Summary of "American Jews reclaim German citizenship | DW News"

Overview

DW News reports that an increasing number of American Jews whose families were persecuted by the Nazis are reclaiming German citizenship that was stripped from their ancestors. Germany’s restitution law allows Holocaust victims and their descendants (up to great‑grandchildren) to restore citizenship because the Nazi regime deliberately rendered many Jews stateless. Applications in New York for restoration of Nazi‑era citizenship have more than doubled over the past four years.

Why people are reclaiming German citizenship

Reasons vary and often overlap:

Security / “Plan B”
- Some interviewees cite rising populism, the Trump era, a perceived erosion of democratic norms, and increasing antisemitism in the U.S. as reasons to seek an exit option and greater safety.
- One interviewee said they feared “it could happen here” and wanted an alternative if hostility against Jews and other groups escalates.
Historical justice and belonging
- For others, regaining citizenship is a way to reconnect with family roots, identity, and to address historical wrongs.
Practical and opportunistic reasons
- Some people emphasize access to Europe and broader personal or professional opportunities rather than political motives.

Profile: Ruth Greenl

The report profiles 103‑year‑old Holocaust survivor Ruth Greenl, who regained her German passport. She recounts:

Family life in Hamburg before the Nazis
The impact of the 1935 Nuremberg Laws
Internment in French camps
A perilous escape through Spain and Portugal
Eventual arrival in the United States

Ruth later became a psychotherapist. Several of her descendants have also reclaimed German citizenship.

Emotional context

The piece emphasizes the emotional weight behind these decisions: survivors’ memories and a sense of vulnerability among some American Jews today. It notes that not everyone pursuing citizenship wants to discuss political motives; for many it is primarily about heritage or practical benefits.