Matzoh-baking Banned Throughout Reich; Import from Abroad Planned

Baking of matzoh has been prohibited throughout Germany, it was indicated today by reports reaching Paris. Jewish organizations here received an appeal from Vienna stating that local authorities, in every part of Austria had prohibited baking of the unleavened bread and urging Jewish organizations abroad to send in matzoh lest Austrian Jewry go without it for the first time in its history next April.

A similar situation exists in the rest of Germany, where no official prohibition has yet been issued but not a single Jewish bakery is permitted to function, thus making matzoh-baking impossible for the first time since Chancellor Hitler’s regime came into power.

Losing no time, Jewish organizations in Paris began studied to determine how best to provide Reich Jewry with the unleavened bread. It is expected that Jewish organizations in the United States and elsewhere will have to provide the funds for the matzoh since Reich Jews are not permitted to spend foreign currency necessary for importing the food. It is believed that a sufficient supply of matzoh is obtainable from Hungary and Czechoslovakia. However, negotiations with the German Government are required to obtain permission for entry of the matzoh-transports duty-free, since it is not intended for sale but for free distribution.

In this connection it is pointed out that even the Soviet Government, when the post-revolution Government prohibited matzoh-baking, agreed to admit carloads of matzoh from abroad duty-free.

Parallel with the matzoh problem, Reich Jewry is facing a meat problem for Passover since kosher slaughter is prohibited.