Life_under_Siege_The_Jews_of_Magdeburg_under_Nazi_Rule.pdf

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important information conveyed concerned further repressive measures against
Jews and reminders of legal obligations and of the consequences of breaches. In
this respect the newsletters confirm the role of the Reichsvereinigung der Juden in
Deutschland – namely that of acting as an intermediary between the government
and the Jewish communities.
The remainder of the information reflected everyday concerns. Religious
services were advertised. Complaints were made that community members were
seeking advice from staff from the Verwaltungsstelle Magdeburg, outside office
hours, and the request was made that members make the necessary appointments.
Members were informed that due to the financial situation of the community, fees
would have to be charged for all communal services, including advice on matters
relating to accommodation, general advice and access to the clothing pool.
Members were also reminded to lodge their requests for ration cards on the
appropriate day each month in order to avoid delays in receiving their food
coupons. Distribution of fruit and vegetables such as apples and potatoes also took
place and professional services were advertised. 46 The Verwaltungsstelle
Magdeburg administered communal affairs and liaised with its members on all
matters. It continued to perform these roles until it was dissolved. Simultaneously,
the religious duties and responsibilities of the community were attended to by
Hermann Spier and later by lay community members as numbers reduced due to
deportations.
46 Bezirksstelle Sachsen-Thüringen der Reichsvereinigung der Juden in Deutschland
Verwaltungsstelle Magdeburg, 31. Oktober 1941, File AR 6559, LBIA NY, op. cit.,
unnumbered pages, two-page newsletter. Further newsletters informing community
members of further repressions and antisemitic laws were issued on 14 January 1942,
17 June 1942, 19 June 1942, 14 August 1942 and 3 October 1942. These are located
in the cited file.