Reichsvertretung Plans Reorganization into Voluntary Body

A plan for reorganization of the German Jewish community necessitated by the new community law reducing Jewish communal organizations to the status of voluntary organizations was approved today by the council of the Reichsvertretung der Juden in Deutschland (Reichs representation of Jews in Germany). The plan required the approval of the Reich government before it becomes effective.

The contemplated changes are: (1) The name of the Reichsvertretung will be changed to “Reichsverband der Juden in Deutschland” (Reichs union of Jews in Germany); (2) increased centralization; (3) Dissolution of the Landesverbaende (provincial Jewish organizations), including the powerful Prussian provincial union; (4) merging of the smaller communities between themselves or with larger communities to form district communities; (5) Automatic enrollment of all community members in the Reichsverb and limitation of welfare, emigration and other assistance to members.

The restriction of assistance to members is caused by the voluntary nature of membership under the new law. Jewish organizations abroad will be asked to limit their assistance to emigres who are members of Jewish communities.

The Prussian organization will be absorbed directly by the Reichsverb and since the proponents of the plan feel that this union is so vast as to constitute practically a second Reichsverband. Other provincial unions will probably be converted into district organizations of the Reichserband. The principle of dividing executive positions equally between Zionists and non-Zionists will not be changed.