Vol. VI. No. 4 APRIL, 195 f 3 APR INFORMATION aSUED ir THE. ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH REFUGEES IN GREAT &RITAIN 8, FAIRFAX MANSIONS, FINCHLEY ROAD ( fA.^p°AToAD ) LONDON. N.W.3 Office and Consulting Hours : 10 a.m.— I p.m.. 3—6 p.m, Sunday 10 a.m.— I p.m. Te/ephone : MAIda Vale 9096 (General Offlce) MAIda Vale 4449 (Employment Agency) NEWS FROM^GERMANY RECORD OF A YEAR * I '•HE general policy towards Germany now A stands in the foreground ot international dis­ Q This issue appears shortly before the firmed that a psychological difference in the cussions. Some of its aspects, especially the in­ , l^nnual General Meeting of the AJR is tseatment of British-born and British- tended rearmament and the release of war criminals, aking place. Looking back to the past naturalized persons cannot be entirely have roused strong feelings amongst Jews and ^^ T\^^^^ months, two features are outstanding : eliminated. The words of the Chairman of Jewish organisations. Public opinion in Germany **6 activities on behalf of the Community the Australian " Association of New Citi­ itself is indicated by regrettable as well as by 7,, ^^ ^ whole have been increased, and the work zens," Dr. M. Joseph, also hold good for the encouraging symptoms. To the latter category -^ ^ the field of Social Services is steadily new citizens of Great Britain : " Those belongs Professor Carlo Schmidt's speech in the ^^Panding. disinterested have forgotten the lessons that Bonn ParUament, extracts from which are reported tf ^gain it has proved to be an invaluable had been taught both in Europe and during in this issue. When submitting proposals for an YjT^^^t that the AJR may speak as an inde- the war time here and thej' feel safe because indemnification of the Jews, Professor Schmidt „ piident organisation on behalf of the Jews they are successful in business. Those, how­ recalled the proud record of German Jewry before ouo'J.'^'n Germany and Austria. General ques- ever, who are actually working in our 1933 and, at the same time, paid tribute to the J^'is of legislation in the field of restitution Association know that we are still a Com­ spiritual and political importance of the young J^9- compensation have been taken up. In munity wanting protection and that our State of Israel for Jews all over the world. It would •f* 's matter the AJR partty co-ordinated its Association is a reliable and efficiently work­ be premature to discuss details of his proposals at ing instrument to offer those their protection." this juncture ; at a later stage, one of the problems *il Work with that of the corresponding may arise from the fact that there are needy victims »di ^, Sanisations abroad under the auspices of Amongst the steps which had to be taken from Nazi terror not only in Israel, but also in other .^ " Council of Jews from Germany," in on behalf of certain sections of the Com­ countries. Professor Schmidt approached the matter j^«ose creation under the leadership of Leo munity are the renewed endeavours in the from the right angle by making it clear that material f^^ck, the AJR and its former General interest of the unregistered dental surgeons indemnification ahd' moral atonement are two 1 *^retary. Dr. K. Alexander, took a decisive with German qualifications. Negotiations different things and that financial offers must not L"!^- A plenary session of the " Council," could be intensified under new aspects, and serve as attempts to relieve the burden of moral jii'ch took place in London in December, whilst it would be irresponsible to forecast guilt. ia 1 ' '^S^^^ re\'ealed the great number of anything about the results, the hope still Another news item from Germany is the arrest sks the Tews from Germany have in prevails that one day success may be given of Dr. Philipp Auerbach, head of the Bavarian ^''"iion. One of them arises from the claim to these endeavours. Indemnification Office. Whilst comments cannot jj ^ an adequate portion of the heirless, The work of the Social Services Depart­ be made as long as the matter is sub judice, the 1 Ge*" ^"^ communal property in ment is getting increasingly important. As reaction to the happenings amongst Jews and non- jjj«. i'nany should be put at the disposal of the the Refugee Committees, sponsored by Anglo- Jews in Germany must not be under-estimated. jj^ ouncil " and its member organisations, Jewry for many years, have terminated their The " Zentralrat " of the Jews in Germany calls ^j °rder to be used for relief schemes, devoted and splendid activities, it becomes for a thorough examination of the allegations and, QP*^cialiy in the interest of elderly Jews from at the same time, protests against any abuse of the more and more necessary that we ourselves incident for anti-Semitic propaganda. The same look after those who need help and en­ 5 ^j,,.'scriminatory incidents which called for line has been taken by several responsible German couragement. It is not possible or desirable poUticians, amongst them the Bavarian Minister Qj,'°n on behalf of the Jewish refugees in to placard the human tragedies with which (j^^t Britain did, fortunately, hardly occur of Justice, whose recent address is referred to in the AJR Social Services Department is faced this issue. tjj "^g the period under review. Nevertheless, day after daj'. There are the old ones, the tj^ reaction to proceedings against some sick ones, the lonely ones who, in the course AFTER RESTITUTION jg'^'"alized persons (none of whom were of the years, have lost strength and confi­ 'T'HE number of claimants who, on the strength from Germany or Austria) again con- dence and who have to be cared for. Much -'• of the existing laws, have acquired or re-acquired assets in Germany is steadily increasing. Most of \ more could be done if more means were at ^sociation of Jewisii Refugees in Great Britain the disposal of the AJR ; there are, however, them are living outside Germany and can only herewith invites Its members to the also various tasks for which the services of benefit from the proceeds if they become available voluntary helpers would be highly welcome. in their present country of residence. The recent regulations about, the sale of blocked accounts are General JVieeting an important step towards that direction. It will Constructive Work now become one of the objects of AJR Information °n Mon Jay, April I6tk, at Most constructive work is done by the AJR to inform its readers on further developments in this 7.45 p.m. Employment Agency (annually licensed by iield in the same way as it has always served as a the L.C.C.). More than 6,000 employers and source of information on the legal aspects of the *> Broaonurst Caraens, London, employees have made use of the Employment restitution question. iff NW. 6 Agency since it was established about three (near Finchley Road Underground Station) years ago. The majority of those who were A new feature is the recently established AGENDA placed in employment would not have found Club, which has already held several meetings • Past Achievements and Future Tasks work through any other channels. Here, too, and which, under the name " AJR Friendship (Report of the General Secretary) expansion of the work is an urgent necessity. Club " will now become a permanent insti­ ^- Ele<;tion of Committee of Management tution. The large attendance revealed that (Executive) A considerable portion of callers at Fairfax j,^ ^- Election of the Board Mansions consists of post-war immigrants here the AJR filled a gap especially for those who as aliens are subject to various legcd who, having lost their relatives and friends, \r i.x^-^ Candidates who are proposed for the election as "l-^n/^Jft'e and Board Members is printed on page 7. restrictions and who, in view of their short Hve in isolation. ''tbers are not entitled to vote but will be welcomed as Throughout the years, the AJR Relief s^^ guests at the Meeting period of residence, are particularly depen­ dent on guidance and advice. Department, sponsored by the Central British Continued on page 2 y^ Page 2 AJR INFORMATION AprU, 1961 f^j^ PENSIONS IN AUSTRIA Emigrated Austrian refugees who had beet RESTITUTION NEWS employees of banking firms, insurance companies DEBATE IN BONN BERLIN INDEMNIFICATION LAW and public corporations, or are widows and orphan-" In the name of the Social Democratic Party The application forms for the submission of claims of such employees, face difficulties in obtainini jj, Prof. Carlo Schmidt subinitted to the Bonn Federal under the Berlin Indemnification Law are expected from these institutes the pensions due to theffl' Was Parliament a proposal for a Federal Indemnification in London in the course of the next weeks. Orders As far as the claimants have kept their Austria* all h Law. In his address he stressed the special obli­ for forms may be sent to the United Restitution citizenship, they are by law only entitled to tb' Oow gation of the German people towards the Jews, and Office, 8 Fairfax Mansions, London, N.W.3 {6d. pension if they get the consent of the insuranc* forei suggested that the State of Israel should be recog­ to be enclosed). The United Restitution Office will company to reside outside Austria ; this consent i* He 1 nised as the legal successor for the heirless Jewish forward the forms as soon as they have become usually not granted. As far as they have acquired thici property. " I do not want to speak now about the available, but it is stressed that this may take another nationality, they can, according to tW —.^ magnificent phenomenon of the mutual bonds some weeks.