Life_under_Siege_The_Jews_of_Magdeburg_under_Nazi_Rule.pdf

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In the wake of the pogrom and the release of Jewish males from concentration
camps and prisons, Jews preparing for emigration were desperately attempting to
salvage and sell whatever assets they still possessed. In the weeks after the
pogrom the government responded with more repressive economic measures. On
8 December 1938, the payout figures on all insurance claims made by Jews for the
damage caused during the pogrom were confiscated. However, life insurance
claims remained unaffected. 137 A fatal blow was dealt when all contracts
involving the sale of Jewish property finalised after 9 November 1938 that had
received approval were temporarily revoked on 17 December 1938. 138 Henceforth,
sale prices of all Jewish property had to be regulated and approved by the
government. 139 This measure effectively ruined Jews who still possessed property,
should they attempt to sell it prior to emigration. December 1938 marked the
beginning of mass confiscation of Jewish assets.
The initial Jewish reaction to the pogrom and arrests of the Reichskristallnacht
was marked by disbelief and fear. However, the brutality of the events both
compelled and propelled Jews to quickly take control of their lives. This was
largely undertaken by women, youth and older members of the community. The
first reaction was to ensure the safety of those not arrested and to attempt to
restore a sense of normality to their shattered lives; the second became the efforts
to organise or at the very least to keep informed of the release of male loved ones
from concentration camps and prisons; thirdly, the difficult decision on emigration
had to be made. However, regardless of the decision, both options met with
137 Betrifft: Versicherungsansprüche von Juden deutscher Staatsangehörigheit,
Verordnung vom 12. November 1938 – RGB1. I S. 1581, 8. Dezember 1938,
Bestand Rep. K 3, Signatur Nr. 4094 e, Film 58, LHASA MD, op. cit., p. 49.
138 Verkauf von jüdischen Grundstücken, 17. Dezember 1938, ibid., p. 22.
139 Verkauf von jüdischen Grundstücken, 20. Dezember 1938, ibid., p. 23.