VOLume 14 NO.8 AUGUST 2014 journal The Association of Jewish Refugees

Jews in the First World War his month marks the hundredth In Germany, the Kaiser’s government who was studying at the University of anniversary of the outbreak of portrayed its decision to go to war in Grenoble in France when war broke the First World War, arguably the August 1914 in part as a defensive measure out and only got back to Germany with mostT important turning point in modern justified by the expected onslaught of the difficulty, proved their patriotism by European history. The Great War destroyed ‘Russian steamroller’ from the east. Russia joining up, inspired by the mood of the old European order that had lasted national euphoria in August 1914. About since the settlement reached at the end 100,000 Jews served in the German of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815. The war forces during the First World War, and also ushered in a new and dangerously some 12,000 died. The writer Thomas volatile era of insecurity and conflict, Mann, whose attitude to Jews had creating the conditions for regimes that previously been somewhat ambivalent, were bent on violence and conquest and movingly recorded in his diary the were prepared to practise mass killing shock he felt when, after the war’s end, on an unprecedented scale. The First he saw how many men with the name World War was the Urkatastrophe, the Cohen were listed among the fallen. In original catastrophe without which the recognising the patriotism displayed by great dictators and mass murderers of the Germany’s Jews, Mann was, however, an mid-twentieth century – Hitler, Stalin exception among non-Jewish German and their imitators – would not have patriots and nationalists. As early as been possible. 1916, the belief that Jews were failing to Whereas the fate of the Jews of support the German war effort was so Europe became a central issue during widespread in right-wing quarters that the Second World War, given that the Prussian Ministry of War undertook Nazi Germany, the power principally its notorious Judenzählung (census of responsible for launching that war, Jews in the German forces), pandering wished to destroy them in their entirety, to the swelling tide of war-fuelled anti- the role of Jews in the First World Semitism; when the census showed that War is at first sight harder to pinpoint. Jews were serving in proportion to their Nevertheless, the Jews who fought in the numbers in the population, its findings armies of the chief European belligerent The Balfour Declaration, from were suppressed. powers numbered around one million, The Times, 9 November 1917 Many AJR members will have had to which must be added some 200,000 fathers, uncles, grandfathers and other who served in the American forces from was the natural enemy of the Jews and relatives who fought in the First World War 1917. The attitudes of these combatant of the liberal, democratic institutions on and kept their decorations and certificates Jews varied from country to country. In which their gradual integration into the as proud mementoes of their service to Tsarist Russia, which contained the largest more advanced societies of Western Europe the country of their birth, even though no concentration of Jews in the world, Jews was predicated. Many German Jews amount of Iron Crosses could save a Jew were subject to severe discrimination and allowed themselves to be persuaded that the from discrimination and persecution after persecution. Jews had long sought to preservation of the civil and political rights 1933. Before 1914, Jews had not been escape conscription into the Russian army they had been granted over the decades was admitted to the German officer corps; and, though many fought loyally even in bound up with the struggle against Russia. but by 1918, some 2,000 Jews had been the face of the ingrained anti-Semitism It is, however, undeniable that Germany’s commissioned as officers, and a further of the Tsarist officer corps, others were Jews were mostly motivated to flock to the 1,200 served as medical officers. This was disaffected; after the enormous casualties colours by pure patriotism. It has long been a source of great pride to the individuals suffered by the Russian armies in their known that German Jews equalled, or even themselves, to their families and to their unsuccessful campaigns of 1914-15, Jews excelled, their gentile compatriots in their entire community. Herbert Sulzbach, a were among those who turned towards the eagerness to fight for their country in time German-Jewish refugee who served with parties hostile to the war and the Tsarist of war. distinction in the British army in the autocracy. While their parents sank their savings Second World War, reaching the rank Russia’s enemies benefitted from that into German government war bonds, of captain, remained equally proud of country’s record of reactionary excesses. young Jews like the writer Ernst Toller, continued overleaf  journal AUGUST 2014 constitution. In Austria-Hungary, the Jews in the First World War ...... DIARY DATE ......  continued army, like the monarchy, transcended ethnic divisions, at least to the extent that AJR Lunch having attained the rank of lieutenant in some Jews were admitted to the officer Sunday 21 September 2014 corps. Jews had little problem in fighting the Kaiser’s army in the First World War. 12.30 pm at the Hilton Hotel, Watford Geoffrey Perry, born Horst Pinschewer in as loyal citizens of the Empire for they Berlin, who also distinguished himself in feared, all too presciently, that the defeat If you would like to attend, the British forces in the Second World War and disintegration of the Habsburg please complete the enclosed form – he captured the traitor William Joyce Empire would endanger their position and return it to us ASAP (Lord Haw-Haw) – had as a child had across Central and Eastern Europe. to listen so often to his father’s patriotic In 1914, Russian armies advanced into SPECIAL EVENT stories of his First World War exploits in Austrian Poland, taking cities like Lviv the Kaiser’s army that he refused to talk (Lemberg) and Przemysl and causing a about his own wartime experiences until mass flight of Jews. While the Germans The Last Train well into the 1970s. concentrated on the western front, to Tomorrow Austria-Hungary bore the brunt of the Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg has Sunday 9 November 2014, 3 pm fighting against Russia in the east, a cause recently written movingly about the deep- at The Roundhouse, London NW1 felt patriotism of his grandfather, Rabbi with which its Jewish population could readily identify. However, partly thanks to The AJR is proud to present the London premiere Dr Georg Salzberger, who served as a of The Last Train to Tomorrow, a song-cycle tribute Jewish chaplain in the German army in the incompetence of Habsburg strategists, to the Kindertransport composed and conducted by the First World War and, after emigrating the Empire also found itself fighting on the internationally acclaimed artist Carl Davis CBE. to Britain in 1939, was for many years two other fronts. Unable to overcome the This is a special one-off event. the minister at Belsize Square. Salzberger, stubborn resistance of the Serbs, Austrian As the date marks the anniversary of Kristallnacht, argues his grandson, saw wartime service forces became bogged down in a campaign the proceedings will include a commemoration of as the ultimate proof that German Jews that ended only in autumn 1915, when the Reichspogrom of 9-10 November 1938. had, through their patriotic contribution Bulgaria invaded Serbia. In May 1915, The event will also feature The Marriage of to the national cause, achieved equality Italy came into the war on the opposite Figaro Overture by Mozart and Mendelssohn’s Violin side, involving Austria-Hungary in a long Concerto performed by the City of London Sinfonia of status with their gentile compatriots. and the Finchley Children’s Music Group, together This Jewish patriotism reflected a belief and costly campaign conducted on the mountainous terrain of the Alps on the with an outstanding young violin soloist from the that, as Germans, Jews and Christians Yehudi Menuhin School. shared a set of moral, social and civic frontier between the two warring states. The huge losses suffered by the Austrians As the event will take place on a Sunday afternoon, values that bound them together in the we particularly encourage members to bring along name of distinctively German ideals. That on this largely forgotten front, principally their children and grandchildren. in the 11 battles fought on the river Isonzo, form of patriotism could also descend into Further information is in the flyer enclosed virulent nationalism: it was a German Jew, were in large measure responsible for the with this month’s Journal. Tickets can be Ernst Lissauer, who penned the notorious war-weariness that eventually swept the purchased strictly through The Roundhouse Box Hassgesang gegen England (Hymn of Hate Empire away. Office – visit www.roundhouse.org.uk or telephone 0300 6789 222. against England) in 1914. Probably the most significant development affecting Jews during the The situation in Austria-Hungary, with First World War occurred in the Middle its many competing national groups – East, where British forces faced the almost all of them hostile to Jews – was Ottoman Empire, Germany’s ally. As different. Here Jews felt loyalty to the General Allenby advanced from Egypt Empire and the Emperor, Kaiser Franz into Turkish-held territory to capture Joseph, who had come to symbolise the Visit to Jerusalem, the British government issued in supranational character of the Habsburg November 1917 the Balfour Declaration, Chelsea Physic Garden Monarchy, standing above the ethnic in which it made its celebrated promise TUESDAY 26 AUGUST 2014 strife that threatened to engulf the Jews of a national home for the Jewish people and acting as guarantor of the civic rights Founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society in Palestine, previously under Ottoman that they had been granted under the of Apothecaries, Chelsea Physic Garden has rule. The First World War thus created the become one of the most important centres of conditions under which the foundations botany and plant exchange in the world. Visit includes a guided tour followed by a delicious AJR Chief Executive of the future state of Israel were laid. lunch in the café. Michael Newman But it also created the conditions for the Cost to include transport, Directors Holocaust, and not only through the Carol Rossen lunch and tour – £20.00 pp David Kaye fateful rise of anti-Semitism in Germany, For further details, please contact a society radicalised and traumatised by its Susan Harrod on 020 8385 3070 Heads of Department Sue Kurlander Social Services defeat in 1918 and by subsequent political or at [email protected] Carol Hart Community and Volunteer Services and economic instability. The Turks had AJR Journal already practised genocide against the Reds (Bolsheviks) and Whites (anti- Dr Anthony Grenville Consultant Editor Dr Howard Spier Executive Editor Armenians in 1915. In the wake of the Bolsheviks), sought to assert themselves, Andrea Goodmaker Secretarial/Advertisements collapse of Tsarist Russia in 1917, large- often by the radical means of eliminating scale killings, notably of Jews, occurred en masse the groups they perceived as Views expressed in the AJR Journal are not across Eastern Europe as rival national and necessarily those of the Association of Jewish supporters of their rivals. Refugees and should not be regarded as such. political factions, Poles and Ukrainians, Anthony Grenville

2 AUGUST 2014 journal

'House of a Thousand Destinies'*: Judith Kerr The Jews' Temporary Shelter event a sellout n his June 2014 article in the AJR I understand, used by the US Air Force. he AJR was delighted to welcome Journal, Anthony Grenville mentioned The Shelter continued to operate the celebrated author Judith Kerr Ithat Otto Schiff was from 1922 after the war until it was decided Tto a special intergenerational onwards President of the Jews’ to close Mansell Street and move to event it organised at the London Jewish Temporary Shelter (JTS) at 63 Mansell smaller premises. Around 1970, the JTS Cultural Centre towards the end of Street, in London’s East End. After 129 acquired a smaller building in Mapesbury June. The event was sold out. years since its foundation, that Shelter Road, north-west London. The early Judith read from her much-loved still exists, albeit in a form different from 1990s saw a decline in its use. Two classics The Tiger Who Came to Tea that of its origins. decisions were made. The first was to use and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. The last decades of the 19th century existing funds for grants to individuals in From its humble beginnings as a saw the immigration of Jews to the matters relating to accommodation, e.g. bedtime story for Judith’s children, UK from Eastern Europe. In London, refurbishing. The second decision was The Tiger Who Came To Tea has gone Simchah Cohen (aka Becker) sheltered major: what to do with the premises. on to become one of the best-known a few of the arrivals. The premises were Eventually the property was used as a children's stories in the world, having closed down following an inspection Hillel House and, when that lease ended, been translated into 11 languages and by two leading members of the the building was sold. sold over 5 million copies since it was Jewish community who found them With invested income, the only first published in 1968. inadequate. In 1885 Hermann Landau, function remaining was the giving of Judith also spoke about her experi- his cousin Ellis Franklin and Samuel grants. No appeals for funds have been ences as a former refugee, providing Montague (Lord Swaithling) took over made since the mid-1980s. insight into her life before, during and premises in Leman Street, London E1, We now operate with one part-time after the Second World War, as part of and opened the Poor Jews’ Temporary administrator and a grants committee, the interview Shelter. They faced opposition from all supervised by the JTS Council, which she gave to Ju- some quarters, who were unwelcoming meets several times a year. lia Eccleshare. to the new immigrants. But the Shelter Grants are given only via an organi- She also took began to operate and eventually moved sation, e.g. the AJR or Manchester’s questions from to Mansell Street, also in E1. Arrivals Federation of Jewish Services (the FED), the audience. were registered. on the appropriate forms: applicants We were As in other ports of the UK, when are not dealt with in person. The grants also delighted the new arrivals disembarked they committee meets every Sunday via a that Martha unwittingly faced problems at the conference call, when decisions are Richler, the dockside, where they were approached made and conveyed to the administrator. well-known by people promising them all sorts of Bernd Koschland cartoonist, could be with us to give better conditions but with the intention Council Member and Trustee, Jews’ the younger generation some tips on of converting them to Christianity. Other Temporary Shelter improving their art skills, as well as immigrants were robbed, especially by *’House of a Thousand Destinies’, by providing a demonstration of her own porters. Girls could be lured into the Stefan Zweig, an 18-page booklet drawing talents. Martha, or Marf as she white-slave traffic. The Shelter sent appealing for funds for the Jews’ is known, is the daughter of Mordechai officials to meet arrivals both to assist Temporary Shelter, published in the late Richler, the acclaimed Canadian author them and bring them to the safety of 1930s and screenwriter. the Shelter. There they could stay for a short time but then they had to move on, either to find their feet in the UK or to migrate further, mainly to the USA or 20th Anniversary event South Africa. of Child Survivors’ Association a great success In accordance with the Shelter’s new constitution of 1914, the word ‘Poor’ he event, organised by the Child memorialising the Holocaust took up our was dropped from the organisation’s Survivors’ Association of Great invitation to join us. title and each ‘inmate’ was to be allowed TBritain (CSAGB), a special interest Guests included members of The a maximum stay of 14 days and given group of the AJR, at Speaker’s House, was Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission: a great success, with over 120 members Lord (Danny) Finkelstein, Henry Grun- three ‘substantial’ meals per day and and guests attending the reception to wald OBE QC, and Dame Helen Hyde lodgings for the night. A charge was celebrate our 20th anniversary. DBE. Representatives of organisations made if people could pay. Following a speech by CSAGB Chair- included those from the AJR, the Holo- The JTS continued to provide its man Joan Salter outlining the caust Memorial Day Trust, services throughout the following years. history of the organisation the Imperial War Museum, Appeals were made for funding. In 1930, and its activities today, we the Holocaust Education under the presidency of Otto Schiff OBE had the chance to socialise Trust, the National Holocaust (successor to Hermann Landau), the and enjoy the refreshments in Centre and Museum (Laxton), sum sought, as recorded in the appeal the magnificent State Rooms the London Jewish Museum, literature written by Stefan Zweig, was designed by A. W. N. Pugin. and the Wiener Library. We £50,000. As well as a commemora- were also joined by several As the 1930s progressed, the JTS tion of the founding of the members of the All Party took in refugees from Germany and CSAGB, it was an opportunity Parliamentary Group on Refu- elsewhere, including eventually Kinder. to raise the profile of Child gees, including Lord Dubs, Sadly, one group of Kinder had to be Survivors. To this end, it was Louise Ellman MP and Sir housed elsewhere as the Shelter was gratifying that so many of Shary and Peter Bottomley. full. During the war, the building was, the organisations involved in Manfred Goldberg Joan Salter

3 journal AUGUST 2014 The remarkable story of kers in Germany the Jew film-ma ish sound years, 192 during the early 9-33 ewish film-makers in Germany, had been especially brought over from especially writers, directors and by Joel Finler Hollywood, the script was loosely Jproducers, had been prominent adapted from the Heinrich Mann novel throughout the silent era – during the and producers. by Liebmann, and the brilliant Jewish 1920s in particular, when Germany In fact, the leading Jewish producer, composer Friedrich Holländer provided stood out as the leading film-producing Erich Pommer, had returned to Germany the music and songs (with lyrics by country in Europe. And although major in 1928. And, although he was no longer Liebmann), and arrangements by Franz figures such as the directors Ernst the production chief, he was put in Wachsmann. According to Sternberg Lubitsch and Paul Leni, and the producer charge of his own production unit at UFA biographer Joan Baxter, ‘Although Lola- Erich Pommer, had left for the USA and given a free hand to carry on with Lola’s songs became one of the film’s in the mid-1920s, the beginning of his mainly Jewish production team up to most memorable features, they were the sound era in 1929 provided new 1933. In addition, he was very much at almost an afterthought, dashed off in opportunities for a new generation the forefront of the early German move a few days by Holländer, who skilfully of young Jewish talents. During the into sound filming in 1929. exploited the deficiencies of Dietrich’s relatively short period between 1929 Pommer’s first sound film was a voice.’ and 1933, when Jews were blacklisted, popular movie ‘operetta’: Melodie des Another big musical hit at the time, shortly after the Nazis came to power, Herzens (Melody of the Heart), directed Der Kongress tanzt (1931), was directed the Jewish contribution to the German by Hanns Schwarz, scripted by Hans by Erik Charell, scripted by Norbert Falk cinema was exceptional. This is despite Szekely, with music by two Jewish and Liebmann, and photographed by the the fact that UFA (Universum Film Aktien composers, Werner Richard Heymann Czech-born Franz Planer. Here the music Gesellschaft), the largest film studio in and Paul Abraham; it even boasted a new of Holländer was blended with songs by those years, was headed by the right- Jewish star in Dita Parlo. the prolific Heymann, lyrics by Robert wing media baron Alfred Hugenberg Melodie des Herzens was followed Gilbert, who also supplied the songs for and this collided with the rise to power immediately by Liebeswalzer (Love other Pommer productions: Liebeswalzer of the Nazi Party. Waltz), released early in 1930, from a and Die Drei von der Tankstelle (The In Between Two Worlds: The Jewish second Jewish team of director Wilhelm Three from the Petrol Station) were both Presence in German and Austrian Film, Thiele (born Isersohn), scriptwriter Robert directed by Thiele in 1930, while Ich bei 1910-1933 (Berghahn Books, New Liebmann, Werner Brandes behind the Tag und Du bei Nacht (I by Day and You York and Oxford, 2005), Professor S. S. camera, and the music again supplied by Night) was directed by Ludwig Berger Prawer draws attention to the fact that by Heymann. and scripted by Szekely and Liebmann in ‘by 1929 there was a noticeable increase At the same time, Pommer made a 1932. Even a low-key thriller such as Der in anti-Semitic comment on films and major breakthrough with his other early Mann, der seinen Mörder sucht (The Man their Jewish personnel in right wing and talkie: simultaneously in production Who Seeks His Own Murder) included a (of course) in Nazi controlled journals.’ late in 1929 was the most famous early couple of songs by Holländer, with lyrics And the deepening of the Depression German sound film, Der blaue Engel (The by Billie (later Billy) Wilder. The film itself from 1930 onwards hit the film industry Blue Angel), which told the familiar story was a useful follow-up by three leading hard. Despite this, the coming of sound of a middle-aged professor infatuated members of the Menschen am Sonntag opened the way for many Jewish actors, with, and eventually destroyed by, his team of 1929 – director Robert Siodmak, song-writers, composers and writers of love for a cabaret singer. The Austrian- script by Wilder and Curt Siodmak. As dialogue, along with assorted directors born Jewish director Josef von Sternberg Prawer notes, ‘Jewish directors and

Clockwise: Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera) starred (from left) Rudolf Forster as Mackie Messer, Reinhold Schünzel as Tiger Brown and Carola Neher as Polly; Peter Lorre gave a remarkable performance as the child murderer in Fritz Lang’s M in 1931; Mädchen in Uniform (Girls in Uniform), set in a strict Prussian girls’ school, boasted an all-female cast Photos from the Joel Finler Collection

4 AUGUST 2014 journal scriptwriters showed themselves adept in a dramatised treatment of the at combining thriller elements with notorious Dreyfus case, directed by rs in Germany comedy.’ Richard Oswald and co-scripted by the -make In addition to the new composers Heinz Goldberg in 1930. And Kortner Jewish film and song-writers, the large number of went on to direct Der brave Sünder talented Jewish newcomers who first (The Virtuous Sinner) the following made their mark during the early sound year, produced by Arnold Pressburger, years ranged across the entire spectrum co-scripted by Alfred Polgar and the of movie-making. This included some cabaret artist Fritz Grünbaum, who who had been attracted to the cinema also played a useful supporting role during the late silent years but whose in the film. But the real star was careers received a large boost in the talkie the legendary, Austrian-born stage era – for example, the directors Siodmak actor Max Pallenberg. Here he was and the Russian-born Anatole Litvak, given his one and only opportunity who had previously worked as editors, to demonstrate his special quality while Hermann Kosterlitz (Henry Koster) as a movie actor, referred to by S. S. had started out as a scriptwriter. Prawer as a ‘virtuoso performance From the theatre came two experi- by one of the great Jewish stage- enced stage directors. First, Max Ophüls personalities of the era’. (Sadly, he had been employed as a dialogue direc- died soon afterwards, in 1934.) Also tor by Litvak in 1930 before he launched in 1931 Curt Bois made a welcome Marlene Dietrich starred as the cabaret into a long and distinguished directing appearance in his first talkie, a Jewish singer Lola-Lola in Der blaue Engel (The career which would take him to Austria, comedy appropriately entitled Der Blue Angel) France, Italy and the USA, then back to Schlemiel (The Loser), directed by France after the war. Second, in 1931 Le- the Polish-born Max Nosseck. In marked in 1930-31. Die Dreigroschenoper (The ontine Sagan (née Schlesinger) directed contrast was director Hans Behrendt’s Threepenny Opera) had a brilliant score the one film for which she will always historical drama Danton (1931), notable and songs by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Brecht, be remembered: Mädchen in Uniform for its Büchnerian take on the French whose original play, based on John Gay’s (Girls in Uniform) was a brilliant and Revolution. Scripted by Heinz Goldberg The Beggar’s Opera, was adapted for the original critique of German authoritari- and Hans Rehfisch, it featured Kortner screen by three Jewish writers, while the anism and sexual attitudes. Well acted as Danton, Lucie Mannheim as his supporting cast included Valeska Gert, and effectively filmed, this ‘study of lover and Alexander Granach as Marat, Vladimir Sokoloff and the half-Jewish emotional pressures in an authoritarian while Robespierre was stiffly played by Reinhold Schünzel as police chief Tiger girls’ school created an uproar because the (non-Jewish) Gustaf Gründgens. Brown. of its frank handling of a lesbian theme’, Of special interest also were two 1931 Ariane was the first talkie to star the according to the Film Encyclopedia, while films set in contemporary Berlin, both brilliant, Polish-born actress Elizabeth Time Out referred to it as ‘the first truly with background scores by Allan Gray Bergner – a sound revelation, her voice radical lesbian film in the history of the and based on well-known novels by heard on screen for the first time, co- cinema’. Among the scriptwriters, Robert Jewish writers: Alfred Döblin’s Berlin scripted by Carl Mayer, production Liebmann and the Austrians Billie Wilder Alexanderplatz, which he co-scripted, design by Alfred Junge and directed by and Walter Reisch soon demonstrated and Eric Kästner’s Emil und die Detektive Paul Czinner. that they could handle the new type of (Emil and the Detectives), scripted by But most memorable of all was M, the movie dialogue. They were joined by the Billie Wilder with contributions from first talkie directed by the leading German Hungarian Emeric Pressburger, who con- Kästner and Emeric Pressburger. (though Viennese-born) director of the tributed to the early talkies of Siodmak Among the new group of Jewish era, Fritz Lang. It starred the Hungarian- (Abschied (Farewell, 1930)), and Ophüls producers were Arnold Pressburger and born Peter Lorre (Laszlo Löwenstein), who – his first short feature – but would later Joe Pasternak, both Hungarian-born. gave a quite extraordinary performance form a memorable partnership with Mi- Pasternak teamed up with writer-turned- as the tormented child murderer of chael Powell in England in the 1940s-50s. director Henry Koster in 1932 and they Düsseldorf, hunted by the police and Experienced actors such as Peter Lorre, continued to turn out entertaining but members of the underworld, who finally Elizabeth Bergner, Fritz Kortner, Franz lightweight comedies and musicals in capture him and put him on trial. And Lederer, Curt Bois, Max Pallenberg, Anton Hollywood, where so many of the German this was followed by Das Testament Walbrook and S. K. Sakall clearly enjoyed film-makers ended up in the late 1930s. des Dr Mabuse in 1932, also produced a new lease of life on screen in the talkies. Most important of all, however, was by Nebenzahl and directed by Lang in Among the cameramen, Max Greene producer Seymour Nebenzahl with his 1932. A fast-paced and original thriller, (Mutz Greenbaum) and the Czech-born Nero-Film AG film production company. it follows the efforts of the police to Otto Heller would, like Pressburger, He had first made his mark with two hunt down a sophisticated underworld become fixtures in the British cinema memorable films released in 1929: Die gang engaged in wide-ranging criminal after they left Germany in 1933. Büchse der Pandora (Pandora’s Box) from activities. The film was banned by the In a short piece like this it is possible the (non-Jewish) director G. W. Pabst Nazis, while the half-Jewish Lang quickly to draw attention to only a few of the and Menschen am Sonntag (People on departed for France before moving on many and varied films which included a Sunday), notable for its young Jewish to the USA. (Producer Pommer, writer notable Jewish involvement. Thus, the production team. He went on to produce a Liebmann, composer Wachsmann and superb Jewish actor Fritz Kortner starred remarkable group of early sound pictures continued on page 11 

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DISTURBING MEMORIES Sir – I, together with my sister, who was three years older, spent time at the ‘Chestnuts’ Jewish Children’s Home in Alexandra Road, Hemel Hempstead, in around 1941-43. We went back there some ten years ago and it is now an old people’s home, mainly for mentally disturbed patients. This is highly appropriate as I was highly disturbed by my The Editor reserves the right stay there, which is seared into my memory to shorten correspondence over 70 years later. Apart from installing a submitted for publication lift in the central hall, the building is largely unchanged. I would be fascinated to know what other readers’ memories are. ‘THAT IS WHERE OUR GREAT-GRANDFATHER USED TO LIVE!’ Bernice Cohen (née Deitsch), Northwood

Sir – I wonder if I could of my Opa, and the other A VERITABLE SCANDAL share a quick thought with countless victims of the Sir – Anthony Grenville’s article ‘Us and the your readers. butchery of Europe, Spooks’ in last month’s issue of the Journal I am 17 years old and would be safeguarded was, as usual, of great interest. attend Hasmonean High from the passage of time. The British security services were School. Earlier this week Yet, coming back incredibly paranoid during the period (at the time of writing), I from the trip to Berlin, I described. The sister of a great-aunt of mine, travelled to Berlin with my realise that in boycotting Hedwig Fliess, a Jewish refugee from Nazi uncle, aunt, brothers, and Gavriel Cohn and his Germany I was missing Germany who had arrived in this country uncle Jeremy outside the cousins to visit the homes, the point. There were nine not long before the war – a harmless elderly former home of Gavriel's schools and synagogues of of us in the group and, woman suffering from gum cancer – was the childhood of my Oma grandmother on Koenigsallee whenever we stopped 34a, Berlin-Grunewald incarcerated in Holloway Prison because her and Opa, both of whom outside a house that once son was known as a communist. were natives of Berlin-Grunewald. belonged to our ancestors, people in the Hedwig told us of the appalling What made the trip even more actual building, and many in adjacent conditions in the prison and how she was significant was that my Opa, who came buildings as well, pulled back their curtains given stale bread too hard for her to chew to these shores with his family one week slightly to watch and stare at us, hoping we with her diseased gum but how – before an before the outbreak of the war, and was wouldn’t notice them and how amazed expected visit from the prison inspectors – himself a member of the AJR, passed away they were at seeing us. everything suddenly changed for the better, around three weeks ago. By taking young people like myself to only to go back to ‘normal’ once they were When the trip was still being planned Germany and showing where their relatives gone – a veritable scandal! I was never quite sure I wanted to go, for used to live and pray, you are paving the Incidentally, some of your readers may one main reason: in boycotting Germany I way for them to return with their children, remember the vegan restaurant Vega in hoped I would be transmitting something and even their grandchildren, so that London’s West End, which was extremely tangible in connection with the Holocaust they too can point and say ‘That is where popular even among some orthodox Jews to future generations. If, in future times, our great-grandfather used to live!’ This and which was established and owned by people who had never known survivors ensures that they, and the residents that Hedwig’s son (and maybe some others), were to see that there were some Jews stare with curious eyes, will never forget after his release of course. who never travelled to Germany – like the the world that once was, and what the Margarete Stern, London NW3 500-year cherem imposed on Spain after buildings and sites once were. the Inquisition – then I hoped the memory Gavriel Cohn, London NW4 IN MEMORY OF GHETTO MUSICIANS Sir – The obituary of Alice Herz-Sommer (June 2014) reminded me of another ghetto AN EXCITING AND EMOTIONAL 1940s. She even has a list of staff and girls pianist, Juliette Aranyi, now forgotten. JOURNEY and boys there which includes my own Juliette was born in December 1911 in Sir – Since the publication of my article name! Slovakia and was a child prodigy who gave ‘Memories from childhood’ in your June It has been wonderful to discover that public performances to great acclaim from issue, I have been on an exciting and my memories of childhood have been the age of six. emotional journey. I have enjoyed hours of accurate over all those years; life was hard For a few months I shared a room in the telephone conversation with Susi Hauser, but very happy for us refugee children. At ghetto with Paul Kling from Brno, Moravia, whom I had thought about for many years the time of writing, Susi, Frank and I do a violin prodigy who had to wait until he and who did indeed read the article. The intend to meet up in July. I hope one day was seven before he made his debut with Journal has brought us together after 67 we might also visit the hotel which once the Vienna Symphony performing Mozart’s years apart. She had not forgotten me, long ago was the Beacon hostel for refugee Violin Concerto in A major. Both Paul as I had never forgotten her, and had just children, though it has been sad to learn and Juliette played in the ghetto in piano thought that I had disappeared from her that the monkey puzzle tree I remember so quartets. Both were sent to Auschwitz. He life when I was nine years old. I have also well has not survived. survived, she did not. heard from two other ‘children’ from the To meet Susi, the great friend of my early A New York Jewish leader of a string Beacon hostel: Frank Franklyn (Feuerstein) childhood, is a dream come true – thanks quartet, Aleeza Wadler, obtained a PhD with and Erica Pream. Erica has kindly sent me to the Journal. her dissertation ‘Strings in the Shadows’, in a copy of her history of the Beacon, which Susie Barnett (née Frankenberg), which she examined the artistic life in the invokes such memories of life there in the Billericay, Essex ghetto of three violinists, one of whom was

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Paul Kling. Paul’s widow sent me a copy of houses protected by Spain by obtaining AUSTRIAN-JEWISH ‘PRIVILEGES’ the dissertation and I tried to trace all the food and medicines was invaluable. Sir – I wonder whether other AJR members artists mentioned in it. I came unstuck with Perlasca’s story was difficult to believe who, like myself, came from Austria Juliette, who was not mentioned in the so he rarely talked about it. It became were presented some years ago with an ghetto memorial book. It was the archive known only in 1986, following which he Ehrenmitgliedschaftsurkunde (Honorary section of Beit Terezin in Israel which solved was honoured in Israel, Hungary, America Membership Certificate)? her absence. Aranyi was her family name, and Italy. When asked why he did what he Basically, this was a written which she continued to use as a pianist. By did, he answered ‘I only told a lot of lies!’ acknowledgement of the suffering of the the time she was sent to the ghetto, she had Perlasca saved over 5,000 Jews from Austrian-Jewish community. It contained married Alex Selig and a daughter, Niccola, transportation to Nazi Germany and the further pages of privileges to be enjoyed was born in December 1940. Their entry Holocaust. An Italian film, with English by the recipients and was issued by the is under Julia and Niccola Selig, who were subtitles and filmed in Budapest, is Israelitische Kultusgemeinde in Vienna. deported to Auschwitz on 6 October 1944 entitled: Perlasca: Courage of a Just Man. I was recently in Vienna but, for some and gassed on arrival, as were all mothers It is available on DVD from Amazon. reason, the privileges – free entry (or at with small children. The father had been Janos Fisher, Bushey Heath, Herts reduced cost) to functions plus regular sent on 28 September 1944 and he too newsletters to be provided – didn’t was gassed. DAY TRIP TO WESTCLIFF materialise. I wonder whether any AJR Niccola was 19 months old when she Sir – We went on the day trip to Westcliff members have had a similar experience. entered the ghetto and not quite four years on 10 June. It was a most enjoyable and Robert Acker-Holt, London NW3 old when she was murdered. well organised day, with lovely weather, We are glad that Alice Herz-Sommer and tea on the Pier made it a very special A TERRIBLE SCHISM IN THE JEWISH remained in the ghetto and was able to outing. Unfortunately, on the coach coming PEOPLE continue to teach, perform and live to home, Kurt fell and it was necessary to call Sir – I must object to the points outlined an extraordinary age. We should also an ambulance to attend to him. in your April ‘Letter from Israel’. It pained remember sometimes the many musicians We want to thank all the staff for their me greatly to see opinions presented as who, once they had served the Germans’ kindness and help in dealing with his truth when in actuality the facts are totally nefarious purpose, were sent to Auschwitz, injury. We also want to apologise to the different. death and oblivion. other passengers for delaying their journey I will quote several points mentioned: Frank Bright, Martlesham Heath, Suffolk home and hope it didn’t spoil their day ‘Back then, however, [when the State of out. Many thanks. Israel was established] the religious parties ‘I ONLY TOLD A LOT OF LIES!’ Kurt and Renee Treitel, London NW11 were very different in their mien and outlook Sir – Giorgio Perlasca (1910-92) was an from the ultra-orthodox version that now Italian businessman who bought meat for BRINGING BACK MEMORIES prevails.’ the Italian army in Budapest. He was tall and Sir – I love your magazine – long may it The ultra-orthodox rabbis today follow blond with Italian charm and he enjoyed life go on! It brings back many memories and the exact same Torah as Rabbis Herzog and in the relatively carefree times of 1942-43. He familiar names. Maimon did in those days. This point was had fought on Franco’s side in the Spanish Brita Wolf, London NW3 referred to, although in a negative light. Civil War and for this had received a letter I quote: ‘… the laws regarding marriage addressed to Spanish embassies requesting VIENNA PROJECT and divorce are subject to the restrictions, them to help him in any way they could. Sir – I am an intern at Brandeis University regulations and constraints of its ancient, On witnessing Jews being marched and a colleague of Dr Karen Frostig, who patriarchal religion.’ Yes, our Jewish religion to the ghetto and the cruelties they were is a resident scholar here. We are working is ancient. However, it has sustained and subjected to, Perlasca befriended the Spanish on a memorial project, situated in Vienna, ennobled us for over 5,000 years. The laws consul-general in Budapest, who awarded which marks the 75th anniversary of the haven’t changed and will never change and him Spanish citizenship. His Spanish was Anschluss. The Vienna Project opened on that shows it is not subject to the whims of perfect and he changed his name so as 23 October 2013 and will close at the a generation’s leaders. to appear more authentically Spanish. National Library in the Hofburg Palace on ‘If a woman’s husband dies without there When the consul-general disappeared he 18 October 2014. having been any children – sons, that is – his used his office and staff pretending to be The Vienna Project embodies art, brothers must either marry or release her.’ the new consul-general. He threatened technology, history and education. Its In fact, the law is not so. If the woman the authorities that if Jews – who were honorary board includes Nobel Laureates has any offspring – daughters, grandchildren of Sephardic origin and consequently Elie Wiesel and Walter Kohn and many – she is as free as any widow. considered Spanish subjects – were harmed, other leaders in the field of Holocaust ‘This harks back to the time when the Hungarians in Spain would be arrested and history. Project partners include the wife was regarded as the property of her their possessions confiscated. That he got University of Applied Arts, the European husband ….’ away with this shows the intelligence of the Agency for Fundamental Rights, and the This never occurred. The Talmud has Hungarians in power at the time. Jewish Museum of Vienna. hundreds of pages devoted to what rights One day Perlasca went to one of the We are currently preparing the Project’s a husband has vis-à-vis his wife. There is no railway stations from which Jews were closing ceremony and are soliciting archival opinion at all that a woman is her husband’s shipped to Auschwitz. He pushed two letters written by victims or survivors property. children waiting to be put on the train that are representative of Austria’s Nor is there ‘a tendency … to favour into his car. The guard protested and a persecuted victim groups. We would like men’. In fact, the Chida – Chaim Joseph fight ensued. The fight was broken up by to hear from you. You can visit the project David Azulai, a great rabbi in the eighteenth a German officer, who told the guard to website at www.theviennaproject.org century – wrote the following regarding let go as ‘Their time will come’. Evidently If you would like further information, women waiting for their husbands to grant Raoul Wallenberg later told Perlasca that please contact Dr Karen Frostig at a divorce: ‘Since this issue brings pain to a the German officer who had saved his life [email protected] Jewish woman and the Zohar [foundational was Adolf Eichmann …. Tamar Segev, Brandeis University, text of Jewish mysticism] states that G-d Perlasca’s help in maintaining the seven Waltham, Massachusetts, USA continued on page 16 

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to his genius with shape, movement and space. His assistant, Lydia Delectorskya, describes his cut-out figurers as ‘modelling REVIEWS it like a clay sculpture, sometimes adding, sometimes removing’. Memoir of a ‘hidden child’ ART There are birds, fishes, flowers bursting BORN IN THE GHETTO: MY out or floating into kaleidoscopic colour TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY NOTES and even humour, and the cylindrical by Ariela Abramovich Sef GLORIA TESSLER shapes of the limbs have a pleasing co- Gainsborough House Press ordination, even where details of hands (tel 020 8952 9526), 2014, and feet blur into nothingness. And what 272 pp. paperback, and Amazon, he late-life blossoming of an is interesting is that the colour is always ISBN 978-1-909719-01-9, £11.95 artist can be full of surprises, as primary: few muted tones find their place t was fascinating to read about demonstrated by Henri Matisse, on the wall. Ariela Abramovich Sef’s incredibly who,T following a colon operation in 1941 There are other discoveries. In Idifficult but extremely colourful life at the age of 71, spent the last 13 years of designing the décor for the Vence chapel in this memoir. his life wheelchair-bound and doomed to in 1941, Matisse created one of the most Ariela was a ‘hidden child’. She was abandon the easel. vivid and deceptively simple versions of born in the Kaunas ghetto in Lithuania But the fighting spirit of one of the the Madonna and Child I have ever seen. in 1941 and her parents smuggled her out in a potato sack which they left on most imaginative artists of the 20th The charcoal drawing is almost womb-like, an orphanage doorstep. century turned disability to creativity. with the infant Christ’s hands suggesting She was later taken at death’s door As we see from Tate Modern’s Henri the cross. to a fisherman’s family who, at great Matisse: The Cut-Outs (until 7 In Matisse’s late flowering, there is risk to themselves, brought her up as September 2014), a new oeuvre began a sense of the sheer pleasure he takes in their own daughter. After the war she to take shape with the help of assistants endless colour and harmony, whether was reunited with her own parents, prepared to do the heavy work. flowers, nudes or blocks and strands of who had miraculously survived in colour. Everything moves hiding beneath the floor of a livestock with the relentless and shed. Her grandparents and many innocent majesty of a child. other family members perished. The simplicity is disturbing, The family remained in Kaunas suggesting that after 60 years and struggled to keep afloat during as an artist, this has become the Soviet regime with food, clothing the Matisse line: a return to and consumable shortages as well first principles, to the basics of as housing difficulties. Her father, what art is really all about. In Jacob, a gifted doctor, was involved rediscovering that first joyous in hazardous activities rescuing, and thrust of youth which marked finding homes for, orphaned children his ascent as an artist, he has at the end of the war. gifted us his vision of eternity. The family adopted their niece, Henri Matisse ‘The Horse, the Rider and the Clown’ (1943-4) whose own parents were exiled and © Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais/ At the Royal Academy’s Jean-Claude Planchet © Succession Henri Matisse/DACS 2013 Summer Exhibition (until imprisoned during Stalin’s repressions. 17 August 2014), I was Despite bringing up four children, her mother Bracha worked long hours Dance, colour and movement had impressed by Frank Bowling RA, who six days a week, making macaroni on always fascinated Matisse. In 1937, he moved to London from Guyana in 1950. Sundays. designed the scenery and costumes for His colourful abstracts achieve vibrancy Ariela’s life was blighted by a ballet by Shostakovich; now, he used through complex layering, taking the congenital heart disease; she would scissors instead of brush to cut into works to the very edge of the canvas, tire easily and turn blue, requiring coloured paper. He admitted that the one colour leaving the next exposed. emergency treatment. Nevertheless, conditions of the journey were 100 per Two acrylics, About Recent Weather and she made as light of her illness as she cent different, causing the artist to use Fire Below, give you the idea. Anselm did of the family suffering. Surrounded different criteria for observation. Kiefer’s Kranke Kunst, with its historical by loving relatives and stimulating And the figures he created from this references, demonstrated his usual energy people, she enjoyed a full childhood, medium flow with an unending fluidity. and dynamism. including happy holidays spent at His gorgeous blue nudes, 1 – 1V, are Palanga on the Baltic coast. divided and yet synchronised by space In 1960 Ariela went to the University and jagged line. He called this ‘cutting Annely Juda Fine Art of Foreign Languages in Moscow, directly into colour’. Contours are carved 23 Dering Street where she married a post-graduate into the outline of the figure. The limbs (off New Bond Street) French student. She moved to Paris intertwine as his technique seems to Tel: 020 7629 7578 and studied at the Sorbonne, while blend drawing and sculpture, celebrating Fax: 020 7491 2139 teaching and singing in cabaret. Her the nude sculptures he created in earlier CONTEMPORARY husband Pierre left her and life was times. These too are on display, a reference PAINTING AND SCULPTURE far from easy.

8 AUGUST 2014 journal She remarried, this time to the The book also demonstrates that it a photograph of the person testifying children’s poet Roman Sef, whom was perhaps their Jewishness that is shown and, where possible, also a she met in 1971, spending her time helped them to deal with the incredible photo of them in later life. There are between Paris, Moscow and London. cruelties inflicted on them by their altogether 81 illustrations. Usually the Ariela had a wide variety of interesting captors and to survive them. As Colin articles describe not only the prisoners’ and talented friends, including Shindler, Emeritus Professor, School of experiences during their captivity but celebrities, artists and sculptors. Oriental and African Studies, London also what they did following their Particularly compelling is the section University, writes in his Foreword: return to normal life. on Andre Schimkewitsch (stepson of ‘Who knows about the Jews who Fritz Lustig the sculptor Lipchitz), who lived in Paris bore witness to the extreme brutality in a home designed by family friend Le which was meted out to many a Corbusier. Schimkewitsch had spent 25 hapless prisoner in Japanese camps? All Aboard! years in labour camps in Russia. Forced labour, decapitations, torture, SS Broadway Ariela had a great resolve to help massacres, medical experimentation, those around her. She cut a glamorous starvation rations, death marches, and beautiful figure, loving restaurants comfort women – all this was part and and the latest fashions, and would parcel of the military tradition of the never miss an exhibition. Accompanied Japanese Imperial forces which looked by her oxygen cylinders, she visited the up to Emperor Hirohito.’ And the Join us for a great day out on opera frequently. How she managed author writes in his Acknowledgments: Wednesday 1 October 2014 to accomplish this lifestyle is unclear. ‘Those who served in the Far East at Wicksteed Park, Northamptonshire Having read her recollections to theatre of war endured the worst: for lunch, tea and an afternoon show friends and family, she was encouraged the extremes of geography, distance, et on board a cruise liner, this by her brother Solomon to put down climate, disease and hunger, and show has a delightful cast of singers her odyssey for future generations. the brutality of a fanatical enemy, Sand dancers, accompanied by their This is her only book and some of the combined to make the fighting and sensational band delivering the best loved chapters are somewhat uneven and captivity especially horrendous.’ songs from the classical musicals. vague in places as she fights her illness While the reviewed volume will This is a full day’s outing. We will be uncomplainingly. probably be of particular interest travelling by coach, 9 am pick-up from Finchley Road and 9.30 am from Stanmore. She records her story in a series of to those whose family members or There is very little walking. The only steps reminiscences at a slightly breathless friends were prisoners or internees are on and off the coach. speed but in fairly low key. Although of the Japanese, anybody not put off £25 per AJR member, £30 non-members originally I had slightly dreaded reading by reading details of cruel behaviour, This special price has been made the book, in the end it was impossible and curious about the way Jews of possible by a generous donation. to put it down! widely different origins managed to Places are limited. For further Sadly Ariela died in 2008 before co-operate in order to overcome the details and a booking form, please completing the work, but in Part II her problems they were facing, may want contact Ros Collin on 020 8385 3070 friends and relatives take up the tale. to delve into its pages. I doubt whether or at [email protected] They provide delightful vignettes of anybody would wish to read it from this brave woman, who inspired fierce cover to cover. loyalty and whose struggle against Most of the book’s 700 pages are adversity is a lesson to us all. taken up by biographies (here called Latimer Place Janet Weston Testimonies) of the prisoners and Tuesday 7 October 2014 internees and the remaining pages Afternoon Visit consist of Short Stories, Record and Roll A lasting memorial of Honour, and Introduction, Appendix Latimer Place is now an exclusive UNDER THE HEEL OF BUSHIDO: and Index. upmarket hotel but during the Second World War many German LAST VOICES OF THE JEWISH POWS The Testimonies have been taken POWs were held captive there and OF THE JAPANESE IN THE SECOND from a variety of sources: interviews bugged by ‘secret listeners’ who WORLD WAR with the affected people, or their were themselves German refugees, by Martin Sugerman relatives if they were no longer alive; working for the British. Historian Vallentine Mitchell 2014, 700 pp. diaries kept during captivity (some Helen Fry will join us on our tour cloth, ISBN 978 0 85303 877 1, managed to keep diaries although this and explain how the prisoners were lulled into £50.00 was punishable by death if discovered); divulging secrets of the Nazi war machine. The paperback edition is now reports written after the war; and Following the tour, we will have a delicious available for AJR readers to purchase various archives. The length of the full cream tea, during which we will have the at £20 + £2.95 P&P. Please contact Testimonies varies enormously: some opportunity to ask Helen any questions. Vallentine Mitchell on 020 8952 9526 cover just a page or two while others Coach will pick up at both or at [email protected] quoting may run to 27 pages (Sgmn William Stanmore and Finchley Road AJRCB14. Allister) or even – this is an extreme case Cost, including travel, ews were a tiny minority of POWs – 137 pages (Capt. Dr Harry Silman). £40.00 per person and civilian internees held by the Members of the Dutch forces and those For further details, please contact JJapanese during the last war but of Commonwealth countries such as Susan Harrod on 020 8385 3070 this book seems to be the first attempt Australia and Canada are also covered, or at [email protected] to present a lasting memorial to them. as are civilian internees. In most cases,

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n 5 June they will receive. 2014 the GHETTO PENSION LAW The additional •••••Search••••• OGerman lump sum is NOTICES Bundestag separate from EXTENDED Otto Hirsch and Martha Hirsch-Loeb did unanimously any payment not survive the Holocaust but they had adopted legislation approving back received from the Ghetto Fund, two daughters, Grete and Ursula Hirsch, payments of social security pensions which provides a one-time payment of who apparently emigrated to England in for people – including many Holocaust €2,000. Originally, payments under the 1939 and have passed away. Does anyone survivors – who worked in ghettos Fund were to be deducted from the know if Grete and Ursula had any children and grandchildren? Harry Breman at under Nazi-German control during the pension, but this rule has now been [email protected] Second World War. abolished. There is no filing deadline All Holocaust survivors who for the Ghetto Fund. Paula Kormany (1880-1950) and Fritz Kormany alias Frederick Kerr currently receive a Ghetto pension The new law also provides for any (1913-2003) lived in London. If you will now have the option of having future applicant for a Ghetto pension have any info about this family from the pension re-assessed with a new to have a ‘start date’ back to July 1997. Austria pls contact Corinne Benestroff at ‘start date’ of 1 July 1997, regardless These pension reassessments will [email protected] of when the original application also apply to widows/widowers who Ursula Mayer, born 19 November 1928, was first made. This will result in an receive the Ghetto pension in respect came to England on the Kindertransport additional lump-sum payment to any of their late spouse. in 1939. She lived with her guarantor survivor whose current pension start It should be noted that the com- in Bournemouth and in 1947 moved with her parents to 3 Wellfield Avenue, date is later than July 1997. Prior plication of this revision to the law is Muswell Hill, London N10. We were to the passage of this amendment, that depending on the recipient’s age, close friends when we lived in Stuttgart. most pensioners have been able only a pension backdated to 1997 might Any info pls to Erica (Hecht) Kanter at to receive payments dating back four result in lower monthly amounts, the [email protected] years prior to the approval of their difference of which must be deducted I am seeking to contact any descendants claims. from the original lump sum they re- of recipients of visas given by Aristides de In 1997 survivors of the Lodz ghetto ceived when the pension was made. Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese consul in Bordeaux in 1939-40. Pls contact me at were granted pensions in recognition Therefore, it may be advantageous [email protected] of the ‘work’ they performed there. for some people to decline the earlier Under the 2002 German ghetto start date. Each survivor will be given The N.Y. Picture Company Inc. seeks pension law (known by the acronym the option. surviving European Jews interned in WWII concentration camps in Morocco. Pls ZRBG), entitlement to a pension With this Bundestag vote granting contact us at [email protected] was widened to people who had back payments to 1997, entitled performed work in any ghetto under persons can now opt either for (i) a My grandfather, Rosenhauch, Manek (Mauricy), who was interned on the Isle Nazi control. back payment retroactive to 1997, of Man, was born in Lvov and listed as However, applicants to the ZRBG combined with potentially smaller Polish but came to the UK from Vienna were frustrated by an overly strict future monthly payments (current in 1939 as a refugee with his wife and interpretation of the criteria by local pensions have a supplement for each child. Any info pls to Elizabeth Gamlin at German authorities, resulting in the year in which no pension was drawn [email protected] denial of 61,000 out of 70,000 claims. from age 65 upwards); or (ii) the Jack Sampson, who owned Lulham Shoe It is estimated that some 40,000 continued payment of the present Factory in Shoreditch, had a foster child and two German girls at his home in survivors worldwide, with an average higher monthly amount, but without Bromley in 1940. Has anyone info about age of 85, will now be entitled to back payment. them? If so, pls contact Claire Perskie at an additional lump-sum award. The Beginning in July 2014, letters from [email protected] respective authorities that pay the the German social security authorities For a book on Jews in the German army in pensions will contact pensioners will be sent to each of the 40,000 WWI, has anyone info on any descendants directly to inform them of the decision pensioners in local residence language of these German-Jewish officers who and to advise how much in back pay affected by this change. became refugees in England: Sulzbach, Herbert and Weiss, Bernhard? Harold Pollins at [email protected] I am looking for info on Hugo Suskind- www.fishburnbooks.com Sheridan, a partner for many years of my PillarCare late grandfather Benno Franken in Berlin Quality support and care at home Jonathan Fishburn until about 1936, when both emigrated to buys and sells the UK. He changed his name to the above  Hourly Care from 6 hours – 24 hours Jewish and Hebrew books, from Hugo Suskind in 1948 when he was  Live-In/Night Duty/Sleepover Care ephemera and items of living at 135 Gloucester Place, London  Convalescent and Personal Health Care W1. He died on 24 April 1973 when Jewish interest. he was living at 19 Park Road, Regent’s  Compassionate and Affordable Service He is a member of the Antiquarian Park, London NW1. Any info pls to  Professional, Qualified, Kind Care Staff [email protected]  Registered with the CQC and UKHCA Booksellers Association. Pls contact me if you have info on Call us on Freephone 0800 028 4645 Contact Jonathan on any of the surviving family members PILLARCARE 020 8455 9139 of Austrian Supreme Court Justice THE BUSINESS CENTRE · 36 GLOUCESTER AVENUE · LONDON NW1 7BB or 07813 803 889 Hermann Thorn. Mario Zuniga at PHONE: 020 7482 2188 · FAX: 020 7900 2308 www.pillarcare.co.uk for more information [email protected]

10 AUGUST 2014 journal London’s ‘Borscht Belt’ – Jewish hotels in Bournemouth n 1956 I met my wife-to-be in the very closest friends. I called him Mr being Austrian-born, yodelled to my Ambassador Hotel in Bournemouth, Rubinstein; my parents, who also went new girlfriend. She must have thought Ione of the eight Jewish hotels there to the Ambassador, called him Herr me mad but, realising there were far at the time. There was the Cumberland, Rubinstein!) Famous stars appearing in more girls there than boys, she stuck Majestic, Langham, Normandie, East London’s theatre-land like Howard Keel with me – for 55 years now! Cliff Court and East Cliff Manor. There from Oklahoma and Dolores Gray from As with the ‘Borscht Belt’, the Catskill was also, if you were very rich, the Annie Get Your Gun were driven down Mountains just outside New York, all Green Park, the first Jewish hotel that to the Ambassador to entertain us. good things had to come to an end. had en-suite bathrooms. But the real attraction was for the Jewish families were discovering foreign These hotels were not just Jewish, older visitors to make new friends, or air travel. Here in the UK, the younger they were kosher and under Kashrut meet up with old ones, and for the ones tended to go to Majorca or the supervision, serving good heimishe younger ones to meet members of Costa Brava while the older ones were food: chicken soup, chopped liver, the opposite sex. There was a dance flying to the South of France, the Italian gefilte fish, salt beef, latkes, and loads or a quiz in one of the hotels every Riviera and, of course, to the countries and loads of chicken! Each had its own evening. I remember the first time I from which they’d fled. ‘synagogue’, with services on Friday danced with my future wife was not at The heyday of the hotels was the evenings and Saturday mornings, the Ambassador but across the road, 40s through to the 70s, though some usually conducted by a rabbi. at the Langham. The Cumberland was, lingered longer. The Green Park closed The Kiddush was magnificent; the I suppose, the most fashionable of the in 1986; the Ambassador (later the tables overflowed with the amount hotels for us youngsters. It was really New Ambassador) lasted till 2005. The of food offered. In fact, food was difficult to get in to one of their dances, only hotel that remains – but only just! overflowing everywhere. Breakfast, they were so crowded. Not much – is the Normandie, which is currently elevenses, lunch, tea, dinner – and not drinking went on. A beer for us chaps closed but will open for High Days and forgetting the midnight repast! We and, perhaps, a naughty Babycham for Holy Days. (I noticed that the Langham, Jews can eat but we don’t drink. At the girls! now called the Queens, did offer kosher the Normandie, the bar takings were The poshest hotel, as I mentioned, deals for the Jewish holidays too.) £2,000 per annum. At the Spider’s was the Green Park. The Bentleys and The ‘Borscht Belt’ has gone; so Web, a hotel near Bushey Heath often Jaguars outside were mind-blowing. have the Bournemouth Jewish hotels. frequented by us younger Jews, the I had just graduated from Oxford. I My wife and I visited Bournemouth a takings were £1,500 per weekend! didn’t know there was so much money few weeks ago. It was upsetting. The Most Bournemouth hotels had around so soon after the war. Not being Ambassador is now the Britannia – swimming pools and gardens; some religious, I was also amused by the horrible! Except for the Langham, the even had putting greens. Entertainment number of men who slid out of their others have all kept their names but was put on most evenings. The hotels after their Friday-night meal to they’re nothing like they were. However, Ambassador was probably the favourite stroll up and down the East Cliff, on we can take comfort that the East Cliff is hotel among Continental Jews because which all these hotels stood, smoking still there – as are our memories of that of its ebullient German manager/ their cigarettes furtively and walking, kiss and my yodelling! MC, Mr Rubinstein. (I don’t know Mr in typical Jewish fashion, with their Peter Phillips Rubinstein’s first name. It was very hands on their bottoms! I feel great formal in those days – first names were nostalgia about Bournemouth’s East used only for family members and your Cliff. I stole my first kiss there and also, switch on electrics Rewires and all household  Jewish Film-makers in Germany continued from page 5 electrical work PHONE PAUL: 020 8200 3518 cameraman Rudolf Maté all joined Lang Anton Walbrook arrived in England a Mobile: 0795 614 8566 in Paris in filming his French production few years later. Whereas the French of Liliom early in 1934.) cinema only benefitted briefly from This familiar trajectory was also these talented newcomers, who virtually followed by Nebenzahl, Wilder, Siodmark, all soon moved to the USA, those who spring grove Litvak, Emeric Pressburger, Richard arrived in Britain generally settled here London’s Most Luxurious Oswald, Kurt Bernhardt – the list goes and made a major contribution to film- RETIREMENT HOME on and on as the remarkable Jewish making in this country. (Pressburger, 214 Finchley Road contribution to the early German sound Junge, Gray and Walbrook, for example, London NW3 cinema came to an abrupt end in 1933. were all part of the Michael Powell  Entertainment Others, of course, went to England, production team in the 1940s.)  Activities including the directors Leontine Sagan Lastly, sadly, Prawer mentions a few of  Stress Free Living and Paul Czinner with his actress wife the Jewish film artists who failed to escape  24 House Staffing Excellent Cuisine Elizabeth Bergner, cameramen Otto Heller the Nazi ‘killing machine’: Kurt Gerron,  Full En-Suite Facilities and Mutz Greenbaum (Max Greene), Paul Morgan, Fritz Grünbaum, John Call for more information or a personal tour production designer Alfred Junge, and Gottowt and director Hans Behrendt, 020 8446 2117 composer Josef Zmigrod (Allan Gray). also producer Moritz Seeler and actors or 020 7794 4455 The writer Emeric Pressburger and actor Otto Wallburg and Georg John. [email protected]

11 journal AUGUST 2014

Day Trip to Westcliff St John’s Wood An Unusual Childhood On our arrival we were welcomed by Jane Greenfield, wife of Gordon Westcliff members with coffee and Greenfield, the AJR’s former Finance cake. Westcliff Chairman Otto Deutsch Director, talked about her most unusual then gave us a talk about the area and childhood – on a farm. She drove a the local Jewish community as well as tractor from the age of four, milked INSIDE showing us the beautiful synagogue. cows and rode horses. This was due to the After a delicious lunch we went on a her father’s having been a POW near sightseeing coach tour of Southend Treblinka, where his love of animals AJR and Shoeburyness, followed by a and desire to be a farmer originated. train ride to the end of Southend Pier, An uplifting story. Hazel Beiny Thank you, Susanne! where we enjoyed refreshments in the restaurant. Bernhard Steinberg York and Harrogate CF Report on Holocaust Commission Manchester Meeting at the Schatzbergers’ home, ‘Fit for the West End Stage’ we were told by Inge Little of her attendance at the Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission in Wembley. We were joined by University of York postgraduates Sebastian and Hugh, who are making an educational video based on survivors’ experiences. Some of our members agreed to be interviewed. Marc Schatzberger Susanne Green receives an engraved photograph frame from Ruth and At musical Yours, Anne: Werner Pinner A Small Town near Auschwitz Werner Lachs and the Manchester Lachs with Dutch survivors (from Group left) Ruth Lachs, Eva Schloss, Suzi Intrigued by the relationship between Salamon her mother and a non-Jewish friend in Susanne Green, retiring as our area 1930s Berlin and after the war, History co-ordinator, will leave a great void ‘A drama fit for the West End stage’ Professor Mary Fulbrook uncovered the for our group. She has for the last 13 is the verdict of the local Jewish press horrific elimination of Jews in a small years been a wonderful organiser and on the presentation by the Jewish Polish town while the friend’s Nazi friend. At our June meeting, she was Theatre Group of Yours, Anne, based husband was posted as a civil servant our celebrity speaker and we were on the life of Anne Frank. After this in charge. Walter Weg enthralled to hear about her untiring outstanding show, we were privileged efforts for what she called the ‘AJR to meet Eva Schloss, Anne’s stepsister. Hull CF Ensuring that Future Family’. So many have returned to the Werner Lachs Generations Never Forget fold thanks to Susanne’s endeavours. At this meeting, kindly hosted by Rose Her energy and enthusiasm left us Abrahamson, members discussed the spellbound. We wish her a long, happy Scotland Regional: Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission. A Successful and Interesting Event and healthy retirement. We now look The overall opinion was that Holocaust Forty Glasgow and Edinburgh AJR forward to working harmoniously and education is the most important factor members meeting in Edinburgh fruitfully with Susanne’s successor, in ensuring that future generations Synagogue hall were welcomed by Wendy Bott. never forget. Wendy Bott Werner Lachs, Manchester AJR Chief Executive Michael Newman, who told us about the range of social Wessex A Very Special Day Our June meeting saw one of the and educational activities undertaken We were very lucky to have the most largest attendances of members to by the AJR. Sue Kurlander, Head of beautiful sunny day for our outing bid farewell to our very good friend AJR Social Services, spoke about to Rheinfield Country House Hotel and co-ordinator Susanne Green, the organisation’s wide-ranging in the New Forest. The outing was who is retiring next month, and to help – from domestic appliances meticulously organised by Herta and welcome our new ‘leader’, Wendy to financial assistance with travel. Walter Kammerlling. The driver took us Bott. Susanne has worked tirelessly We then separated into groups for along the scenic route to the hotel and for the group and nothing was ever discussion and debate. Following we saw both the coast and the New too much for her. We shall all miss an excellent lunch, Jane Merkin, Forest. We had a delicious tea with her. producer of Suitcase, an interactive homemade scones and a walk around Guido Alis, Liverpool play based on the Kindertransport, the house with its fabulous Alhambra gave us a fascinating talk. The day Room and Great Hall. We strolled HGS Book Art Exhibition ended with Lynne Lewis singing, in around the beautiful hotel grounds The Wiener Library’s Kat Hübschmann her wonderful soprano voice, songs in before returning to Bournemouth. A gave us insight into the Book Art Yiddish, Hebrew, Italian and English, very special day. Kathryn Prevezer Exhibition currently on display at the accompanied by the internationally Library. We were also informed about acclaimed pianist Michael Barnett. Leeds CF Annual Garden Party WWII memorabilia, including the Thanks to the organisers for such a We were serenaded by violinist Elaine loo paper used as propaganda and successful and interesting event. Green in the magnificent gardens journals! Hazel Beiny Zara Cent belonging to Pippa and Norman Landey,

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CONTACTS AUGUST GROUP eventS Marlow CF 5 Aug Social Get-together Hazel Beiny Southern Groups Co-ordinator Ilford 6 Aug Alf Keiles: ‘The Jewish Influence on Jazz’ 07966 887 434 [email protected] Pinner 7 Aug Garden Party Wendy Bott Yorkshire Groups Co-ordinator HGS 11 Aug Renata McDonnell: ‘Six Point 07908 156 365 [email protected] Foundation’ Susanne Green North West Groups Co-ordinator Essex (Westcliff) 12 Aug Visit to Porters, Home of Mayor of Essex 0151 291 5734 [email protected] St John’s Wood 13 Aug Leslie Sommer: ‘My Interesting Life at the Susan Harrod Home Office’ Groups’ Administrator 020 8385 3070 [email protected] Cambridge 14 Aug Mike Levy: ‘“We Must Save the Children” – Agnes Isaacs Our Research on the Cambridge Children’s Scotland and Newcastle Co-ordinator Refugee Committee, 1938-47’ 07908 156 361 [email protected] Brighton-Sarid (Sussex) 18 Aug Godfrey Gould: ‘Brighton and the Kathryn Prevezer London South and Midlands Hanoverians’ Groups Co-ordinator 07966 969 951 [email protected] Edinburgh 18 Aug Chopin Concert and Lunch at Royal Overseas League Esther Rinkoff Southern Region Co-ordinator York 18 Aug Social Get-together 07966 631 778 [email protected] KT-AJR (Kindertransport) Edgware 19 Aug David Barnett: ‘All-England Champion Daniel Andrea Goodmaker Mendoza’ 020 8385 3070 [email protected] Kent 19 Aug Jenny Salaman: ‘The Public Sector on the Child Survivors Association–AJR Brink’ Henri Obstfeld 020 8954 5298 [email protected] Oxford 19 Aug Summer Garden Party Radlett 20 Aug Alf Keiles: ‘The Jewish Influence on Jazz’ who so generously offer their home Welwyn GC 21 Aug Lunch and Social Get-together each summer for our Annual Garden Party. A sumptuous afternoon tea of Glasgow 24 Aug Intergenerational Question Time: ‘New Home, home baking followed, all catered by New Country – Scottish Independence’ Pippa. Everyone went home with a big Bradford 26 Aug Social Get-together smile on their face. Wendy Bott Book Club 27 Aug Social Get-together Brighton-Sarid (Sussex) ‘The Public Didsbury 27 Aug Social Get-together Sector on the Brink’ Jenny Manson spoke about her life and Wembley 27 Aug David Barnett: ‘All-England Champion Daniel Mendoza’ career. Having graduated from Oxford, she joined the Civil Service and has North London 28 Aug The Clingmans: ‘The Great American Song written books on her career there. Book, 1920-1950’ (lunchtime meeting) Ceska Abrahams Leeds HSFA 31 Aug Lynda Groiser: ‘Other People’s Children’ Manchester 31 Aug Tbc An Opportunity to Meet Other Members Over 40 members enjoyed a trip to ride out of Leeds, in the nearby market visual art in the inter-war period. She the Grims Dyke Hotel, where we town of Otley on the edge of the beautiful included examples of Max Liebermann’s were shown round the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Barbara Cammerman Impressionism, anti-war photo- gardens and learned the history of montages by John Heartfield (Helmut Radlett Gilbert and Sullivan – the W. S. Gilbert’s erstwhile home. Later Herzfeld) and satirical drawings of Beginnings it became a sanatorium, and during Berlin life by Georg (Ehrenfried) Grosz, Robert Lowe told how in 1875 the WWII it became a ‘hush-hush’ place, the latter both members of Berlin Dada. impressario Richard D’Oyly Carte before eventually being turned into Sara Kirby-Nieweg commissioned the lyricist Gilbert and a hotel. Following a delicious cream the composer Sullivan to write a one-act North West London Poetry Reading tea, we were entertained by some comic opera. Trial by Jury, staged at the At our Summer Social Get-together we wonderful singers with extracts from Royal Theatre, was a huge success. This were entertained by Michele Wolf, who Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. Not was the start of 20 years’ co-operation, read for us some of her original poems, least, we had the opportunity to producing 13 G&S operas. It also led to including ‘Paved with Gold’ (about meet other members – always a great the building of the Savoy Theatre and Golders Green). Also, Paula, the AJR’s pleasure. Meta Roseneil Savoy Hotel. Bruno Muller intern from Germany, told us something about herself. David Lang Leeds CF A Lovely Day Out Cambridge Art and Politics in the We had a lovely day out away from north Weimar Republic Kent A Gifted but Eccentric Soldier Leeds, starting with the Stanley and Mary-Ann Middelkoop, from the Godfrey Gould gave the most fascinating Audrey Burton Gallery at Leeds University. University of Cambridge, gave us talk on Orde Wingate. He described the Lunch followed at a garden centre, a taxi fascinating insight into German Continued on p14 

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Inside the AJR continued from page 13 family   anouncements gifted but eccentric soldier who did North London Further Information on Mazel tov to Jonathan and Ursula so much to help the Jewish cause in the ‘Dreyfus Affair’ Rose on the birth of their daughter Palestine, enjoying a meteoric career after We learned so much more about the Tabitha (Tabi) Renay. an unpromising start. Janet Weston ‘Dreyfus affair’ from our brilliant speaker, Raymond Sturgess – e.g. the withholding Welwyn GC Care Considerations of vital information and the incompetence Hammerson House’s Andrew Leigh gave of the French military. Fortunately, the CLASSIFIED us a very good idea of the levels of care handwriting in a published copy of a Joseph Pereira (ex-AJR caretaker offered. Then the tricky issue of costs was crucial letter was recognised by a reader over 22 years) is now available discussed. Andrew felt one of the most in South America and this led to the for DIY repairs and general maintenance. No job too small, important issues was sorting things out apprehension of the real traitor – Major very reasonable rates. while able to do so. Lee Beckett Esterhazy. Hanne R. Freedman Please telephone 07966 887 485. Cafe Imperial Meeting of ‘Elder Wembley Successful Meeting and Statesmen’ Fantastic Lunch The usual convivial group of ‘elder A very successful meeting and a LEO BAECK HOUSING ASSOCIATION statesmen’, eight in all, met for their fantastic lunch at the beautiful home CLARA NEHAB HOUSE monthly coffee morning, presided over by of Lilly Lampert, followed by a choice of RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME the ever-caring Esther. Discussions ranged members’ music. A good time was had Small caring residential home from everyday problems to concern about by all, including the oldest of us, who is with large attractive gardens the state of the world: the consensus now 104. Avram Schaufeld close to local shops and public transport was that our children and grandchildren 25 single rooms with full en suite facilities. would inherit an even more difficult and Bromley Members Give Personal 24 hour Permanent and Respite Care complex world. Maureen Rossney Accounts of Their Backgrounds Entertainment & Activities provided. We enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by Ground Floor Lounge and Dining Room Bradford CF From Bradford to Cracow Hazel and the warm hospitality of Liane’s • Lift access to all floors. We were invited to the lovely home of Lily home. Members, including four Second- For further information please contact: The Manager, Clara Nehab House, and Albert Waxman, where we heard all Generation ones, were enlightened by 13-19 Leeside Crescent, London NW11 0DA about their recent trip to Poland to follow personal accounts by those present of Telephone: 020 8455 2286 the progress of the Sefer Torah which was their backgrounds and journeys to this donated by their synagogue in Bradford country, where they made their new and now resides in the synagogue in homes. Dorothea Lipton Cracow. Wendy Bott Books Bought Modern and Old ‘The beautifullest place on earth’ Eric Levene 020 8364 3554 / 07855387574 KINDERTRANSPORT LUNCH VISIT TO THE RED HOUSE [email protected] 13 August 2014 at 12 noon ICONIC ARTS AND CRAFTS I also purchase ephemera Please join us for our next lunch at HOME OF WILLIAM MORRIS North West Reform Synagogue, Alyth Gardens, Finchley Road, London NW11 7EN Thursday 18 September 2014 Kindertransport Professor Michael Spiro ‘A Refugee in Shanghai’ Reunion DVD e are delighted to announce To book your place please phone Andrea Goodmaker that a special commemorative on 020 8385 3070 WDVD with footage of the Kindertransport Reunion at JFS and the reception with His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at St James’s Palace is now available for purchase. JACKMAN . The only house commissioned, created and lived in by William Morris, founder of Filmed and produced by Alan Reich, the SILVERMAN the Arts and Crafts movement, Red House DVD will serve as a poignant memorial COMMERCIAL is a building of extraordinary architectural to the two historic gatherings of Kinder and social significance. PROPERTY CONSULTANTS When it was completed in 1860, it was and their families that took place in described by Edward Burne-Jones as ‘the June 2013 as part of the events the AJR beautifullest place on earth’. organised to commemorate the 75th Coach travel will be provided. anniversary of the Kindertransport. Lunch will follow the visit and guided tour. To receive your copy, please send a cheque for £5 made payable to the Telephone: 020 7209 5532 For further details, please contact AJR to: AJR, Jubilee House, Merrion [email protected] Susan Harrod on 020 8385 3070 or at [email protected] Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL.

14 AUGUST 2014 journal ObituarIES Scarlett Epstein, born Vienna 13 July 1922, died Brighton 27 April 2014 carlett, our mother, was born Trude for not being ‘the sort of girl’ that went aid was appropriately Grunwald in 1922 in Vienna. She was to St Hilda’s College. Instead, she studied targeted. the youngest child in an assimilated economics at Manchester University, planning Following Bill’s SJewish family. In 1938, when Hitler to go into business but was severely burned by death in 1999, Scar- marched into Vienna, Trude travelled across an unguarded electric heater whilst studying lett continued to the city to obtain visas for the family from for her finals. She did her exams in hospital in throw herself into the Yugoslav embassy. On her way she was immense pain and studied for a PhD instead. new projects, par- swept into the square where Hitler was So began a career in academia, with ticularly in India and addressing the crowds and experienced his Scarlett pioneering economic anthropology Papua New Guinea. magnetism as everyone roared ‘Heil Hitler’. with research in southern India. Back in She was awarded an Trude’s family fled to Yugoslavia and England and in her mid-30s, Scarlett married OBE for services to then were given refuge by Albania. In her fellow anthropologist Bill Epstein and they Papua New Guinea. later years, Trude ceaselessly championed studied together in Papua New Guinea. They In the last few years Scarlett concentrated Albania. Trude and her mother then found a returned to England. As a family we lived more on her refugee background, visiting flight to England on a plane that stopped in for some years in Australia, as well as stints schools to tell young people of her Germany. In Frankfurt they were detained travelling around the world, before settling experiences. This was the message in the but saved by a KLM pilot who refused to in Sussex. At the Institute for Development DVD Back from the Brink, where she and take off without them. Studies, Scarlett pioneered studies with two other survivors told how they had In England Trude worked as a machinist, students from developing countries, first escaped thanks to the assistance they had initially making ladies’ underwear. She in population and then a women’s project. received. Scarlett also continued to promote became active in the Communist-dominated This led to consultancies for the UN, the Albania with its concept of besa – a code of Young Austria, the only organisation which World Bank and many non-governmental honour concerned with helping others – really welcomed her, she said. When her organisations. which she had good reason to thank for her father and brother were interned as ‘enemy Later projects included a comparative study life. aliens’ Trude changed her name to Scarlett of ‘Women, Work and Family’ in this country Scarlett’s autobiography, published in to avoid being detained as well. and Germany, while the ‘‘‘Humph” the Desert English, German and the Indian dialect of Having studied at evening class, Scarlett Dairy’ used Israeli research to develop high- Kannada, is called Swimming Upstream – she won a place at Ruskin College in Oxford, yield milk-producing camels to feed people felt nothing in her life was straightforward. completing a two-year diploma in one year. in desert regions. Her ‘culturally adapted She was a remarkable lady and a loving She obtained high marks in the Oxford social marketing’ applied anthropological mother and will be very much missed. University entrance exams but was rejected skills to development projects to ensure that Debbie and Michelle Epstein

Henry Kuttner, born Berlin 5 December 1929, died London 14 March 2014 orn Heinz Kuttner in Berlin in ple liked working with him and trusted him humour into music.’ He was also a fine 1929, Henry initially had a happy with their programmes. He was known for his exponent of bridge and an avid solver of the childhood. Nazism ended that and, expertise, preparedness, humour and for help- Daily Telegraph’s ‘Cryptic Crossword’. alongB with his parents Hanni and Hans, his ing newcomers. He was passionate about sport and uncle Martin and sister Leila, he became a Henry married Molly in Norwich in 1956. played table tennis to a good club standard. refugee at the age of nine. Tragically, his They came from different backgrounds but He adored cricket and athletics and recently grandparents and his uncle Richard perished each fitted into the other’s family through a went with his grandson to watch Arsenal. at Theresienstadt and Auschwitz. Later, combination of charm and effort. They made How he would have enjoyed their FA Cup Henry was to tell his story as a witness, lasting friendships together and loved to travel, triumph! Henry had a lifelong interest in the visiting schools in Germany and the UK. visiting friends and relatives in the UK and Olympics and was present at two London He wasn’t bitter but he refused to be silent. beyond. They raised two daughters, Sue and Games: in 1948, when he attended daily Henry was grateful to this country for Helen, and were blessed with grandchildren with his father, and in 2012, when he went offering him sanctuary and proud to be Ben and Hannah. with his family to football, table tennis and British. He loved the English language Henry’s parents were founder members wheelchair basketball events. and the British sense of fair play. He was of Belsize Square Synagogue. He himself had Henry had a flair for mathematics, particularly grateful to the family who gave a lifelong commitment to the congregation, which he passed on to his daughters and him a home when he was evacuated from in particular the choir, as tenor, bass and granddaughter. Years before grandchildren London in 1940. choirmaster, and later as sound engineer for had been thought of, he bought one of the At school he excelled in maths and Eng- the High Holidays, librarian and archivist. early BBC Micro computers. When asked lish and in 1953, after National Service and The synagogue liturgy was in Henry’s DNA. why he’d bothered, he replied ‘Because I having obtained He conceived an ambitious plan to preserve, want to be able to talk to my grandchildren!’ an engineering di- update and print the synagogue’s music That was typical of Henry – always ploma, he joined and pursued this project over 15 years, with looking ahead and connecting with people. the BBC as an talented colleagues and the Sibelius computer He was fiercely loyal to his family and engineer at the programme. He was overjoyed to have lived to friends and loved nothing more than a good Alexandra Palace oversee its completion. ‘catch-up’ over lunch or a cup of coffee. transmitter. He Henry had a deep love of classical music Henry’s wife Molly cared for him in his final spent most of his and had recently gone with his daughters to months, for which he was so grateful. We all career as a Radio one of his beloved chamber concerts at the miss him. Studio Manager, a Wigmore Hall. He loved Haydn more than Molly Kuttner, Sue Rozario, job he loved. Peo- any other composer ‘because he brought Helen Kuttner

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knew. There were organisations catering for English-speaking people and there were student parties, so my social life was Dorothea Shefer-Vanson not totally uninteresting. Israel was a very different place 50 years ago, and this was especially the Fifty years of living in Israel case with Jerusalem. Before the Six-Day War it was a small, intimate place where t is now almost exactly 50 years since on me. In addition, the climate really did everyone knew everyone else and the I came to Israel to live. So I suppose serve to lift my spirits, which seemed to central ‘triangle’ formed by the three main you could say that I came on aliya in have been perpetually dormant in the grey streets was where one went to eat falafel, SeptemberI 1964, though I didn’t get my and rainy London streets in which I’d meet friends or just enjoy the cool evening official status as a new immigrant until June grown up. air: ‘The third time we meet on the same 1967 – but that’s another story. I visited Israel twice in my vacations day we’ll go and get ice cream,’ was the When people ask me why I left from university and managed to make slogan of the day. Religion played a part England’s green and pleasant land to come contact with people in the Sociology in some people’s lives, but nothing was and live in what they imagine to be an arid Department of the Hebrew University, so extreme and everyone appeared tolerant of desert in one of the most dangerous parts that when I came for my second visit I everyone else. of the world, my answer consists of two was given a holiday job and even earned The political atmosphere was one of words: ‘climate’ and ‘men’. some money (which I found to my socialism, idealism and mutual support. But of course I must have had weightier chagrin that I was unable to take home). Today it is capitalist, entrepreneurial and reasons than those. The fact that I grew up As a result of those visits, I was offered right-wing. Those early days of naiveté and in a home where Zionism was a fact of life, a position as a research assistant in that perhaps even innocence are long gone, due attended a Zionist youth movement, and department when I decided to continue to both internal and external processes. had relatives in Israel played an undeniable for an MA after graduating in London. Personally, I find that regrettable, but it is role in my decision. My first visit to Israel, So I suppose I can be said to have had foolish to try to stem the tide of change. in 1959, within the framework of a youth one of the easiest transitions imaginable What about men, I hear you cry. I tour organised by the Jewish Agency, was in moving to a different country. I found the love of my life at a student party an eye-opener for me, an impressionable had employment, albeit with minimal in Jerusalem, got married and produced teenager. I had never experienced anything income, I could stay with relatives until I three children. We lived through times of like it before. Six weeks of touring sunny found a place to rent, and I was meeting peace and war, sickness and health, poverty Israel, visiting sites, cities and kibbutzim, intelligent and pleasant people. I didn’t and relative prosperity and now also have finding smiling bronzed faces wherever we know much Hebrew and was too busy seven grandchildren, all living in Israel. turned, and being welcomed into people’s working and studying to go to an ulpan, All in all, Israel has been good for me, homes made a deep and lasting impression but I managed to get by with the little I and I hope I’ve been good for it.

 letters to the editor cont. from p.7 empathises with the pain of a Jewish to shades within the Conservative Party. Democracy is a grand word but its woman more than any other pain, I have By supporting Israel, Mr Fisher seems use often covers a multitude of sins. put aside all my other responsibilities in to mean the Israeli government. Surely he Great Britain is also a democracy but order to release any woman from the will agree that a government’s policies and our election system is undemocratic and chains of her marriage.’ actions are not beyond criticism. Building our government does not represent the ‘The ultimate solution … is the Jewish homes on Arab land is morally majority of the electorate. separation of religion and state in Israel wrong, in my opinion, and not in the long- As for Conrad Black, there is not much ….’ term interest of the Israeli people. worth saying. He has been convicted of This would cause a terrible schism in the Have I noticed that Israel is a fraud and that, in my eyes, reduces his Jewish people and could lead to dreadful democracy? Well, Israel is certainly more being a friend of Israel to a minus. But Mr repercussions for future generations. of a democracy than most of the Arab Fisher is obviously right to state that my Harvey Gross, London N16 states but its level of democracy is not opinion is no loss to Conrad Black. very high. It has over 30 political parties. Is it not a satisfactory result of our CLOSING THE GAP At the last election, the Likud, Netanyahu's discussion that it is ending with a point Sir – It is possible that Janos Fisher (July, party, obtained 23.34 per cent of the on which we both agree? Letters) and I are not as far apart in our votes, which gave it 31 out of the 120 I am sure we also agree in being opinions as it seemed at first. Part of the seats. Yesh Atid, led by Yair Lapid, Likud’s much more concerned about the present difference lies perhaps in the meaning of election partner, got 14.33 per cent and dangerous situation and in hoping that the words we use. 19 seats. In order to form a government, both Israel and Hamas will succeed in Rightly or wrongly, I use the left-to- Netanyahu cobbled together a coalition, preventing an explosion of more violence. right political shading only in respect of which includes a number of extreme-right Yesh Atid means ‘There is a future.’ Only if democratic parties. My ‘far right’ does not religious parties. They prevented him only they find a way of living together. refer to fascism, as Mr Fisher implies, but recently from taking a pro-peace measure. Eric Sanders, London W12

Published by The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), a company limited by guarantee. Registered office: Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL Registered in England and Wales with charity number: 1149882 and company number: 8220991 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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