Since our founding in 1974, free legal assistance to low-income survivors of the Holocaust has been a signature program at Bet Tzedek. Bet Tzedek remains one of a handful of agencies in the world that offers free help to survivors who are applying for reparations, pensions and other benefits from Germany and other European countries. Bet Tzedek also has been at the forefront on issues affecting all survivors, including Holocaust-era insurance coverage, the effect of reparations on eligibility for public benefits, and the waiver of wire transfer fees for survivors who receive reparations.

Bet Tzedek’s Holocaust Services Project helps several hundred clients every year to determine eligibility and file the appropriate paperwork. When clients are denied, often for arcane reasons, Bet Tzedek helps with appeals. One of our current matters is with the German government over the interpretation of eligibility for a pension program called ZRBG. In December 2004, The Los Angeles Times profiled Saul and Bella Friedman, two Bet Tzedek clients whose experience with ZRBG shows the difficulties that survivors face in accessing the fund.

Click here for a link to the Los Angeles Times article about the Friedmans. >>

Bet Tzedek also makes presentations to survivors, social service agencies and professional groups throughout California

Bet Tzedek provides several links to hepful organizations and websites that serve Survivors. Please click here to view these helpful links >>

Bet Tzedek wishes to acknowledge the generous support of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany Inc. (“Claims Conference”), The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, Albert Z. Praw and the Ziering Family Foundation for the Holocaust Services Project.