Jewish Museum Munich

As many Jews did not want to be treated by German doctors, the Jewish self-governing bodies called for their own medical infrastructure and a separate hospital as early as the end of 1945. In spring 1946, a UNRRA hospital for people of all origins persecuted by the Nazis was opened in the Max-Josef-Stift Gymnasium in the Munich district of Bogenhausen, which had served as a military hospital during the war. It was not until April 1949, under the direction of the head physician Dr. Moses Osterweil, that the hospital focused exclusively on medical care for Jewish survivors.

In 1946, the Central Committee of the Liberated Jews made an effort to build an Orthodox synagogue in the immediate vicinity of Möhlstrasse and its Jewish institutions. At the end of 1946, it became possible for rooms in the former “Lauer Villa” to be used. In addition to a synagogue, facilities for ritual slaughter were set up in the basement, as well as a ritual bath (mikvah) and a wedding room and accommodation for up to 250 people. After the closure of the Central Committee in 1950, the synagogue was integrated into the Israelitische Kultusgemeinde München.

The Gymnasium, the Volksschule (elementary school) and a kindergarten, were established in May 1946. They came under the Board of Governers for Culture and Education at the Central Committee of the Liberated Jews in the US Zone. Priority was given to emigration to Palestine, later Israel, and so Hebrew was the predominate classroom language. Jewish religion and history as well the geography and culture of Palestine, later Israel, were also on the curriculum. In addition, however, teaching was in line with the German curriculum.

The Jewish Committee Munich was the local organization of the Central Committee of the Liberated Jews in the US Zone, responsible for Munich. Although first suggested in October 1945, this municipal body was not established until January 1946. The Jewish self-administrative organization represented the interests of up to 8,000 DPs in Munich and was committed to providing the necessary financial and material support. Toward the end of 1950, the committee was dissolved.

This medical facility for outpatients was founded in 1946 to relieve the UNRRA hospital. It was open to patients of Jewish origin from Munich and the surrounding area. The building also housed a counseling center for pregnant women and for infants. Later on, DPs could also be vaccinated there against a variety of infectious diseases in preparation for their emigration.

A canteen was set up at Möhlstrasse 39 in 1949 for employees of Jewish institutions in the neighborhood, and in April 1950 it was turned into a restaurant. In addition to this, the garden behind the building was also used commercially and a dance floor added. Following complaints from residents, however, the Café Amoria was only allowed to operate as a regular public house and restaurant from May 1950 onward.

The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) was an aid organization founded in 1902 in the USA to assist Jewish immigrants fleeing pogroms in Russia and Eastern Europe. Its predecessor had already been active since 1880. After World War II, HIAS assisted Jewish survivors in their search for relatives and facilitated the emigration of Jewish DPs, primarily to North America.

The Poale Zion (Heb. workers of Zion) organization, founded by Eastern European Jews in 1907, combined the concepts of Zionism and socialism. Differences of opinion in how to achieve these goals led to a split into Social Democratic and Communist factions. Poale Zion was instrumental in setting up agricultural settlements in Palestine / Israel.

Apart from the autonomous Jewish criminal courts which dealt with everyday offenses, so-called Courts of Honor also existed. These passed judgment on collaborators and so-called “Kapos,” in particular, who had worked with the Nazis during the era of persecution or had mistreated fellow prisoners. A verdict of guilty could result in social ostracism, a reduction of the food allowance, imprisonment, or even expulsion from the DP community.

The Jidisze Sport Cajtung (JSC), an organ of the Central Committee and the Association of Jewish Gymnastics and Sports Clubs was printed by the Munich printer’s H. Lindner at Herzogstrasse 7. The newspaper reported on all Jewish DP sporting activities, especially football, between May 1947 and June 1948. In addition to the First League, which was divided into a southern and northern group, there were five regional leagues in Franconia, Frankfurt, Kassel, Regensburg, and Upper Bavaria. A total of about 80 teams were included in the league.