Timelines

Following the Second World War, many communist Jews chose to immigrate to the German Democratic Republic (GDR) to actively participate in the construction of a socialist society. A significant number of Jewish artists and intellectuals played pivotal roles not only in shaping the social landscape but also in assuming key political positions. However, during the 1950s, a considerable portion of the Jewish population was forced to leave due to persecution under the Stalinist regime. By the 1980s, the Jewish communities in the GDR had dwindled to approximately 400 members, with nearly 200 belonging to the East Berlin community. In 1950, the "Central Council of Jews in Germany" was established in Frankfurt am Main. At that time, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and West Berlin were home to almost 22,000 Jews, spread across 70 different communities. For some Holocaust survivors, their presence in Germany signified an attempt to revive Jewish traditions, while others viewed it as a contribution to the cause of democracy. The Central Council concentrated on advocating for reparations, offering support to those in need, fostering relations with the federal government and international Jewish organizations, and actively combating anti-Semitism.