Voluntary association of Jewish communities in Germany aimed at self-organization in matters of administration, welfare, and education, and at representation of their interests to the outside world. The establishment of the Gemeindebund took place during the unification of the German empires in 1867–1871, with its concomitant civil equality for the German Jews. The Gemeindebund became the first successful attempt at a national-level association of Jews residing in Germany, although it was severa…