The shameful news of alleged fraudulent Holocaust reparations claims since 1994 from the German government raises a serious question of governance in this organization as well as other Jewish organizations (“Claims Conference Insiders Nabbed In $42 Million Fraud,” Nov. 12).
It has always been perplexing and a mystery how representation between the German government and the Jewish community developed and who in the Jewish community established a “conference” and appointed representatives to act on behalf of the community.
Initially, I recall reparations and restitution were designated for individuals who fled Germany. You would expect that Jews originally from Germany would be involved in governing this organization. Such would be sensible because they probably have experience in claiming restitution.
Were the stakeholders those former Germans who receive or received reparations and restitution overseeing this operation with the directive to report periodically to the community, there would prevail a strong sense of responsibility to avoid the mismanagement that occurred and once again cast a blemish on our community.
Manhattan
The New York Jewish Week brings you the stories behind the headlines, keeping you connected to Jewish life in New York. Help sustain the reporting you trust by donating today.
