by Marilyn Henry, Jerusalem Post, Israel - The Nazis hid looted treasures in mines, castles and bunkers. After World War II, when the Allies found massive amounts of plundered cultural objects, Judaica, Hebraica and Jewish-owned artworks were among the troves.

Most of the loot was found in the US Occupation Zone. This was fortuitous because the US military was restitution-friendly. It agreed that Jewish organizations - not German authorities - should be responsible for heirless and unclaimed Jewish assets, including cultural property.

It was a good idea. But some of the decisions about Jewish cultural properties have outlived their raison d'etre and must be revisited.