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West German State Subsidizing Jewish Community for Religious and Other Needs

July 6, 1983
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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The federal state of Lower Saxony will make available 240,000 Marks annually for the Jewish community there. According to an accord with the community, the money will be used to promote religious needs as well as the cultural ties with the surrounding Christian communities.

As of 1960, State funds have been made available for the Jewish community of Lower Saxony. The yearly sum was 50,000 Marks until 1972 and 140,000 Marks, thereafter.

The Minister for Cultural Affairs, George-Berndt Osciatz, said in Hannover that it goes without saying that the State supports the Jewish community. This was, he added, a “moral commitment toward our Jewish fellow citizens.” Most funds for the Jewish community in West Germany come from a religious tax collected by the State. The same applies to all other recognized religious communities in the country. The religious tax amounts to 10 percent of the income tax.

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