Association of Jewish Refugees in Great Britain

This collection contains the records of the Council of Jews from Germany (Council for the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Jews from Germany). It represents the interests of former German Jews in matters of restitution and indemnification, legislation, contacts with successor organizations for heirless Jewish property in West Germany, and social work activities, and was a founding member of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany (the Claims Conference). The records primarily range from the 1950s to the 1970s, and include correspondence concerning all aspects of restitution, particularly with the Claims Conference, internal minutes and other administrative and financial documents, and a small amount of cultural material.

This collection's diary, personal dedications, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and photographs pertain to the legacy of Robert Weltsch, an eminent journalist, editor, and Zionist. The collection also documents the lives of Robert Weltsch’s family members including his wife Martha and their children, Ruben and Shoshanah, and the implications of their Jewish heritage on their choice to emigrate to Palestine amid the rise of Nazi Germany.

Bulk of collection consists of correspondences and short manuscripts by members of the Dresden Jewish community of personal accounts of war experience. Lists and index cards describing the fate of Jews from Dresden also included.