New Book Reveals the Untold Diversity of Jewish Life in Germany Today

Jewish Life in Germany: More Than Just Commemoration and Crisis

Jewish people in Germany are often only visible to the public on specific occasions—when the nation remembers the victims of Nazi crimes or when tensions flare in the Middle East. This narrow focus distorts the reality of Jewish life.

To truly understand what concerns Jewish people today—how they see themselves and their place in this country—one must listen to their own conversations.

In their new book, "What Jews Talk About: Ten Conversations from Germany," Joshua Schultheis and Mascha Malburg bring together eight Jewish voices in ten dialogues: Jews who emigrated from Ukraine and Russia alongside those whose families have lived in Germany for generations; Jews from New York or Tel Aviv who have made Berlin their home, and those determined not to surrender their eastern German cities to the far right. Ashkenazi and Mizrahi, queer and patrilineal Jews. Together, these interviews form a unique kaleidoscope of Jewish life in Germany today.

About the Authors:

Mascha Malburg studied political science and sociology, focusing her thesis on Hannah Arendt's theory of revolution. Since 2023, she has written for the Jüdische Allgemeine on politics, society, and religion.

Joshua Schultheis is a political editor at the Jüdische Allgemeine newspaper.

Their book, "What Jews Talk About: Ten Conversations from Germany," is published by Hentrich & Hentrich.

The discussion is moderated by Dinah Riese, head of the domestic news desk at our website.