Remember and discuss: Jewish doctors in National Socialism

Remember and discuss: Jewish doctors in National Socialism

The Medical University Hannover (MHH) and the German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestion and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS) invite you to an important event on June 11, 2025, which is dedicated to the memory of the Jewish doctors persecuted during National Socialism. In this discussion, responsibility in medicine and the importance of the culture of remembrance should be discussed. The event takes place from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the lecture hall H, building J1, the MHH, and admission is free of charge. Interested parties can register at more.verena@mh-hannover.de. In addition, online participation will be possible with a link published on the website of the DGVS.

The DGVS has taken on the task of reminding the Jewish members concerned with its “Against the Forgetting” project. The company already had 520 members in 1932, 120 of whom were excluded within two years due to National Socialist racial policy. This is just an example of the far -reaching consequences of discriminatory legislation, which fell victim to many Jewish doctors. It was estimated that around a quarter of the 8,000 German Jewish doctors were murdered in the Schoa. The fate of the pediatrician Dr. Rudolf Fromm, who was driven out of his practice by SA and SS people in 1938 and deported to the Dachau concentration camp, illustrates the drama of this persecution. After difficult suffering, he emigrated to the United States in 1939 and was able to open a new practice there before he died of the consequences of his fate in 1946.

discussion round and lectures

As part of the event, experts will have their say in different areas. The discussion round is made by Prof. Dr. Thomas Beddies from the Charité - University Medical Center Berlin, Prof. Dr. Sabine Salloch from the MHH Institute for Ethics, History and Philosophy of Medicine and Prof. Dr. Andreas Neubauer from the Philipps University in Marburg. Lectures give, among other things, Dr. Harro Jenss, archivist of the DGVS, and Dr. Friederike Klein from the MHH Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectiology and Endocrinology. Prof. Dr. Bedies will also talk about the "Führer School of the German Medical Council".

The MHH is actively campaigning against xenophobia, exclusion and racism. If you look at the development of the culture of remembrance, it is important to emphasize that it has been increasingly discussed in Germany since the 1980s, even if it was initially considerable for considerable social efforts to prepare the Nazi past. In recent years, an increased commitment of medical societies has been observed that are committed to memory of Jewish doctors and recognize the responsibility of their members.

Current challenges and the role of the culture of memory

Despite the progress, anti -Semitism remains an urgent problem in today's society. The Central Council of Jews calls for an anti -Semitism representative at the federal level to develop strategies to combat Jewish hatred. The increase in anti -Semitic crimes, also among young Muslims and in the middle of society, illustrates the need to maintain the teachings from history. The most recent discussion about Israeli culture of remembrance and its connection to the German memory tradition shows that a differentiated view of the past is both necessary and challenging. The criticism of Israel is sometimes interpreted as anti -Semitic, which is burdening the examination of the dark chapters of history.

The memory of the crimes of National Socialism and the appreciation of the Jewish doctors are essential to maintain human dignity and to raise awareness of the Society for Discrimination and Exclusion. Only through an honest examination of one's own history can medicine and society as a whole be learned from the past and maintain its values ​​in order to counteract future oppression. A constant reflection on personal and social identities is necessary to promote the true importance of civil courage and respect in everyday life.