Interest in reclaiming German citizenship has surged among descendants of Jews who fled Nazi Germany. Following Germany’s expanded citizenship laws, many American Jews now see the opportunity not only as a practical benefit but also as a symbolic act of reclaiming heritage.
While some applicants cite perks like easier travel within the European Union, others express deeper motivations tied to family legacy and growing political unease in the United States.
Reclaiming Heritage and Building a “Plan B”
For siblings Eric and Eva-Lynn Podietz, reclaiming German citizenship is about reconnecting with roots and preparing for the unknown. Their mother fled Germany in the late 1930s and spent her life tracing lost family and advocating for Holocaust remembrance.
Eric draws unsettling parallels between today’s U.S. political climate and 1930s Germany. “The rise of authoritarianism just parallels the rise of Hitler,” he warned.
Eva-Lynn echoed the sentiment, saying, “Jews are almost always in exile.” Though neither sibling plans to move soon, both believe holding a German passport offers security in uncertain times.
Application Process Slowed by Growing Demand
David Young, who operates a consultancy called Becoming German, reports a sharp increase in citizenship applications. His firm has helped around 1,500 people navigate the complex process. Where approvals once took months, applicants now face multi-year delays.
Young observes that motivations are shifting. “In the past, most people just wanted the passport as an option,” he said. “Now it’s people really concretely thinking about moving.”
Mixed Emotions and Lingering Trauma
Applicants like Joe Sacks, a science teacher in Washington, D.C., describe the experience as both surreal and emotional. “You click ‘Yes, I’m Jewish’ on the German form and send it to the German government. It’s wild,” he said.
Despite no immediate plans to relocate, Sacks views the move as a meaningful safeguard. His wife, a federal employee, has faced instability under shifting U.S. administrations, adding urgency to the decision.
Rising Antisemitism Fuels Concerns
Judy Spring, a clinical psychologist, reflects on her family’s escape from Germany before World War II. Her mother’s insistence on always knowing where her passport was still resonates.
“It just kind of feels like history is repeating itself,” she said. As antisemitism and political division grow, many find unexpected reassurance in reconnecting with the country their families once fled.
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Some American Jews whose families fled Nazis are now seeking German citizenship. Here’s why
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