VOLUME 7 NO.S MAY 2007 journal ^ Association of Jewish Refugees

How the Jewish refugees thanked Britain

One of the most striking initiatives ever Jewish Congregation (Belsize Square mounted by the AJR was the 'Thank-You Synagogue), as well as representatives of the Britain' Fund, which evolved out of a Czech and Hungarian refugees. Among them proposal in 1963 that the Jewish refugees were AJR Chairman Alfred S. Dresel, Amold from Central Europe should make a public Horwell, Egon Larsen, Hans Blumenau, gestiire of thanks to their adopted homeland. Hans Jaeger and the indispensable Wemer The idea was the brainchild of Victor Ross, Rosenstock. Happily, two are still with us: a former refugee who had worked in Victor Ross and Carl Flesch, while Eric publishing and journalism and had written Gould's widow Katia has for years been one a humorous account of the refugee of this joumal's much valued proof-readers. experience, Basic British; as readers know, The Mall Room, British Academy The Fund proved an outstanding he still wields an elegant pen today. The which were to be used for the awarding of success. The organisers' target of £40-60,000 AJR, and in particular its chairman, Hans research fellowships and the holding of was easily exceeded; by the time the Fund Reichmann (who died in 1964), had been annual (later biennial) lectures, both under was handed over to the British Academy at thinking along similar lines. After the AJR the auspices of the British Academy, a a ceremony in the Saddlers' Hall on 8 took on the administration of the fund- highly respected institution that to this day November 1965, it had reached £96,000, raising, Ross became co-chairman of the plays a significant role in supporting and several hundred thousand pounds in today's Fund's organising committee, alongside promoting research and scholarship in the money and an astonishing sum for a Werner M. Behr, Vice-Chairman of the AJR. humanities. Intended to serve as 'a perpetual relatively small conmiimity not long settled AJR members were first informed about memorial of our gratitude', the research in Britain. There were over 3,000 the planned expression of thanks to Britain work sponsored by the Fund was to be contributors, ranging from Isaiah Berlin in a report on the Association's general devoted to the welfare of the inhabitants of (who sent his contribution via N. M. meeting that appeared in AJR Information the UK, on the model of the Beveridge Rothschild & Sons) to a lady who gave £102 in March 1963. In the autimm, the joumal Report that had laid the foundations of the 18s. in memory of her late hiKband, from made a fuller announcement, linking the post-war welfare state. the restitution money she received from proposal explicitly to the twenty-fifth The Fund's patrons could scarcely have Germany. anniversary of the arrival in Britain of the been more eminent. They were the bulk of the refugees from the German- The British Academy took over the speaking lands in 1938-39, following the distinguished economist Lord Robbins, administration of the Fund, which, adding Anschluss and the 'Crystal Night' pogrom: President of the British Academy and author gravitas, it renamed the 'Thank-offering to In November, 25 years will have elapsed of the Robbins Report that revolutionised Britain Fimd'. The first of the lectures held since the mass exodus of the Jews from higher education; Sir Isaiah Berlin, a imder its auspices was given in 1966 by Lord Central Europe started. During the few member of the Academy's Council and one Robbins; other lecturers included Roy months between the pogroms and the of the great intellectual figures of his day; Jenkins, Amold Goodman, Robert Blake, outbreak of war, this small island ... Professor (later Sir) Emest B. Chain and Sir Conor Cmise O'Brien, Ralf Dahrendorf and rescued more Jewish persecutees than any Hans Krebs, the two refugees from the Lord Woolf, as well as three former refugees, other single country. The Executive is Continent who had won Nobel Prizes by Arthur Koestler, Otto Kahn-Freund and, in considering ways of visibly expressing the 1964; and a third refugee, Professor (later 2004, Claus Moser. The first research gratitude of the former refugees to the Sir) Ludwig Guttmann, Director of the Stoke fellowship was awarded in 1967 to John British people, and it is hoped that details Mandeville Spinal Injuries Centre, where the Patmore, lecturer in geography at Liverpool, of an appropriate scheme will be Paralympic Games were founded. for research on countryside planning and announced shortly. The 19 members of the Fund's committee recreational facilities, the second in 1968 to The decision to establish the 'Thank-You included leading figures in the AJR and Robert Skidelsky, for his study of Oswald Britain' Fimd was communicated to AJR other refugee organisations like the Leo Mosley, and the third to Rita McWilliams members in late 1964. They were invited to Baeck B'nai B'rith Lodge, Self-Aid of of Cambridge, for her work on university contribute to the Fund, the proceeds of Refugees, Club 1943 and the New Liberal continued on page 2 A|RJOURNAL MAY 2007

A salute to Wolf Suschitzky

The appearance of a handsome volume. pre-Hitier period, which brought a new End society or working-class slums, Wolf Suschitzky Photos, edited by spirit of socially conscious realism to evoke the atmosphere of bygone Michael Omasta and Brigitte Mayr of photography. Emigres like Suschitzky decades with the almost palpable SYNEMA, the society for film and media, and his sister Edith Tudor-Hart, also a intensity that is the hallmark of true art. and Ursula Seeber of the Osterreichische photographer, imported this new Anthony Grenville Exilbibliothek at the Literaturhaus in approach into Britain. Vienna (Vienna: SYNEMA, 2006, ISBN 3- Suschitzky is equally well known for 901644-18-0), reminds us of the his work in film. He was the cameraman impressive contribution Wolfgang for an acclaimed film version of Ulysses ANNUAL GENERAL Suschitzky has made to the art of (1967), which conveyed the atmosphere MEETING photography in Britain. Born in Vienna of Joyce's Dublin to near-perfection, and of in 1912 to a bookseller father - his for Mike Hodges's 1971 gangster classic THE ASSOCIATION OF cousin was Joseph Suschitzky, who ran Get Carter - hence the nutshell version JEWISH REFUGEES the fabled Libris bookshop on Boundary of his life story: 'Fled Hitler, Loved Lenin, TUESDAY 5 JUNE 2007, 11.30 AM Road, London NW8 - Wolf Suschitzky Shot Michael Caine'. now lives in Maida Vale. at the Suschitzky, a modest man who lets Paul Balint AJR Centre The book charts the career of his achievements speak for themselves, 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 Suschitzky - who left Vienna when the never allows his personality and views Lunch, If required, £5 Austrian government suppressed the to intervene directly in his photographs, payable In advance left in 1934, coming via Holland to yet they breathe an unmistakable air of Agenda Britain - with a marvellously evocative humanity, of egalitarian interest in the Annual Report 2006 selection of his photos, including such everyday life of ordinary people, of Hon. Treasurer's Report favourites as those of the pre-war compassion for the downtrodden. Today, Discussion Charing Cross Road, of St Paul's his photos of London, whether of West Election of Committee of Management Cathedral in 1942, shot through the All questions for the chair should be shattered window of a bombed house, continued from page 1 submitted by Wed 16 May to the Head of and the later portraits that range from Administration at Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middx. HA7 4RL. Alexander Fleming and Aldous Huxley education for women. Among those short­ to Guy the Gorilla (of London Zoo). The listed for the first award was Michael ELECTION OF COMMITTEE OF expert essays that accompany the MANAGEMENT photographs make this book a must for Meacher, but he withdrew to follow an The following members will be those whose interest in Suschitzky has altemative career. proposed for election or re-election to the Committee at the AGM been whetted by the recent exhibition The Fund has richly fulfilled the aims of Wolf Suschitzky Cameraman at the on Tuesday 5 June 2007: its founders, who would surely be proud of Austrian Cultural Forum. Mr A C Kaufman, Chairman* its function within the British Academy. Mr W D Rothenberg Alongside publishing and psycho­ Vice Chairman & Hon. Treasurer analysis, photography was one of the Sadly, though, the link with the AJR has Mrs E S Angel, Secretary* areas of British life that was most become obscured over the decades, and the Mr P Dannenberg significantly influenced by the refugees conditions goveming the fellowships could Mr C W Dunston, Trustee Mrs D Franklin, Trustee from Central Europe. Major figures like do with updating. At the outset, some Mrs G R Glassman, Trustee* Laszio Moholy-Nagy of the Bauhaus and refugees objected that the expression of Mrs J Mlllan John Heartfield, creator of photo­ Mr E Reich montage, spent some years in exile in gratitude to Britain was overstated, Mr A Spiro Britain, while Stefan Lorant founded the especially as the community had amply *Committee members retiring by rotation phenomenally successful Picture Post, repaid its debt to Britain by service in both and being proposed for re-election working with the photographer Felix H. war and peacetime; Britain, others felt, had Anyone wishing to propose any other member Man. Germany and Central Europe had for election as Hon Officer, Trustee, or been far ahead of Britain in this field, hardly gone out of its way to welcome those Committee member must submit to AJR's Head thanks to the technically advanced fleeing Nazi persecution. But the overall of Administration such a proposal signed by ten members qualified to vote at the meeting equipment produced by tirms like Leica attitude was more accurately reflected by a and with the signed agreement of the person and to the avant-garde aesthetics of the former Kindertransportee who had become being proposed no later than 16 May. head of department at a college in Jamaica: I will never be able to repay all the AJR Directors Gordon Greenfield kindness and understanding that was Carol Rossen JACKMAN • shown to me from simple Lancashire AJR Heads of Department cotton workers to Quaker refugee workers Marcia Goodman Social Services SILVERMAN Michael Newman Media and Public Relations and Jewish manufacturers. I am now a COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS Susie Kaufman Organiser, AJR Centre British subject and could not wish for AJR Journal anything better. I am trying to repay part Dr Anthony Grenville Consultant Editor Dr Howard Spier Executive Editor of my debt by teaching as a British subject Andrea Goodmaker Secretarial/Advertisements in Jamaica. What I can send is totally 26 Conduit Street, London WIR 9TA inadequate, but I try to say 'Thank you' Views expressed in the AJR Journal are not Telephone: 020 7409 0771 Fax: 020 7493 8017 every day by my work. necessarily those of the Association of Jewish Anthony Grenville Refugees and should not be regarded as such. AjRJOURNAL MAY 2007

OF VIEW On being Jewish NEWTONS Leading Hampstead Solicitors advise on Property, Wills, Family Trusts About a year after the First World War, reasons, in 1824 when Karl was six years and Charitable Trusts I was born a Jew in Vienna - not exactly old. He married the distinctly non- an auspicious time or place, as it turned Jewish Jenny von Westphalen and French and German spoken ended his life as a freethinker. He out 18 years later. I was born a Jew, just Home visits arranged as I was born blonde and blue-eyed - described religion as 'the sigh of the not by choice or merit, but by an oppressed, the heart of a heartless 22 Fitzjohn's Avenue, accident of birth. For that reason, I world' and - famously - as 'the opium London NWS SNB never felt my Jewishness to be a cause of the masses'. Sigmund Freud always Tel: 020 7435 5351 for either pride or celebration. disliked religious ceremonies and, Fax: 020 7435 8881 As I was growing up, Vienna was still shortly after his arrival in England, in trying to adapt from its role of being 1938, he wrote to the Yiddish Scientific the centre of a powerful empire to Institute that, while he 'gladly and being the capital of a small, land­ proudly' acknowledged his Jewishness, locked, bankrupt country. his 'attitude towards any religion, CONSULTANT Of the city's 2 million inhabitants, 10 including ours' was 'critically negative'. to long-established English per cent were Jews. Many of them were Einstein, although drawn to Zionism in Solicitors (bilingual German) struggling to make a living, but it was the 1920s, never liked what he saw as would be happy to assist clients Jews who were in the forefront of the its nationalistic and militaristic aspects with English, German and arts and sciences. Sigmund Freud, of and always advocated peaceful Austrian problems. coexistence between Jews and Arabs. course, was one of Vienna's most Contact Henry Ebner famous citizens. Stefan Zweig and Franz Offered the presidency of Israel, he Werfel were internationally renowned declined but remained Israel's friend to IViyers Ebner & Deaner writers. Jews were among the most the end of his life. He was, above all, a 103 Shepherds Bush Road popular librettists, composers, satirists, humanist and a pacifist who took a London W6 7LP actors and edited the most prestigious rather philosophical view of religion. Telephone 020 7602 4631 national newspapers. Until 1934, when Thus we can see that these three ALL LEGAL WORK the diminutive Dollfuss established a hugely influential men chose different UNDERTAKEN mini-dictatorship, they were also active paths: Marx severed his ties with both in politics. In 'Red Vienna' there were his origins and his religion; Freud clung at least two Jewish Social Democratic fiercely to his roots but was an unre­ Stadtrate (city councillors). Despite the pentant atheist; and Einstein embraced AUSTRIAN and GERMAN economic depression that gripped the Zionism, albeit with reservations, but PENSIONS world in the 1930s, talented Jews did not practise orthodox Judaism. thrived in inter-war Vienna. Generally, British Jews as a whole are as divided Austrian Jews were relaxed about their on religion and Israel as the readers of PROPERTY religion. Two members of my own the AJR Journal. I, personally, while RESTITUTION CLAIMS family 'married out', and no one sat always being aware of my Jewishness - EAST GERMANY - BERLIN shivah. how could it be otherwise when I so On instructions our office will There is no doubt at all that the narrowly escaped the fate of the six assist to deal with your contribution Jews everywhere made to million? - belong to one race only - the applications and pursue the mankind is out of all proportion to their human race. As its member, I will always matter with the authorities number, given that they form just a tiny deplore the death and maiming of any percentage of the global population. Arab child as much as that of any IsraeH For further information After all, three Jews - Karl Marx, child, and condemn injustice and and an appointment Sigmund Freud and Albert Einstein - all inhumanity wherever I find it. As for please contact: born in the nineteenth century, all religion, I happily go along with the ICS CLAIMS original thinkers, ail pre-eminent in their prophet Micah, who preached the 146-154 Kilburn High Road own field, arguably changed the world, virtues of justice, mercy and humility. If London NW6 4JD for better or for worse. But let us I succeed in practising those, I consider examine their commitment to Judaism. myself to be a good Jew. Tel: 020 7328 7251 (Ext. 107) The Marx family converted to Edith Argy Fax: 020 7624 5002 Protestantism, for purely pragmatic A|RJOURNAL MAY 2007

AJR Annual Report 2006

Highlights of the year programme. main Edinburgh group and we now The year 2006 was one of growth for To help meet the increasing have 14 northern AJR groups which the AJR as we achieved an overall demand outside London, we added meet regularly alongside our smaller increase in membership, further two new Northern social workers: gatherings in members' homes. In developed our regional groups Eileen Brady in the Newcastle area, 2006 we held 204 meetings programme, and extended our social and Anthony Fagan to work alongside nationwide attended by 4,076 services programme to new areas of Barbara Dorrity. people. the country. At the end of 2006, the AJR had In April the Leeds group unveiled In May we made an historic first 3,222 members (3,196 in 2005), their Holocaust Memorial Book, which overseas trip when 24 members including 235 new members (167 in contains the names of family visited Berlin for a four-day cultural 2005). members who perished in the tour of the German capital. The Holocaust obtained from our itinerary included visits to the Jewish Social and welfare services members who now live in the Leeds, Museum and the Holocaust The social work team continues to Bradford and Harrogate areas. This Memorial, inaugurated the previous offer the best possible support, advice was made possible by a substantial May, where we were welcomed by the and assistance to our members grant from the AJR Charitable Trust. Deputy Speaker of the German throughout the country and we were The book contains over 400 names Parliament and at a reception hosted delighted to be able to expand our arranged over 73 pages which are by the city's Mayor. team in the North of England and turned weekly; members are informed Also for the first time, we Scotland. Eileen Brady and Anthony when their page is on view. By organised a three-day visit to London Fagan will help us serve a growing request, copies of the book are now in November for our members who number of our Northern members. in the archives of Yad Vashem in Israel, live in Scotland and the North of They are both highly qualified and the Washington Holocaust Museum, England. More than 40 members bring their knowledge, experience and the Imperial War Museum and made the trip, which included visits and enthusiasm for the benefit of our Wiener Library in London. to the Cabinet War Rooms and the members. A talented group of speakers Wiener Library. They also joined Our social workers liaise closely inform, educate and entertain members from the London area for a with the AJR Centre, the regional members, in addition to the national get-together at the Imperial groups and the Claims Office to socialising and interesting discussions War Museum, a visit which included identify and assist any member who which take place. The groups have a talk from The Times Comment Editor may be in need of our services. also resulted in many new members Daniel Finkelstein. The team also works closely with for the AJR as well as acting as a We returned to the Watford Hilton colleagues from other organisations forum for the AJR and other relevant for our Annual Tea and were greatly which serve Holocaust survivors to projects. entertained by Glenys Groves and exchange ideas, share clients and plan The success of the groups is due colleagues from The Royal Opera, who the provision of future services. largely to the fact that there are performed A Summer Serenade with Our welfare benefits expert contin­ members prepared to involve Strauss and Friends. It was wonderful ued to help our members with claims themselves with the meetings. Their to see so many of our members for Attendance Allowance, Carer's support is much appreciated. enjoying the splendid tea. Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Benefit. Regional get-togethers Personnel and membership For members in the South of England There has been an increase in staff in Regional groups we organised regional get-togethers both the North and South of England. With the recruitment of a second in Tunbridge Wells and Welwyn At Head Office, Lorna Moss replaced group co-ordinator in the south of the Garden City, which featured a highly Joan Altman, who retired after seven country, we were able to start three entertaining talk by journalist and years' service as Carol Rossen's new groups: Edgware, Hendon and social commentator Eve Pollard. secretary. Rosemary Peters joined us West Hampstead. Of the 22 Southern At the Edinburgh gathering in as Michael Newman's secretary and groups, eight meet monthly and six June, members heard about the Hazel Beiny was recruited to help bi-monthly. The Aberdeen and Heartstone Holocaust Exhibition and, expand our Southern region groups Dundee groups have merged with the from author John Minnion, about his A|R JOURNAL MAY 2007 book Hitler's List. At the Manchester compensation procedures having commemorative edition containing meeting in August nearly 100 expired, much of the work of the excerpts from a 1946 edition. members enjoyed a talk by guest Claims Office centred on ensuring speaker Professor Eric Moonman payments reached their rightful OBE. recipients and assisting applicants AJR Centre with appeals for rejected claims. The newly renamed Paul Balint AJR Holidays The Claims Office dealt with nu­ Centre celebrated another very busy In July we held our annual Northern merous enquiries regarding the and enjoyable year. As well as serving holiday in St Annes-on-Sea, where 41 Austrian General Settlement Fund, the lunches and delivering Meals on members from Glasgow, Newcastle, International Commission on Holo­ Wheels, we arranged the monthly Chesterfield, Leeds, Liverpool, Man­ caust Era Insurance Claims, and Luncheon Club and Kindertransport chester, Bradford and London enjoyed dormant Swiss bank accounts, as well lunches. a relaxing week. An additional 37 as the Belgian government compen­ We also organised a number of members from Leeds, Manchester sation scheme and the French railway events alongside our popular keep fit and Liverpool came to join the litigation. We also received more than classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays holiday-makers for a day out in St 120 requests for applications to the and our lively and interesting weekly Annes during the week. Hungarian government's indemnifica­ discussion group. Our clothes sales Our other holidays to tion programme. still prove popular, as do our monthly Bournemouth and Eastbourne were In a development which will greatly chiropody and bi-annual optician as popular as ever, with long waiting assist our members and the work of visits. lists for future trips. the AJR we received formal In addition to a Yom Hashoah notification that the AJR may notarise service and lunch, our Seder night was Volunteers annual life certificates for all German as successful as ever and we had a Our dedicated volunteers continue to pensions. very large Kristallnacht service assist the day-to-day work of our followed by lunch, also attended by organisation. As well as making home AJR Journal members from Scotland and the North of England. We also catered for visits, they helped out at Head Office, The Journal maintained its the AGM and, for the second year at the AJR Centre, and at regional characteristic and lively blend of running, provided a tea for our group meetings. Rita Rosenbaum information on AJR and communal Holocaust Memorial Day service at continued to arrange for the AJR matters together with a mix of Belsize Square Synagogue. Journal to be recorded for and cultural material. Consultant Editor Dr We were fortunate to have the BBC distributed to blind and disabled Anthony Grenville continued his film at the Centre during the summer members. penetrating analyses of historical (for a documentary broadcast in Volunteers continued to receive issues pertaining to the lives of March) and we held a celebratory support and supervision as well as the members. lunch to mark the 20th anniversary opportunity to attend forums held, in Point of View columnists provoked of the Centre, at which former staff, the latter part of the year, in intense debate, sharply reflected in volunteers and dignitaries were conjunction with volunteers at the the correspondence columns. Here, present. Holocaust Survivors Centre. We also issues pertaining to Israel and the We also organised outings to the continued to work closely with other Middle East were invariably the most Cabinet War Rooms, Brighton and organisations, including various passionately discussed, with the Hove, and Wilkin & Tiptree Jam London universities and B'nai B'rith Journal maintaining a position of Factory and museum. 1st Unity Lodge. In addition, we strict political neutrality. Also continued our association with Action providing insight into this subject was Reconciliation Service for Peace, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson's thoughtful Kindertransport arranging for four students from Letter from Israel. Led by its Chairman, Hermann Poland and Germany to act as Reviews of books, and occasionally Hirschberger, KT continued an active befrienders to our members. of theatre and cinema events, programme centred on popular Last summer we held a thank-you continued to feature, accompanying monthly luncheon meetings at the tea at Wizo House, where our arts correspondent Gloria Tessler's AJR Centre followed by a guest volunteers were entertained and masterly reviews. Humour, tinged speaker. enjoyed a splendid cream tea. with a dash of nostalgia, was injected In July a surprise party at the AJR in articles by Edith Argy. Centre organised by Susie Kaufman Central Office for To celebrate the 60th anniversary and Bertha Leverton celebrated Holocaust Claims of the launch of AJR Information, the Hermann Hirschberger's 80th With the time period for most Journal's forerunner, we produced a continued overleaf AjR JOURNAL MAY 2007

Annual Report Finance Report continued from page 5 AJR - Income and Expenditure Account AREYOUONALOW Year ended 31st December 2006 birthday. An enjoyable Chanukah Income: 2006 2005 INCOMEANDINNEED party at the Centre completed the Membership/Donations OF HOMECARE HELP? year's activities. and Legacies 81,604 121,692 AJR might be able to offer you The KT-AJR planning committee Other 7.208 5.324 88,812 127,016 financial assistance for cleaning, was regularly consulted on the Less: gardening and caring. acquisition of a replacement Overhead Expenses Salary Costs 84,317 72,797 Members who might not sculpture, which was erected on the AJR Joumal 52,646 51,309 otherwise be able to afford concourse of Liverpool Street Administration/ homecare please contact: Depreciation 23,003 22.361 Station, and the wording of the two 159.966 146.467 Estelle Brookner, Secretary plaques. Leading Israeli sculptor (Deficit)/Surplus: -71,154 -19,451 AJR Social Services Dept Frank Meisler, a Kind himself, Tel: 020 8385 3070 conceived and created a moving Summary of Balance Sheet representation of five children at 31st December 2006 2006 2005 arriving at the station after their Current Assets 223,738 296,087 Leo Baeck Housing Association Ltd escape from Nazi Europe. Special Less: Current Liabilities 2.104 3.299 221,634 292,788 Clara Nehab House appreciation is due to Erich Reich, Residential Care Home who managed the project. The AJR Represented by: Charitable Trust generously agreed General Fund 292,788 312,239 All single rooms with en suite Net deficiency for the year •71.154 •19.451 bath/shower. Short stays/Respite to fund the major part of the new 221,634 292,788 and 24 hour Permanent Care. Large project. attractive gardens. Ground Floor David Rothenberg, Hon. Treasurer 01/04/2007 Work commenced on creating a Lounge and Dining Rooms. Lift Kindertransport survey to document access to all floors. Easy access AJR CHARITABLE TRUST to local shops and public transport. the lives of Kinder, their experiences PAUL BALINT AJR DAY CENTRE Enquiries and further information please contact: before and after the Second World The Manager, Clara Nehab House Summary figure for the year ended 13-19 Leeside Crescent, London NWII ODA War, and their contribution to life 31st December 2006 Phone: 020 8455 2286 in this country. Income: 2006 2005 £ £ £ £ Bertha Leverton continued to edit Takings - Day Centre the much-appreciated quarterly and meals-on-wheels 82,862 84,963 SPRING Kindertransport Newsletter. Donations received Q 82,862 6Q 85,023 GROVE Less outgoings: Salaries 96,025 87,278 214 Finchley Road Refugee Voices and Catering costs 180,887 174,956 London NW3 Sundry expenses 80.758 357.670 74.140 336.374 education London's Most Luxurious Dr Anthony Grenville and Dr Bea Deficit fimded from RETIREMENT HOME Charitable Trust -274,808 -251.351 Lewkowicz oversaw the completion • Entertainment - Activities of the 150 interviews which will • Stress Free Living form the basis of the Refugee AJR CHARITABLE TRUST - Summary Income and Expenditure Accounts • 24 House Staffing Excellent Cuisine Voices project. The interviews will • Full En-Suite Facilities be fully transcribed, edited and Year ended 31st December 2006 Call for more information 2006 2005 or a personal tour catalogued. Income In addition to grants to several Covenants/Donations/ 020 8446 2117 Claims Conference 678,561 422,020 or 020 7794 4455 institutions to support their work in Investment income 522,698 443,112 [email protected] Holocaust education, the AJR Sheltered housing 42.086 43.110 Charitable Trust made a substantial 1,243,345 908,242 Legacies 1.108.544 2.349.838 Simon R Rhodes M.Ch.S. donation to the Wiener Library to 2.351.889 3.258.080 defray the costs of its relocation in STATE REGISTERED Less outgoings: CHIROPODIST 2009. Day Centre 274,808 251,351 Surgeries at: All in all an extremely busy year. Self Aid, Homecare and Emergency Grants 771,731 711,520 67 Kilburn High Road, NW6 Our energies and resources are Other organisations 298,223 148,707 (opp. M&S) devoted, as ever, to ensuring as far Administration/Depreciation 941.580 806..340 Telephone: 020 7624 1576 2.226,342 1.917.918 as we are able, that our members 2 Pangbourne Drive enjoy a more comfortable life. Surplus on realised and Stanmore Middx HA7 4QT unrealised investments 1,043,350 1,423,973 Telephone: 020 8958 8557 Andrew Kaufman Net Movement in Funds 1.191.910 2.764.135 Chairman 2,235262 4.188.108 Visiting chiropody service available AJRJOURNAL MAY 2007

different countries met to discuss what help could be given to Jews in Germany and in Austria, they decided to include lETTEllS^ The Editor reserves the right the non-believing Jews in their assistance schemes. to shorten correspondence It is probably correct that, had it not submitted for publication been for the Holocaust, the State of Israel might not have come into being in the way it did. Has it occurred to Erika Millman that without the support of America, Israel might be in danger of being annihilated? THE STREETS OF MUNICH Jewish Museum was opened there with Sir - Anthony Grenville was right to say an official ceremony at the Rathaus to May I suggest that all who see in his informative article about Munich which a number of former Jewish citizens themselves as Jews are accepted as such? (March) that Nazism plays no significant were invited by the Mayor, Christian Uhde. It is like being part of a huge family role today. When I said in my letter They were also asked to join him at a connected by strands of common roots, concerning Stolpersteine that some preview two days earlier. There is a Chair especially when antisemitism and anti- things had not changed, I was referring of Jewish History at the Judaism are still rampant all over the to the atmosphere which in some respects university, established ten years ago. world. It would be unnatural for us not is still very reminiscent of the sinister milieu The anniversary is being celebrated by to be concerned for the well-being of described so well in Feuchtwanger's events organised this summer by the Israel, a country initially created to be a Erfolg. holder. Professor Michael Brenner. These haven for Jews. Of course, it is not obligatory. The officialdom in Munich certainly include a lecture on Lion Feuchtwanger finds too much remembering as distinctly and Munich by Hans-Jochen Vogel, Eric Sanders, London W12 ungemijtiich. My friend the Munich artist former Mayor, Federal Minister of Justice Wolfram Kastner is in constant trouble and SPD Chancellor candidate. Sir - I am surprised to find myself with the authorities in Munich and Salz­ Edgar Feuchtwanger, Winchester categorised by Peter Phillips as anti-Israeli burg for remembering in unauthorised (March). My thought was, and is, that the country would appear to have run out of ways and quantities well above their JEWISH STATE AND JEWISH VALUES ideas about its future international comfort zone. A typical example was his Sir - Having enjoyed a long absence from relations. Of course, its continuing need request to commemorate the 1933 book- Britain, one of my more interesting tasks to be, and to feel, secure takes priority. burning on the spot where it had on returning was to catch up with the originally taken place. The request was January and February issues of the AJR I may, in comparison with others, be turned down by Munich town hall on the Journal. That, of course, included the ill-informed about Israeli strategic grounds that there was no historical always fascinating Letters to the Editor. thinking, but the establishment of the State of Israel and its immediate concerns continuity. How come? Wait for it! The What joy to read of Peter Zander's must be a bar to looking ahead to what Nazi book-burning had taken place on the strength of character in carrying his kind of world our successors must be lawn ofthe Koenigsplatz. They then paved integrity with him where'er he goes. Even encouraged to want to live in. Nation- the whole square over to hold parades. to Berlin. Given that he is only concerned states are not necessarily the last word After the war it was grassed over again. with his British and German nationality, on the subject. Thinking does not stop The grass on which the commemoration it is a shame that he feels obliged to write today. was to take place was not the same as also about Israel. that on which the original book-burning Francis Steiner is maligning Hitler if he Alan S. Kaye, Marlow, Bucks had taken place. Therefore no historical accuses him of having been influenced by continuity! The bureaucrats of Erfolg the Mufti of Jerusalem. From what I have Sir - Your article in memory of Herbert would have been proud to think that one read very few Jews had intended to Sulzbach (February) praises his humanity up! Following considerable publicity for emigrate to Palestine before Hitler. A tiny and the value of mutual respect, tolerance the town hall, the commemoration was number of those organised in Zionist and democracy. Reading letters in recent eventually sanctioned. movements - I was one of them - were issues of the Journal makes me wonder Concerning the Munich Jews of today, prepared to spend their lives working in what has happened to those values many of them are recent immigrants from a kibbutz. Of course, once Hitler's among my fellow Jews. the former Soviet Union and therefore not persecution started - I wonder who put overly concerned with local matters. As him up to that - the few turned into for the 'natives', no one is trying to coerce masses. My brother was one of them. WANTED TO BUY them into having any Stolpersteine for Perhaps Francis Steiner has not heard their relatives against their will. All of the Muslim Brotherhood. One article German and Stolpersteine are sponsored anyhow. in their constitution demanded the They, on the other hand, should not annihilation of the Jews, in line with an English Books dictate to others how we want to action by the Prophet Mohammed, who, commemorate our murdered relatives. I it is written, on one occasion wiped out a Bookdealer, AJR member, welcomes invitations to view and regard the streets of Munich, where they whole town of Jews. I doubt whether, in purchase valuable books. walked, as the right place for my five 1928, the Brotherhood really feared the Munich family members who perished in coming of a Jewish state. the Holocaust to be remembered. Robert Hornung He also seems to believe that a Jew 10 Mount View, Ealing Peter Jordan, Manchester ceases to be a Jew if he is not religious. London W5 IPR Presumably, by this argument, an atheistic Email: [email protected] Sir - With reference to your excellent or agnostic Israeli is not a Jew. When the Tel: 020 8998 0546 article on Munich, on 22 March a new various Jewish community councils from AJRJOURNAL MAY 2007

I believe I have a democratic right to stay behind to care for the Jewish journals that land on my doorstep, I read be critical of the Israeli government community in Hamburg, together with it from cover to cover My interest in it without being called self-hating or his wife Lotte and their youngest children. would, however, be enhanced if the antisemitic. Your correspondent reports In 1942 they were deported to the death Journal reflected the diversity of the that antisemitic attacks have reached camps in the East. cultural background of the AJR record levels, which is, I believe, due to Further information about the family membership more. Israeli policies. can be found in Jedes Kind ist mein I appreciate that the great majority of H. L. Vajifdar, London SW13 Einziges, the poignant memoir by Miriam AJR members come originally (or are Gillis-Carlebach about her mother Lotte descendants of former refugees) from Sir -1 was appalled at the views expressed and their family life in Hamburg. Germany or Austria (my wife came to the under the heading 'Stick up for Israel' Professor Edward Timms UK with the Kindertransport from (April). I am amazed any of your readers Centre for German-Jewish Studies Vienna). But surely there are others. Many feel moved to condone the Israeli policy University of Sussex came from Czechoslovakia - and not only of 'dominating, expelling, starving and from the German-speaking Sudetenland humiliating an entire people' (in the JEWS AND NOBEL PRIZES but also from the Czech- (like myself) or words of a group of experienced IDF Sir - I strongly object to the phrasing in Slovak-speaking parts, Hungary, Poland officers). Are these readers honestly in the article by Victor Ross (April). He and other European countries. I feel that favour of building settlements on describes the disproportionate amount of the Journal's contents should better occupied territory, in clear violation of Jews who 'grabbed' a Nobel Prize. It is reflect this diversity by occasionally (more international law? Of the massive increase my understanding that this prize is than at present) including articles and in settler numbers since the Oslo peace awarded to deserving and special people news of interest to this section of the talks? Of the illegal appropriation of land in politics, the arts, literature, the sciences, membership. Am I alone in this view? by building parts of the separation wall etc. I am not aware of anyone, particularly Professor Pavel Novak, on Palestinian land, beyond the 1967 a Jew, ever 'grabbing' this prize. Talk Newcastle upon Tyne borders? And the now well-documented about Jewish self-hatred! I think an shootings by the IDF at unarmed civilian apology and a correction are in order BLACK BOOK: A BALANCED PICTURE targets? Ellen Stein, Bronxville, NY, USA Sir - Disturbed, like your critic, by the film Maybe it is high time to profile in your Black Book (March), I have just visited the DRESDEN: A VALUABLE ANTIDOTE pages some of the many organisations Netherlands Institute for War Documen­ Sir - Your by now annual 'In Memoriam' within Israel which are fighting for a tation to get a balanced picture. The best for the deported and then murdered different way forward: Rabbis for Human estimates say approximately 24,000 Jews Dresden Jews in 1943 is a valuable anti­ Rights, Checkpoint Watch, Breaking the went into hiding in the Netherlands and dote to too much guilt for the Silence (testimony of soldiers who have about one in three of these were subsequent bombing of that city two served in the occupied territories), the captured. Rescuers faced great difficulties, years later Those who fail to see the con­ Bereaved Families Forum/Parents Circle, including the rationing system and the nection may be reminded that the the Israeli Committee against House Dutch police, who mostly collaborated burning of German cities began on 10 Demolitions, Yesh G'vul, Physicians for with the Germans. Dutch Calvinists were November 1938. Human Rights - to name but a few. Surely especially altruistic. There was also a strike the least we can do is attempt to Enid and Robert Miller, of municipal workers in Amsterdam and understand why so many voices within as Leatherhead other cities against the arrest of Jews. (It's well as outside Israel feel compelled to a disgrace that we outside the Nether­ speak out against the aggressive actions MEMORIES OF DANZIG lands do not participate in the annual of successive Israeli governments. Sir -1 was very interested to read the two February commemoration of that event.) articles on Frank Meisler in a recent issue. Caroline M. Salinger, Leicester Black Book seems to have created no He came from Danzig, as I did. It certainly great stir in Holland. brought back memories. THERIESENSTADT In the profile there was mention of a George Landers, Sir - May I ride to the rescue of Anthony Dr Itzig, who was head of the Jewish Crete, Greece Grenville regarding whether or not congregation in Danzig in 1939. He Theriesenstadt was a ghetto (Letters, succeeded my father, Ernst Berent, in that THE HUMOUR OF THEODORE BIKEL March). I was there for 15 months before position after we left Danzig in 1938 and Sir- On reading the article by Harry Bibring being sent to Auschwitz and from there came to England.I believe that between in a recent issue, I came across the name to a slave-labour camp. Theriesenstadt them Dr Itzig and my father organised of Theodore Bikel. I am the daughter of was a ghetto. It may have been a grim the Kindertransports from Danzig. As far the actress Clara Meisels and Abish place compared to home, but it was as I remember, father even had an Meisels, who translated The Merchant of paradise compared to anything that interview with Anthony Eden about this Venice and other works into Yiddish. followed. Frank Bright, Ipswich and about the possibility of allowing Mama retold the story that when she was Jewish children into Israel, or Palestine appearing at the Grand Palais in RABBI CARLEBACH: A CORRECTION as it then was. Whitechapel Teddy played a little boy and Sir - As a non-Jewish reader, may I say Father was very much concerned with sat on her lap (I can't remember the name how much I enjoy your journal, especially the AJR in its early days - they published of the play). the lively Letters page. a most impressive obituary after his death On his return to London after the war, A small but significant correction in the AJR Information of November 1961, he called on my parents for a visit. I was should be added to your article on a copy of which I treasure. out of the ATS by then and had the Hamburg (March, page 2). Unlike his son F Renee Martin (nee Berent), Sheffield pleasure of meeting him. He is a delightful Julius, who became a lecturer at the person with a great sense of humour but University of Sussex, Rabbi Joseph AJR DIVERSITY I thought his best joke was that mama Carlebach did not come to Britain. Sir - There is something unusual about ought now to sit on his lap. Showing great courage, he decided to the AJR Journal. In contrast to all the other Ruth Schneider, London N8 AJRJOURNAL MAY 2007

The Museum is negotiating to include them in its permanent Holocaust Exhibition. REVIEWS In Britain, Halter became a successful architect and developed the artistic talent Two faces for which he stands in a class of his own. It FROM OUTSIDE IN: AN ANTHOLOGY OF WRITINGS BY REFUGEES ON was honed through visits to the National BRITAIN AND BRITISHNESS Gallery, where Renaissance images of the edited by Nushin Arbabzadah Crucifixion resonated with his experiences. London: Arcadia Books, 2007, For 25 years Polish-bom artist Roman Christ crucified came to represent the body 180pp., £11.99 paperback Halter held in his memory the faces he saw of his brother, executed by the Nazis for a This book is published on behalf of the on the transports to Auschwitz. The face of compassionate deed. This painting, Shlomo British Council, the UK's international an angelic young girl in her mother's arms. I, recalls the anguished Christ figure taken organisation for educational The mothers who accompanied their down from the cross. Woman Wearing opportunities and cultural relations and an organisation with which the AJR has children rather than relinquish them to the Mantilla was inspired by Goya's portrait enjoyed a highly positive relationship, as Nazi murderers. The face of his mother of Dona Isabel de Porcel, which reminds him Anthony Grenville shows elsewhere in of his mother. this month's edition of the AJR Journal. The work has the The book's dominant tone - an expression of the profound feelings of iconography of Christian rejection experienced by so many of Renaissance art in its taut those who wish to settle in this country and strongly defined - is firmly set in the opening words of a composition and the foreword by the writer and journalist anguished power of the Yasmin Alibhai-Brown: 'This country has two faces when it comes to incomers. faces. Each image con­ They never look at each other. One is tains many smaller faces warm, the other surly. These days it is - a Talmudic symbol mostly the surly one we see.' perhaps? Moses the The book comprises, in chronological order, contributions - memoirs, stories, Prophet is depicted in a poems - by refugees from Chile, talit and tefilim; his face Vietnam, South Africa, Uganda, Iran, has a terrible majesty. He Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Sierra Leone, is an anguished father; a Zimbabwe and elsewhere. tortured Christ looking The first, and longest, section is devoted to Jewish refugees fleeing down on Jewish suffering. Nazism, with contributions from three Within Moses's multiple authors. First is a short essay on faces, Halter miniaturises perceptions of England by Richard Roman Halter Moses the Prophet 1974-77, oil on canvas the subjects of the other Grunberger, the much-missed editor of six paintings. this journal. When he was growing up looking down from the synagogue beneath in Vienna, Richard writes with the fine veil of her mantilla. The face of his Renoir is often dismissed as a chocolate- characteristic wit, England was 'a tepid brother who was hanged. The face of the box artist but Renoir Landscapes at the place where little happened and was man who died on the electrified fence National Gallery describes his rigorous disconnected from the drama of the continent... I imagined that court circles because he had lost his children. The faces joumey through Impressionism to artistic consisted of aristocrats who not only of starvation. And, most symbolically uncertainty. The early landscapes from owned thoroughbred racehorses and perhaps, the face of Moses the Prophet. 1865 are limpid and visionary, hinting at greyhounds, but to some extent also Halter clung to these faces with the the dappled and delicate effects to come. looked like them.' More mundanely, same tenacity with which he clung to life This typifies the Fontainebleau school, Richard somehow knew that the Englishman's 'favourite breakfast cereal itself. After losing his entire family to the where we see Renoir skimming rather than was Haferschleim (porridge oats) - a Nazis. After .A^uschwitz, after the death lingering on the subject and in this he was compound word whose Sche/m (mucus) march from which he escaped and flew to influenced by Courbet and later Degas. component made me gag.' The reality Britain in 1945. After mentally and In 1873 Impressionism was at its height, of living in England though was to change his perceptions radically, as he emotionally processing every loss, agony with Renoir seeking freedom through came to appreciate that with all its and cruelty dreamed up by man's innovative experimentation with brush­ faults, this country was unique in its inhumanity to man. strokes, but from 1881 he lost his verve; the devotion to liberty. Today, 60 years after those unspeakable work became edgier, the colours broken up; Irene K. Schmied writes movingly events, the Imperial War Museum is sadly the vibrancy had gone. It was as about the installation in September 2003 showing the seven oil paintings which though for all his lustre Renoir could no of the Fur das Kind memorial sculpture at London's Liverpool Street Station and longer find voice in a new genre. His genius Halter began in 1974, created from the pain contributes a short story entitled Fireflies, of memory, separation and imagination. belongs to Impressionism alone. continued on page 10 AJRJOURNAL MAY 2007

REVIEWS continued from page 9 bemused by the succession of characters rushing past like actors in a silent movie. In two admirable poems - Arrival and Equally, the academically inclined reader Cocoon - Lotte Kramer describes, albeit will complain about the absence of their ambivalently, a happy new life in England. favourite characters. It was certainly a success story for Shindler points out the options these refugees, who, the editor says, available to the nineteenth-century Jew. established over 100 companies and The orthodox religious groups advocated Israel possesses many places of gave employment to 250,000 people as political quiescence in the Diaspora while archaeological, historical and religious well as introducing some of the modern waiting for the Messiah. The German significance for all mankind. The modem science-based technological inventions Reform Movement recommended the state has constructed buildings and of the time, such as new methods of abandonment of even praying for a re­ established sites with meaning of a more photography, electronics, radio and turn to Zion and aspired to become contemporary and/or national character. television. For members of many other Germans of the mosaic persuasion. But there can be few spots which combine nationalities, however, it was by no Among the radicals, there was the wish so many levels of significance for so means such a success story. As they see to unite with other radical groups to many people as the Israel Museum in it, people up and down the country, the bring about world socialism and, in Jemsalem. tabloid media, the authorities - all 1897, they formed the Bund. In the 40 years since it was founded, demonstrate attitudes of xenophobia Thus Zionism was opposed not only and racism. by the religious authorities but also by the Museum has grown from a modest Qobo Mayisa, a refugee from Zim­ the secular left-wing movements. It was assortment of artworks and babwe, sums up vividly what many supported only by Klal Yisrael - the archaeological artifacts to one of the present-day refugees to the UK Jewish masses. It succeeded because world's most extensive collections. It encounter: 'I could never ... feel too sufficient idealists were found to encompasses Jewish ethnography, Israeli comfortable and make myself at home. colonise Palestine. The Mikveh Israel art, period rooms, American and African Newspapers ran anti-immigration head­ agricultural school, founded in 1870, art, archaeology, a very respectable lines and below them inflammatory was the first overtly Zionist enterprise. collection of Impressionist, Post- stories ... My refugee colleagues and I Successive waves of persecution, Impressionist and modern art and were put under so much mental pressure beginning with the assassination of Tsar sculpture, as well as a few old masters, that we were left traumatised. To us. For­ Alexander II, underlined the correctness Judaica, and of course the Dead Sea tress Britain was writhing from infection of the Zionist analysis, and a Jewish state Scrolls, housed in their own unique was established in 1948 - a magnificent and at any time would vomit us out.' building, the Shrine of the Book. The contributions to this book achievement, if too late to save but a demonstrate clearly, and from the remnant of European Jewry. The scale model of Jemsalem at the refugees' viewpoint, how attitudes to Since then, of course, what Zionists time of the Second Temple which was them in the UK - islands with a tradition believe has changed. Zionists in the formerly situated in the grounds of the of receiving refugees which goes back Diaspora now are people concerned Holyland Hotel has recently been added to the twelfth century - have about the welfare of the state, plus a to the Museum's collection, adding yet deteriorated in recent times. This is a sad, small group intending to emigrate there. another dimension to what was already deeply disturbing book. The sole point on which I take issue a wide-ranging collection. Howard Spier with Shindler is his statement that When my husband and I retired, we Zionism arose during the same period sought a channel for our abilities and of history as Arab nationalism. I do not decided to contact the Israel Museum, Demonised by right and left deny that a Palestinian identity exists at where we were promptly enrolled as WHAT DO ZIONISTS BELIEVE? present, but it has few historical roots. volunteer 'hosts'. As late as 1956 Ahmed Shukairy, Saudi by Colin Shindler After completing a one-month course delegate to the UN and later head of the London: Granta, 2007, 116pp., PLO, declared 'It is common knowledge of lectures and tours in an attempt to paperback £6.99 that Palestine is nothing but southern familiarise us with the Museum's The quick answer is that Zionists believe Syria.' There is a question as to whether labyrinthine galleries, we were each in the necessity of an autonomous Arab nationalism exists at all - Arab issued with a wine-coloured waistcoat homeland for the Jewish people. Within countries were carved out by the allies and a scarf bearing the Museum's logo, that definition, however, come a host of after the First World War and only Egypt sent to our appointed,places, and told to widely different interpretations. The had a historical identity. Saudi Arabia help visitors find whatever it was they overlap between the Zionism of George was formed through an act of were looking for. Eliot, Avigdor Lieberman and Yossi Beilin aggression in the 1930s with the All through the year the Museum is negligible. For that matter, there is expulsion of the Hashemite Sherriff of throbs with visitors from every comer of little overlap between the views of Mecca. Al-Qaeda is an imperialist not a the world intent on passing some time in nationalist movement. Anthony Wedgewood Benn, who was a its cool interior and benefiting from its keen Zionist, and his alter ego, the The success of Zionism has not cultural offerings. Many enquiries are bitterly anti-Israel Tony Benn. brought about the hoped-for about mundane things such as eateries In this excellent book, Shindler normalisation of Jewish life. Denial of and toilets, but we are also able to help discusses who were and are the Zionists, the rights of Jews as a nation has been visitors find specific exhibitions or what Zionism taught, where it stands added to a denial of their rights as today, and what its future might be. individuals. Jews have long been displays about which they have heard. This compact book provides a rapid demonised by the extreme right. Their We greatly enjoy being part of the overview of the topic. But the reader murder in Israel is now encouraged by community of the Israel Museum. who does not know Moses Hess from the extreme left. Dorothea Shefer-Vanson Rudolph Hess or Myra Hess may be Bryan Reuben AJRJOURNAL MAY 2007 A restoration comedy

It's a good thing we weren't rich. It cut our paintings. Just the man, I thought, to get losses when the Nazis robbed us. They me my Freud. came to take my father, but he had left an Randol told me that he did not do single hour earlier, so they killed his dog instead. books, not even collections bound in My father was a forgiving man, but that leather, but he thought that with the right was one murder too far. Like the Nazi big evidence, he might get me Austria. shots deciding who was a Jew, he had My quest continues. I have found the strong views on who was a Nazi. His life­ most delightful of pen pals with whom I long allegiance to Wagner and his circle correspond about the pain of loss. Mag. tested his faith but he came through with Lessing is full of sympathy and flying colours, holding aloft his friendship understanding. She sends me enchanting with Wagner's grandson Wieland and the letters from Vienna, sometimes in English, medal that proclaimed him a freeman of sometimes in German. Her English is Bayreuth. impeccable, which immediately brands her Another of his heroes was Goethe. He as a non-native. I also get letters from a (my father, not Goethe) was an example of Sir Franklin Berman which are neither as that fatal attraction exerted by German later that he had made an attempt to elegant nor as eloquent. Most surprising culture on Jews seeking intellectual self- recover some of his favourite pieces. The of all, I have been inscribed on the Roll of improvement - the wonderful flowering ONB had taken a casual look at its shelves; Honour of the Viennese Kultusgemeinde, that went up in flames. they excused their lack of success by attested by a document signed by Dr Ariel Goethe was at the heart of my father's explaining that the intake of 'confiscated Muzicant, quite possibly another collection of first editions and goods' had overwhelmed the staff at the Wagnerian. My father, who was more manuscripts. When the Gestapo shot the time, so that to their eternal shame their deserving of such an honour, merely had dog, they vandalised the library, ripping high standards of record-keeping had an offer of having his driving licence out pages to use as lavatory paper (mainly slipped. They did find a few books, restored without payment of the usual Faust, Part II), playing football with identified by my father's ex libris, which renewal fee. This concession arrived too suitably shaped objects, and leaving the they defaced with a mbber stamp before late to be useful - some ten years after his rest for the ruimers of Hitler's thief-in-chief retuming them as the 'rightful property' death. to pick over for the Fuhrer's mega-museum of my father, no longer Jew Rosenfeld but The message from both Mag. Lessing to be built in Linz in celebration of the with his full name, title and honorifics and Sir Bemard is the same: we are on the 1,000-year Reich. I have the letter from a restored. cusp of restitution. Only a few formalities local ignoramus in which he humbly My father never built up his collection stand between me and justice being enquires which of the surviving of books again. But being a collector at done. Or more likely 12.5 per cent of jusdce, possessions of the 'Jew Rosenfeld' might heart, he dabbled in records (Wagner) and, since I must realise, which Maggie Lessing be worthy of consideration. There is no for a time, even in postage stamps showing is confident I do, that I am going to be paid mention of the inroads made by crapping musical subjects (Wagner). out of a pot shared with 20,000 other and scrapping since there were still a few My mother had her own collection of hopefuls, so that no one can actually get thousand volumes to choose from. Those books, mainly relating to the works anything until the last claim has been which did not merit grand larceny were of Freud, having been one of his disciples. assessed and the respective entitlements distributed to minor libraries and I particularly wanted to recover a first apportioned. This could even work to my museums, some finally finding their way edition of his collected works, bound in advantage if other claimants give up or die into the Austrian National Library (ONB). leather, which the professor had inscribed - unless I die first, in which case the My father never talked about his lost to her. No trace of that, as you can advantage is nullified. All this is, of course, possessions and I only learned many years imagine. So I asked a distant cousin of subject to no further problems arising and mine, Randol Schoenberg, to help me. He taking due account of the fact that I have 1 was not only the grandson of the noted 12- already had a lump sum sufficient to pay Annely Juda Fine Art tone Schoenberg but had recently for documenting and xeroxing my claim. 23 Dering Street (off New Bond Street) distinguished himself by winning a David I have no idea if Mag. Lessing has other Tel: 020 7629 7578 v. Goliath battle against the State of Fax: 020 7491 2139 pen pals. I like to think I am the only one, Austria before the US Supreme Court, but if you have heard from her, you are CONTEMPORARY PAINTING AND SCULPTURE which resulted in the rightful owner one hell of a privileged victim. getting back some $170m worth of Klimt Victor Ross

M indefatigable Myrna. Frank gave an account of the talk on the fate of his classmates and their families of the Jewish school in Prague he had given to the Ipswich HQ of the Suffolk County Council on Holocaust Memorial Day. Frank Bright Next meeting: Thur 7 June. Usual venue

Kirkaldy exhibition Pinner: the 'Me-Now' generation Anne Frank's cousin from Switzerland Clive Lawton told a full house that instant spoke about their childhood days as part gratification was contrary to accepted of the Heartstone Anne Frank Memorial Jewish values, but that children growing up in this uncertain world hooked on and Holocaust Survivors' Testimonies mobile phones and playstations were Exhibition. Heartstone is working with Yad At opening of Kirkaldy exhibition: (from adaptable and could be taught proper Vashem on the ongoing Holocaust left) Heartstone Director Sitakumari, The responsibilities towards their fellow Exhibition project. Jonathan Kish Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown MP and Ms Wanda Hunty, Curator of the Auschwitz- humans. Walter Weg HGS tall( on Jews and Greeks Birkenau Museum, Poland Next meeting: Thur 3 May. Jane King, Rabbi Simon Francis told us Jews had had 'Coram's Children' contact with Greek civilisation for over Jewish genealogy in Glasgow 2,000 years. It had been suggested Cleve Road: The Grand Tour Walter Woyda played us extracts from The Michael Tobias showed us how he traced that Socrates had known of Isaiah. Their Grand Tour, a musical about a Jewish man via wvvw.jewishgen.org the globetrotting life under the Ottomans was peaceful for escaping from the Nazis. Music and lyrics of two families from the mid-1800s - one centuries, but, following the Greek-Turk­ are by Jerry Herman and it opened on from Holland, the other from Poland/ ish war, in 1922, many non-Jewish Greek Broadway in 1979 and has never been Prussia - for proof of a Jewish wedding refugees settled in Salonica and the Jews staged elsewhere. A request was made required by a young couple seeking an and the newcomers never established for George Layton to be one of our orthodox marriage ceremony. close bonds. The Jews held on to wear­ ing Ottoman-style clothing so, when the speakers alongside Walter's return. Jonathan Kish Nazis invaded, the Jews had few friends Next meeting: Sun 2 Sept. The return David Lang and almost all were transported to of Michael Tobias Tues 15 May. 'The Wiener Library: Past, Auschwitz. Laszio Roman Present and Future' American-Jewish music in Hendon Next meeting: Mon 14 May. Dr Sheila Alan Conway followed Aaron Copland's Marshall, 'The Jews of South Africa' Edgware musical meeting 'Fanfare for the Common Man' with Some 30 of us were treated to fine records of Jewish theatre music saved Superb meeting in Westcliff samples of music from Bach to Berlioz all from oblivion by collecting and recording Dr Helen Fry's history of the Alien Section expertly explained by Brian Moser A most these lovely songs. We heard the Andrews of the Pioneer Corps was so well pleasant hour. Felix Winkler Sisters and Richard Tauber singing in researched that I was unaware of most Next meeting: Tues 15 May. 1st Yiddish. Annette Saville of the facts even though I myself had birthday celebration Next meeting: Mon 14 May. Frank served in that corps. It was also great to Oxford planning summer lunch Miller, 'The Story of the Bagel' meet again Bertha Leverton MBE, who joined us for a short period. A superb Our Israel Embassy speaker was ill but we Wessex tallc on Vienna meeting. Ken Ward hope he will 'schedule us in' at a later coffee houses Next meeting: Tues 8 May. Jeanette date. We discussed our future programme Otto Deutsch recalled how his family Rosenberg, 'Genealogy' and decided to hold a summer lunch on would put on their best clothes on Next outing: Thur 31 May. Wiener 31 July. Anne Selinger Shabbat and make their way from their Library Next meeting: Tues 8 May. 'The Board of Deputies' flat in Favoriten to the Kaffeehaus. Then Chacun a son gout in South London came the exciting choice: which of the North London and dozens of cakes? Otto spent years after Naomi Hyamson, mezzo, accompanied by South African Jewry the war as a tour guide so he was able to Harold Lester on piano, performed a Dr Sheila Marshall proved a most erudite compare childhood visits to the Grinzing programme of songs entitled 'Chacun a speaker on this subject. Our recent range suburb and the Kahlenberg mountain with son gout'. There was something for of speakers has provided stimulating visits in recent years. George Ettinger everyone: music from opera and musicals and numbers performed in German, subjects greatly contributing to the llford musical morning Yiddish, French and English. A delightful enjoyment of the 25-plus members Walter Woyda gave our well-attended afternoon. Myrna Glass present. Herbert Haberberg meeting a very enjoyable talk on Milk and Next meeting: Thur 10 May. Jack de Next meeting: Thur 31 May. 'Israel Update' Honey, a musical about a group of people Metz, 'Fair Reporting on Israel' going to Israel to celebrate Independence FURTHER MEETINGS Day. Lih Pollard Brighton & Hove Sarid discussion West Midlands (Birmingham) Tues 1 Next meeting: Wed 2 May. Dr Helen Fry, Hazel had a long list of subjects to discuss, May. 'The Wiener Library: Past, Present 'Refugees in Uniform' ranging from current affairs to ethical and Future' issues. The meeting was well attended Cardiff Wed 9 May. 'Israel Update' Norfollc hardy souls and we enjoyed measuring the breadth We hardy souls from far and wide met of our diversities. Fausta Shelton Herts Thur 17 May. 'Audiology' for a real Continental Jewish lunch Next meeting: Mon 21 May. Sidney Cambridge Tues 22 May. Outing to Flag geschleppt from Wembley by the Levene, 'My Life as a Barrister' Fen

12 AJRJOURNAL MAY 2007

Refugees from Nazism who fought for the Allies Paul Balint AJR Centre during the Second World War 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 Tel: 020 7328 0208 Reunion at Imperial War Museum, Tuesday, 4 September 2007 AJR LUNCHEON CLUB Wednesday 16 May 2007 Dr Helen Fry, who in the autumn will an historical overview by Dr Fry 11.45 am for 12.15 pm be bringing out a book on the subject including reminiscences from several Katharina Hiibschmann entitled The King's Most Loyal Enemy veterans. Following a screening otLift Senior Librarian at Aliens, and Suzanne Bardgett, Project your Head, Comrades, a 10-minute the Wiener Library Director of the Holocaust Exhibition, film about the Pioneer Corps, are working closely together to Suzanne Bardgett will talk about the Please be aware that members should not automatically assume that they are on the Luncheon ensure that the Reunion does justice importance of the Museum's Club list. It is now necessary, on receipt of your to the scale and variety of the collecting work. A Reception with copy of the AJR Journal to phone the Centre on contribution made at that time by food and wine will be held in the 020 7328 0208 to book your place. former refugees. It is hoped that the Museum's Main Atrium. The event event will be covered well by the ends at 8.30 pm. KT-AJR Kindertransport special press. Dress code for veterans: blazers interest group The programme will begin at 4.00 and medals; 'lounge suit' for other Monday 14 May 2007 pm with tea and a speech of welcome attendees. 11.45 am for 12.15 pm by Field Marshal Lord Bramall (former Tickets will be issued on a first- Mary Kayitesi-Blewitt Chief of Staff and Chairman of the come, first-served basis. Please Director, Surf Survivors Fund Museum's Trustees when the contact Jessica Mani on 0207 416 'Memories of Rwanda' Holocaust Exhibition was first 5285 or at [email protected] by 30 Reservations required developed). This will be followed by June 2007. Please telephone 020 7328 0208

Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 9.30 am - 3.30 pm AJR GROUP CONTACTS Manchester Werner Lachs 0161 773 4091 PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CENTRE IS Bradford Continental Friends Newcastle CLOSED ON TUESDAYS Lilly and Albert Waxman 01274 581189 Walter Knoblauch 0191 2855339 May Afternoon Entertainment Brighton & Hove (Sussex Region) Norfolk (Norwich) Tue 1 CLOSED Fausta Shelton 01273 734 648 Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Wed 2 Katinka Seiner Bristol/Bath North London Thur 3 Guyathrie Peiris & Bill Patrick Kitty Balint-Kurti 0117 973 1150 Jenny Zundel 020 8882 4033 Mon 7 CLOSED - Bank Holiday Cambridge Oxford Tue 8 CLOSED Anne Bender 01223 276 999 Susie Bates 01235 526 702 Wed 9 Sheila Games Thur 10 Michael Heaton Cardiff Pinner (HA Postal District) Mon 14 KT LUNCH Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Vera Gellman 020 8866 4833 - Kards & Games Klub Cleve Road, AJR Centre Sheffield Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Tue 15 CLOSED Steve Mendelsson 0114 2630666 Wed 16 LUNCHEON CLUB Dundee South London Thur 17 Madeleine Whjteson Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Lore Robinson 020 8670 7926 Mon 21 Kards & Games Klub East Midlands (Nottingham) South West Midlands (Worcester area) Tue 22 CLOSED Bob Norton 01159 212 494 Ruth Jackson 01386 552264 Wed 23 CLOSED - SHAVUOTH Edgware Surrey Thur 24 CLOSED - SHAVUOTH Ruth Urban 020 8931 2542 Edmee Barta 01372 727 412 Mon 28 CLOSED - Bank Holiday Edinburgh Weald of Kent Tue 29 CLOSED Franqoise Robertson 0131 337 3406 Max and Jane Dickson Wed 30 Margaret Opdahl Essex (Westcliff) 01892 541026 Thur 31 Paul Coleman Larry Lisner 01702 300812 Wessex (Bournemouth) Glasgow Mark Goldfinger 01202 552 434 DIARY DATES Claire Singerman 0141 649 4620 West Midlands (Birmingham) 14 June Windsor Castle with Harrogate Ernest Aris 0121 353 1437 Royal Weddings Inge Little 01423 886254 Exhibition talk Hendon Hazel Beiny, Southern Groups 24 June Bournemouth holiday Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 Co-ordinator -1 July Hertfordshire 020 8385 3070 8-15 July St Anne's holiday Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 Myrna Glass, London South and HGS 15 August Frogmore House with Midlands Groups Co-ordlnator Guided Tour & Savill Garden Gerda Torrence 020 8883 9425 020 8385 3077 Hull For further i nformation about any of these Susanne Green, Northern Groups Bob Rosner 0148 2649156 Co-ordinator events, please call us on 020 8385 3070. llford 0151 291 5734 Meta Rosenell 020 8505 0063 Susan Harrod, Groups' Administrator 'DROP IN' ADVICE SERVICE Leeds HSFA 020 8385 3070 TrudeSilman 0113 2251628 Members requiring benefit advice please telephone KT-AJR (Kindertransport) Linda Kasmir on 020 8385 3070 to make an Liverpool Andrea Goodmaker 020 8385 3070 Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 appointment at AJR, Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL

13 AjRJOURNAL MAY 2007

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS The Trustees, Management Lily Freeman Deaths and Staff of the AJR invites all her friends to the opening It is with great sorrow that the family of ivish AJR Life President of her exhibition John Seiniger announce his death on 16 Ludwig Spiro 'HAPPY PAINTINGS' March 2007 in the Lindo Wing of St Mary's a very happy 95th birthday at Hampstead Museum, Hospital, Paddington, just before his 100th Burgh House, New End Square, birthday. He will be greatly missed by his London NWS BELSIZE SQUARE 3-13 May, 12-5 pm family and his many friends. SYNAGOGUE (closed Mon & Tues) Classified 51, Belsize Square, NW3 4HX Tel 020 8458 5020 An AJR member is looking for an aspiring We offer a traditional stj'le of Opening Reception: musician, singer, player, accompanist who religious service. Thm- 3 May, 6.30-8.30pm would like to have numerous books of music, Details can be obtained from the Synagogue Administrator scores etc. Please telephone 01372 458883. Telephone 020 7794 3949 or A Week's Holiday in email: [email protected] Pamela Bloch at the Paul Balint AJR BOURNEMOUTH Minister: Rabbi Rodney J Mariner Centre. Clothes sale, separates, etc. Cantor: Norman Falah Cohen 24 June - 1 July 2007 Wednesday 9 May, 9.30-11.45 am. Join us at the newly refurbished Regular Services Friday evenings at 6.45pm Cumberland Hotel Saturday mornings at lO.OOam Price £400 (+ £20 single room supplement) HOLIDAY FOR Religion School: Sundays 9.45am-12.30pm NORTHERN MEMBERS Nursery School: 9.15am - 12.15pm If you wish to book a superior room Sunday 8 July 2007 - Belsize Under 3s: 9.30am - 11.30am there will be a further supplement. Sunday 15 July 2007 Spcu:e donated by Pafra Umited Price includes AT THE FERNLEA HOTEL Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, transport 11/17 South Promenade, St Annes Meeting Rooms and our refiirbished from and retum to 15 Cleve Road, Tel 01253 726 726 communal hall are available for cultural lunch on joumey to Bournemouth, The cost, including Dinner, Bed and and social functions. Breakfast, is £420 per person Tel: 020 7794 3949 entertainment in hotel The hotel charges a supplement per IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY BOOKED, room for sea view or deluxe room DON'T LEAVE IT TOO LATE Programme includes HANDING THEM DOWN GOOD COMPANY Let Martin Gaba, a highly experienced Call Lorna on 0208 385 3070 or ENTERTAINMENT • OUTINGS Carol on 020 8385 3085 MEET OLD AND NEW FRIENDS journalist on disability issues and a medical doctor, sensitively help Travel to St Annes by RAIL, NATIONAL COACH or CAR you record your memoirs in writing. Please contact Ruth Finestone on For a brochure/press cuttings, further ACACIA LODGE 020 8385 3070 information or to arrange a no-cost Mrs Pringsheim, S.R.N. Matron For Elderly, Retired and Convalescent exploratory chat, please contact him (Licensed by Borough ot Bamet) at ' Single and Double Rooms. [email protected] • Ensuite facilities, CH in all rooms. QcJioiA^ Home Care or tel 020 8556 7268 • Gardens, TV and reading rooms. Care through quality and • Nurse on duty 24 hours. professionalism • Long and short term and respite, including trial period if required. Celebrating our 25th Anniversary 25 years of experience in providing the Between £400 and £500 per week highest standards of care in the comforl 020 8445 1244/020 8446 2820 office hours of your own home 020 8455 1335 other times 37-39 Torrington Park, North Finchley London N12 9TB

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14 AJRJOURNAL MAY 2007

Search Notices Central Office for Holocaust Claims Collins, Lisle - (nee Ehrenburg?), a Mayer-Wolf, Oscar - was one of Michael Newman refugee, possibly a Kindertransportee, founders of Naharia by a group of from Berlin, was at Bunce Court for Germans in 1934. Could this be the Insurance Commission a short time. She married Captain same Mayer family that left Leslie Collins RA, who possibly served Langenlnsheim for England? Pis winds up its work Having made payments totalling more in Indian army. A daughter born contact Aaron Sovers at than US$300 million to settle 48,263 around 1943 was named Margaret [email protected] claims, the International Commission and lived in Worthing in 1944-46. on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims Contact desired to share memories Ostrava Moravska - Did you escape (ICHEIC) was wound up at the end of of friendship. Any info pis to through the coalmines in 1938-39 or March. alt@leslieturnerorg do you know someone who escaped Established in December 1998 and on that route or helped someone to financed by European insurance escape? Do you know other routes companies, ICHEIC received more than Mann, Walter and Elisabeth - my between Czechoslovakia and Poland? 90,000 claims. The bulk of the money grandparents from Germany. He I am a Swiss historian writing a book was allotted to just over 14,000 victims was a dentist in London before about rescuers - people who helped (or their heirs) who shared an overall WWI; she may have been a piano others to cross borders illegally - sum of $238 million. A further 2,900 teacher. They had a son: Franz during WWII and later. Any info pis applicants who claimed for policies Richard, born 1914. They were to [email protected] sold by insurance companies in Central interned on Isle of Man during WWI and Eastern Europe that were then sent back to Germany. My Ravensbruck - I am searching for nationalised or liquidated after the father was sent to an uncle in Paris. survivors of this camp for a book. Second World War and for which no present-day successor could be My grandparents were in concen­ Also, further to a notice last Decem­ identified shared $30 million. tration camps and my grandfather ber, I am still searching for survivors died in one. My grandmother lived of thejewish Hospital in Berlin. Some ICHEIC also distributed $1,000 awards to 31,000 victims ($31 million) in Berlin but had no real relation­ readers called about the Jewish Hos­ whose claims were deemed credible ship with my father. My father always pital but failed to reach me. Pis call but could not be substantiated due to said Thomas Mann was his uncle. Any again on 0208 740 9506 or email me 'the ravages of war and the passage info pis to [email protected] at [email protected] of time'. In addition to these awards for unpaid policies, ICHEIC allocated $200 Arts and Events Diary - May million to finance humanitarian projects benefiting needy survivors and To 26 May Kinderstransport The 'Icons Beyond the Border: Why Do Holocaust-education projects. play by Diane Samuels. Hampstead We Love (Hate) Hannah Arendt, The Commission received before the Theatre, London, tel 020 7722 9301 Walter Benjamin, Franz deadline 91,558 claims, two-thirds of which did not name the insurance To 27 May Absence and Loss A Rosenzweig, Hershom Scholem and Leo Strauss?' UCL, Gustave Tuck company with which the policies were photographic Holocaust memorial supposedly held. exhibition London Jewish Cultural Lecture Theatre, 6.45 pm, reception Centre, tel 020 8457 5000 6.15 pm in Haldane Room (Gower Street entrance), tel 020 8381 4721 Wertheim settlement: Tues 1 May Prof Robert Wistrich, or 01273 678771 Claims Conference 'Laboratory for World Destruction: announcement Germans and Jews in Central Mon 21 Dr Nicholas Worral, The Jewish Claims Conference and the Europe', London Jewish Cultural 'Brecht's "The Mother" in a Post- German retail group KarstadtQuelle Centre, 7.30 pm, tel 020 8457 5000 Communist World' Club 43 have reached a settlement in their 3-13 May 'Happy Paintings'. Tues 22 Prof Steven Aschheim, dispute over a property in central Berlin. Exhibition by Lily Freeman at 'Locating Nazi Evil: The Contrasting KarstadtQuelle agreed to pay 88 Hampstead Museum, Burgh House, Visions of Gershom Scholem, million euros to the heirs of the so- New End Square, London NW3, 12- Hannah Arendt and Victor called Lenne-Triangle property which 5 pm, tel 020 8458 5020 Klemperer' Centre for German- formerly belonged to the Jewish Jewish Studies, Sussex University, Wertheim family and was seized by the Mon 7 No lecture (Bank Holiday) Brighton, Arts C110, 5.00 pm (tea Nazis. According to the Jewish Claims Club 43 4.30 pm in Arts B127), tel 01273 Conference, KarstadtQuelle's payment Thur 10 Remember, a play about 678771 is one of the highest ever paid as compensation for confiscations carried the Holocaust performed by Finchley Mon 28 No lecture (Bank Holiday) out by the Nazi regime. Catholic High School, Finchley Arts Club 43 Depot, 7.30 pm, tel 020 8445 0105 Written enquiries should be sent to ext 248 28 May-1 June A Spiro Tour to Berlin Central Office for Holocaust Claims Tel Spiro Ark on 020 7723 9991 (UK), Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Mon 14 Howard Isenberg, 'Toscanini Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL, by fax to in London' Club 43 Club 43 Meetings at Belsize Square Synagogue, 7.45 pm. Tel Hans Seelig on 020 8385 3075, or by email to Mon 21 Prof Steven Aschheim, 01442 254360 [email protected]

15 A)RJOURNAL MAY 2007

Newsround

Concerts in memory of German- Jewish composers Witnesses to history A group of German artists has honoured German-Jewish musicians' works and lives 'Remembering the Children' took the opportunity to leave the DP camps. in a series of concerts in Los Angeles. Professor Tony Kushner gave this year's Ben Helfgott, Chairman of the '45 Aid Among the composers are Arnold Schoenberg, Erich ZeisI, Alexander Leonard Montefiore memorial lecture, invited Society, was the recent guest of Radio 4's Zemlinsky, Pavel Haas, Viktor Ullman and by the '45 Aid Society. In his lecture, Desert Island Disks, relating his life in the Wladyslaw Szpilman (the latter portrayed "Remembering the Children: Britain, Refugees ghetto after the German invasion of Poland, in Roman Polanski's film The Pianist). The and Survivors from Nazism', he differenti­ the murder of close members of his family, idea of memorialising not only the works ated between those who came to Britain in and his eventual opportunity to come to but also the lives and fates of the Jewish the 1930s and the far fewer who arrived fol­ England. He took great pride in representing composers originated in 2001 in Schwerin, where Volker Ahmels, director of the lowing the end of hostilities in 1945. Great Britain at the Olympic Games in Schwerin Conservatory, organised an After the war, historians had paid scant Melbourne in 1956 as a British weightlifting international festival known as Verfemte attention to the children who had survived champion. Musik. Nazi persecution when contrasted with the School teachers drop Holocaust 1.5 million who were murdered along with 'The Single Light' lessons for fear of giving offence their parents. The acceptance of the The youngest of eight children, Emest Levy UK school teachers are dropping temporary immigration of the children of the was born in Budapest into a strongly controversial subjects such as the Kindertransport was a direct result of orthodox Jewish family, celebrating his Holocaust and the Crusades from history lessons because they do not want to cause Kristallnacht in November 1938, contrasting barmitzvah as Nazi Germany occupied offence to children from certain races and with President Roosevelf s refusal to support Czechoslovakia and expelled Jews of religions. According to a report by the the entry of refugee children into the USA. Hungarian origin. In his newly published Historical Association, produced with The Refugee Children's Movement lobbied autobiography The Single Light, written funding from the Department for for the admission of children and the British with David Spear, he recalls the seven Education, the teachers are generally well- govemment accepted up to 10,000 below 17 concentration and labour camps he intentioned. years of age as temporary residents. The survived, including Auschwitz. As the Paris exhibit on deported Jewish children were sent to isolated parts of the Russians closed in, inmates were force- children country and were often set apart in the marched to Belsen but, despite typhoid, he An exhibition at the Paris city hall contains thousands of photographs, official school classrooms. Most contributed to the lived to choose repatriation. documents, lists and personal testimonies war effort or gave loyal service in the forces. Back in Budapest he underwent a crisis pertaining to deported Jewish children. In Karen Gershon's 1966 study, which of faith but, recalling those who had helped all, 11,400 French children were deported, related 234 individual stories, was the first to save him, he revived his Jewish faith and 6,000 of them from Paris. reference in a refugee history. Bertha a passion for music, by the early 1960s Nazi war criminal loses court battle Leverton organised the first Reunion of serving as a chazan in a Glasgow Uki Goni, an Argentine researcher and Kindertransport in 1989 in London, making synagogue. Since making his home in joumalist, has won a three-year battle in the Kindertransport part of British history. Scotland he has educated and enlightened the Italian courts against Nazi war criminal Erich Priebke, who sued Goni and his Co-authored by Shmuel Lowensohn, /Cawe many young people with accounts of his Italian publisher for 50,000 euros. Priebke, AJone added considerably to the numt)er of experiences as a true witness. who is known for filing lawsuits, was personal stories. At the third and final The Rev Emest Levy's autobiography discovered in Argentina in 1995 and was reunion in 1999, a commemorative plaque was launched at the House of Lords, hosted deported to Italy, where he was given a was dedicated at the House of Commons, by the ever-ebullient Lord Janner and life sentence for the deaths of 335 people in what has come to be known as the and in 2003 a statue was unveiled on the organised by the Holocaust Educational Ardeatine Caves Massacre. concourse of Liverpool Street Station, where Trust, which he chairs. Jim Murphy MP, a most had arrived. member for Glasgow, recalled how he had Former Russian soldier fights neo- Nazi propaganda Collectively know as 'The Boys', child become a longstanding friend of Emest With the help of friends from the Union of survivors of the concentration camps. Otto when a student some 15 years previously. Jewish Soviet War Veterans, Boris Stambler, Schiff helped persuade the Home Office to Rev Levy replied that he was privileged to an 81-year-old retired engineer who lives take up to 1,000 for rest and recuperation, be surrounded by friends, family and other in Moscow, is continuing his decade-long accepting eventual retum to their countries important people. The taxi driver bringing legal battle against Russian antisemitic of origin. In all, 723 were flown to Britain him to the Lords reception had asked 'Why publications. His longest struggle is against Viktor Korchagin, the owner of a by the RAF and, rather like the Kinder, set­ Scotland?', to which he had replied that it Moscow bookshop who has published a tled away from the main urban areas. Many was 'a beautiful country with wonderful, number of anti-Jewish texts including of the children wished to go to Palestine, but good-hearted people'. Hitler's Mein Kampf.

Published by the Association of Jewish Refugees in Great Britain, Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL Telephone 020 8385 3070 Fax 020 8385 3080 e-mail [email protected] Website www.ajr.org.uk