‘Mauerecho’ Podcast Uncovers Germany’s Jewish Identity After the Wall Fell
After the Holocaust, many Jews remained in Germany, facing displacement and prejudice. The fall of the Berlin Wall brought new challenges, including fears of resurgent nationalism. Now, the 'Mauerecho' podcast, produced by the Panter Foundation, explores these themes and more, with hosts Marion Brasch and Meron Mendel sharing their unique perspectives.
Before the Wall fell, Brasch was a theater director and author in East Germany, while Mendel, born in Israel and raised in Germany, was an educator focusing on Jewish history and Holocaust education. Both were shaped by reunification: Brasch's work reflects on German history and reunification impacts, while Mendel's educational efforts address division and antisemitism legacies in unified Germany.
The podcast, released every Sunday, delves into these complexities. Mendel, a historian, sees displays of German national pride as generally safe but warns against patriotism tipping into nationalism. Some Jews perceived reunification as threatening, with incidents like the Rostock-Lichtenhagen and Hoyerswerda pogroms fueling fears. Many Holocaust survivors initially lived in Allied camps before emigrating, while others, traumatized, chose to stay in Germany, facing prejudice. Mendel suggests engaging with German identity could be progressive for the left, making advocacy for others easier. Returning East German Jews were predominantly German Jews motivated by political conviction, often socialism or communism. The podcast's sound engineer is Daniel Fromm.
The 'Mauerecho' podcast, with its diverse hosts and topics, offers insights into Germany's complex history and identity, particularly regarding Jews and reunification. By exploring these themes, it fosters understanding and dialogue.
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