Experiencing antisemitism in the Third Generation. Reactivation of extreme trauma in descendants of Holocaust survivors

Interdisciplinary Research Network

Coordination of the research network: Dr. phil. Kurt Grünberg, Sigmund-Freud-Institute
Network partners: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Monika Schwarz-Friesel, Technical University Berlin and Prof. Dr. Sarah Yvonne Brandl, Catholic University of Applied Sciences North Rhine-Westphalia
Project duration: 01.08.2021 to 31.07.2025
Co-direction of the encounter group and group-analytical evaluation: Elli Kaminer-Zamberk
Research assistants: Dipl.-Psych. Simon E. Arnold and Dipl.-Psych. Lena Dierker
Methodological cooperation: Depth Hermeneutics Research Workshop
Scientific advice: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meurs
Supervision: Dr. med. Friedrich Markert (DPV/IPA)
Cooperations: Prof. Dina Porat (Chief Historian Yad Vashem, Alfred P. Slaner Chair for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and Racism, Director of the Kantor Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry at Tel Aviv University), Prof. Dr. Doron Kiesel, Education Department of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Central Welfare Office of the Jews in Germany
Student assistant: BA Matilda Urban
Interns: Doreen Zeymer-von Metnitz

Experiencing antisemitism in the Third Generation. Reactivation of extreme trauma in descendants of Holocaust survivors

The interdisciplinary research network focuses on experiences of antisemitism in Third Generation descendants of Holocaust survivors as presented in encounter group meetings and qualitative research interviews. The aim is to examine contemporary antisemitism and re-enactments of the grandparents’ persecution in Third Generation lives. The encounter group acts as an open space to talk about experiences, fears and worries as well as coping strategies. At the same time, identifications, loyalties, conflicts and the transgenerational transmission of extreme trauma — especially in Germany — are examined. Thereafter, the group sessions and interviews are analyzed in an elaborate multi-method research design in order to better understand the dynamics and challenges of antisemitism — especially from a Jewish perspective.

Experiencing antisemitism as scenic memory of the Shoah

The perspective of the SFI research group focuses on experiences of antisemitism as scenic memory of the Shoah. On this basis, the connection between today’s experiences of antisemitism and the transmission and re-enactments of their ancestors‘ persecution experiences will be explored, especially under the specific conditions in the “land of perpetrators”.

The last phase includes the integration and dissemination of the newly gained knowledge. The focus lies on the training of psychosocial specialists and the transfer to educational programs. An online platform will offer user-friendly access to project contents. Finally the research network publishes its research results and organizes an international conference.