Jewish Communities in American-held Zone in Germany Will Regain Right to State Taxes

The American Military Government which has thus far not provided any legal facilities for the restitution of Jewish properties, today issued a statement pledging that Jewish communities in the American-held sens in Germany will eventually have restored their right to apply for funds from state taxes and also their property.

“Leaders of the Hebrew religion,” the statement reads, “have requested permission to re-establish their religious communities as ‘corporations in public law,’ with a view to regain their right to apply for state taxes. This permission will be granted as rapidly as possible, but dissension between rival elements claiming to represent former Jewish religious communities is making it necessary to sift out many claims.

“Restoration of Jewish community property is to be facilitated. But here again rival claims are slowing up the return. The properties are of all kinds, including even some headstones which were taken by the Nazis from the Mannehim Jewish cemetery. Some communities which were believed wiped out are now being re-established by the return of few individuals literally from the grave.'”

The Frankfurt radio reports today that the main Rosh Hashonah services in the Rhine land were held in the reconstructed synagogue at Bad Nauheim with U.S. Chaplain Blinder officiating. Other services were held here and at Kassel, with American chaplains officiating at both places. About 1,000 troops attended the services in the last two cities.