Comité juif belge
Biographical History
The Comité juif belge (Belgian Jewish Committee) was founded in London in November 1943 by exiled Belgian Jews, mostly diamond traders from Antwerp such as Herman Schamisso and Romi Goldmuntz. The Committee was soon recognised by the Belgian Government in Exile. Since 1944 it was affiliated with the World Jewish Congress. The Belgian Jewish Committee helped exiled Belgian Jews, provided assistance to Jewish children and adults living in hiding in occupied Belgium (i.a. through fundraising), aided in the search for surviving relatives and worked to restart Jewish life after the war. The Committee also played an important role in organising the return of the diamond industry to Belgium.