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Neustaedter Kirche (New City Church)
It had been two years since I last visited the city of Erlangen, but a couple of impressions are sinking in. First, after visiting Munich and Passau, I am struck by the number of young people in Erlangen as compared to the latter two cities. This should not be surprising as Erlangen is the second seat of Siemens as well as the site of a large university.
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Second, Erlangen has truly become international. The number of foreign residents and students is impressive. Yes, impressive because the ones you see are studying, working, running businesses (largely restaurants) and speaking fluent German. They appear to be assimilating well.
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Formerly Ferris Barracks-US Army caserne
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This may be a superficial impression, but it appears that immigration is working, at least in Erlangen. Here you don't see idle foreigners standing around. There are no street riots and burning cars as in Sweden or France.
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Above: Criminal courthouse. The eagle remains. Removed was the swastika in the globe held in the eagle's talons.
Last night, I attended the Sukkah dinner of the local Jewish community to celebrate the Jewish new year. This community consists largely of Russian émigrés, mostly older and numbering over 100, though the active members could be counted in the dozens. The community seems to be doing well, with community and city support. Anti-Semitism, at least in Erlangen, doesn't seem to be a problem.
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11 Raumerstrasse- One of 4 designated Jewish houses in World War Two where multiple Jewish families were forced to co-locate until they were rounded up and deported to the East for extermination.
5 comments:
Thanks for the report. The foreign students you mentioned that seemed to be integrating well are they from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Russia ... some integrate better than others.
It is nice that you were invited to attend a dinner in a Sukkah. One of the takeaways from the fragile shelter is a reminder of how fragile life is. It is always good to keep that in mind amid all our blessings. It can all blow away.
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Probably mostly from Asia. Not surprising.
Sounds like a wonderful place to visit. I just might do that one day.
I lived in the MP Station ‘83-84 as a D/Sgt. Was the most memorable duty station in my 7 year career.
I was also a desk sgt my last few months. In those days, we were the 404th MP Co, part of the 4th Armored Division. We worked joint patrols with the 793rd MPs who were under 7th Army. They lived above the MP Station and actually ran the MP Station.
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