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All Jews in Communist Germany Listed by Police Authorities

March 23, 1953
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A list of al Jews in Communist Germany was compiled by the authorities there two months ago, it was reported today by Dr. Israel Goldstein, President of the American Jewish Congress, addressing a meeting of the national administrative committee of the organization. following his return from Germany where he spent five days interviewing Jews who fled the Soviet zone.

”There was apprehension among the Jews as to uses to which such lists would be put,” Dr. Goldstein said. ”They had been interrogated regarding the Jewish as pects of their life, their kin abroad, whether they received help from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and their feelings about Israel. These interrogations were frightening. Many Jews were advised by their Christian friends to flee and they did so leaving their possessions behind.”

Word has also come that the East German Government is beginning to change its attitude towards Jews, due possibly to the reactions of world opinion, Dr. Goldstein stated. ”Just how long that will last,” he said, ”no one knows. In the view of most of the refugees, it would be advisable for the remaining Jews in that zone to get out while it is still possible.”

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