Die Katholische Kirche und "ihre Juden"
das "Hilfswerk beim Bischöflichen Ordinariat Berlin", 1938-1945
Description:... Examines the role of the Hilfswerk beim Bischöflichen Ordinariat Berlin, founded in August 1938, in providing aid for Jewish converts to Catholicism. At least 2,470 persons of Jewish origin turned to the organization for help, 1,173 of whom were full Jews according to Nazi legislation. The book is divided into three periods: actions taken by the Church and/or individuals (clergy and laymen) up to 1938; 1938-1941; and 1941-1945. Until 1941, the organization's activities consisted mainly of welfare and assistance for emigration. Only those who adhered strictly to Catholicism could receive aid; others were sent to the Reichsvereinigung der Juden in Deutschland. Describes the cooperation with other Catholic organizations, the persons involved, and a number of undertakings to rescue converts (e.g. the "Brasil-Aktion" (1939-1941) initiated by the Vatican in an agreement with Brazil's President Vargas, in the framework of which 3,000 visas were provided for "non-Aryan" Catholics, but only 1,000 persons already outside Germany benefited from these visas because the Brazilian Embassy hindered the process in Germany with bureaucratic measures; Kindertransports between December 1938-August 1939, in the framework of which 31 children were sent to England and the Netherlands). Between 1941-45 the Hilfswerk's activities were mostly limited to welfare aid and providing information. Relates, also, to the role of Margarete Sommer, a member of the Hilfswerk, in the "Fabrik-Aktion" of February-March 1943.
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