Before 1933, more than 450 Jewish architects lived and worked in Germany, 300 of them in Berlin alone. After 1933, they were prohibited from practicing their profession; all reminders of their existence and work were expunged. The architects were forced to flee for their lives. The paths they took in search of safe havens can be traced to North and South America, Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, Cuba, England, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Turkey and, last but not least, to Palestine. At least 70 architects who remained in Germany - including 57 men and 2 women from Berlin - were deported to concentration camps and murdered.

These architects had been members of leading professional organizations: the Deutsche Werkbund, the Federation of German Architects, the Architects and Engineers Association of Berlin (AIV), and the Berlin Academy of Arts. Many were outstanding proponents of modern architecture. Even today, their buildings are still part of the architectural landscape in many German cities, especially Berlin.

The aim of the Association is to bring the achievements and life histories of these architects back into public awareness through guided tours, colloquia, lectures, publications and exhibitions.