Why did Hitler like Rosa Bernile Nienau who was Jewish?

Why did Hitler like Rosa Bernile Nienau who was Jewish?

See that cutie…the child not Hitler. That’s Rosa Bernile Nienau. She’s seen in a lot of the propaganda photos done by Hoffmann.

Most people assume she was JUST for propaganda purposes.

While photos of her and Hitler were definitely used to Nazi Germany’s advantage there appeared to be a genuine friendship between the them.

 Or as much of a friendship as a dictator and child are capable of having…

They shared the same birthday, she would knit him socks, he would send her signed photos, she called him Uncle Hitler, and they would exchange at least 17 letters from 1933 to 1938.

There was only one hiccup. Bernile had a Jewish grandmother who had converted to Roman Catholicism.

 Because children generally take on the religion of their mother Bernile would have been by loose definition been Jewish.

However, it was only one grandmother and it does not appear that the family was affected by the Nuremberg Racial Laws.

“[Hitler] had a purely human attitude towards the child.” - Hitler's adjutant, Fritz Wiedemann, explaining why Hitler disregarded her ancestry.

Why was Hitler, a vehement anti-semite, unbothered by this? Simple. He liked her. He enjoyed her company. People who knew him said he genuinely liked kids. 

At the very least he liked this one because he continued to see her until 1938 when Martin Borrmann discovered her heritage and banned her from any further contact.

“There are some people who have a true talent to spoil my every joy” - Heinrich Hoffmann recalling Hitler’s reaction upon finding out Martin Bormann had banned her family from continuing contact with Hitler.

Without getting too caught up, I will say this: xenophobia is often derived from ignorance and anger.

They dehumanize those they hate.Take away the dehumanization and you take away the hate. I believe that is what happened here.

Bernile was someone Hitler felt affection for. While her photos were published in propaganda albums the friendship extended beyond that. 

He appreciated her friendship making her “Jewish blood” was inconsequential to him.

Bernile would die of polio in 1943 at the age of 17.