Judenrat: Activities of the Judenrat, (Gazeta Zydowska)

The latest events and regulations have brought about a fundamental change in Jewish life, and caused a number of basic differences. There were basic changes also in the nature of work of the Jewish Community [Council] or the Jewish Committee. Before the war the Community [Council] had been responsible for a very limited field of work, of matters concerning religion and welfare....

The Community [Council] has now taken on an entirely different character, of an Office for the Jews , for all matters concerning the Jewish population. With the creation of Jewish Quarters [ghettos], this character is becoming stronger and more conspicuous. The Council is responsible for dealing with the obligations which the authorities have imposed on the Jewish public, and at the same time it conveys to the authorities the requirements of this same population. In this way the Council has become the sole representative and mediator between the Jewish population and the authorities. For this purpose it has received certain rights, and authority in some matters. The Council has become the central place where all the various Jewish affairs are organized. This gives it certain rights but also imposes duties. The maintenance of balance between these rights and duties is a difficult task, but an important one, and the satisfactory relationship between the Council and the public depends on its achievement.

Source: Gazeta Zydowska, No. 46, December 23, 1940.

*Gazeta Zydowska ("Jewish Newspaper"), a Jewish newspaper that was put out with the approval of the German authorities in the Generalgouvernement.

Sources: Yad Vashem, Gazeta Zydowska, No. 46, December 23, 1940.