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In a strange twist of life, I received German citizenship this week, me and my children, who are no longer children of course, but will always be children to me.
This happened because of the previous time when everyone hated us and would have preferred to see us dead.
My mother and grandmother were born in Germany, they were never granted German citizenship, they were Jewish.
A few years ago the law in Germany changed and Jews who left Germany from 1933 or until, whatever year, due to persecution, can receive citizenship, including their descendants.
I set out on a journey that lasted three years, I collected documents, I collected materials, and this week it happened. Although this is not such a good time, because we are once again hated in so many places in the world, and the thought that it is good for us to have European citizenship because we will have somewhere to run away to is no longer so encouraging. We are trapped. Captives of such a bad government that is leading us to the brink of an abyss, and accumulating so much hatred in the world.
We, the ordinary people, and we the majority, are doing everything we can to stop the government's very bad moves, but the power is not with us, and we continue to pay such heavy prices. On a personal level, I still sleep with my iPhone under my pillow so I can hear the missile warnings at night, I still shower quickly so I don't get caught in the shower when the alarm goes off, I'm still scared on the road, and I still run to the shelter at least twice a week. Today is a holiday for us, a new year, but there is no holiday feeling, a lot of sadness and pain in the air and a feeling that the world has turned upside down on us, and against us.
But I decided that in honor of the new year I will not be afraid anymore, I will do what I think is right to do, including writing this post.
It is good to see a post from you Yael and to know that you are OK.......or at least, as well as can be expected!
ReplyDeleteI often think of you and wish you well. What is happening in your part of the world is down the the politicians, not the people who are suffering! Stay strong.
Oh, and Happy New Year.... Hope it will prove to be a better one than the last.
Thank you Frances for being such a good friend all these years, it means so much to me.
ReplyDeleteHappier New Year - it's time for things to change.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jablog.We're all waiting for something else here.
DeleteIt's good to hear from you and to know that you're okay. I think of you often and wonder how you're doing.
ReplyDeleteWould you ever consider moving to Germany (with your family) and starting a new life? I cannot imagine the stress and strain of living with constant war and the need for constant vigilance. I think I'd be very tempted to leave if I had dual citizenship.
May the New Year bring you and your family better times.
Jennifer,Thanks for the blessings. I don't think I'll move to live somewhere else, unless we have to be refugees in the world because of an extreme situation here. There are many people who have moved to live in other places, but right now the world doesn't really like us overseas either, and in the meantime we're here.
ReplyDeleteI understand about your family origins in Germany, but why did you want to apply for citizenship there. Would you and the family feel safest there?
ReplyDeleteLive in peace wherever you are, this New Year.
Hels,It's always good to have alternatives. I wish you a happy new year too.
DeleteI'm glad to see a post from you. I wish you peace in the New Year and hope you and your family will stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ellen.
DeleteAs others have said, I'm glad to see your post and wish you and you family a happier new year. I am sorry that Keir Starmer has recognised a Palestian state, whilst hostages are still being held by Hammas.
ReplyDeleteDebbie.Quite a few countries are now declaring recognition of a Palestinian state, it won't happen that quickly because Hamas won't let it happen. We will always be happy to live in peace here with anyone who wants it.
DeleteYael, I am glad to see you back in the blogosphere! I tried to check in on you a couple of times but saw your blog had gone private. It's probably good you've obtained German citizenship -- my theory, in these crazy times, is that it's always good to have citizenship in a second "back up" country!
ReplyDeleteSteve,I read your blog every day, I don't always comment but I think even after reading about the thought-provoking things I find in your posts. I temporarily took down the blog because I didn't feel safe here. I came back despite everything.
DeleteYael. Regardless of your situation I wish you a happy Rosh Hashanah. I'm sure that things will soon settle; the world is becoming tired of all the conflict and killing. Perhaps the current UN meeting will speed things along. x
ReplyDeleteThank you Cro.We all hope for a better future, and I try to adopt an optimistic attitude.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a long answer, and it wouldn't post. Let me just say that it was a very sad post. I can understand why you wouldn't move. Your life is difficult but it's a 'difficult' that you've learnt to live with. but do you think your children would leave.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can find some enjoyment in this holiday
Now I'm so curious to read what you wrote in the long post, I don't think any of my children will leave, despite everything, there is some special connection here, and we are coping. Thank you Linda for understanding.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you have posted because like others I have worried. I hope for peace in the new year and I am not sure why but recently I have felt more positive.
ReplyDeleteThank you Claudia for the optimistic comment. I really hope that's how things will be.
ReplyDeleteWho are you, the reader from Singapore? You've been reading a lot of my posts from previous years for some time now, and spending hours here. I hope your intentions are good.
ReplyDelete