Hilfsverein der Deutschen Juden

Hilfsverein der Deutschen Juden 

German Jewish organization established in 1901 mainly to help Jewish communities in Eastern Europe that had fallen victim to pogroms and wars. It supported the creation of Jewish education and social welfare institutions in Eastern Europe, as well. After the First World War the association also helped Jews emigrate from eastern Europe through Germany to locations abroad. After Hitler came to power in 1933, the association began to provide assistance for German Jews who wanted to leave Germany for countries other than Palestine (those immigrating to Palestine were served by the Jewish Agency). In all, it helped 90,000 Jews relocate. After the Nuremberg Laws were passed in 1935, more and more Jews turned to the association for help; they were offered language instruction, job training, and assistance in leaving the country. The association worked with worldwide Jewish organizations such as the Joint Distribution Committee and HICEM. It was closed down in 1939 by the authorities.