Claims Conference

Claims Conference
Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
FormationOctober 1951; 73 years ago (1951-10)
Purpose"negotiates for and disburses funds to individuals and organizations and seeks the return of Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust"[1]
HeadquartersNew York City
Region
Worldwide
President
Gideon Taylor
AffiliationsWorld Jewish Restitution Organization, International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims
Websitehttps://www.claimscon.org/

The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, or Claims Conference, represents the world's Jews in negotiating for compensation and restitution for victims of Nazi persecution and their heirs. According to Section 2(1)(3) of the Property Law of Germany, the Claims Conference is a legal successor with respect to the claims not filed on time by Jewish persons. This fact was reasserted in decisions of some lawsuits which attempted to redefine the Claims Conference as a "trustee" of these assets. These lawsuits were dismissed.[2] The Claims Conference administers compensation funds, recovers unclaimed Jewish property, and allocates funds to institutions that provide social welfare services to Holocaust survivors and preserve the memory and lessons of the Holocaust. Julius Berman has led the organization as chairman of the board, and currently president, as of 2020.[3][4]

  1. ^ https://www.claimscon.org/about/ "About Us." Claims Conference. 20 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Nazi-Stolen Properties to Help Holocaust Survivors", New York Law Journal, Julius Berman and Roman Kent, March 15, 2016 (behind the subscription/paywall; reprinted excerpt)
  3. ^ "Claims Conference Board of Directors Charts Future Course at Annual Meeting". Claims Conference. July 14, 2014. Retrieved 2020-03-29.
  4. ^ Boigon, Molly (June 24, 2020). "Claims Conference executive who led during fraud scandal to serve as new chairman". The Forward. Retrieved 2020-09-26.