Ep. 3: The Human Reality: Jewish Experiences in Germany since October 7 (Prof. Dr. Dr. Michel Friedman, Fankfurt a.M.)

Guest: Prof. Dr. Dr. Michel Friedman, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences — Jurist, Philosopher, Author, Media Host, Public Intellectual Hosts: Efe & Philip Bio: Prof. Dr. Dr. Michel Friedman is one of Germany’s most prominent public intellectuals. Born in Paris in 1956 as the son of Holocaust survivors rescued by Oskar Schindler, most of his family was murdered in Auschwitz-Birkenau, he has served as Vice President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, President of the European Jewish Congress, member of the CDU federal executive board, and editor of the Jüdische Allgemeine. He is Professor of Real Estate and Media Law at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, author, philosopher, and award-winning TV host. A passionate defender of democracy and minority rights, he has been a leading critic of antisemitism, racism, and populism. In January 2025, after the CDU/CSU parliamentary group passed its migration plan with AfD votes, Friedman resigned, denouncing a “dramatic breach of taboo.” He received the Federal Cross of Merit, the German Television Award, the Goethe Plaque of Frankfurt (2024), and is an Officer of the French Legion of Honor. In this episode: Prof. Friedman reflects on Jewish experiences in Germany since October 7, 2023. We discuss how the Hamas attack reawakened trauma across Jewish communities and intensified antisemitism in schools, campuses, and public spaces. He shares personal memories as the son of Holocaust survivors, and speaks about challenges facing Jewish students and professionals today. We ask how society should respond to polarization, the responsibilities of schools and universities, and what he would tell Jewish youth questioning their future in Germany. Friedman also analyzes threats to democracy and open society, what still gives him hope, and the one sentence he would place in every school and public institution. This episode was recorded on June 3, 2025. Links: Friedman, Michel. Mensch! Liebeserklärung eines verzweifelten Demokraten. Berlin Verlag, 2025. michelfriedman.info Friedman, Michel. Judenhass: 7. Oktober 2023. Berlin Verlag. michelfriedman.info/judenhass/ On the Rise of Antisemitism in Germany: Annual Report of Antisemitic Incidents in Germany 2024 by RIAS: PDF RIAS Analysis since October 7: PDF KOAS Zwischenbericht on 7 October 2023 impacts: PDF Please check out our other episodes to explore multiple perspectives. Disclaimer: Guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast team. Technical legal terms are explained in Episode 36 (Prof. Claus Kreß); contested histories are addressed by Prof. Gudrun Krämer in Episode 21.