Degel HaTorah branches throughout Israel have made
arrangements to help Holocaust survivors and their families
recover assets owed to them from the Holocaust period by
insurance companies.
Recently an international commission to handle the claims of
insurance policy owners from this time was set up. Many Jews
who purchased policies before the Holocaust never received
the amounts due, nor did their heirs. The insurance companies
-- like the banks from the period of the Holocaust -- made no
efforts to publicize the names of the owners of the old
policies in their archives. In some cases they placed serious
obstacles in the way of those who sought to collect, like
demanding death certificates for those who were murdered in
the Holocaust.
Following the recent arousal of interest in the issue of the
return of assets and compensation for property stolen during
the Holocaust, worldwide attention was also directed to the
insurance polices.
The leading companies first tried to shun their
responsibility. But as a result of international efforts, the
companies have agreed to compensate the policy owners.
Anyone who has clear proof of the existence of such policies
should be able to obtain their estimated value. However,
people who merely suspect that their families held such
policies may also file claims, explaining the basis for their
claim.
The aggregate sum which the insurance companies intend to
allot to meet all these claims has yet to be determined.
The international commission is setting up worldwide
information centers to apprise as many people as possible
about their eligibility for such funds, as well as to
publicize details of the agreement. In Israel, the A.B. Data
Company will handle applications. It was accorded this
function after a public tender.
The Company has appointed a special coordinator to deal with
the chareidi community. He is Lt.-Gen. (Res.) Shmuel Akrev,
who is also chairman of the Degel HaTorah branch in
Herzlia.
Information and applications have been distributed to all
Degel HaTorah branches throughout the country.
It is recommended that anyone who has any basis whatsoever
for a claim should apply to the advisory office.
One may phone Mr. Shmuel Akrev directly at 052-500-764.
Information concerning the various branches can be obtained
from the Bnei Brak branch, 25 Ben Yaakov Street, 03-
6762622.
