Life_under_Siege_The_Jews_of_Magdeburg_under_Nazi_Rule.pdf

Regular meetings of the Magdeburg branch were held at the B’nai B’rith
Lodge and attracted large numbers. 179 The meetings were often attended by
representatives from the CV’s regional office in Leipzig. Members were informed
of the situation for Jews nationally, followed by regional and branch reports.
Included in these local reports were details on progress with the relevant
authorities on antisemitic incidents already registered and a news briefing on
issues currently affecting Jews locally, including antisemitic incidents, criminal
prosecutions 180 and ‘aryanisations’ of local Jewish businesses. 181 In order to
maintain constant vigilance and effective management in the defence of the
communities, regional offices forwarded regular and detailed reports of all
activities to the CV’s head office in Berlin, particularly after they had visited
communities in their jurisdiction. 182
The Magdeburg branch of the CV met with limited success and always
pursued each matter through the appropriate legal and governmental channels.
Ironically, in the majority of the dealings between the CV and both governmental
and Gestapo officials in Magdeburg, the atmosphere was very businesslike.
Sabatzky, on one occasion, remarked after one particular meeting with the chief of
the Gestapo in Magdeburg, Dr Vitzdamm, and Police Inspector Königshaus: ‘Both
officers behaved in a very polite way.’ 183 Procedurally, once an incident or issue
179
Correspondence from the regional office of the CV in Leipzig to the head office of
the CV in Berlin concerning the Magdeburg branch of the CV, 2 December 1933,
Collection 0.51.OSO, File 243, YVA, pp. 3–4.
180
Correspondence from regional office of the CV in Leipzig to the head office of the
CV in Berlin concerning the Magdeburg branch of the CV, 24 August 1936,
Collection RG-11.00M.31, Reel 130, File 721-1-2845, USHMMA, op. cit., p. 334.
181
Ibid., p. 340.
182
Ibid., pp. 398–399.
183
Correspondence from regional office of the CV in Leipzig to the head office of the
CV in Berlin, concerning the Magdeburg branch of the CV, 7 August 1935, ibid., p.
397.
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