Jews and Germans

I recently read a fascinating book: "The pity of it all: a portrait of the
German-Jewish epoch, 1743-1933," by Amos Elon, in which the author describes the interaction of Germans and Jews before its terrible ending. Here is a summary:
1. In the late Middle Ages Germany was divided into about 18 kingdoms, the
most significant of which was Prussia with its capital at Berlin. The treatment
of theJews varied very much from place to place, but generally was abominable.
Jews were required to enter the walled cities at the same gate reserved for
cattle and other livestock, and were required to pay a head fee like cattle.
Jews were not allowed into the main cities unless they had a written
invitation or permission. Those who were allowed in could not stay unless
they received permission by the authorities, which involved paying high fees
(read bribes) to the king and various officers. In some cities the
treatment of Jews was terrible, and they were often murdered without any
investigation. In some cities a "Jew's sow" was exhibited showing Jews
suckling from a large sow (pig) and the Rabbi eating the pig's excrement.
These were exhibited until the late 1700s.
2. As the Jews gradually became more valuable to the rulers, the number
allowed to live within some cities increased, and in some cases Ghettos were
established,as in Frankfurt. As the Jews engaged in commerce they became wealthier and some were allowed to educate their children in German schools and universities, although they were not allowed to have any professional or academic jobs. This led to a great gulf between the mass of Jews who were uneducated and extremely poor (often beggars living rough in the countryside)and the growing Jewish urban bourgeoisie. In order to be fully accepted and obtain jobs a large proportion of the urban Jews converted to Christianity, but they were not accepted culturally as equals.
3. Gradually the leading roles of the professions and academia began to be
entered and dominated by converted Jews and there was more pressure for
liberalization. Many Jews believed that their identification as Germans and
their acceptance would be enhanced if they supported the unification of
Germany. The anti-Semitic Kaiser of Prussia was pleased to accept their
support and gave some concessions, but not enough. However, unconverted
Jews began to be given rights, which increased with the organization of the
Social Democratic Party by liberal Jews.
4. As Germany unified and became more liberal, the situation of the Jews
improved greatly and they became more pro-German. From 1870-1910 Germany was the most liberal country in Europe and Jews from England and France tried to emulate it, and tens of thousands of Jews from Russia and Eastern Europe poured into Germany, inciting great hostility. Jews who were never more than 1% of the German population, were also making incredible strides in the professions and dominating them in science, law, medicine, politics and others. However, there was never a time when the Germans accepted Jews as equals.
5. The loss of WWI was a great trauma for the Germans, and casting around
for a scapegoat it was not difficult to blame the Jews, many of whom had
fought bravely for the Kaiser (although this was conveniently overlooked).
During the 1920s-1930s with the breakdown of civil order and the terrible
inflation the stage was set for the rise of Hitler and the Nazi persecution
of the Jews. Nevertheless 50,000 Jews fled Germany and survived, although
the Jews of Eastern Europe ('ostjuden') bore the brunt of the German
pathological hatred of the Jews.