But I do not want to promote Serfaus: I’d be interested in your investigations if you were here and your interpretation about the impressions of all the involved: the Jewish tourists, the Gojim, the hosts, …

What I find very interesting: almost all countries make an effort to adapt occidental traditions (for their guests) – hardly anyone realizes the efforts made for oriental guests (or members of other traditions) in Austria, a country which lives in an close area of xenophobia and hospitality.

All that ever seems to be pointed out are the problems and conflicts.

Finally, we have to learn to respect each other and be able to stand conflicts without alway being reproached in racism, anti-semitism or occidental arrogance, etc. The goal is diversity (sorry for this worn-out substantive) not the hodgepodge, pabulum and just tearing down national predispositions. I like that the start of it rather than talking or just asking about potential risks. So did you – congratulations!

I don’t care if they are Jewish, Catholic, Muslim or anything else. They are smart people with great ideas. That’s what they are.

Regarding Jews in Poland. You should not forget that Poland was under Communist rule until 1989. It takes time until change can happen.
Almost the same goes for Czechoslovakia. Here it was practially communist until the 1992.

Don’t forget that West Germany has been under American rule and basically had 45 years more time to recuperate and also to educate their kids about the holocaust and the wrongdoings to the Jews and all the others that were suppressed by the Nazis.
And we still have work to do. This is one of the reasons why this website exists.

But I do not agree with your description of “what will happen to Europe” … why would Europe loose its identity? The identity of a country will always be changing. Look at the United States. Its an imigration country and it has a great identity.

Regarding your comments towards “barbaric moslem tribes” … I do not like this racist attitude. Please read the house rules linked at the top of the page.

Regarding your comment about “the European’s hate to the Jews” … I am quite sorry, but I must live in a different Europe than what you talk about.

Don’t forget that the picture you get from the newspapers will give you a very wrong idea of a country. The news will only report if something bad happens. Don’t reduce a country to the “headlines”. They make maybe 1% of what a country realy is.

this is not such a simple question, actually. I am not Jewish, so my answer can only be from my personal perspective and experience.

Generally speaking, I would say “yes, a typical Jew (whatever that is, in your opinion) can walk down a street, wearing his kippa, and feel good”.

I have never seen anyone being shouted at, or being offended by someone else, for wearing a kippa, a hijab, or any other headcover that identifies them as being of a certain religious faith or ethnic background.

Having said that … I live in Augsburg and work in Munich. Both very multicultural cities.

When I was raised, I learned a lot about the German history and the horrible things the Germans have done during World War II.

I cannot imagine anyone being in his right mind to be anti-semitic, racist, or in any other way “extreme”.

For sure there are racists is Germany. Not everyone had the same education or has been raised the same way. But I would say that real racists, lets call them neo-nazis are very rare in Germany. I’d say you will find those people everywhere. In the U.S., in England, in France, everywhere in the world.

East Germany (the former GDR) has a severe problem with what we call “Rechtsextremismus” (right-wing-extremism). This has to do with higher unemployment rate and charlatans using this for their purposes.

But again, this is NOT what I would see as average Germany. This is an extreme and a minority.

Yes, a Jew can feel “good” if he walks down the street wearing a kippa.

I am even willing to make a test.
During the next weeks I will wear my kippa when I go on the street, when I go shopping or when I am on my way to the office.

And I will write about this “experience” on the blog.

And I will also talk to some people in the Jewish community in my hometown, to get their opinion and experience as Jews.