The determination of the Reichsvertretung der Deutschen Juden, the all-German Jewish representative body, to prevent a split in the ranks of German Jewry at the present time and to maintain unity and leadership as the authoritative spokesman for German Jewry was emphasized in a statement issued by the organization today on the discussion raised whether the organization truly represents all German Jewry.
The statement, which was issued through the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, declared:
“The Reichsvertretung was created through the wishes and pledges of all the participating bodies as a totalitarian representation of all German Jews within and without the organization. We have no desire to interfere in religion or to impose a uniformity of outlook on German Jewry. But we will not permit the competence of our organization to be restricted by single Jewish groups. We have no intention of surrendering any part of its competence.
“A dignified future for German Jewry is achievable only through unity and only if the overwhelming majority of German Jewry is behind us. We will firmly retain our leadership and resist all efforts at division,” the statement concluded.
REPLY TO ATTACKS
The statement was issued today as a reply to attacks on the Reichsvertretung by the Agudath Israel, orthodox Jewish organization, and by the Federation of Jewish ex-Soldiers, both of which are said to be seeking to split the central organization. The Agudath denies the competency of the Reichsvertretung to control Jewish schools in Germany. The ex-Soldiers Federation refuses to remain in the same organization with the German Zionists because the Rundschau, organ of the Zionists, recently sided with the government against the war veterans when the veterans organization challenged the German government on the number of Jewish soldiers who fought in the World War. The Jewish veterans proved their case conclusively and their figures were accepted as authoritative. The Nazi government attempted to minimize the numbers of the German Jewish Soldiers in the war and the number of Jews killed in the war.
The Reichsvertretung warned that it is determined to fight against separation and editorials in various Jewish papers today also warned against division at the present time.
The Reichsvertretung was formed six months ago in the hope of creating one central unified body that would be capable of speaking for the vast majority of German Jewry and be able to negotiate with the Nazi government in an authoritative fashion. Dr. Otto Hirsch is chairman of the central executive committee of the organization.
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