Fellow Jews in the country are baffled by a small Jewish faction within the Alternative for Germany, a party accused of racism and of downplaying the Nazis.
A booming economy and ever fewer migrants crossing the border haven't eased a populist backlash against the German chancellor's political allies in the wealthy alpine state of Bavaria.
It is the latest sign that many citizens are drawn to a populist movement that is reshaping politics in Germany by focusing debate squarely on immigration.
German leaders have dismissed the rise of the far-right as an electoral fluke that can be overcome by shifting policies a bit to the right. But if polls are to be believed, the approach isn't working.