Did your family come to the UK from Nazi Europe between 1933 and 1946?
Word Jewish Relief’s Archives could have your family’s files.
For decades, World Jewish Relief’s Case Files were lost and forgotten, until a chance
discovery revealed a treasure trove of documents, detailing the assistance we gave to
Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. Now, we are returning these documents to families,
reconnecting you with your family history. We have the names of over 315,000 people,
as well as records for the 65,000 refugees we supported in the 1930s and 40s.
Sometimes only a registration card remains but files may also contain documents such
as case files, birth certificates, immigration papers, school records, letters and records
of financial support provided by World Jewish Relief. Thanks to our volunteer team,
accessing your family’s records through our Archives is free, but we welcome any
donation towards our life-saving work.
If you think we might have records for your family click here.
World Jewish Relief’s History
Founded in 1933, World Jewish Relief (then known as the Central British Fund for
Germany Jewry) helped bring around 65,000 Jewish refugees, predominantly from
Germany and Austria, to Britain. Once here, we provided a welfare system, helping
refugees find housing, employment, receive medical care, and making sure they had
enough money to survive. Through this work, we established a trusted relationship with the
Home Office and lobbied Parliament to instigate schemes such as the Kindertransport,
which rescued 10,000 children, and The Kitchener Camp, which was a means to bring
approximately 4,500 Jewish men into the country, many from concentration camps.
Our Work Today
Inspired by our Jewish values, we save, support and empower people in crisis. Today,
World Jewish Relief supports vulnerable people from marginalised communities,
suffering the consequences of conflict and disaster to survive and thrive.
We reach the world’s most vulnerable communities with:
• Support for older people
• Employment and livelihoods assistance
• Humanitarian and climate action
• Refugee resettlement support in the UK
