[Cz-L] Czernowitz and its Jews.

Czernowitz and the Jews. (Not a love story).



 As you may know I have joined the Cernowitz LJ " Gruss aus Czernowitz"

chat group and have tried to understand the standings of the participants

as to the Jewish problem. There was a language problem, but with the

assistance of helpful community members , who helped out in translating,

I got a picture as to the state of mind of the average Czernowitzer of today

versus the old Czernowitzer Jewry.

Let us make a list :

1. They are crazy about Czernowitz history and specially the Austrian
period.

2. They attribute the splendor of the city to that period and thus
unavoidably

             value the Jewish contribution to that golden period.

             But they attribute this to the Austrians.The Jews were good
Austrians, served

              in the Kaiser's Army and were treated as equals.

3. This admiration does not extend to the jewish survivors of old
Czernowitz.

4. They do not see in us copatriots , at most we are curiosities
,objects of envy.

5. They need our memories, our photos , our money but not our
presence.

6. We bring back to them a period they would rather forget.( guilt ?)

7. As all old-time Czernowitzer have property left in the city , and
voices have been

risen for restitution , our presence also induces uneasiness .

8. Some are antisemitic .How can you you hate Jews if there are none
around ?

It probably comes with the milk of their mothers.

9. The younger generation is completely ignorant as to the past.



   These are the facts , sad but true,

 So do not expect love letters from the City Council , there won't be any.



Hardy
Received on 2007-09-20 04:46:13