VOLuAJRme JOURNAL10 NO.10 october 2010

Wilfrid Israel and the AJR

n June 1943, a circular from the AJR, found a friend who had places on his then barely two years old, informed private plane for Baeck and Israel and Imembers of the death of one of the begged them to leave for safety: ‘Wilfrid Association’s closest friends, who had said quietly: “I will go when Dr Baeck since 1933 worked devotedly for the Jews goes.” Dr Baeck looked at him and of Germany: ‘We have suffered a great loss smiled, and said: “I will go when I am when the clipper [airliner] on which our the last Jew alive in Germany”.’ Bruce friend Wilfrid Israel was returning from recorded admiringly: ‘The world is a Lisbon was shot down over the Atlantic.’ better place for having given birth to Even amidst the daily toll of lives taken by two such gallant men. I am proud and the war, Israel’s courage and selflessness honoured to have worked for a brief gave his death a special resonance for the space at their sides.’ Jewish refugees: ‘Wilfrid Israel died on a On 9 November 1938, the department mission connected with the rescue of Jews store N. Israel was attacked and wrecked from the Continent of Europe, a mission by Nazi thugs. According to an account which he had undertaken unhesitatingly in AJR Information of November 1958 by and fearless of personal danger and Wilfrid Israel Werner M. Behr, Wilfrid ensured that sacrifice. His memory will be kept alive the store’s Jewish employees were able amongst us.’ Youth Aliyah, he was instrumental in the to leave unharmed, then ‘went around Wilfrid (Wilfried) Israel was born on ­immigration of an estimated 10,000 chil- and calmed the remaining employees’. 11 July 1899 into a Berlin Jewish family dren before the outbreak of war. His next concern was those Jewish that owned the famous department store Israel took an active role in the Reichs­ employees and their relatives who had N. Israel. Berthold Israel, his father, had vertretung der deutschen Juden, the body been arrested individually and sent to married Amy Solomon, granddaughter set up to represent German Jewry after Sachsenhausen concentration camp. of Nathan Marcus Adler, Chief Rabbi of the Nazi takeover of power. In particular, Fearless in face of the Nazis, Israel used Britain, and Wilfrid was born in London. he played a leading part in the Hilfsverein his connections to obtain their release. He grew up in Germany, but remained der Juden in Deutschland, which, working The Nazi authorities were willing to deeply conscious of his dual British and under the Reichsvertretung, was responsi- free Jewish prisoners who were ready German-Jewish heritages. He retained ble for assisting the emigration of German to emigrate immediately. Discovering something of the fastidiousness and Jews to countries other than Palestine. that the camp commandant was eager to aloofness that characterised both the Having dual British and German nation- take cash in return for the release of such British and the German-Jewish upper- ality gave him a measure of security, and men, Israel saw to it that the requisite middle classes, as can be seen from his he was almost unique in the contacts he sums reached the Nazi, who also did his appearance in Christopher Isherwood’s ­enjoyed with influential figures in both Christmas shopping at the department novel Goodbye to Berlin (from which Britain and Germany working for the store (for free). Interestingly, a list of the film Cabaret derives) as the fictional ­rescue of Jews. In this capacity, his serv- Jewish employees at N. Israel includes character Bernhard Landauer. ices to German Jewry were invaluable. the name ‘Behr, Werner’. Israel was also an energetic philan­ His courage emerges vividly from In May 1939, Israel left for Britain, thropist, supporting humanitarian causes an account by the British aristocrat Sir where he continued to act as a contact including the Jüdische Waisenhilfe Michael Bruce, who met Israel and Rabbi between the British authorities, the relief (Jewish Orphans’ Relief), which was in- Dr Leo Baeck when he went to Germany organisations set up by Anglo-Jewry and volved with the children’s village of Ben on a secret mission in November 1938 the Jewish refugees. In 1940 he assisted Shemen in Palestine. After 1933, this led at the request of Anglo-Jewish leaders, refugees who had been interned. Then, to his efforts to secure the transfer of to report on the regime’s anti-Jewish in March 1943, he flew to Lisbon on ­Jewish children to Palestine; working with measures. In his autobiography, Tramp a mission for the Jewish Agency for Lola Hahn-Warburg and others under the Royal (1955), Sir Michael recounts how, Palestine, to arrange the departure to aegis of the Berlin-based Children and as the Crystal Night pogrom raged, he continued overleaf

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wilfrid israel cont. from page 1

Palestine of Jewish refugees who had 1944, the Portuguese liner Nyassa arrived Israel (and the actor Leslie Howard). In reached Spain and Portugal but were in Haifa with some 750 Jewish refugees his memory, a Wilfrid Israel Hostel was trapped there; behind this lay the hope from Portugal aboard, the largest group of built in the village of Ben Shemen; the that if these Jews left, it might be possible refugees to reach Palestine directly from German-Jewish settlement of Kibbutz for Jews from Nazi-occupied territories to Europe in wartime. But on 1 June 1943, Hazorea was bequeathed his collection be admitted in their place. BOAC Flight 777 from Lisbon to London of Asian art, now housed in the Wilfrid The first part of Israel’s mission was was shot down by the Luftwaffe with the Israel Museum. crowned with success: on 1 February loss of all those aboard, including Wilfrid Anthony Grenville

Lost cities of the Mediterranean BC Radio 4 recently broadcast as became the Turkish city of Izmir after Egypt in 1956. its Saturday Play The White Cham­ the triumph of Turkish nationalism in the The great Alexandrian poet C. P. Beleon, Christopher Hampton’s wake of the First World War. Salonika, Cavafy, a Greek, created his mythical semi-fictional dramatisation of his child- once a city composed of Jews and Greeks visions of Ithaca and Alexandria in the hood years in Alexandria, which came to in equal numbers and ruled by Turks, be- city of his birth. Now, after the events that an abrupt end with the Suez crisis of 1956. came a monoculture when the occupying dispatched the young Hampton back to a The play is a moving account of a ten- Germans deported the Jews to the death dreary and xenophobic Britain, myths like year-old child’s affection for a wonderfully camps during the Second World War; Cavafy’s are all we have left to remind us colourful city and its engaging inhabitants, but it had started to become a Greek city of the vanished cultural multiplicity that set against the background of the final when it came under Greek rule in 1912 gilded the Mediterranean past. ebbing away of the British Empire. and was exposed to Greek nationalist Anthony Grenville The play revolves around the boy intolerance of other ethnic identities. A Christopher’s relationship with the similar process has affected such legen- ‘CHURCHILL’S GERMAN ARMY’ family servant Ibrahim, who runs the dary names as Antioch and Aleppo and, to The National Geographic Channel household with a disarming combination a large extent, Istanbul (which had been screened the documentary ‘Churchill’s German Army’ in April 2009. Appearing Constantinople for a millennium and a of loyalty and fondness for the family’s in this unique film were members of drinks cabinet. Ibrahim’s attachment to half), as well as Beirut. the AJR who fought heroically for the Hamptons transcends the politics of Copts, Kurds, Circassians – they all Britain during the Second World War. the time, which pitted the militant na- had their place in the fertile amalgam of We will be showing a screening on tionalism of Nasser’s Egypt against the the Levant. But above all the cities of the Thursday 21 October 2010 at 2.00 pm for 2.30 pm eastern Mediterranean provided a place remaining strongholds of British power at Pinner United Synagogue in the country. In the end, Britain’s ill- where Jews could mix freely with other 5 Cecil Park, Pinner judged Suez adventure, aimed at toppling groups and make their own particular To reserve your place, please call Nasser and reclaiming the Suez Canal, contribution to the multicultural richness Susan Harrod on 020 8385 3070 £2 charge for refreshments succeeds only in destroying the last bases of the whole. The Alexandria of Lawrence of British influence in Egypt, and at the Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet (1957-60) or same time severs the links between the E. M. Forster’s history and guide to the AJR THEATRE OUTING Hampton family and the faithful Ibrahim. city (1922) would be unimaginable without WAR HORSE Christopher is sent back to school in the communities of Jews and Armenians, Thursday 25 November 2010 England and his parents are expelled whose presence gave the city its own 2.30-5.15 pm from Egypt. inimitable charisma – now displaced at New London Theatre The principal lost world is not that in the name of a charmless Egyptian Drury Lane, London of British imperial grandeur, for which nationalism. London was fortunate in War Horse is a thrilling and spectacular Hampton has scant regard, but an attracting some of Alexandria’s Jewish production based on the celebrated novel by Michael Morpurgo and has Alexandria that was a melting-pot of community after their expulsion from been at the National for an extensive Mediterranean cultures, languages and run before moving to Drury Lane. nationalities: Egyptians, Greeks, Jews, AJR Directors Gordon Greenfield The First World War is the backdrop Maltese, Italians, French, Armenians and Michael Newman for this tale of bravery, loyalty and the Lebanese, with a Sahib class of British. Carol Rossen extraordinary bond between a young Alexandria before 1956 was one of those AJR Heads of Department recruit and his horse. Susie Kaufman Organiser, AJR Centre luminously polyglot, multicultural cities Sue Kurlander Social Services Actors, working with astonishing life- sized puppets by the internationally dotted round the coastline of the eastern AJR Journal Mediterranean that have, one by one, Dr Anthony Grenville Consultant Editor renowned Handspring Puppet Company, been reduced to monocultures by the Dr Howard Spier Executive Editor take audiences on an unforgettable Andrea Goodmaker Secretarial/Advertisements journey through history. spread of nationalism. Price of ticket: £30 A multi-ethnic city like Smyrna, where Views expressed in the AJR Journal are not Greek, Jewish and Armenian communi- necessarily those of the Association of Jewish For further details, please call ties lived amidst the majority Turks, Refugees and should not be regarded as such. Susan Harrod on 020 8385 3070

 AJR JOURNAL october 2010

Germany and the Germans: spring grove RETIREMENT HOME some reflections 214 Finchley Road London NW3 lthough I had the misfortune to managed to escape to England and my London’s Most Luxurious be born in Germany, I consider mother entrusted her with jewellery to  Entertainment  Activities Amyself lucky nevertheless to take along. The dear lady carried the  Stress Free Living have been born in the city of Hamburg. package of jewellery with her wherever  24 House Staffing Excellent Cuisine Rightly or wrongly, I have always had she went throughout the war years and  Full En-Suite Facilities the feeling that in Hamburg Nazism had duly handed it over to me. Call for more information or a personal tour less of a hold and that anti-Semitism Having joined the army in a spirit 020 8446 2117 was less rife there than in any other of aggressiveness towards Germany or 020 7794 4455 major city in Germany. I am and everything German, many [email protected] unaware of Jewish people of us Jewish refugees soon having been physically mellowed in our feelings. assaulted in Hamburg There were, (My mother and many as they were elsewhere relatives perished in in the country. On of course, two the Holocaust.) In- Kristallnacht, in the deed, I have yet to NEWTONS p a r t o f t h e c i t y quite different meet a German refu- Long established where I lived we gee member of the Hampstead Solicitors were completely groups of Jews living British forces, subse- u n a w a r e t h a t in Germany: Jews -quently stationed Personal and Prompt anything untoward in Germany, who Legal Services was happening. I who happened to be continued to retain was not woken up the antagonism we 22 Fitzjohn’s Avenue to the fact until I living in Germany all started out with. London NW3 5NB arrived at the Talmud- A thought I have Tel: 020 7435 5351 Thora-Schule, next to and Germans who had for some time Fax: 020 7435 8881 the main orthodox will doubtless provoke [email protected] s y n a g o g u e , t h e happened to be controversy. There were, following morning. The Jews. of course, two quite dif- building of the Tempel, ferent groups of Jews living the liberal synagogue, in Germany: Jews who hap- incidentally, survives to this day, pened to be living in Germany JACKMAN . complete with Hebrew inscription and Germans who happened to be – doubtless, one has to say, for no other Jews. What action, I wonder, would SILVERMAN reason than that it was considered members of the latter group in par- COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS potentially too useful a building to be ticular have taken had Hitler and his destroyed! gang perpetrated their atrocities ‘only’ I left Hamburg on the very first against some other group – gypsies or Kindertransport and returned, in British homosexuals, for example? In South uniform, in time to celebrate VE Day Africa there were, fortunately, notable there. Some time later, I encountered a Jewish anti-apartheid activists. I am good many pre-war ‘Aryan’ friends and ashamed to say that, while hopefully acquaintances, notably my still oldest not actively encouraging it, there was Telephone: 020 7209 5532 friend. His family’s attitude had been certainly a considerable proportion of [email protected] exemplified by the fact that the first the Jewish population who were quite thing one saw on entering their flat happy to condone it. was an Imperial German flag! His father One recognises that it is impossible seen mentioned: Germany was, after had insisted he go with me to the local to imagine that anything like Nazism all, quite a young entity, made up of swimming pool, although, probably or the associated violent anti-Semitism many much smaller countries which unbeknown to me, we were no longer could ever have been possible in this happened to speak the same language allowed to visit it. I clearly recall being great country where we had the good (more or less!). In other respects, they politely told about this by other boys fortune to find refuge. It is not difficult, are probably as diverse as the English, there – not being in any way accosted however, to think of at least two Euro­ the Scots and the people of Wales. or thrown out but merely warned that pean countries where a Hitler might While it is undoubtedly true that all of I could get into serious trouble. well have gained power and where Germany, and indeed Austria, accepted A lady friend of a friend of my his evil deeds might well have found the Nazi creed to a greater or lesser mother had been due to visit England as many eager participants and a extent, one wonders what proportion in the summer of ’39 but her visit was population which would largely have of the most ardent activists were cancelled due to the obvious imminence condoned it. Prussian. of war. My mother’s friend meanwhile One more aspect which I have not John D. Phillip

 AJR JOURNAL october 2010

21 Neubaugasse

lthough we never spoke about it Hardly anybody foresaw that children was not easy for my brother to each other until very recently, this prosperous life and peaceful Paul or me as three of our five children A several members of my family, togetherness would end abruptly and either live or work abroad. However, including myself, never felt comfortable that Jewish fellow citizens who lived in Friday 7 May 2010 was a beautiful in German-speaking countries, always this house and in many other houses spring day and all ten of us, including looking at old people suspiciously. That in Neubaugasse would be expelled, Alan, my partner, congregated on the was the case until very recently when deported and murdered. Stores pavement outside 21 Neubaugasse. my brother’s family and mine were in were demolished and their owners What amazed us was the number Vienna. This time we saw very few old dispossessed. It is unimaginable what of people who joined us on the pave- people so did not look at the locals with atrocities man can inflict upon man. ment of a quite busy road – occupants discontent. of the nearby apart- Before 1938 there ments, passers-by, were 200,000 Jews in schoolchildren and a Austria, 180,000 of very inquisitive Israeli them in Vienna, where lady who interrupted they constituted 10 per the proceedings to find cent of the population. out what was happen- In some districts or ing! We had thought it parts of districts such would just be a family as Leopoldstadt, 50 per affair with Dr Elisabeth cent of the population Ben David-Hindler, who were Jewish. Our family, founded the Stolper- the Gelbers, lived from steine project. However, 1917 until their deporta- she was accompanied by tion at 21 Neubaugasse the deputy district head in Vienna’s 7th District. councillor of Neubau, Neubaugasse was a very Madeleine Reiser, who Jewish street. Unfortu- was not born until after nately, only a few people the war had ended. She nowadays are aware of acknowledged that Aus- the fact that the Neubau tria had lost a great deal district was, after Leopoldstadt, the sec- It is also unimaginable that Austria and believed that Austrians were still ond largest Jewish settlement in Vienna. did not attempt fully to remedy this suffering for what they had inflicted We know from many a personal history injustice once the Holocaust had come on their Jewish fellow citizens. A class that members of various religious and to an end and ask forgiveness, and that of schoolchildren read texts they had cultural backgrounds lived closely and it took decades until one finally began prepared and placed lilac – ironically peacefully together here. They came to reappraise this darkest chapter of my mother’s favourite flower – round from all parts of the Austro-Hungarian the history of mankind. the stones. The children have also spon- monarchy, went to the same schools, We were in Vienna for a Stolpersteine sored stones for people from a family drank in the same coffee houses, and ceremony to honour the lives of my in which no one survived. One of their did their shopping in the same stores. grandmother Basche Gelber, Aunt ­inspirational teachers told me it was an And many of these stores had Jew- Chane and Uncle Josef, who were honour for them to join us on our very ish owners, like the then very elegant murdered in the Holocaust. Unveiling special day. All the students have to department stores Herzmansky and commemorative plaques where they are learn about the Second World War and Gerngross in Mariahilferstraße, just publicly visible on the pavement outside the Holocaust because, she said, it was around the corner, which contributed the apartment in which they once lived their duty to take care that what had to Vienna’s image as a metropolis. In serves as a permanent reminder of happened to our family and six million many firms Jews were employed by the members of our family, who were Jewish people would never happen non-Jews and vice versa. Many famous subjected to the most atrocious injustice, again. When I spoke in tribute to our Jewish artists, musicians, actors, sing- and will be a permanent warning to be murdered ancestors I was aware of the ers and writers lived here and were prepared to nip possible new threats in emotion it invoked. The occupant of the highly esteemed. Number 36, across the bud. Permission to place the stones apartment where my mother grew up the street, was the centre of the then had to be obtained not only from the not only came to the ceremony but said booming film industry and was not municipal authorities but also from the his wife would take care of our stones only the seat of numerous film-related present owner of the building and the and keep them clean. To our surprise, firms and production centres but also current residents of the apartments and he invited us all home for refreshments. of a coffee house correctly named took quite some time. The apartment has been maintained in Filmhof. Co-ordinating this visit with all our continued opposite

 AJR JOURNAL october 2010

‘Somehow yesterday became today’: Return to Little Bramingham Farm

ith so many negative stories under the hen and our vegetables were go back and just see where I started. about our refugees who were from our vegetable garden – but the Then, after 70 years, the opportunity Will-treated at the hands of their most important thing was that I was arose. For that I would like to thank employers, I would like to share my treated and cared for with humanity and the AJR. I am lucky that my social happy memories of the first two years I compassion. The farm belonged to a worker, Maxine Weber, at the request spent at Little Bramingham Farm. widower of about 60 who was very kind of Volunteer Services’ Head Carol Hart, I came to this country had asked me on one on 28 August 1939, a of her visits if I would week before war broke like a volunteer to come out. I was lucky to get and visit me. As I liked a visa via the Zionist the idea of meeting movement. On our new people, I welcomed arrival, we were allocated the suggestion and so to a kibbutz in Tringirth it was that I met Mike but, when war broke Say. Having visited me out, we were farmed several times, he asked out to Einzelstellen and if there was anything Jewish children and special I would like to pregnant women took do and so my wish to our place in the kibbutz. go back to the farm So it came about that materialised. following an interview Little Bramingham with Miss Abbiss, the Farm house was now housekeeper, I went to a home for the elderly Little Bramingham Farm The author outside one of the cottages on Little Bramingham Farm, July 2010. Horace and, having made the as a maid. We were Brightman was one of Cilly’s employers necessary enquiries, we still members of the drove from London to kibbutz and, as it wasn’t too far, Miss and fair. Miss Abbiss, who was 26, was the farm near Luton. But everything had Abbiss took me back to visit on several patient and sat with me every evening changed beyond recognition except the occasions. teaching me English. She took me every house itself. There it stood, the beautiful The house lay in a beautiful stretch month to the town hall in Luton to write Tudor building which from the outside of gardens with a little private wood at my precious 25 words sent via the Red looked exactly the same as when I was the back which was a carpet of bluebells Cross to my family. I worked with Miss there. I felt very emotional: somehow in the spring. The cowshed was very Abbiss, learned how to cook and set yesterday became today. Inside, it had near us and I remember the foreman an English table, and did general light been vastly modified and it was difficult bringing fresh milk every morning. The housework. I spent two happy years at to really orientate myself. eggs we ate were still warm from being the farm. It had always been my wish to The manageress of the care home was very interested in my story and I showed continued her and her colleagues photos of how a time capsule by its present occupants Vienna, I saw a man kneeling on the the farm used to look. She took me all and we could all envisage our family pavement. He had been cleaning a stone over the house and we were invited to living there in the 1930s. outside his building and the irony of the return for lunch with the residents and Many ordinary citizens of Vienna born situation was not lost, knowing how give a brief account of my life on the after 1945 are now living in apartment the Jews in Vienna had been made to farm, which we did a few weeks ago. It buildings in which Jews once lived and clean the pavements with toothbrushes. was well received, with some residents feel a deep sense of shame about their ­Apparently two weeks before our cere­ asking me questions which I did my best history. Many have sponsored stones mony was due to take place, the entire to answer. for people who at one time lived in pavement outside 21 Neubaugasse had For me, it was a very memorable their building and take care of them. been dug up, but the district engineer time then and now and I will always Our three Stolpersteine outside 21 Neu- gave his word that the work would be treasure how lucky I was to have been baugasse are the symbolic gravestones completed in time. with such good people. I do think that it of our Gelber family, who have no We all left Vienna feeling at peace, shaped the rest of my life to be positive known graves. Both present and future having experienced a great deal of and count my blessings. After those generations can reflect on the past and kindness and feeling very proud to be two important years, I moved away to learn to come to terms with it. Walking descendants of those who had lived and Gloucestershire to train as a nurse, a round Leopoldstadt, where my father’s died there. course I completed successfully. family had lived, on our last evening in Judith Gordon Cilly Haar

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As Sweden had not been invaded by the Germans (they did not need Sweden since the Danish and Norwegian coasts were ‘Fortress Europe’s’ defence against Britain and America), the question of ­risking one’s life to help Jews did not arise in that country. It was the Danish people who helped their Jewish compatriots and the Jewish refugees who had found ­asylum in Denmark to escape to the safety of Sweden when the Germans, three years into the occupation, decided to deport the ‘UNTIMELY DEMISES’ Fair on a regular basis. One evening I Jews of Denmark. In this rescue operation, Sir – Anthony Grenville’s wide-ranging received an invitation to dinner at the press organised by the Danish resistance, the article ‘Untimely Demises’ (August) cleverly club – although I had no connection with entire population at every level of society takes us from contemporary Britain into any branch of the media. I was intrigued was involved as the Danes – not unlike German history, as far back as 1888. to find present a large number of fellow the Albanians – simply would not tolerate The resignation of David Laws as an refugees who had returned to what was what the Germans had in store for fellow opening device rivets our attention to a then the GDR and held important positions Danes. recent political event. He suggests that within the East German press, radio and The story of the fishing vessels ferrying ‘Laws with his experience of the financial TV. It has to be said that they were not Jews to Sweden (my father and me world … had seemed to be an almost ideal overly interested in my media input but included) is well known, and the welcome candidate for the post [Chief Secretary to rather nostalgically wanted to hear about we found in Sweden from the people and the Treasury] until a scandal arising from happenings in mainly the Swiss Cottage the authorities deserves gratitude – but his private life brought him low’ (emphasis area and whether Cafe Cosmo was still was no more than Scandinavians would added). This is a cruel epitaph for the man the haven it had been. My responses did expect from one another. Our fellow Jews who was chosen for his specific experience not allay their curiosity. in Norway were not so fortunate. to ‘bring down the British government’s Herbert Haberberg, Barnet Walter E. Goddard, London SW7 budget deficit’. In the opinion of a number of insightful BRINGING BACK MEMORIES Sir – Albania proved the only country that and honest political commentators, and Sir – Your article about the late Edmund would have granted us asylum in 1938 indeed of myself, Anthony Grenville’s view Wolf was of special interest to me as I used when, along with all other aliens, we sadly reflects the prejudices of the wider to work for and with him after the war in were expelled from Yugoslavia at short community. It is very well documented that the German Features Section of the BBC notice after five very productive years in the financial and indeed banking world is in Bush House, where some of his scripts that country (Yugoslavia having been our ruthless in its homophobia, and political were used in the broadcasts to Germany. first country of exile on emigrating from careers were never helped by honesty He was always very exact and perhaps Germany in the summer of 1933). about same-sex orientation. No wonder a little bit too serious, but otherwise it We were fortunate in that Britain that David Laws, in order to pursue his was a pleasure to work with him. Thus granted us permission to settle here at career, should have been forced, it would your article brought back many happy what seemed almost the last minute. One seem, to internalise these prejudices and memories for me. of my mother’s uncles, long settled here, to have had to deny both to himself and I vividly remember the Free German had come to our rescue. So, fortunately, we to the world that the landlord to whom he League of Culture as my best friend at didn’t have to avail ourselves of Albania’s paid rent was, as the press have insisted, the time, Marion Grau, joined and wanted offer. Margarete Stern, London NW3 his ’sexual partner’. The ‘scandal’ arguably me to come with her, but I refused as I attaches itself to The Daily Telegraph and had heard it was mainly a platform for RECOVERING FAMILY PROPERTY the press in general who give a voice to Communists. She met her future husband, Sir – I am writing to ask other readers the prejudices of the wider community. the lawyer Hans Einhorn, here and they of your magazine whether anyone has And it is this wider community which both went back to Germany to rebuild it tried to repossess properties in Poland was indeed ‘brought low’, using Anthony with their own hands! Later they ended previously owned by their families and Grenville’s words. up in East Germany, where she was not with what success. Interestingly, the recent Kindertransport as happy as her husband as she missed My brother and I have identified and survey gave no option in its questionnaire London so much and actually came to visit located a house, workshops and grounds but to declare one’s status as being in a us there as well as in Canada. where our grandparents lived until their ‘civil partnership’ or same-sex partnered. By the way, I still love your Journal, disappearance around 1942. Over ten The authors of the survey, it would seem, especially the articles by Dr Anthony years ago we engaged lawyers to assist could not tolerate the thought that as a Grenville, which I always find interesting us in our repossession of the site and to refugee one was not either married or and stimulating. I also love ‘Letter from gain the benefits of any rents payable by widowed. We refugees should know about Israel’. Kitty Schafer (née Kaufmann) the current occupants. It has been a long prejudice and intolerance and we have Toronto, Canada struggle through the courts and we have an obligation to show understanding to not reached a final outcome. others who have suffered so cruelly from ALBANIANS AND THE HOLOCAUST But we have read of similar instances persecution. Sir – In her thought-provoking article where other families have been successful Edward Mendelsohn, London W11 about the Albanians rescuing Jewish refu- in recovering their family’s property and gees from Nazism (September), Natasha we would like to compare notes and see THE FREE GERMAN LEAGUE OF CULTURE Korn states that the Albanians acted in if we can pick up useful guidance. Sir – I found Anthony Grenville’s article this way ‘when the rest of the world (ex- If any of your readers have any helpful (September) intriguing. In the late 1960s- cluding Sweden and a number of brave information could they write to us at early 1970s, I attended the Leipzig Trade ­individuals) acted in the opposite way.’ Endymion, 476 Eccleshall Road South,

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Whirlow, Sheffield S11 9PZ or email with Lionel Blumenthal’s criticism of Peter in the Hutchinson Camp on the Isle of Man [email protected]. Phillips’s views, I think he is going too far for about four months. Many years ago Charles Grunwerg, Sheffield when referring to the ‘betrayal by so many I recounted my experiences on the BBC Jews, blinded from reality by the leftish website ‘WW2 People’s War’ when they ‘LOSING THE SYMPATHY VOTE’ ideology that pervades our political and asked persons to recall any experiences of Sir – On returning to the UK from Zichron cultural environment’. It is a biased state- the wartime years. Yaacov, where I live when not in the UK, I ment and claims that his reality is the only I had forgotten all about my contribution read Peter Phillips’s piece ‘Not the Israel I correct one. to the BBC website when, about a year ago, knew’ (July). Initially, it registered no more I also doubt his assertion that most I received an email from a man who had than any number of diatribes critical of the of the world is prepared to let Israel go read my article. According to his email, he Jewish state. It seemed in its initial empa- under. My feeling is that most of the world was brought up in Douglas on the Isle of thy for Israel to carry the well-worn gentile is prepared to let any peoples go under. Man. He told me he would pass our camp stereotype of the Jew facing extinction, It’s still a world of extreme nationalisms, every morning on his way to school and the brave new state fighting for its exist- underpinned by huge dollops of bigotry, that when the guards weren’t looking he ence and its survival with the odds against greed for power and enjoyment of violence would throw stones at the internees over – David and Goliath on a national scale. – a world of global voyeurism. the barbed-wire fence as his ‘contribution Who, even among the gentiles, could be I am grateful for Alex Lawrence’s ref- to the war effort’. He had the grace to end unsympathetic? The liberal, enlightened erence to Col. Kemp’s statement at a UN his email by saying that he hoped that and educated looked on with pity, as they human rights session although I tend to none of the stones had hit me. had in the 1930s and 40s, at the inevitable believe that this Israeli attack [Gaza] was a Freddy Godshaw, Welwyn Garden City destruction, but were also somewhat com- mistake. As one of the thousands of ‘refu- forted by the consistency of the historical gees from Nazi persecution’, human rights DUNERA PASSENGERS narrative of the persecuted Jew about to are the all-absorbing issue and I do not ‘SAVED BY ILL-TREATMENT’ meet his end. believe that they can always be enforced Sir – Re David Kernek’s letter (September), It didn’t play out like that. Israel survives by peaceful means. The nationalistic gov- I was an RAF pilot on Coastal Command and becomes stronger. And, with that role ernments of the UN member-states are, seeking out U-boats. We were warned reversal, loses the sympathy vote. And however, not always prepared to take the that often after a depth charge attack on none of us should shed a tear at that. actions necessary to enforce UN decisions. a U-boat all sorts of debris appeared on However, at that point I realised that, That, I consider to be a major factor which the surface, giving the impression that the despite his name, our Peter is a Jew. So I do started Israel’s problems. When the UN boat had been sunk. In fact, some U-boats care about his views. And am astonished created Israel it failed to protect the new carried such debris in a special water-tight at his naivety. Oxford University was where state from the immediate war waged chamber. It was released whilst the boat he learned that what cannot be seen (God) on it. This failure has continued to the dived to a safe depth in the hope that the does not exist? That religious Jews should present day. attacking aircraft would go away. This did not have the vote? That parts of Israel Nicholas Jacobs goes to another extreme happen from time to time. should be judenrein? Extraordinary, is it in asserting that the Palestinians were also Alex Lawrence, Marlow not, how all the liberal, pluralistic claptrap victims of the Holocaust. That is surely goes out of the window where Jews are turning the facts upside down. Did not ‘THE OTHER GERMANY’ concerned! the Mufti of Jerusalem call for a holy war Sir – With reference to the article ‘The other Wake up all you Peters, Israel is the against Britain in 1940 and organise Arab Germany’ by Erwin Schneider (August), a national home of the Jewish people. Even Waffen SS units? The Arabs living in Pales- few years ago I took my wife, two sons and if they wear hats. It is ours. It is strong. It tine looked at the Nazis as an ally against their families to Czechoslovakia, where I is imperfect. It is real. It is ours because the Jews and so did their neighbours. was born and spent my early years. We God (yes, Him!) gave it to us. We have very I cannot agree with Ruth Barnett’s visited Prague, Terezin and my home town little claim to it but that! Lots of different statement that ‘so-called races are of Teplitz, some 15 miles from the German Jews live there and contribute in their inventions: they are cultural groups’. To me border. This was, of course, Sudetenland, own way, including those embarrassingly the word ‘race’ refers to the descendants the German-speaking part of the former religious types who prick our subconscious of a family. It infers genes. That is what republic. and teach our children that they are Jews makes us Jews and that is why we should Standing outside my grandfather’s old and what that means. And I know it goes be concerned for other members of the house, I was photographing my family against the grain of the last 2,000 years family when they are suffering. against that background when I heard but, if we are threatened, we are going But perhaps there is a little hope for voices speaking German just behind me. It to spill the other guy’s blood before he peace on the horizon at present? was two couples, with one man explaining gets at our kids. Eric Sanders, London W12 in a loud voice that he had once lived And Peter, we do not give a monkey’s just up the road from my grandfather’s what your gentile friends think. And Sir – I take exception to Peter Simpson house. The man asked whether I too had nor should you. Why? Because we can (September) describing the UK as fascist. come from the town. ‘Yes,’ I said, ‘That do without their Holocaust memorials, This is utter rubbish! Also, I read with was my grandfather’s house.’ He replied their sympathy, their ‘proportionate’ ­interest Bryan Reuben’s article in the same ‘And when did they throw you out?’ He response, their regrets, their homilies, issue about the effect of criticism on Israeli was, of course, referring to the Czech their encyclicals, their approval and their ­policy. Even President Obama has not man- ethnic cleansing of the local German respectful attendance at our graves. aged to stop the settlements, although I population in 1945-46 across the border Amnon Needham, Zichron Yaacov, Israel wish they would listen to him. into Germany. I said ‘In 1938.’ He looked Nicholas Marton, Bromley puzzled and then asked ‘Why then?’ My Sir – As always, the ‘Letters to the Editor’ answer was ‘Because I am a Jew and you in your September issue represent an inter- INTERNMENT EXPERIENCES threw us out!’ His, and his companions’ esting part of the Journal and, as always, Sir – Reading your articles about internment faces were a picture I will never forget. they stimulate thought and provoke in 1940, I was 16 at that time and, together Bob Norton, Nottingham argument. Whereas I do not disagree with my father and brother, was interned continued on page 16

 AJR JOURNAL october 2010

and all their ensuing suffering and displacement. On the left wall you read the story of their music. It is accompanied REVIEWs by large video footage of titans like Martin Luther King, jazz giants like Miles Valuable insights into Islam Davis and pop and rock stars like Little FAITH AND POWER: RELIGION AND POLITICS IN THE MIDDLE EAST t is just a single exhibit within a Richard, Elvis Presley and Shakira, all by Bernard Lewis one-room installation in the British of whom can trace their influences back Oxford: OUP, 2010, 240 pp. hardback Museum but it sounds a powerful to the slave experience. In fact, from I he publication of another volume historical message. Akan Drum: The the provenance of the Akan Drum we of articles and lectures by Bernard Drummer is Calling Me is curated by discover the massive influence of African TLewis is an appropriate occasion playwright and broadcaster Bonnie Greer, and African-American music on most to pay tribute to this eminent historian. Lewis, now at Princeton, was born in whose empathetic installation is the story popular music from the twentieth century London’s Stoke Newington district in of the music of the transatlantic slave trade. onwards, including jazz, blues, R&B, 1916. He became an expert on Islam and, The drum itself, clad in deerskin, is now pop, ballad, reggae, hip hop and rock ’n’ excluded from Arab countries by being a silent witness to its own development roll. Slaves would call to each other on Jewish, became the world expert on the Ottoman Empire. He subsequently became of African-American music and its effect the plantations in what became known ‘perhaps the most articulate and learned on the contemporary musical scene. as call and response; this developed into Zionist advocate in the North American gospel, protest music, blues, Middle East academic community’ (Joel tap, etc. Even klezmer, whose Beinin, Professor of History and Middle East History, University of Stanford). repressive roots were planted He fought bitter academic battles with in the shtetls and ghettoes Edward Said and Noam Chomsky. He of middle Europe, is said took the view that the backwardness of the Islamic world was not due to racism to have felt its influence. and colonialist imperialism but was a The drum sometimes incited largely self-inflicted condition, resulting rebellion on the plantations, from both culture and religion. The de- particularly one in 1739 in cay of Islamic societies was primarily the by-product of internal problems such as Georgia, from which it was ‘cultural arrogance’ rather than external subsequently banned. pressures like the Crusades. London’s Ben Uri Gallery In the hope of maintaining good has bought a watercolour relations between the religious commu- nities, it is customary to play down the of the Second World War, differences between Islam and the other Interrogation, by German Abrahamic faiths. In these articles, written artist George Grosz, who between 1987 and 2009, Lewis explains the differences. Christians and Jews alike challenged Germany’s have narratives that have involved disap- decadence in the 1920s by pointment and persecution. Jesus died on The Akan Drum graffiti art, which was later the cross and his followers were a minor- deemed ‘degenerate’ by the ity under Roman rule. They needed to ­compromise with civil society to survive: The Akan Drum is considered one of Nazis. Grosz, not himself Jewish, is ‘Render unto Caesar the things that are the British Museum’s most fascinating considered one of the twentieth century’s Caesar’s and unto God the things that are pieces as well as its oldest African- most influential artists, who used graphic God’s.’ The Talmud laid down that ‘dina de-malkhuta dina’, the halakhic rule that American object. satire as a political challenge. the law of the country is binding; in cer- The drum was first introduced to the Daphne Todd has won this year’s tain cases, it is to be preferred to Jewish slave ships from west Africa to Virginia in £25,000 BP Portrait Award for a painting law. Muhammad, in contrast, achieved about 1735. Slaves were kept below deck of her dead mother, having pipped to worldly success during his lifetime. He became head of a state, soon to grow into in disgusting conditions from which up to the post a record 2,177 international an empire. Hence in Islam, church and 20 per cent died before reaching shore. applicants. She describes her work, Last state are one and the division of powers In the belief that fresh air would be good Portrait of Mother, as ‘a striking image is meaningless. for them, the slaves were brought up to – paintings of dead people are always This combination of imperialism and religion was a success for over 1,000 years. deck and made to dance to its rhythm in affecting’. Others who painted death Under the mediaeval Arab caliphate, a process known as ‘dancing the slaves’, include Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet and again under the Persian and Turkish although they were not allowed to own a and Lucian Freud. ­dynasties, the empire of Islam was the drum, or anything else, themselves. The most powerful, creative and enlightened region in the world. By the sixteenth cen- Akan comprise 45 smaller ethnic groups Annely Juda Fine Art tury, it had spread throughout much of the in present-day Ghana. 23 Dering Street (off New Bond Street) Middle East, North Africa, Spain and the The right-hand wall of the installation Tel: 020 7629 7578 Fax: 020 7491 2139 Far East. Its decline began with the disas- trous failure of the second siege of Vienna is devoted to the trafficking of west CONTEMPORARY PAINTING in 1683. From then on it was downhill all AND SCULPTURE African slaves to the Colony of Virginia the way. The final indignity was the break-

 AJR JOURNAL october 2010 up of the Ottoman Empire after the First of the first man on earth, who certainly be- ‘Of Exile and Music: World War, leaving Muslims without even haves as though he is just that. Knowledge A Twentieth Century Life’ the pretence of an Islamic empire. appeals to Eve: it is tantalising and even by Eva Mayer Schay This defeat was felt particularly deeply erotic and, in a new-born world where In the review in last month’s issue of the Journal, in societies that placed such emphasis physicality slowly surrenders to more sub- we omitted to mention that the book can also on shame and honour. There were two terranean passions, Berkoff offers a witty be ordered at www.eurospanbookstore.com responses. One group felt that Islam had and refreshing view of humanity, short of at a cost of £18.95. failed to modernise. For example, Kemal a fig leaf or two. son, it is Pharaoh’s impassioned praise of Atatürk tried to turn Turkey into a secular An elegant, dancerly quality animates the nature gods of Egypt and his damn- state. Others felt that there had been this play just as it does Samson’s Hair and too much modernisation. This view was ing tirade against the God of Israel which both represent the author-director’s interest offer a chilling prophecy for the Jewish promoted by the Ayatollahs in Iran and in physical theatre. Here Chamberlain in a the adherents of Wahabi Islam, led by the experience to come. blue dress is the femme fatale Delilah. Her Designer Lotte Collett and lighting Saud family in Saudi Arabia. A return to a outbursts of desire for Samson – ‘My won- ‘purer’ form of Islam was called for, lack- designer Mike Robertson deserve praise derful, handsome Jew!’ (Matthew Clancy) for their deceptively simple black-white ing, one fears, the tolerance and creativity – intensified by their morbidly passionate of historical Islam. set, which reflects the moods and colours love ballet, are designed to draw the secret of each story. John Chambers’s haunting The perceived humiliation of the of his strength from him. The hyped-up Muslim world, however, led to a greater score intensifies the atmosphere. dialogue is pure Mills and Boon until the Gloria Tessler emphasis on the tradition that the pious comedic touch – a massive pair of scissors are obliged to fight to regain any formerly – which appears from nowhere and with The Jews of Klatovy Muslim lands that have been lost (dar al- which Delilah proceeds to shear off his Islam) and subsequently to conquer the locks, which hold the secret of his power. ews in the History of Klatovy is the lands held by the infidel (dar al-Harb). With Samson now bald and vulnerable to title of a newly published book by Wars waged against the infidel are the will Milan Strnad, a teacher in that town Philistine attack, she counters his protesta- J of God, while opposition by the infidel is in south-west Bohemia. tions of faith with a declaration of loyalty the work of Satan. Thus, Muslim terrorism The book is dedicated to ‘Our fellow to her own people. Yet Clancy conveys, is praiseworthy, while Israeli responses are Jewish citizens, particularly those mur- in this lugubrious dance of death, that illegitimate, a viewpoint that astonishingly dered in concentration camps and on Samson is already blind, moving without is increasingly accepted among Britain’s death marches’ and covers the history non-Muslim population. will and surrendering both to a woman of Klatovy Jewry from its beginnings to Lewis traces this line of thinking through whose truth he doesn’t see and to a faith the present day. to Osama bin Laden and his campaign which permits him no questions. The author has undertaken exten- against ‘Jews and Crusaders’. Bin Laden In David and Goliath Saul (Alex Giannini), sive research, contacting survivors and considers, not unreasonably, that the a Mafia-boss type, urges the young David collecting their memories. This hard- Soviet empire collapsed because of the (Anthony Barclay) to take a pot shot at back book contains almost 300 pages, Islamic jihad waged by the guerrilla fighters Goliath. This, Saul suggests in a cynical refer- including documents and beautiful in Afghanistan. Having destroyed one of ence to David’s love for Jonathan, will assert ­illustrations, and is a private publication the two last great infidel superpowers, he his masculinity. David counters by calling at the author’s personal expense. feels that dealing with the pampered and Saul a dirty old lech. ‘Let’s get real and talk I feel privileged to have been asked degenerate Americans will be so much about taking out Goliath,’ says Saul, adding to translate into English a couple of easier. He may well be right. ‘The winner takes Gaza!’ personal memories for Vera Schaufeld, Inevitably, this collection involves a I found Pharoah and Moses the most a personal friend of the author. certain amount of repetition and is bet- powerful of the plays and the one rightly For me, Milan Strnad is a ‘righteous ter dipped into than read in its entirety. chosen as the finale. Moses (Alex Giannini) gentile’ in the category of Stephen Lewis’s earlier book, The Crisis of Islam: sits guru-like on a prayer rug, pleading Smith and his family at Beth Shalom in Holy War and Unholy Terror (2003), pro- for his people as the plagues’ effects are Nottinghamshire. For further details of the book, vides a more coherent narrative, but this mimed by Pharoah (Mark Frost) and his please contact the AJR Journal on 020 one still provides valuable insights. servant or his son (Matthew Clancy). But 385 3070. Hana Nermut Bryan Reuben finally, after the death of that first-born Theatre Four short plays by the May 1939 Bard of the East End by John Buck i.m. Susanne Franciska Buck (née Schaefer), 18 January 1927 – 27 March 2002 BIBLICAL TALES written and directed I can only imagine what it was like Only joking, of course. by Steven Berkoff joining the Kindertransport at 12 years Though why they made you New End Theatre, London of age, share a bed with him leaving your parents fearful in Berlin. we could never understand. modern take on four seminal Old Testament stories is bound to Your earliest memory of England? Next morning, the train to Ayr. A be edgy and multi-layered if the A British sailor, bringing you You in the care of the dining car playwright is Steven Berkoff. The world a mug of tea and a Bath bun attendant, premiere of these four short plays by for breakfast when you docked in met at the station by elderly strangers, the Bard of the East End begins with a Harwich. your faithful guardians for the next six years. libidinous Adam and Eve, in which Mark Then a night in London Frost’s cheeky-chappie Adam encounters at the home of Hedda and Eugene, But that first night you cried yourself to the sparky Eve (Sarah Chamberlain), both your mother’s erstwhile colleagues on sleep in simulated nudity. Die Dame.* not yet knowing about stiff upper lips. Then comes the seductive, silver- Yes, Eugene, that old rascal, tongued serpent (Anthony Barclay), whom who never tired of reminding me *Die Dame – a popular magazine for Eve rather fancies. Audacity and philosophy that he had once slept with my wife. women published by Ullstein Verlag fascinate her more than the lewd advances

 AJR JOURNAL october 2010

The pioneering spirit

oining the Pioneer Corps was easy. In relative safety of the Burma campaign. and starting all over again. This was the old days they emptied the prisons The despatch riders’ course was all right during daylight hours, though Jfor recruits; in l941 they raided actually quite jolly – if you survived it. never less than dodgy, because the internment camps. This is how I came to We each had our own BSA 500 cc motor guns and other trailers had a tendency be digging ditches in Scotland in 1942 cycle, governed down to a maximum to swing, or were made to swing by our while living under canvas, admittedly on speed of 50 mph. So the first concern lorry drivers with a perverted sense of the estate of the Earl of Home, which was to find a mechanically adept fellow humour. At night it became a deadly afforded me some excellent fly fishing. rider able to remove the governor game. We were issued with route maps When I got to know him much later, and restore the original speed. Having and torches but not allowed to use the after he had resigned as prime minister, inherited a fairly clapped-out model, I latter in the blackout. The lorries had no I confessed to poaching in his rivers. never got it to do more than 80 mph but rear lights and pinpoint headlights. The He was very good about it and even territory was always unfamiliar. If there inscribed one of his books for me. No was no moon, one had to overtake a long Sassoon wrote poetry about us. Instead, The greatest escape line of vehicles without any idea of how when I shot a rabbit for the pot while much room there was between them on guard duty, I narrowly escaped being artist of all was Arthur and the ditch or trees lining the side of court-martialled. the road. If one fell off, one either hit a Escape is what most of us had in mind Koestler, with whom tree or finished up under the carriage of – to Hollywood, to join the commandos, I briefly overlapped a 17-pounder anti-tank gun. Any rider to OCTU (Officer Cadet Training Unit), who claimed he wasn’t scared was a liar. into the RAF. (The Senior Service was a in 251 Company The men who drove the big army lorries tough nut for Jewish boys from Vienna couldn’t see either, but at least they were to crack.) The greatest escape artist of of the Pioneers. He sitting in their cabs, looking down on us. all was Arthur Koestler, with whom I must have been, by ‘Bloody boy racers,’ they called us but briefly overlapped in 251 Company of we got to the pub before they did, and the Pioneers. He must have been, by a Hungarian mile pulled all the birds. a Hungarian mile (which is, of course, Anti-tank training easily claimed its longer than the standard mile), the (which is, of course, statistically predicted share of victims. most unpopular soldier in the British longer than the Firing a 6-pounder with its extension Army. His proficiency in avoiding the tucked under one’s arm was not all that hardships of army life became the stuff standard mile), the dangerous in training, but guaranteed of legend, chronicled in a magisterial deafness in later life. When they were biography which appeared last year. most unpopular soldier replaced by 17-pounders, life got easier. Koestler, having faced a firing squad in the British Army. What produced the casualties were the and every conceivable hardship of the sticky bombs, a round ball of explosive multiple refugee, had paid his dues and on a handle which one was supposed was entitled to swing the lead. He had some of my more ambitious colleagues to attach to an enemy tank under cover powerful friends who saw to it that he managed to ‘do the ton’. We were of darkness and then walk – not run landed in a cushy billet. A man of heroic taught how to negotiate rough terrain, – back to one’s vehicle in the 7-second intellect but hard to love. ford shallow rivers, direct military traffic, gap before the charge exploded. A totally Lacking powerful friends and the motor cycle maintenance, and a host mad idea; I don’t know whether it was Hollywood connection I craved, I set of other skills, the most important of ever used in the field. I hope not. What about working my own passage to more which was to remount your bike without I do know is that many sprint records congenial employment. For no better complaint after falling off, which were broken by unsung sportsmen reason than that my father had been in happened several times a day. Some of who did the 100 m in well under 10 the artillery – albeit in a different war us became reasonably proficient and in seconds before the record was officially under a different monarch – I applied the end quite daring. Moonlight motor recognised. for transfer to the Royal Artillery. You cycle races became a favourite, strictly Officer training provided a brief can gauge my innocence from the fact forbidden, pastime; the chaps who respite from these hardships although that I volunteered for two specialisations found ways of accounting for the petrol passing out had a sting to its double which are, after parachuting and the illicitly consumed were the types who meaning. My final act of heroism to commandos, responsible for the highest usually got secondment to Bletchley, earn the coveted single pip of a second casualty rates in training, never mind working on breaking down Enigma. lieutenant was to run – not walk – up combat: despatch riding and anti-tank The fun ceased abruptly when we Snowdon in full kit, with a Bren gun on gunnery – so much so that there was an had to put our new skills to practical my shoulder, and then – much harder allowance, respectively, of 1.7 and 1.2 use, which was the escorting of military – to run down the other side. The per cent fatalities in training. It meant convoys, speeding ahead of them, sergeant instructor’s encouragement was that the officer i/c of the course was posting oneself at the next junction, grudging: ‘Come on, you idle cadet, we permitted that number of ‘kills’ before and directing them to their destination. haven’t got all day!’ He knew that the having to face a court of inquiry. I got This was done by waiting until the last very next day he would have to salute these figures much later from a friend vehicle had passed, then overtaking the the newly-commissioned me. in the War Office, while enjoying the convoy, racing ahead to the next point, Victor Ross

10 AJR JOURNAL october 2010

unleashed against the Jewish people and against the state of Israel in the first instance?’ Did he dream this? With a heavy heart Peter Simpson of Jerusalem agrees that Israel is not what it was, but puts this down to secularism. Is he not aware aim to be provocative and I seem when it comes to Jews’. Does he not that there are more ultra-orthodox in to be succeeding! Take the August realise that the Israeli prime minister Israel now than ever before? As for I issue. If Marcel Ladenheim has a is supporting this highly controversial his attack on Britain and English law, I problem with the fact that I went to building programme merely to keep cannot think of a country with a fairer Oxford University and he only went the religious parties in his coalition, and rule of law than the British one. Israel? to Manchester University – shame! His thereby stay in power? Definitely not. letter certainly does not tempt me to I also wonder why Mr Katz thinks Frank Bright is obviously a follower accept his sarcastic invitation to attend England is ‘descending into a third- of the ‘Honest Reporting’ website. The lectures he gives on Israel. world country’. If Israel is displaying so British media, he declares, has it all I said in my July article about Israel much more ‘excellence and innovations wrong – only what the Israelis say is to that it was written with a heavy heart. in the field of medicine, science and be believed. Is he biased or what? He Rubin Katz wrote to say that my thinking technology’, why does he not live also defends the hanging of the two was muddled. But perhaps it is he who there? British sergeants by saying the British is muddled. The Israel of today is not the Mr Ladenheim asked for the identity behaved badly over the ship Exodus. The Israel that Theodore Herzl envisaged. It of my ‘new love’ if I am no longer in love British did behave appallingly, but does is not the Israel that was governed by with Israel. The answer is in his question. that mean that the Irgun had the right the likes of David Ben-Gurion and Golda My true love is – and always has been to hang two innocent British soldiers? Meir. Herzl foresaw a secular state. – England. It was England that saved Thea Valman gives us what she Israel was one until the Haredim and me and my family from the Nazis. For calls ‘facts’ about Israel – ‘facts’ again the other ultra-orthodox were given the that I will always be grateful and loyal seemingly gathered from the ‘Honest power they now have. They are not the to my adopted country. Adopted? I was Reporting’ website. We would all like Zionists that Herzl had in mind. Many born in Vienna. them to be facts but they are not. They are fundamentalist religious extremists, I am glad that the discussion on who are, at most, her beliefs. They are her like Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, spiritual leader is a ‘Holocaust survivor’ and who is a wishful thinking. of Shas, who recently called on God to ‘refugee’ is continuing. I asked for defi- Bryan Reuben, in his ‘Point of View’ strike down Mahmoud Abbas and the nitions in the May issue. Personally I side column, can only respond to my recent Palestinians by a plague. Rabbi Yosef with Annette Saville and the Holocaust disillusionment with Israel by using and his followers are making Israel Survivor Centre. If you were Jewish and the word ‘tough’. That’s meaningless. as unpalatable as some of the lands in Nazi-occupied territory on Kristall- Interestingly, he agrees with me about of its Arab neighbours. How are their nacht you are a genuine ‘Holocaust Avigdor Lieberman. Not even I would laws any better than Sharia? What survivor’. Furthermore, I think that all dare suggest that he is ‘not fit to be a right do they have in wanting to be of us who had to flee Germany, Austria bouncer in a clip joint’. the only ones to be able to decide on or other parts of Europe due to Nazi After all these attacks, it’s good to conversion, and on who is a Jew and persecution were ‘refugees’. know I have a highly respected supporter who isn’t? Fortunately, they failed in Now to the September issue. Lionel – Howard Jacobson. In an August their quest. Blumenthal accuses me of ‘prejudices’. interview in the Jewish Chronicle, he What’s more, Mr Katz questioned He does not agree that the Haredim and says ‘When I see ultra-orthodox Jews the newsworthiness of the desire of Yisrael Beitenu are partly responsible stamping all over Jaffa, or when I see the Israeli government to build 1,200 for Israel’s low status in the eyes of the them deciding who is a Jew, I think houses for the Haredim on disputed world. Has he been asleep for the last what’s happened to the grand dream land in East Jerusalem: a ‘few houses few years? Why, also, does he maintain of Zionism?’ Hear, hear. in dispute’ would not be news ‘except that ‘a war of annihilation is being Peter Phillips

ARTS AND EVENTS DIARY – OCTOBER Mon 4 Aubrey Rose, ‘Arieh Handler: Tues 19 Susan Cohen, ‘Eleanor Thur 28 ‘Joseph Bau: Painting the A Modest Hero’ Club 43 Rathbone: MP for Refugees’ UCL Hungry’ A talk on the life and art of the Institute of Jewish Studies, Chadwick Holocaust survivor (1920-2002) by his Mon 11 Dr Marian Malet, ‘The Nazi Lecture Theatre, reception 6.15 pm, daughter, along with a wine reception Occupation of Serbia: An Eyewitness lecture 6.45 pm. Tel 020 7679 3520 and opportunity to view his artwork. Account’ Club 43 At Wiener Library, 6 pm. Tel 020 7636 Mon 25 Jim Burtles, ‘My Association 7247 Wed 13 Aubrey Rose and John Stanton, with the Military and Hospitable ‘Jews in Sport’. B’nai B’rith Jerusalem Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem’ Lodge. At Kenton Synagogue Hall, Club 43 Mon 1 November David Simmons, 2.15 pm ­‘Inside – Outside: My Aunt’s Little Tues 26 Lars Fischer, ‘The Socialist Book’ Club 43 Mon 18 Prof Charmian E. J. Brinson and Response to Antisemitism in Imperial Prof Richard Dove, Joint presentation of Germany’ (book launch), UCL Institute Club 43 Meetings at Belsize Square their recent publication Politics by Other of Jewish Studies, Chadwick Lecture Synagogue, 7.45 pm. Tel Ernst Flesch Means: The Free German League of Theatre, reception 6.15 pm, lecture 6.45 on 020 7624 7740 or Leni Ehrenberg Culture in London, 1939-1946 Club 43 pm. Tel 020 7679 3520 on 020 7286 9698

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Jews left Europe to escape the Inquisition. A once flourishing community of several Dressing for the Bar thousand has shrunk to a couple of dozen Tony Dinkin QC gave old people. Sad exit of another group from the Temple Fortune Jewish history. Laszlo Roman Group fascinating Next meeting: 11 Oct. Howard Falksohn, insight into his work. ‘Children of the Third Reich’ The highlight of the afternoon though Happy Birthday, Boris, Welwyn Jewish trades in Regency London was his description Doris and Martin! On our fifth anniversary, David Barnett told o f t h e i t e m s us that by 1800 the Jews were represented barristers wear as in all trades in England and that they h e d r e s s e d u p dominated textiles and clothing, including Adam, a young AJR two sons of Moses Moses: Moss Bros. volunteer who really does want to Disraeli’s grandfather was one of many become a barrister. David Lang fur hat traders. Next meeting: 14 Oct. Judy Smith, ‘Yoga Alfred Simms in the Chair’ Next meeting: 14 Oct. Speaker tba Cambridge Carbon Footprint Glasgow Book Club ‘Memoirs of a A most interesting talk was given by Geisha’ Siobhan Mellon and Bev Sedley of the The Essex Group celebrated the birthdays of We spent a delightful afternoon sitting Cambridge Carbon Footprint organisation four members (Boris Chait, Doris Foreman, around the table at the home of Marion on the scale of potential change and Martin Karo and Hans Neumann) with Camrass discussing ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’, individual contributions to avoiding global a combined age of nearly 340! Renée followed by a delicious tea. A nice way to change. Keith Lawson Tyack gave an emotional reading from spend an afternoon. Next meeting: 28 Oct. Edna Fernandez, her book They Called Her Cassandra, Agnes Isaacs ‘The Jews of Kerala’ the story of her parents’ miraculous escape from Leipzig. The meeting may Kingston CF Annual Lunch Hendon Argentina and immigrants even have discovered a long lost relative from Europe when it became apparent that the family The Wiener Library’s Howard Falksohn told name of Frankenberg was the maiden us Argentina has accepted immigrants name of member Susie Barnett. from many European countries, particularly Esther Rinkoff Germany. It was very Nazi-friendly during Next meeting: 12 Oct. Howard Falksohn, wartime, although there were anti-Nazi ‘Children of the Third Reich’ Germans as well. Argentina later sheltered many war criminals, including Eichmann. Liverpool Recollections of a judge Annette Saville With Harold House closed, we are most Next meeting: 25 Oct. Helga Bellinger/ grateful to Inge and Eric Goldrein for Alfred Kessler, Gitta Goldschmidt, Joe Allan Sima Ginsburg, ‘Blue Badge Holders’ making available their lovely home for our Sixteen of us mingled in Susan Zisman’s Harrogate/York CF Finding our way meeting. Having been fed and watered, house and garden, discussing both our to the here and now we were privileged to hear from Margaret pasts and current affairs. The Annual Meeting at Stefan and Elizabeth Ruff’s de Haas QC, Senior Civil and Family Judge, Lunch has become a highlight of our AJR house within York’s city walls, we wel- how her family fled Germany before the calendar. Thanks to Susan for her efforts comed new second generation member war and eventually settled in what is and to those who provided salads for John King. Yet again we discovered now Zimbabwe. She also regaled us with what proved a gourmet meal. how diverse were the paths by which humorous tales from her early days at the Jackie Cronheim we found our way to the here and now. Bar. Guido Alis Having watched part of the Israeli film Brighton & Hove Sarid Mission Watermarks, on the Vienna Hakoah Ealing ‘London’s First Hotels’ accomplished David Barnett told us that London was the world-beating women’s swimming team, Godfrey Gould described his visit to the we concluded with an amazing array of first major city in the world to build hotels. Soviet Union in 1984. His mission, which The process accelerated, he said, with the goodies provided by Elizabeth. We wished was accomplished, was to contact Jewish Inge Little, who had injured her shoulder, coming of the railways and the growth of, ‘refuseniks’, including the brother of and easy access to, London. a speedy recovery. Marc Schatzberger Natan Sharansky. Next meeting: 11 Oct., 2 pm, at home of Leslie Sommer Ceska Abrahams the Schatzbergers Next meeting: 5 Oct. Gerald Curzon, ‘Jews Next meeting: 18 Oct. Scarlett Epstein, and the Mind’ ‘Rescue in Albania’ Annual Garden Party Ilford morning ‘a delight’ Oxford summer lunch We celebrated our 8th birthday listening to On a showery day at the home of Susie and music from our youth with the help of Alf John Bates in Abingdon, we enjoyed each Keiles. All joined in reminiscing about the other’s cooking and friendly company. old days, while enjoying delicious snacks. Thank you from all of us. The 8 candles on our birthday cake were Anne Selinger blown out by our oldest member, Edith Next meeting: 5 Oct. Helen Fry and James Poulsen, and the whole morning was a Hamilton delight. Meta Roseneil Next meeting: 6 Oct. Harry Heber, WJR Edgware Jewish trades in Regency Leeds CF held its annual Garden Party at London the home of Pippa and Norman Landey, HGS Sad exit of Kerala Jews David Barnett had researched his talk in overlooking the pretty village of Thorner. from history an academic way and we listened most We enjoyed taking part in a quiz, relaxing Edna Fernandez told us the original ‘black’ carefully. Felix Winkler and socialising over a sumptuous tea. Jews probably came to south India at the Next meeting: 19 Oct. Mark Menary, ‘The Barbara Cammerman time of King Solomon, whereas the ‘white’ Bank of England’ Next meeting: 27 October

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Weald of Kent Goodbye to North London A really lovely morning Jane and Max We celebrated our 9th birthday with the Paul Balint AJR Centre We said goodbye to Jane and Max Dickson, usual refreshments, all non-alcoholic 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 who were moving from Tunbridge Wells obviously. Jane Rosenberg provided the Tel: 020 7328 0208 to Taunton to a more convenient property musical entertainment, her singing and among family and friends. Jane and Max selection of songs greatly enhancing the were instrumental in setting up our group celebration. A really lovely morning. AJR LUNCHEON CLUB in 2003. We owe them a very big thank Herbert Haberberg Wednesday 20 October 2010 you for bringing us all together and wish Next meeting: 28 Oct. Bernard Ecker, Andrea Cameron them all the very best for the future. ‘Catering for a Laugh’ Inge Ball ‘The Freedom of the Next meeting: 26 Oct. Harry Heber, WJR A VISIT TO THE NEW City of London’ Please be aware that members should not Café Imperial The story of a dagger JEWISH MUSEUM IN automatically assume that they are on the Luncheon Eight members of our veterans’ band CAMDEN Club list. It is now necessary, on receipt of your copy were shown a decorative officer’s dagger of the AJR Journal, to phone the Centre on 020 7328 from the German army and heard a Belsize Square Synagogue 0208 to book your place. fascinating story on how it was retrieved. Outing In the ensuing discussion, it was decided Monday 4 October KT-AJR that the government coalition was to Kindertransport special blame for the showery weather this As well as the regular exhibitions, interest group August! there will be a special exhibition Monday 4 October 2010 Hazel Beiny ‘Illumination: Hebrew Treasures from the Vatican and Dr Frank Beck Book Club special guest Pat Major British Collections’ ‘What Kind of Job is This Kavanagh At our second Get-together, 15 of us met Meet at the Museum for a Jewish Boy?’ in Costa Coffee in Temple Fortune with Pat at 11.00 am for introductory talk. KINDLY NOTE THAT LUNCH Kavanagh as our special guest. We were There will then be time to explore WILL BE SERVED AT 12.30 PM ON MONDAYS fascinated by her latest book, 21 Aldgate. the Museum. We also reviewed The Guernsey Literary Reservations required and Potato Peel Pie Society. Our current Lunch may be purchased in the Please telephone 020 7328 0208 book is The Help – anyone who would like cafeteria at £5. Monday, Wednesday & Thursday to join us next time please do so. Hazel Beiny Cost £5 9.30 am – 3.30 pm Next meeting: 27 October For further details, telephone Please note that the Centre is Dorothy White on 020 8445 6388 closed on Tuesdays

AJR GROUP CONTACTS A pleasant afternoon in West Midlands October Afternoon Entertainment Bradford Continental Friends Maureen Berger, playing her own keyboard, Mon 4 KT LUNCH – Kards & Games Klub Lilly and Albert Waxman 01274 581189 sang a selection of songs from Fiddler on Tue 5 CLOSED Brighton & Hove (Sussex Region) Fausta Shelton 01273 734 648 the Roof, encouraging us to join in. We are Wed 6 TOP HAT ENTERTAINMENTS Bristol/Bath most grateful to Maureen for a pleasant Thur 7 Jen Gould Kitty Balint-Kurti 0117 973 1150 afternoon. Philip Lesser Mon 11 Kards & Games Klub Cambridge Tue 12 CLOSED Anne Bender 01223 276 999 Lively discussion at Glasgow CF Wed 13 Simon Gilbert Cardiff Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 We met for an afternoon of lively discuss­ Thur 14 Mark Rosen Cleve Road, AJR Centre ion. The topic ‘British and/or British- Mon 18 Kards & Games Klub – Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 ­Jewish’ was hotly debated. There was such Monday Movie Matinee Dundee Tue 19 CLOSED continued on page 15 Agnes Isaacs 0755 1968 593 Wed 20 LUNCHEON CLUB East Midlands (Nottingham) Thur 21 Judith Bornstein Bob Norton 01159 212 494 Norfolk (Norwich) Edgware Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Mon 25 Kards & Games Klub Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3077 North London Tue 26 CLOSED Edinburgh Jenny Zundel 020 8882 4033 Wed 27 David Peace Françoise Robertson 0131 337 3406 Oxford Thur 28 William Smith Essex (Westcliff) Susie Bates 01235 526 702 Larry Lisner 01702 300812 Pinner (HA Postal District) Glasgow Vera Gellman 020 8866 4833 Claire Singerman 0141 649 4620 Radlett Harrogate Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 Hazel Beiny, Southern Groups Co-ordinator 020 8385 3070 Inge Little 01423 886254 Sheffield Hendon Steve Mendelsson 0114 2630666 Myrna Glass, London South and Midlands Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 South London Groups Co-ordinator Hertfordshire Lore Robinson 020 8670 7926 020 8385 3077 Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 South West Midlands (Worcester area) Susanne Green, Northern Groups Co-ordinator HGS Myrna Glass 020 8385 3070 0151 291 5734 Gerda Torrence 020 8883 9425 Surrey Susan Harrod, Groups’ Administrator Hull Edmée Barta 01372 727 412 020 8385 3070 Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Temple Fortune Ilford Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 Agnes Isaacs, Scotland and Newcastle Meta Rosenell 020 8505 0063 Co-ordinator Weald of Kent 0755 1968 593 Leeds HSFA Max and Jane Dickson Trude Silman 0113 2251628 01892 541026 Esther Rinkoff, Southern Region Co-ordinator Liverpool Wembley 020 8385 3077 Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Laura Levy 020 8904 5527 KT-AJR (Kindertransport) Manchester Wessex (Bournemouth) Andrea Goodmaker 020 8385 3070 Werner Lachs 0161 773 4091 Mark Goldfinger 01202 552 434 Child Survivors Association–AJR Newcastle West Midlands (Birmingham) Walter Knoblauch 0191 2855339 Fred Austin 01384 252310 Henri Obstfeld 020 8954 5298

13 AJR JOURNAL october 2010

second generation network The ophthalmic specialist Wednesday 20 October 2010 and the Serb At Wiener Library, 7 pm (refreshments available) Documentary film director Luke Holland, whose mother was a Jewish refugee from Vienna, will be ometimes when reading something, I once brought talking about his work in addressing the complex you all of a sudden come across to his Harley Street legacy of the Third Reich, including his engagement Sthe name of someone you knew surgery an 18-year- with the successful campaign to secure compensation well, be it ever so long ago, and it’s as old Serbian lad, the for forced and slave labourers. He will also report on though a sluice gate has been opened with messenger boy at his current ambitious project to address a critical gap memories flooding back. the Yugoslav military in Third Reich testimony – a new and urgent initiative This is exactly what happened when I mission where I was that is being developed for research, education and memorial purposes. came across the name of Professor Oscar working part-time. Fehr, the ophthalmic specialist, mentioned The boy had been in the article about internment by Alan blinded in one eye by the overhanging Franklin of the Manx Heritage Library in branch of a tree while helping the Partisans the June 2010 issue of the Journal. in the forests of Serbia and had become PillarCare I first got to know Professor Fehr in very depressed as a result. Quality support and care at home 1943. He and his two daughters, Inge Professor Fehr examined him with  Hourly Care from 1 hour – 24 hours and Kitty, were living at 9 Adamson Road, me acting as interpreter. Again, no fee  London NW3, which was then part of the was charged but the chief of the military Live-In/Night Duty/Sleepover Care Sachs boarding house (known as ‘Pension mission never even sent a present or  Convalescent and Personal Health Care Sachs’ in refugee circles). I was friendly any other token of gratitude. The boy  Compassionate and Affordable Service with the girls, especially Kitty. I never was eventually operated on twice at Mt  Professional, Qualified, Kind Care Staff knew Professor Fehr had been interned Vernon Hospital in Northwood. After the  Registered with the CSCI and UKHCA on the Isle of Man. second operation, when I took him back Call us on Freephone 0800 028 4645 Professor Fehr was originally from to Harley Street and a pair of glasses had Studio 1 Utopia Village Braunschweig (Brunswick in English), been tried out on him, he exclaimed ‘I 7 Chalcot Road, NW1 8LH but had made quite a name for himself in can see!’ He wanted to keep the glasses Berlin before coming to England. He had but they belonged to the doctor. A a Harley Street practice but was known prescription was written out for him but, Home Care for never charging a penny to anyone no before the new glasses were ready, he Colvin matter how well off that person might be. was sent back to Serbia. I wonder what Care through quality and professionalism People generally gave him some present happened next. The boy was so hoping Celebrating our 25th Anniversary instead of money. He was also at Moor- to become a pilot. 25 years of experience in providing the fields so that’s how he made his living. Margarete Stern highest standards of care in the comfort of your own home

classified ‘DROP IN’ ADVICE SERVICE PAUL BALINT AJR CENTRE Members requiring benefit advice please telephone Linda Kasmir on 020 8385 3070 to Pamela Bloch Clothes sale, separates make an appointment at AJR, Jubilee House, 1 hour to 24 hours care etc. Wednesday 13 and Thursday 28 Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL Registered through the National Care Standard Commission October 2010, 9.30-11.45 am Call our 24 hour tel 020 7794 9323 www.colvin-nursing.co.uk switch on electrics LEO BAECK HOUSING ASSOCIATION Rewires and all household CLARA NEHAB HOUSE electrical work RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME wanted to buy PHONE PAUL: 020 8200 3518 Small caring residential home with large Mobile: 0795 614 8566 attractive gardens close to local shops and German and public transport 25 single rooms with full English Books FIRST FLOOR RETIREMENT en suite facilities FLAT FOR SALE in kenton 24 hour Permanent and Respite Care Bookdealer, AJR member, First floor retirement flat with lift. Entertainment & Activities provided Warden-assisted. Entryphone system welcomes invitations to view Ground Floor Lounge and and purchase valuable books. 1 fitted bedroom, lounge/dining room, Dining Room fitted kitchen, modern bathroom/WC Lift access to all floors. Electric economy heating, residents’ Robert Hornung lounge, laundry room and games room For further information please contact: The Manager, Clara Nehab House 10 Mount View, Ealing, Communal gardens London W5 1PR New 99-year lease – In excellent condition 13-19 Leeside Crescent, Near shops, synagogues, buses and trains London NW11 0DA Email: [email protected] Asking price £139,000 Telephone: 020 8455 2286 Tel: 020 8998 0546 Please call Carol on 01923 857 822 or 0794 7694 844

14 AJR JOURNAL october 2010

Obituary Claims update

Gretel Beer, 1921-2010 Ghetto pensions update According to the latest statistics argarete ‘Gretel’ up by the influential Diana transmitted to the Claims Conference Weidenfeld was Athill, who worked for André by the German National Pension born into a pros- Deutsch, and was able to Board, the total number of cases M (claims for a pension for people who perous Jewish family in bring out her Classic Austrian worked in a ghetto under German Marchegg near Vienna. Her Cooking, which has been the occupation during the Second mother, Regina Pisk, died authority on the subject in World War) that have been reviewed when she was five. Two English ever since. Her last stands at 56,432 Ghetto Pension of her aunts perished in work, The QE2 Cookbook, applications. Of these applications, the concentration camps. Her cousin was published in 1999. 32,773 have been processed (up Georg is the celebrated publisher Lord Having become a well-known food from the 30,366 as of April 2010). Weidenfeld. and travel writer, Gretel wrote columns A total of 10,958 cases (6,651 approved and 4,307 closed or with- Gretel arrived in England on the in The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday drawn) have been resolved. There are Kindertransport in March 1939 and Express and The European. She was the 2,491 provisional deferrals, awaiting joined her father, who was living in author of eight food and travel books, further requirements to be fulfilled, straitened circumstances. She initially including the titles Austrian Cooking, such as the payment of voluntary worked as a clerk at Lillywhites Eating Out in Austria and The Diabetic contributions to meet the qualify- department store and as a typist at Gourmet. ing period, or the response by the Rediffusion. In retirement, Gretel began in July applicant to an inquiry. Applicants are given three months to provide In 1943 she married the late Dr 1993 a monthly cookery column in the further information requested by Johannes ‘Hansl’ Beer, a Viennese AJR Information (forerunner of the AJR the pension offices. We are told that lawyer and Catholic convert to Judaism, Journal), a column which continued until the reasons for a provisional defer- and, through secretarial work, helped January 1999. Among the numerous ral are, among other things, that him to pass the English law exams. Austrian recipes she provided were the victim was not in a ghetto, the Subsequently she moved into Mohr im Hemd (rich chocolate pudding), ghetto was not in an incorporated advertising and public relations. At the Guglhupf (cake) and Linzer Pasteten or occupied area, the applicant did not regularly return to the ghetto, same time, she began to write cookery (almond tartlets). or the qualifying period (60 months articles for the Daily Express and Vogue Gretel always retained an interest in of contribution and/or substitution magazine. Her first cookery book, things Austrian. She became involved, periods) has not been met. No claim Ice Cream Dishes, appeared in 1952, among other things, in a charity which has been rejected to date. followed by Sandwiches for Parties and found homes for orphans and was Bank account scam Picnics the following year. Her first major decorated for her work by the Austrian Readers are alerted to a hoax email break came in 1954, when she was taken government. purporting to come from a member of the Independent Committee of Eminent Persons (ICEP), who ‘receives inside the ajr continued from page 13 and verifies claims of Holocaust a diversity of views that no final conclusion with almost human qualities. A cream ­victims’. was reached. Anthea Berg tea of the finest quality rounded off the The recipient of the email is afternoon. Thanks, Hazel and Esther, for ­offered the opportunity for a share Cleve Road Argentina a a wonderful outing. of several million US dollars as the place of refuge Next meeting: 14 Oct. At home of Judith The Wiener Library’s Howard Falksohn Rosenberg ‘stand-in for the beneficiary of spoke about Argentina as a place of refuge unclaimed dormant accounts’ for ALSO MEETING IN OCTOBER for Nazis and Jews alike. The most sordid which there is no heir apparent or chapter in Argentina’s history was when Bromley CF 4 October. Details being next of kin. The recipient is invited sent out Peron made Argentina a safe haven for to respond by email and provide Norfolk 11 October. Lunch. Details Nazi war criminals. Argentina now has personal information. the fourth largest Jewish population in being sent out The AJR strongly advises anyone the world. David Lang Wessex 12 October. Lunch/Speaker. Next meeting: 26 Oct. Gerald Curzon, Details being sent out who receives such an email to delete ‘Jews and the Mind’ Wembley 13 October (August meeting it immediately. If you are unsure of cancelled) its veracity, please forward the email Joint outing to West Lodge to us for further advice. Arboretum Cardiff 18 October. Lunch. Details Members from the Edgware, HGS and being sent out Written enquiries should be sent Radlett Groups enjoyed an enthralling Ilford 20 October. Outing to Geffrye to the AJR, Jubilee House, Merrion tour of the grounds courtesy of the Museum in Hackney. Details being Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL or hotel’s managing director. Our guide’s sent out separately by email to [email protected] passion for the arboretum was evident Bristol/Bath 27 October. Lunch at Michael Newman as he lovingly invested his subject matter home of Balint-Kurtis. Speaker tba

15 AJR JOURNAL october 2010

finds its way onto the observatory’s Letter from website. We were able to see several black-caps and lesser white-throats, Israel which are relatively common, as well as a rara avis, a wry-neck, which twisted its head around most energetically, as it Bird-watching in Jerusalem imitated a snake – its ruse for deterring predators. Hoopoes, which are indigenous s a child in London in the 1950s back in the autumn). These birds alight to Israel and were recently proclaimed its I enjoyed listening to the radio there to rest, eat and drink, after having national bird, prefer open spaces and can A on the days that I managed to flown hundreds of miles across deserts sometimes be spotted on the lawns of the persuade my mother I was too ill to go and/or the Mediterranean Sea. nearby Rose Garden. to school. Somewhere between ‘Whistle Bird-watching has long been a popular Over 200 species of birds visit the While you Work’ and ‘Mrs Dale’s Diary’ hobby in Israel, and today it is well- Jerusalem Bird Observatory each year, was a programme on which someone established, with observatories all over the with an average of 700 million birds with a German accent whose name was country. The one in Jerusalem now boasts visiting Israel in the course of their annual Ludwig Koch talked about birds. Today a hide from which one can watch birds as migration. Some birds make for the Hula I realise that he must have lugged heavy they come to the habitat which harbours area, where many storks, cranes and recording equipment around the British the insects and berries on which they herons stop to rest. Local farmers and countryside in order to send the sound feed. In addition, there is a room where fishermen are not overjoyed about this as of birdsong through the ether. It did visitors can watch volunteers ringing the the birds wreak havoc on their harvest and not seem at all incongruous to me at birds which have been caught in nets that catches, but they have been persuaded the time, though looking back it seems morning. Groups of schoolchildren are (or compensated) to bear these losses almost surreal. Thus, even in the urban taught about bird life, entry is free and the because of the importance Israel attaches wilderness of Willesden I developed an observatory is open all day, so that anyone to sustaining the ecological balance. interest in nature. can come and watch birds whenever they All Israel’s bird observatories are The Jerusalem Bird Observatory is please. in contact with bird-watching centres situated in the geographical centre of the Our group looked on as warblers elsewhere, including in Arab countries. city, behind the government buildings and which had been caught that morning But why go to an observatory? Just the Knesset. Tucked away in a quiet corner, were extracted from the cotton bags into outside Jerusalem brightly-coloured it is adjacent to the Wohl Rose Garden and which they had been placed. They were colibris hover above the bougainvillea the Sacher Park, and together they form identified, weighed and measured and and jasmine hedge beneath my kitchen a large green ‘island’ in the middle of the their age and fat content estimated. Small window. And, while driving along the city. This constitutes a haven for resident metal rings were then placed on one leg highway in May, I saw a flock of cranes birds as well as for the migrating birds before they were set free. Unusual or over a field, and a lone heron, like me, proceeding from their winter quarters in rare birds are photographed, and all the travelling north. Africa to summer homes in Europe (and information is recorded and eventually Dorothea Shefer-Vanson

letters to the editor continued from page 7 LEGAL MIND NOT NEEDED was ‘Yes, we have one next week but convinced they had Reggie Kray tied up in Sir – No legal mind needed: ‘einmalige it contains very strong language!’ Any the bathroom, was the funniest thing we Zahlung’ (Peter C. Rickenback, Letters, other information? ‘Well, it’s about two had seen for some time. The second half September) means ‘one-time payment’ Jewish brothers in Gateshead running a went gratuitously gory. The Jewishnness, – that’s all. Alice Fink, Chicago porn cinema.’ the single Yiddish phrase, the blood, even ‘My husband will be interested in that. the porn cinema, seemed to have nothing ‘RISCHES’ He’s Jewish.’ ‘He’s Jewish? Would you put relevant to contribute – to have been Sir – I wonder whether you or your readers him on?’ added on as spice. can advise on the origin of the German-Jew- The man’s problem was that he was But there was one pleasant consequence. ish word ‘Risches’, meaning anti-Semitism. I acting one of the brothers and had a My brother-in-law presented me with have checked with several Yiddish speakers Yiddish phrase he could neither understand Leo Rosten’s Joys of Yiddish. He also and they didn’t know the word. nor pronounce: ‘Kayn amhorets, yingele!’ reminded me that our fathers had had a Peter Fraenkel, London EC2 Later, I phoned back with my brother-in- comic routine which began ‘Rachmones law’s translation and pronunciation: ‘Not (the patient) entered Beth ganev (the ... ‘NOT AN IGNORAMUS’ an ignoramus, laddie!’ Hospital). Amhoretz (the chief surgeon) Sir – Recently, my wife phoned the We went to see the play, Bones, by ...’. Unfortunately, neither he nor even, Royalty Theatre, a very good small theatre Peter Strangham, who wrote the script surprisingly, Paul Samet could take it any in Sunderland, to ask if they had any of the film Men Who Stare at Goats. The further. Can any of your readers help? productions coming up. The answer first half, in which the brothers were George Schlesinger, Durham

Published by the Association of Jewish Refugees in Great Britain, Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL Telephone 020 8385 3070 Fax 020 8385 3080 e-mail [email protected] For the latest AJR news, including details of forthcoming events and information about our services, visit www.ajr.org.uk Printed by FBprinters llp, 26 St Albans Lane, London NW11 7QB Tel: 020 8458 3220 Email: [email protected]

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