As this stage of Timothy’s journey draws to a close, he’s confronted with some key remaining questions. After the persecution and rejection that has been experienced, can there be any meaningful return to Germany for the Kuppenheims? What role can commemoration and memorialization play? And assuming it’s even possible, what form should his own reconciliation with Germany take? Timothy explores the Stolpersteine project, one of the most innovative and effective of the various Holocaust memorial projects he’s encountered. He considers whether he should accept German citizenship, to which he is entitled as a descendant of victims of the Nazis. And in all of this, Timothy is forced to look deeply within himself, asking how his family’s heritage and his own journey of discovery should now inform his identity. In a cathartic final moment, Timothy’s far-flung family reunites to honour Felix and Gertrud, Hans and Ilse, Traute and Ursula. And, in so doing, they take a step toward a larger, shared goal: never again.

An English translation of the letter by Levke Linder and Julie Hoffmann is read by Hanna Feldhaus Kent.

The Hidden Holocaust Papers: Survival. Exile. Return. is a production of The Walrus Lab in partnership with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. It's presented by Timothy Taylor.

The Executive Producers are Anthony Cantor and Timothy Taylor. Anthony Cantor is the showrunner. Written by Timothy Taylor and Anthony Cantor. Co-produced and edited by Eric Anderson and Sean Prpick. Technical Production, Sound Engineering and Design, and Music Supervision by Rob Julius Janson. Research and translation by Joel Pinsker.

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