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Jews in Germany Differ on Possibility of Rebuilding Jewish Life There

October 21, 1947
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A sharp difference of opinion among Jews now resident in Germany as to possibilities of rebuilding a Jewish community in this country was revealed here today at the second day of the three-day meeting of the working executive of the provisional Association of Jewish Communities of the four zones in Germany.

Norbert Wolheim, head of the Jewish community department of the Central Jewish committee in the British Zone, told the conference that there was no future for Jews in Germany. He was challenged by Paul Weltlinger, representing the Berlin Jewish community Council, who said that there is a definite place for Jewish life in Germany. ?eltlinger, who is the Jewish representative on the Berlin Inter-Faith Council, urged German Jews to remain in Germany and rebuild the Jewish communities.

Rabbi Michael Munk, former German rabbi who is now advisor to the American military authorities on religious matters affecting German Jewish communities, reported that virtually every German city where there are at least a handful of Jewish survivors has an active community life and a functioning synagogue. He asked the conference to define clearly the standards for admission into the Jewish community, in an effort to establish the status of half-Jews, those married to Jews, and persons who changed their religious affiliation during the Nazi regime.

Other reports on religious welfare and educational matters were given by Karl Liebstein, Jewish Agency director in Germany, and Julius Meyer, representing Jews in the Soviet zone.

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