Documentation from the Betreuungsstelle für politisch, rassisch und religiös Verfolgte (Support Office for politically, religiously and racially persecuted people) in Friedberg in Hessen, Germany The office was established in July 1945 by former political prisoners, most of them members of the Communist Party. The office was intended to serve as a self-help organization dealing in all areas of life. As of April 1946, the office became subordinate to the local government of the region (the department for rehabilitation, the social services branch). An Order given by the Minister für politische Befreiung (Minister for Political Liberation) on 11/09/1946 turned the "Support Office" into an official organization of the regional government. Upon the legislation of the Ergänzungsgesetz zum Entschädigungsgesetz ("Supplementary Act on Compensation Act") on 18/09/1953, the legality of the office's activities expired. The date of the final lawsuit was 01/10/1955. For a more detailed survey regarding the organization (in German), see the file: "Hessen H45 Betreuungsstelle fuer Verfolgte Friedberg Findbuch" in the Multimedia page. In the collection there are many files that document events that happened to Jews. Most of the files in the collection are files that relate to applications for claims for compensation by people who were persecuted during the Nazi period. Each file deals with one person and, on frequent occasions, there are details regarding imprisonment in a concentration camp, the murder of family members, escape, etc. and often there are photographs. In addition, the collection also has Sammelordnern (Collective files) with applications by persecuted persons and also files that deal with the establishment of the office, its' funding, etc. and files regarding housing for sick refugees in a special convalescence hospital in Bad Nauheim, for persons who had been in concentration camps.