Life_under_Siege_The_Jews_of_Magdeburg_under_Nazi_Rule.pdf

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police commissioner as unnecessary. 99 Despite this resolution, the Gestapa in
Magdeburg continued in its quest. This degradation of the Jewish population by
the Gestapo conforms to the pattern of a mythological agitation and pressure from
the grassroots level of German society to deal with the Jews. In essence, the
Gestapo was simultaneously justifying and preparing the local population for the
physical removal of the Jews from the city.
As further preparations for deportations commenced, so too did the legislation
required to expropriate Jewish property. On 25 November 1941, legislation was
enacted which allowed for the revoking of German nationality of expatriate Jews
and the confiscation of all property when Jews left Germany. This decree
permitted access to all Jewish property, whether the owners had emigrated or been
deported. 100 In cases of exception, Jews signed over their assets prior to
deportation, as for example in the cases of those deported to Theresienstadt. In a
further measure stripping Jews of dignity, from 10 January 1942, Jews were
ordered not use the titles of Herr (Mr) or Frau (Mrs/Ms). 101
On 14 January 1942, Dr Max Kaufmann of the Verwaltungsstelle Magdeburg
notified all members to surrender the following goods at the community’s offices
on 15–16 January 1942: all products made from wool and animal skins, skis and
climbing boots. Extended hours on the evening of 16 January were provided to
allow forced labourers to surrender their goods. Jews had to remove all identifying
signs that indicated ownership and had to submit a signed declaration in
99
Beschränkungen für das Auftreten der Juden in der Öffentlichkeit (Judenbann), 27.
Februar 1942, Bestand Rep. C 20 I. I b, Signatur Nr. 119, LHASA MD, op. cit., pp.
390–391.
100
Elfte Verordnung zum Reichsbürgergesetz, 25. November 1941, G 1, Signatur Nr.
389, LHASA MD, op. cit., p. 139.
101
Memorandum from the Reich Minister for Justice, 10 January 1942, Bestand Jur.-
012, ASGM, op. cit., pp. 99–100. This ordinance also applied to Poles.