Home after Fascism: Italian and German Jews after the Holocaust

Anna Koch's book, "Home after Fascism," explores the first-person homecoming stories of Jews in East Germany, West Germany, and Italy and how they reconnected to the countries that had destroyed their homes, ostracized them, and killed and imprisoned their loved ones. She argues that the development of emotional communities was essential to this reconnection, helping returnees process and reinterpret their feelings toward the countries they had fled. The book reveals the determined resilience of a displaced generation of Jewish people following different paths across Europe to recover the feeling, reality, and power of home.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2023
Publisher: Indiana University Press

After the Holocaust, many Jews sought to return to their former homes in Europe. This was a difficult and complex process, as these countries had been devastated by the war and the Holocaust, and many Jews had lost their homes, families, and communities. In Anna Koch's book, "Home after Fascism," she explores the experiences of Jews who returned to East Germany, West Germany, and Italy and the various ways they reconnected to their former countries.

One of the main challenges that returning Jews faced was the recovery of lost or looted homes and possessions. Many Jews had been forced to flee their homes in a hurry, leaving behind everything they owned. They faced a long and difficult process of reclaiming their property, often facing resistance from the local authorities who had taken over their homes during the war.

Despite these challenges, many Jews were determined to return to their former homes and rebuild their lives. They formed emotional communities that helped them process their feelings toward the countries that had persecuted them and killed their loved ones. These communities provided a sense of belonging and support, as Jews shared their experiences and struggles with one another.

Jews in West Germany emphasized detachment and marking their distance to justify living in a country of murderers. They tried to distance themselves from the Holocaust and the **** regime, often emphasizing their German heritage and their contributions to German society. They also sought to integrate into the local community and establish themselves as successful professionals.

Communists of Jewish origin in East Germany stressed an emotional connection to their comrades. They were part of a socialist movement that had fought against fascism and had a strong sense of solidarity with their fellow Jews. They emphasized their shared history and their commitment to building a socialist society that would be free from discrimination and oppression.

Italian Jews emphasized the historical attachment to their homeland and highlighted their belonging within the national community of Italy. They were proud of their Italian heritage and had a strong sense of pride in their country. They also sought to rebuild their Jewish communities and establish synagogues and other religious institutions.

Comparative, wide-ranging, and often moving, "Home after Fascism?" reveals the determined resilience of a displaced generation of Jewish people following different paths across Europe to recover the feeling, reality, and power of home. Koch's book provides a valuable insight into the experiences of Jews who returned to their former countries after the Holocaust and the various ways they reconnected to their past and their communities. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Jewish people and their ability to rebuild their lives after such devastating trauma.

Weight: 476g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253066961