Something is more than rotten when the world’s leading distributor of compensation funds for Holocaust survivors – a Jewish operation—is ordered by a court to disburse more money to survivors.

That’s why I was nauseated this week upon learning that a Tel Aviv District Court judge ordered the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (a.k.a. the Claims Conference), to pay nearly $6 million to survivors from the former Soviet Union. (http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/108858.html)

The judge agreed that not only were many in this segment of the dwindling survivor’s community denied any funds until 1991 with the collapse of communism, but for the subsequent 17 years they have been denied the proper amount of funds. It is nothing short of outrageous.

The court agreed that the Claims Conference did not inform 1,365 Holocaust survivors who emigrated to Israel that they were entitled to a one-time restitution payment. Nor, the claim was made, did the Claims Conference adequately explain how to apply for the grant, which meant that many would not gain any funds. The Claims Conference says it will now appeal the ruling, which seems unseemly. Is this really the type of issue that should be dragged out in the courts at this period in the lives of the remaining Holocaust survivors? Of course not.

We are well aware that there is a massive debate in Jewish life as to whether such funds should go primarily to the survivors or toward the funding of memorial programs, sights and Jewish educational efforts. Likewise, there have been huge fights over how much attorneys in these cases should receive.

Personally, with such huge numbers being tossed around, I find it insane that survivors – no small number in Eastern Europe of whom are impoverished—would not gain enough funds on which to live out their remaining days in dignity.

A friend was in Israel recently on a congregational mission. They spent time serving needy elderly folks at a J’salem soup kitchen, where they were told to expect to see Holocaust survivors.  Sure enough, she saw tattoos on the arms of individuals reaching for their plates.  At the time I couldn’t understand how Holocaust survivors could be so desperately poor given the claims conference funds. Now I read your blog. In our own community there are survivors who question how restitution funds are disbursed thru our Assoc’d agencies.  To my mind, it is disgraceful (and SO “unJewish”) to build memorials and sponsor programs before even the most essential needs of survivors are met, especially as their medical issues increase with age.  I think in years to come that those individuals involved in this process will be judged harshly, as well they should be. the Jewish leadership and organziations who have stood on the sidelines will share the blame and shame. How can the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Org’ns NOT take up this issue?  Chilul haShem? yeah, I think so.