagogue in Berlin was rebuilt and new confidence was established in Munich. About 200 German Jews now serve in the Armed Forces. This new confidence is a positive presence and gives hope for those forced to choose another path in the past.