Life_under_Siege_The_Jews_of_Magdeburg_under_Nazi_Rule.pdf

one of the later versions of the document, which dates from 30 January 1935. 27
One complete earlier version of the document, dating from 18 June 1934, lists the
Magdeburg city councillor, Eugen Petzall, as president of the board of directors
and Dr Ernst Merzbach as president of the assembly of community
representatives. 28
Until the pogrom of November 1938, the organisational framework of the
congregation appears to have been maintained, whilst its powers were
simultaneously diluted. In viewing the material lodged with city authorities
concerning changes to the congregation’s constitution, this position appears to be
supported.
In spite of the deteriorating circumstances, synagogue staff maintained
meticulous record-keeping. The community also maintained highly
comprehensive population statistics, detailing the departure of members as well as
the arrival of new members. An incomplete dossier of index cards of synagogue
members from 1937 29 and the community-based statistics for the period inclusive
from March up until June 1937 30 confirm this. In examining the incomplete
dossier of some thirty-four typed index cards containing the comprehensive
personal particulars of the members of the synagogue, what is noticeable are the
handwritten entries on some of the cards, indicating the city or country for which
a number of members had left Magdeburg. Destinations include Berlin, South
Africa and the United States of America (USA). Included in type-written form
27 Constitution of the Synagogen-Gemeinde zu Magdeburg, Bestand Rep. A III,
Signatur Nr. 2486 60.4a, Band 2, STAM.
28 Correspondence to the Oberpräsident in Magdeburg concerning changes to the
constitution of the Synagogen-Gemeinde zu Magdeburg, 18 June 1934, Collection
JM, File 11266.2, YVA, pp. 213–229.
29 Personalbögen der Zu- und Abgänge, 1937, Collection D/Ma3, File VIII.8, CAHJP.
30 Mitgliederzahl der Synagogen-Gemeinde zu Magdeburg, Stichtag 1937, ibid.
26