Documentation of the Reichsvereinigung der Juden in Deutschland (Reich Association of the Jews in Germany)

The Reichsvereinigung der Juden in Deutschland (Reich Association of the Jews in Germany) was apparently founded in early 1939 by representatives of the Reichsvertretung der deutschen Juden (Reich's Deputation of the German Jews). In July 1939, an ordinance was published by the authorities concerning the establishment of the Reich Association of the Jews in Germany, which replaced the Reich's Deputation of the German Jews. In the words of its Chairman, "... [it will serve as] a new organizational basis for the dwindling population of German Jews and the important areas of activity of the Association: Emigration, the Educational System and Welfare."

There are researchers who are of the opinion that the heads of the SS were seeking to emulate the model of the "Central Authority for Jewish Emigration" that was active in Vienna and transfer it to Berlin, and thus the regime would be able to make use of the National Association as a means of control over the Jews of Germany. According to the ordnance which determined the establishment of the new Association, the Jewish communities became branches of the Association, thus cancelling the regional community organization.

For the first time, an all-encompassing national structure was active in Germany. Rabbi Leo Baeck served as the head of the Association; the facilitator was Otto Hirsch, and Artur Lilienthal was the Executive Secretary. With the establishment of the Association, all the Jewish organizations, funds and institutions were revoked. Some of them, such as the Eretz Israel office, the Youth Aliyah branch in Germany, Keren Hayesod (United Jewish Appeal) and the Keren Hakayemet (Jewish National Fund) became departments in the National Association.

The Association was liquidated gradually starting with the first transport of its employees to the East on 19 June 1942. Leo Baeck was among those deported on the transport to Theresienstadt on 26 January 1943. On 10 June 1943 the Association offices were transferred to the Jewish Hospital and the remaining Association office workers were liable for deportation.

The Records Group is a copy of Bundesarchiv (German Federal Archive) Record Group Bestand 75 C Re 1; it contains are files from various Jewish sources which are housed in the Central East German Archive.