Trauma, Resilience, and Empowerment

Traumas can be passed from one generation to the next - this is well known – and hardly any group is so affected by this phenomenon as the descendants of people persecuted by the Nazis. But just how does this transfer take place? What role do family traditions and continued social practices play? Does genetics have an impact? Furthermore, can the cycle be broken?
The descendants of those persecuted by the Nazis can draw on unique resources and skills. They make significant contributions to political and social reckonings with the Nazi era and they work for the welfare of the survivors. Many are active in political education and advocate for an appropriate culture of remembrance. In a time of increasing right-wing populism, their views are indispensable.
This publication was made possible with support from the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

Dr Jost Rebentisch is a historian. After working as a research assistant at the Cologne Stadtmuseum, he joined the Bundesverband Information und Beratung für NS-Verfolgte in 2002, where he has been Managing Director since 2014.