VOLume 16 NO.12 DECEMBER 2016 journal The Association of Jewish Refugees

Ken Livingstone’s School Report Student Livingstone, K. which saw the party lose some two million of Jews from Germany to Palestine against School St Custard’s Academy votes and 34 seats. Hitler’s electoral failure an expansion of German foreign trade; Address Little Sneering, Corbynshire in November, creating the impression that that expansion eased the chronic shortage LAB 000 support for the Nazis was waning, led a of foreign currency which threatened the capacity of Nazi Germany to finance the Subject History imports required both for its rearmament Report programme and to ensure a reasonable standard of living for the German people. ivingstone, K. is a student with The Agreement also broke the pattern of considerable achievements in the boycotts of German imported goods by field of animal biology; his interest foreign countries, in which Palestine had inL the genus Pleurodelinae (newts) has been in the van. It is, of course, hardly already earned him good marks. His surprising that bodies like the Jewish abilities in the field of human history, Agency would wish to make every effort however, appear to be more modest, to save the Jews of Germany by facilitating not least because of a tendency to let his their emigration. imagination run unchecked by factual The Haavara Agreement required evidence and to latch on to lines of German Jews emigrating to Palestine to argument that owe more to ideological deposit their assets in blocked accounts preconceptions than to any concern for (Sperrkonten) that remained in Germany. historical accuracy. This is evident in When Palestine bought German goods it his essay ‘Adolf Hitler and the Zionists’. had to pay only 50 per cent of the total Here he advances the eye-catching thesis A Haavara Agreement certificate, 1935, kindly supplied by Eric Elias price in its own foreign exchange, while that during the 1930s Hitler supported the other half was taken from the blocked ‘the Zionists’, i.e. the Jewish Agency for accounts of the German Jews who had Palestine, by promoting the emigration coterie of right-wingers to pressure the emigrated there. On arriving in Palestine, of Jews from Germany to Palestine, and aged President of Germany, Field Marshal the Haavara trust company paid these Palestine alone – at least until he ‘went von Hindenburg, to appoint Hitler immigrants half the value of their blocked mad’ at some stage during the war and Chancellor (30 January 1933), calculating accounts in Germany, thus ensuring that switched to a policy of genocide. Those that his party was now weak enough to they recovered at least that part of the familiar with the actual history of the be harnessed to a conventional right- assets that they would otherwise have left period would regard this argument as wing political agenda. Actual evidence of behind in Germany. difficult to sustain. policy statements or real electoral pledges That it was Germany’s economic The deficiencies in Livingstone, K.’s regarding the emigration of Jews to interests – not some murky policy of covert grasp of history become clear from the Palestine is hard to find; one comes across collaboration with ‘the Zionists’ – that lay very start of his essay: he states that among little more than the rabble-rousing chants behind the Haavara Agreement is hard to the policies advanced by the Nazi Party of ‘Alle Juden nach Palästina’ (‘All Jews contest: it was negotiated on the German when Hitler ‘won his election in 1932’ to Palestine’) favoured by marching Nazi side by the Ministry of Economics under was the designation of Palestine as the sole Brownshirts – but those hardly reflected Hjalmar Schacht, who was also President territory to which Jews ‘should be moved’. Party or government policy. of the Reichsbank, Germany’s central Livingstone, K. appears to be ignorant of The argument that Palestine was the only bank, where he was much concerned by the fact that there were two parliamentary territory to which the emigration of Jews Germany’s critical shortage of foreign elections in Germany in 1932 – that of was promoted by the German government, currency. Schacht was an economic realist: July 1932, when the Nazis emerged as the by means of official agreements, is weak. once policy-making on Jewish affairs passed largest party in the Reichstag with some 37 Those like Livingstone, K. rely principally from men like him to radical, ideologically per cent of the total vote and 230 seats in on the Haavara Agreement of September motivated anti-Semites like Heinrich parliament, and that of November 1932, 1933, a scheme that traded the emigration continued on page 2  journal DECEMBER 2016

Ken Livingstone’s School Report  continued

Himmler and the SS, after November 1938, (SD), the SS intelligence agency. This was HOLOCAUST the Haavara Agreement promptly lapsed. indeed a remarkable episode, but not one MEMORIAL DAY The agreement was no more than the result that had the sinister overtones attributed Tuesday 24 January 2017 of the Nazi government’s perception of to it by Livingstone, K. In November 2 pm a temporary conjunction of its interests 1937 Eichmann and his superior, Herbert at Belsize Square Synagogue, and those of the Jewish Agency in one Hagen, travelled to Cairo, where they London NW3 4HX specific, limited sphere: its lack of any solid held talks with Feivel Polkes of the ideological foundation, such as a belief on Haganah. The meetings proved fruitless: Please save the date and join us the part of the Nazi leadership in the project Hagen and Eichmann were mainly for our service to commemorate of forcing German Jews to emigrate solely concerned to discover information about Holocaust Memorial Day. to Palestine, led to its being discarded as assassination plots against leading Nazis, We are honoured that His Excellency soon as circumstances changed. while Polkes wished to promote the the German Ambassador, Dr Peter Livingstone, K. appears to contend large-scale emigration of German Jews to Ammon, will be our guest speaker that the Nazis collaborated with ‘the Palestine. But in his report to Reinhard and will address guests on the theme for Holocaust Memorial Day Zionists’ by concluding agreements about Heydrich, head of the SD, Eichmann 2017: ‘How can life go on?’ Jewish emigration with the authorities in dismissed Polkes’s proposals out of hand: Palestine alone, a contention that is all too ‘Since the emigration of 50,000 Jews per easily refuted. The best known agreement year would greatly strengthen the Jewish on Jewish emigration from Germany to position in Palestine, this plan is not Annual Election Meeting of another country is probably the rescue worth discussing. The policy of the Reich The Association of Jewish effort known as the Kindertransport, is much more to hinder the development Refugees (AJR) which brought nearly 10,000 children from of a Jewish state in Palestine.’ he Annual Election Meeting of The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) Germany to Britain, by agreement between It was the real prospect of the creation Twill take place at 4 pm on Wednesday the British and German governments. of a Jewish state that had caused Nazi 7 December 2016 at Winston House, Livingstone, K. resides in north-west policy to shift abruptly against Jewish 2 Dollis Park, London N3 1HF. London, the principal area of settlement of emigration there. In July 1937 a Royal Agenda: Annual Report, Financial Report, the Jews who fled to Britain from Germany Commission set up by the British Discussion, Election of Trustees. and Austria after 1933. He has been known government had recommended that If you wish to attend please contact to frequent a branch of a well-known chain Palestine be partitioned into an Arab Karin Pereira on 020 8385 3070 or at of coffee shops adjacent to West Hampstead state and a Jewish state. Far from wishing [email protected] Overground station and a well-known to contribute to a substantial population upmarket supermarket near Finchley increase in a future independent Jewish Road Underground station, both in the state, the Nazis now saw that state as a political testament that he wrote in his heartland of refugee settlement. It would dangerous enemy. Eichmann wrote: ‘The Berlin bunker the day before his suicide have been easy for him to encounter former proclamation of a Jewish state or a Jewish- on 30 April 1945. In Mein Kampf he had Kindertransportees – living evidence of the administered Palestine would create for expressed his view that a Jewish state in falsity of his arguments – but one suspects Germany a new enemy, one which would Palestine would not be a place for Jews that Livingstone, K. tends to favour the have a deep influence on developments in to live but rather ‘a central organisation company of newts over that of Jews. the Near East.’ Senior Nazis like Alfred of their international world cheating … Livingstone, K. raises the visit made Rosenberg, the leading Nazi ideologue, a refuge for convicted rascals and a high to the Middle East by Adolf Eichmann also warned against the establishment of school for future rogues’. of Referat II 112, the section responsible a Jewish state. Foreign Minister Joachim Who can seriously believe that a Jew- for Jewish affairs in the Sicherheitsdienst von Ribbentrop warned of the danger hater of such proportions would do more posed by such a state, which would serve than flirt temporarily with any plan to AJR Chief Executive as an operational base for ‘world Jewry’, as encourage Jewish emigration to Palestine? Michael Newman the Vatican did for political Catholicism. Livingstone, K. would be well advised to Finance Director David Kaye The British proposal to partition drop his ventures into historical fantasy Heads of Department Palestine was dropped in 1939. But Nazi and concentrate instead on his strong Karen Markham Human Resources & Administration points – the propagation of newts, not the Sue Kurlander Social Services hostility to any Jewish state continued Carol Hart Community & Volunteer Services implacably. Behind it lay Adolf Hitler’s dissemination of red herrings. AJR Journal unremitting and vitriolic hatred of the Anthony Grenville Dr Anthony Grenville Consultant Editor Dr Howard Spier Executive Editor Jews, arguably the most consistent weapon Quotations from Nazi documents are taken Karin Pereira Secretarial/Advertisements in his ideological armoury, from the from Karl A. Schleunes, The Twisted Road Views expressed in the AJR Journal are not beginnings of his political career in to Auschwitz: Nazi Policy toward German necessarily those of the Association of Jewish Refugees and should not be regarded as such. Munich after the First World War to the Jews 1933-1939.

2 DECEMBER 2016 journal Let's not be beastly to the Germans recently came across a most British, it is clear, would be different. Is this a stereotype? As a rabbi in wonderful book – well, strictly How different? ‘No-one can be a state Berlin, I have attempted to negotiate Ispeaking, I came across a reprint and or municipal servant in Nazi Germany with synagogue board members, to a translation of it but it’s quite possible unless Hitler and Hitler’s yes-men are make suggestions for initiatives, to that there are still a few readers of this convinced of his loyalty to themselves propose ideas for change. I achieved journal who received the original back ... down to the Blockwart with the almost nothing and was accused in 1944 or 1945. I wonder whether by some of my supporters of being any were instrumental in writing it? It ‘too English’. Now I read this advice clearly reveals inside knowledge of the Of course, many (p.43): ‘If you have to give orders country and the society ... to German civilians, give them Instructions for British Servicemen Jews in Germany now in a firm, military manner. The in Germany 1944 was published come from a Soviet cultural German civilian is used to it by the Foreign Office in 1943 and background but the cultural or political and expects it’! And indeed came out the following year; in differences are minor – there is still when, in frustration, I have 2007 it was republished by the broken down and shouted Bodleian Library, Oxford. Whilst the dependence on the ‘strong man’ who at somebody – something in some respects it reflects the dominates a community and tells people which, in Britain, would lead social mores of the time it is also what to do and what to think and how to a total loss of respect – I fascinating for the view it gives of they may pray – and forbids any have found that people are ‘The Germans’, acknowledging that actually much more respectful not all were Nazis but also warning other options. And who is to and do what I say! Even though I that those who were actively anti-Nazi be obeyed ... dislike myself afterwards ... would by now have been removed Of course, many Jews in Germany from society, fled or been murdered, now come from a Soviet cultural and that even young people were modest job of ruling a block of flats’ background but the cultural or infected through Nazi propaganda. (p.17f); ‘According to Hitler the State political differences are minor – there As an Englishman – one could even is something above the people. The is still the dependence on the ‘strong say a Yorkshireman – who has lived in individual must give up his rights, his man’ who dominates a community Germany for 16 years, I can only say that, liberties, his beliefs, even his religion, and tells people what to do and what whereas some things have changed, for what is held to be the good of to think and how they may pray – and some things seem still very familiar. the State ... The Christian virtues of forbids any other options. And who is Again and again I have been accused kindness and justice are thought to be to be obeyed ... by members of Jewish communities unworthy of the Master Race, and the The Enlightenment was essentially of having ‘English humour’ – this was Nazis have tried to uproot them ... It the discovery of the Individual – until a negative comment. I thought most seems strange that such wild ideas could then everyone lived in a collective, of my jokes were actually Jewish and, impose on a European nation in the be it a Family, a Tribe, a People; they if Jewish humour comes from Jews, 20th Century, but woven into Hitler’s were Subjects of a ruler. Then, the idea from where does black humour come, doctrine are many deep-seated German grew – in some parts of the world – eh? A Spanish TV crew once asked me “complexes”, such as hatred of the Jews, that the individual was morally and for the difference between English a desire to domineer over others and a intellectually responsible for his or her and German humour. ‘Well, for one readiness to believe that they themselves own actions. A citizen is not a subject. thing,’ I began, ‘there is English humour are being persecuted’ (p.19f). The British soldiers were being ...’ But this book discusses different After some political struggles inside warned to think carefully and to perspectives. Jewish communities I have become analyse and not believe everything they It’s always a difficult matter when increasingly aware of the British saw or heard – and at the same time the soldiers of one country invade concept of a ‘Loyal Opposition’, which to see the people they were occupying another – even in the Torah there are means one opposes without thereby as somehow responsible for their rules for dealing with besieged cities being disloyal to the system. Whereas situation. Despite which, there had and prisoners. The booklet states: here: ‘for centuries they have been to be rules, and laws, and discipline. ‘There will be no brutality about a trained to submit to authority – not Where is the boundary between British occupation, but neither will because they thought their rulers wise sensible advice and racist or cultural there be softness or sentimentality.’ and right, but because obedience was stereotypes? It’s a fascinating subject In contrast: ‘You have heard how imposed on them by force ... That is and one which, I am sure, can be the German armies behaved in the one reason why they accepted Hitler. discussed for generations to come ... countries they occupied, most of them He ordered them about, and most of Walter Rothschild neutral countries, attacked without them liked it. It saved them the trouble Rabbi Dr Walter Rothschild was born excuse or warning. You have heard of thinking. All they had to do was in Bradford, UK, was ordained by Leo how they carried off men and women obey and leave the thinking to him. It Baeck College, and has lived in Berlin to forced labour, how they looted, also saved them, they thought, from since 1998 serving mainly communities imprisoned, tortured and killed.’ The responsibility ...’ (p.25). around Germany and Austria.

3 journal DECEMBER 2016 Rosie and Truus – a footnote in history s a newly qualified teacher lived a Jewish family. Truus’s mother because something occurred to me in Bristol in the late 1960s, I had given the mother of the family on hearing Esther’s testimony. As Aworked largely with A-level Truus’s ration card so they could a teacher for many years in Bristol students at Filton High School. Many at least obtain some food for their and London, I was long involved in later became, and still remain, my children. Then one day Truus saw the Holocaust education, particularly friends – after all I wasn’t very much Nazis round up and brutally deport serving on the working groups that older than they were. One of these her Dutch-Jewish neighbours in broad brought the Auschwitz and Anne students was a young and enthusiastic daylight. Among the family was Frank exhibitions to London in the teenager called Derek Pickup. When early days. I have met, interviewed my new wife, Jane, and I organised a and befriended survivors and their senior school visit to a kibbutz in Israel families, spent much time with the he was the first of six students It suddenly came home to late, great Sir Martin Gilbert – to enlist. It was a wonderful probably the Holocaust’s most experience for us all. Later, me that for Truus to remember gifted chronicler – and, like when my family moved to Rosie’s suffering in her last hours such many readers of this journal, the kibbutz for three years an event must clearly have been deeply read volumes and watched after the Yom Kippur War, films on this most awful Derek constantly came to hidden in her innermost thoughts and etched yet compelling subject. In visit and even completed a within her heart for over seven decades and that fact, it is only ten years ago six-month ulpan. it was too painful for her to speak of it except that I discovered that direct In 1977 we returned to descendants of my Dutch- live in London and Derek kept on very rare occasions. And so Rosie’s Jewish great-grandmother in constant contact. After a name was on the lips of Truus Sauer – those who never came while he met, and later married, as she lay dying. to England – had perished in a young Dutch woman whom Auschwitz and Sobibor. We always, he – unsurprisingly – had got to of course, remember the victims of know at a Hebrew-language summer this worst crime in history – the special school in Jerusalem. Esther Keller had Truus’s best school friend Rosie. The annihilation of virtually all the Jews of been a Hebrew-language student family were never seen again. ‘That is Europe; we remember the survivors at Groningen University and had why I gave my daughter the Jewish and their children and their traumas; attended the same course. name of Esther!’ declared Truus with we remember with varying degrees of Over the years we all met frequently great passion, ‘To remember the disgust and hatred the perpetrators in Bristol, where Derek and Esther Jewish people who were murdered by and their cowardly collaborators; made their home, or in London, the Nazis.’ We both had tears in our we recall the bystanders who did and watched each other’s children eyes and I hugged her. nothing and even profited from the growing up. The time came when Years have gone by and sadly in deportation of the Jews, including their eldest child, Rivka – deliberately 2014 Truus became terminally ill. from as far away as Arab North Africa; given a Hebrew name – was to In July 2015 we were visiting the and we remember the tribulations and be married, so off we went to the Pickups in Bristol and Esther said she nightmare of the Allied soldiers who wedding. And it was here that I first would soon be going to Holland to experienced the horrors of liberating met Esther’s mother, Truus Sauer. She, stay a while with her mum as the end the camps and saw the death pits. of course, knew of us (the Sugarmans) was approaching for her. That day I And we recall the urgency of the as Esther’s friends from London and, spoke to Truus on skype from Esther final need – as if we required any with my black hair and beard, she and Derek’s home for the first time more of a reason – for the rebirth and lovingly dubbed me her ‘Rabbi’. since that meeting at the wedding redemption of Israel as a safe home During the wedding reception she and again she called me her ‘Rabbi’, at last, stolen from the Jewish people appeared very anxious to talk to me though now my beard was greyer. over 1,000 ago but now ours once and took me aside to a quiet spot. She asked me to say a prayer for her. more and for all time. In her broken English she excitedly And I did. But we rarely, if ever, give thought wanted to explain why she called her Truus sadly passed away in August to the innocent witnesses who wanted only daughter ‘Esther’ – something I with her large family around her near to help the Jews but were powerless, had often wondered about but never her home in Goutum. Of course, on like Truus Sauer in her childhood. It given much thought to. The reason her return we spoke to Esther about suddenly came home to me that for now became tragically clear. what had happened. She told me Truus to remember Rosie’s suffering Truus was born in 1933 and grew that the most heartrending part of in her last hours such an event must up in the suburbs of the lovely Dutch those last hours with her mother was clearly have been deeply hidden in town of Arnhem. As a little girl she that prominent among her mum’s her innermost thoughts and etched witnessed the terrible battle there in last thoughts was her Jewish school within her heart for over seven September 1944 when British Paras friend Rosie. In her delirium and the decades and that it was too painful tried to take ‘A Bridge Too Far’ and her fog of medication, she kept calling out for her to speak of it except on very family became refugees in their own ‘Rosie, Rosie, why are they taking you? rare occasions. And so Rosie’s name country, driven out by the Germans. Why doesn’t someone stop them? was on the lips of Truus Sauer as she But earlier in the war Truus, then aged Why is nobody helping you?’ Esther lay dying. about ten, had witnessed something and I wept as she related this to me. On Holocaust Memorial Day 2017, equally traumatic. Across from their So anyone reading this might ask: I will, of course, be remembering house, in a quiet Arnhem street, why am I telling you the story? It is continued on page 13 

4 DECEMBER 2016 journal RESTITUTION OF VIENNA PHARMACY n 2008 the Guild of Austrian company secretary at Gerngross, Vienna’s In 1947 my grandmother, mother Pharmacists celebrated the centenary largest department store, which had also and the widow and son of Fritz Iof its foundation and published a been in Jewish ownership. My mother Grünberg applied for the restitution research project on the history of the initially refused to sign the transfer of the pharmacy and ownership regulation of pharmacy in Austria.* papers and was told that it didn’t matter was restored to them in November The publication includes a very detailed whether she did so then or in Dachau. 1948. After complex negotiations, account of the ‘aryanisation’ of which necessitated the return individual pharmacies. of my mother to Vienna for a Like so many other refugees, lengthy period and ultimately my family had told me almost the employment of a lawyer who nothing of the hardships they specialised in restitution, they were suffered at the hands of the Nazis finally able to sell the pharmacy in and I found out many details of 1952 and transfer their money to the story only from this book. England and that of the surviving Until 1829 there were no Grünbergs to the USA, where they regulations relating to the then lived. practice of pharmacy by Jews I don’t know what the financial in Austria. On 16 May 1829 basis of the restitution was but it a decree by Emperor Franz I was sufficient to allow my mother forbidding Jews from practising to buy a partnership in a pharmacy pharmacy was enacted. This law My mother, right, in front of her London pharmacy (our in London, where she worked was repealed in1860 by Emperor name was changed from Lichtenstern to Lester in 1947) happily and successfully until she Franz Joseph I. In December 1867 a was 80. Even after retiring from law was enacted that no citizen should According to the very precise official full-time work, she continued to do be denied access to any profession on figures, the prescribed price for the ‘locum’ jobs virtually until her death the grounds of his religion. This ruling pharmacy was RM 49,210.78, from which in 1994. led to a rapid growth in the number of RM 29,526.41 ‘aryanisation’ tax was My mother and grandmother liked Jewish pharmacists, so that by 1900 10 deducted, leaving RM 19,684.27, which to talk to my four children, to whom per cent of pharmacists in Vienna were was placed in a locked pharmaceutical they were devoted, about their good Jews. In 1938 before the Anschluss there account (Sperrkonto bei de Pharmakred). times in Vienna before the war. I was were 222 pharmacies in Vienna, 79 (36 There are similar precise accounts of the always reluctant to return to Vienna per cent) of them owned by Jews. In forced acquisition of all the other 78 but in 2009 my children persuaded me Germany ‘aryanisation’ of pharmacies Jewish pharmacies. that they wanted to see the places in the had been initiated in April 1933 with Still we were lucky. My family’s partner, Austrian capital where we had lived and the advent to power of the National Heinrich Grünberg, and his wife didn’t my parents had worked before the war. Socialists. Following the Anschluss the leave Vienna. In October 1941 they were The Apotheke zur heiligen Austrians rapidly followed suit with an deported to the Litzmannstadt/Lodz Margarethe turned out still to be a efficient bureaucracy to plunder Jewish ghetto, where he worked as a pharmacist. retail pharmacy, although clearly very assets. In the words of the authors of the book, updated, and six of us trooped inside. In 1913 my grandfather, Adolf ‘They did not survive the Shoah’. Their son I explained to the assistant that we Metall, and a Jewish colleague, Heinrich Fritz, who had a congenital heart disease, just wanted to have a look since it Grünberg, had become partners in was able to escape in 1939 with his wife had once belonged to my family. The a pharmacy in the 5th District, the to La Paz in Bolivia, where he established a assistant became agitated and said he Apotheke zur heiligen Margarethe. chemicals factory. Sadly, partly as a result would have to call the ‘Chef’. I repeated Both Heinrich Grünberg’s son Fritz and of the unsuitably high altitude of La Paz, the explanation to the boss, whose Adolf Metall’s daughter, my mother he died of heart disease in 1948 at the embarrassed reaction was ‘It’s nothing Vilma, qualified as pharmacists at age of 37. to do with me!’ He was right, of course: Vienna University and were taken into My grandmother Adele and my in 1938 he had not been born. the business. My grandfather died in mother Vilma escaped to England in Sadly, when my grandmother died 1934 and, at the time of the Anschluss, November 1938. My very efficient mother at the age of 91and my parents in their Heinrich, Fritz and Adolf’s widow and was able to work in a pharmacy in eighties, it was not acknowledged that daughter each held quarter shares in Willesden Green in north London during anything had been to do with anyone the business. the day and take an evening course at in Austria and it was only later that I According to the official report of 22 what was then the Chelsea Polytechnic. was offered financial compensation July 1938, the business was profitable She re-qualified as a member of the amounting to one tenth of the financial and free from debt. On that day a National Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain loss that the Austrian restitution Socialist, who had been a member of the after only one year. She then became authorities had calculated was due Österreichischen Legion of the Deutsches manageress of the same pharmacy. (My to them. For their disrupted lives and Reich since 1934, was appointed poor father, Felix Lichtenstern, who was their murdered families, there can be manager of the pharmacy. With the a lawyer by profession and was interned no compensation. authorisation of the Asset Transfer on the Isle of Man, never found suitable Eva Blumenthal Agency (Vermögensverkehrsstelle) work, but that is a different story.) *Alfred Fehringer and Leopold Kögler: the pharmacy was ‘aryanised’ on 18 During the war the management of Die Pharmazeutische Gehaltskasse November 1938, the day after my the pharmacy in Vienna was transferred für Österreich von 1908 bis 1948 grandmother, my mother and I left for a number of times after the original unter besonderer Berücksichtigung England. My father had gone ahead in National Socialist manager was called up der ‘Arisierung’ und Rückstellung September having also lost his job as to serve as Officer Pharmacist in the Army. österreichischer Apotheken

5 journal DECEMBER 2016

faced no such discrimination. Frank Bright, Martlesham Heath, Suffolk Sir – Having been but a 13-year-old schoolchild at the time, I’m afraid I don’t know the answers to any of the questions asked by Peter Phillips in your November journal, but they shouldn’t be too difficult to find online, I’d imagine, including the value of the The Editor reserves the right pound sterling in those days. to shorten correspondence I do remember though that 5s was submitted for publication the maximum amount charged for any item in Marks & Spencer, including a very simple pair of shoes, a swimsuit or a cotton housecoat, and that 6s was THE JOLLY COPPER the maximum charged for any item at Woolworth stores. Sir – In part response to Peter Phillips’s father’s guarantor, Marjorie Raphael, Moreover, my parents, grandmother questions (November), unlike his rang the Home Office to put in a good and I arrived at Croydon Airport on Viennese doctor father my father was word for him; finding out how chaotic the 12 November 1938 on our German one of the tiny group of Austrian dental situation was, she stood guard over him at passports (I was on that of one of my surgeons with medical degrees granted his London surgery for a few days in the parents). We were German citizens until visas in early 1939 on condition that event the police should call. Guarantors as we acquired British nationality after the they passed the final year and final guardian angels merit greater recognition war. Having been expelled from the examination at a British university. than they have received until now. former Yugoslavia, taking a plane from For safety my father flew to London In January 1941, Defence Order 1941 Zurich was the only option as the French immediately. My mother and we children (32B) allowed the registration of foreign government refused to let us travel followed later by the boat train via the medical qualifications in the UK. Thus through France by train. Hook and Harwich. refugee doctors were able to work without Margarete Stern, London NW3 With two ex-Viennese colleagues, necessarily requalifying. While Nazis my father commenced the study year in were cancelling Jewish medical degrees Manchester. The three were, of course, Britain recognised them, the recognition FICTION DRESSED AS FACT in statu pupillari but were regarded more becoming permanent after the war. Sir – In company with a number of as staff members able to take on the Refugees today face great difficulties in other AJR members, I attended the more difficult cases. requalifying – certainly a lesson for today gala presentation of The Pianist of On the outbreak of war a jolly when refugee skills are under-utilised. Willesden Lane recently. A magnificent policeman called and told father that Paul Weindling, Oxford performance by a gifted piano virtuoso, he was now an ‘enemy alien’ and would Mona Golabek, telling the moving have to be interned: ‘To reduce distress Sir – I am prompted by one of the many story of her mother with emotion and I will call again for you tomorrow. Be questions Peter Phillips asks: ‘Who was sympathy. ready!’ The next day he came with a big it that didn’t want Auschwitz bombed?’ As soon as I returned home I grin and said ‘You can unpack. You are To me, the evidence points to a singular downloaded and read the associated still an enemy but it has been decided lack of interest in the fate of Jews book The Children of Willesden Lane, by that due to the call-up there will be a when some could still have been saved. Ms Golabek and Lee Cohen. The book is shortage of dentists so you can carry on.’ Commemorating Holocaust Memorial fascinating and easy to read. I enjoyed it With his other colleagues, father Day 61 years after deliberately missing but I was irritated because it has some completed the course, learned English, opportunities can’t change that, but it serious defects. passed the final examination, and joined should be part of the remembrance. It is written in unashamed American a well respected practice. The German With regard to Peter’s question English, with American spellings. ‘Out doctors and dentists who had arrived about ‘the £50 that had to be paid as the door’, ‘backyard’ and other such earlier were not subjected to these a guarantee by sponsors – was that expressions are used consistently. conditions. per family or per person?’, by the time Never mind. However, the book needs Our jolly copper stayed for tea, then I arrived on these shores as a displaced proofreading. There are spelling mistakes visited regularly and remained a family person in June 1946, the deposit to and grammatical errors. The one German friend for life. the Home Office before they would phrase quoted twice is incorrect in Hans L. Eirew, Manchester even consider issuing an entry visa had every detail to the point of being risen from £50 to £500, an enormous incomprehensible. Sir – Peter Phillips asks how come his sum in those days, meant to keep out This would be of little consequence father, a physician, was not interned undesirables like Jews, which it did. if it were an accurate reflection of the and how come he could work from early Fortunately a distant member of my history. But there are anachronisms 1941 onwards? mishpoche was a Viennese banker with everywhere. How did our heroine pay a Internment was primarily in areas Czechoslovak nationality who was able two-pound debt in 1939 with ‘two large deemed vulnerable to invasion because to put down such a sum. Even then, the coins’? Were the bomb-damaged ruins of the totally groundless fear of a ‘fifth visa turned out to be merely a visitor’s really rendered waterproof with plastic column’ among the refugees. Otherwise, one valid for only six months. It also sheeting? ‘Brighton by the Sea’? Quakers Peter’s description ‘haphazard’ is correct. contained the classical wording that I speaking in ‘thees’ and ‘thous’? It is clear My efforts to reconstruct the chaos was not to take up work ‘paid or unpaid’. from the text that the authors were not indicate that 249 physicians and medical To the six wasted years spent on the in England during the war years. students were interned – so, at most, wrong side of the Channel I could now The problem is that there are only 10 per cent of the medically add another six months on this side of Holocaust deniers out there. They will qualified refugees at the time. I know it. After that, and not a day earlier, a argue, quite cogently, that the whole of no female physician, and only a very permanent visa was granted as well as thing is made up and that will include few nurses, who were interned. My a work permit. Ex-Ukrainian SS guards the awful facts that we all know to be

6 DECEMBER 2016 journal true. If it’s fiction, and clearly identified refugees in the schmatte business, and pinned on noticeboards so that as fiction, that doesn’t matter. But if it’s among them: all students can learn from it! She is so history it must be written as correctly as – Kurt and Else Nathan, whose right in her criticism of Naftali Bennett, the authors can manage and they should granddaughter Liz Ison has thoroughly Israel’s Minister of Education, who said consult all possible sources before researched and written about her it is more important to focus on Jewish publishing their work. The Holocaust can family. Kurt and Else’s son, Clemens studies than on maths and science. How never be documented sufficiently often Nathan, deserves a chapter to himself; uneducated is this pronouncement! It but fiction must never be dressed up as – Gerhard and ‘Mieze’ Herzberg, whose leads, as Dorothea says, to extremism historical fact. son Gunter (now living in Australia) and ignorance. Students in Jewish Frank Beck, London NW3 ran a textile factory in Keighley, schools should beware: Israel must not Yorkshire; become insular. Nor should they. A AJR PLAQUE FOR GOMBRICH? – In Pinner or Northwood there were Jewish bubble is dangerous. Sir – In connection with the article in the Hellers (I can’t remember their At the same time, I agree with your October issue on Sir Rudolf Bing, forenames) but their son Walter, also Margarete Stern (October, Letters): you mentioned that commemorative working in their textile business, ‘[C]ouples who opt to sit next to each plaques on others have been erected by married my cousin Marietta Kalotai. other in synagogue will obviously not the AJR. It occurred to me that you might My father, Nicholas Farago, after even contemplate attending Orthodox consider one on Sir Ernst Gombrich, release from internment as an enemy services.’ This surely means that who was of considerable influence on alien in 1940-41, worked for his cousin in ‘Orthodox wives do not want to sit next the study of art history in this country. Barclays Woollen Co but in 1947 became to their husbands in shul’ – as I wrote. Although Austrian by origin, he was an independent textile agent. After his Why is she contradicting me – and related to my family. I always enjoy death in 1954 my mother, Hilda Farago, indeed herself? More importantly, when reading the Journal. took over his business but later switched are the Modern Orthodox going to allow Ilse J. Eton, London NW11 to wholesaling children’s clothes with husbands and wives to sit together, live SCARY MEMORY a business partner, also a refugee. Her up to their word ‘Modern’, and stop Sir – I escaped from Berlin in May 1938. address books and some accounts (still segregating women? The Nazis burnt down my school in in my cellar) could point to many other With regard to Clare Parker’s letter Prinzregentenstrasse. My grandparents, names relevant to your study. about Hungarian Jews, I am not sure who had charge of me, decided I had Between 1948 and 1954 up to 20 what she means by saying they are ‘not to be got out of Germany as quickly as refugees in the schmatte trades regularly so religious’: her ladies’ gallery does possible. They took me, carrying a small had lunch in the Old Vienna Café on segregate women. This is a pity and suitcase, to the Hauptbahnhof, found the first floor of Lyons Corner House in modern women should not be accepting a Jewish couple going to London, and Leicester Square, where I joined them it. asked them to take me with them, which occasionally to meet my father. There Peter Phillips, Loudwater, Herts was a vibrant atmosphere, old jokes they did. Thus was I reunited with my A TALE OF THREE JEWS mum. Our journey, via the Hook and were swapped (I wish someone had collected and recorded them), cakes Sir – We too were refugees, in some Harwich, was delayed for 24 hours by a respects similar to the ones now flooding Nazi Stichprobe at the frontier. That was were eaten, coffee was drunk, business was done, and a good time was had. The into Europe. Three Jews, we came to very scary for the three of us and must England on the pretext of being voluntary have been terrible for my mum. war had been won, the loss of relatives in the Holocaust was receding in their miners: at the end of December 1956, I would really like to meet others who this was the way to come to England. The were also pupils at my school – two memories, and the outlook was positive. In 1954 I joined the paper division miners threatened to strike if we became schools actually, boys attached to our miners and that was just fine for us. synagogue on the one hand, and girls on of the Bunzl family business, which had moved from Vienna in the 1930s. Of We were taken to Skegness and the the other. My grandfather, Arthur Meyer, Lancashire Miners’ Holiday Camp, which an ear, nose and throat doctor and the five Bunzl brothers, one moved to the USA. I believe the others all came wasn’t used in the winter. The three of surgeon, died before the Holocaust. Omi us were a tiny minority among the 750 and my uncle Uli, his wife Annemarie and to London. Hugo Bunzl was the overall boss and boss of the paper division, Hungarian males there. Our £8 a week, little Michael all perished in Auschwitz. less deductions for food and lodgings, I have had four Stolpersteine laid in which later became what is now Bunzl plc. George Bunzl and Max Bunzl ran the was distributed on Friday mornings. Bamberger Strasse in Berlin. Many of the inmates immediately took Tom Jacobs, Twickenham textile business, which included a shoddy mill in Dewsbury, international jute and a bus to the town centre, where they REFUGEES AND THE SCHMATTE general textile trading in London, with managed to get drunk and often got into BUSINESS offices (after the war) in Milan and fights with their hosts. A few of the more Sir – Dr Anna Nyburg’s letter in a recent Vienna. I didn’t get much knowledge civilised ones, helped by their lack of issue of the Journal asks for information of the textile side of the Bunzl business English, managed to charm the relatively about the contribution made by refugees except over lunch in the directors’ dining easy English females and reached their to the textile and clothing industry in room in London, one of the few facilities goals amazingly fast. the UK. shared by the paper and textile sides of In the naive belief that fellow Jews My father’s cousin George (Gyuri) the business. would be pleased to welcome us, I wrote Schatz, born in Hungary, moved to Berlin Quite a few refugees/survivors worked a letter to the Chief Rabbi. He forwarded in the 1920s and in the 1930s came to in Marks & Spencer head office. my letter to the Jewish community in England, where in London’s West End he Another name that comes to mind is Leeds. Very soon three men appeared set up Barclays Woollen Co, a successful Lord Kagan of Gannex raincoat fame. I in the camp, looking for us three Jews. merchant specialising in selling English know no more than what’s on Wikipedia The three men were very nice and, like and Scottish worsteds and woollen and the Daily Mail website. politicians now, promised to get us to textiles, mainly men’s suiting. He and John Farago, Deal, Kent Leeds and sort out our lives. This promise his wife took me into their home when was to materialise within a couple of I came to England in 1940 (having ‘ISRAEL MUST NOT BECOME days. We waited patiently. By now, I must travelled by the Kindertransport from INSULAR’ admit, I doubt I will hear from them. my home town of Vienna to Belgium in Sir – Dorothea Shefer-Vanson’s ‘Letter To return to my two fellow Jews. March 1939). from Israel’ (November issue) should be One of them was an old schoolmate. During the war they/we lived in sent to all Jewish faith schools in the UK Eventually he met a nice Scottish girl Amersham, also the home of other and should be read out in assemblies continued on page 16 

7 journal DECEMBER 2016

Note two paintings, hung side by side, one of Christ betrayed by Judas and the other of Jesus being taken by armed REVIEWS guards. The Judas kiss barely touches him – perhaps a metaphor for Christ’s A narrative of exile ART vulnerability and untouchability as he faces TALES OF LOVING AND LEAVING martyrdom. By contrast, in The Supper by Gaby Weiner NOTES at Emmaus he is shown fully vibrant, AuthorHouse, 2016 , 208 pp., ISBN: GLORIA TESSLER red-robed and gesticulating in intense 9781524635084 conversation with his disciples. his book is about the fragmentation Another stunning work is Saint John and subsequent reconstruction of the author’s family, torn apart – e was the first artist to paint the Baptist in the Wilderness, in which the T sometimes too literally – by Nazism. someone eating an apple or being saint is an athletic but introspective youth, It is also about her own journey whose flowing robes barely cover his nudity. bitten by a lizard and it was this of discovery, a journey beset with Hnaturalism which brought Caravaggio Other works by Orazio Gentileschi, notably difficulties. She describes some of right into our face. The expression of shock that of his daughter Artemisia, whose the many problems she encounters: painting Susannah and she started off by knowing very little the Elders projects a about her parents and their families; personal story of her she had difficulties in tracing relatives own rape by an art (especially over 50 years after the end teacher and the anguish of Nazism); various bureaucracies failed and torture of a trial to co-operate in releasing files (MI5 weighted against her. was especially difficult, maybe even The token woman in more so than the Austrian and Polish this show, Artemisia, is bureaucracies); and there was a feeling an exceptional painter that on occasions one’s Jewishness in her own right, whose was not in one’s favour. She is seeking other brilliant works to reveal the narrative of her family’s are not shown here. exile but such a memoir, involving A painting you displacement and dispossession, is could almost describe inevitably fragmentary. Then there’s the question of how as Modernist for its to write such a memoir. Weiner tells Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio The Supper at Emmaus 1601 unusual luminosity, us that the book is about her family (The National Gallery, London) though produced in and their experiences and not about the 17th Century, is her, but she finds herself – I suspect or pleasure on the subject’s face, plus the Georges de La Tour’s The Dice Players. more than she wanted – writing in brilliance of the light, marked him out as Its intense clarity showing men at play the ‘I’ as she is the unifying factor in an artist who was radical in his time for is claimed as Caravaggiesque. A darker this book. And, unsurprisingly, she portraying the ordinariness of day-to-day version of the same subject by Nicolas interprets her parents’ lives in part folk. Tournier features the hand dealing the dice through her own experience of them. In Beyond Caravaggio (to 15 January as the main focus of the composition but She eschews a more academic format 2017) the National Gallery brings the takes a more traditional form in clothes, – she wants the dead to speak for great painter into focus, as it does those features and lighting. Other emulators themselves, yet she inevitably has to who came after him. Not all of them are of the great master stand out: Gerrit van act as the translator. At points, she uses shown here, of course. You could argue Honthorst’s evocative Christ Before the the technique of imagining what her that Caravaggio’s influence could be seen High Priest defines the interrogation with relatives would say or feel: her striving in the subtle power of Rembrandt’s light a single candle, playing on the admonitory for reconstruction benefits from such and the pathos of his subjects; you could finger of the high priest, and Giovanni a fictional approach. consider the volume and physicality of Antonio Galli’s Christ Displaying His Even some of the primary sources, such as photos, have to be interpreted. Rubens; you could continue, in fact, into Wounds is striking for its metaphysical The marriage photo is not what is Modernism and Surrealism. But here we portrayal of a very physical risen Christ seems. It appears as a moment of joy are presented with the way Caravaggio proving his death to non-believers. but what it reveals to Weiner, among took art in new directions, lending his other things, is how important being name to the Caravaggiesque movement, integrated into British society had lighting the way with the spontaneous become to her parents and their innocence of a pied piper. He was radical Annely Juda Fine Art families and, she comes to realise, in his subject choices, favouring the 23 Dering Street how important it was to them to common man in everyday situations, even conceal that they were not married in his religious paintings, and radical in (off New Bond Street) and that their daughter, the author, his daring and vibrant use of light. It is Tel: 020 7629 7578 was therefore illegitimate. for this reason that he is considered one of Fax: 020 7491 2139 When Weiner finds relatives there the most revolutionary figures in art – for is no magic moment of togetherness, his originality, his ability to paint emotion CONTEMPORARY much though one yearns for the and convey the narrative. PAINTING AND SCULPTURE closeness of a lost family. The degree

8 DECEMBER 2016 journal of Jewish identification separates to overcome the consequent slight took in these children: as late as p.317 different branches of her family, as do fragmentation by presenting each we are reminded that ‘[a]part from the widely diverse locations, class and person as a separate story. This study is their beliefs, the Christadelphians had experiences. The dead stand between as much autobiography as biography: no connection with the Jews from the living. There’s no going back. about how Nazism impacted on Europe. But they volunteered to have Weiner highlights the importance of ordinary lives and how this leaks into them come to live with them because her Jewish roots – of her grandmother, the life of the following generation. they believed in the promises made to whom she never knew, one of millions Merilyn Moos Abraham.’ Too often one encounters murdered in the Holocaust. Weiner’s that university-essay groaner: repeating mother did not talk of her mother, the content of a quote more or less Weiner’s grandmother, and knew A very valuable addition to verbatim by way of ‘elucidation’. almost nothing of her. Weiner wants to the record On the other hand, for every child get to know the grandmother she never PART OF THE FAMILY: VOLUME 1 Mr Hensley has included a map of met. As do so many of us, she wants to by Jason Hensley Europe, usefully showing his or her breathe life back into her grandmother’s Self-published in America, 2016, hard towns and cities of importance; every life and so commemorate her. She writes cover 401pp. document and historical statement in some historical detail of Brody, where he subtitle of this book is fully referenced and there is even her grandmother’s family came from, is Christadelphians, the a glossary of terms at the back of and of its earlier Jewish community TKindertransport, and Rescue the book, redundant for those with and imagines their daily experience. from the Holocaust – a little-known an intimate knowledge of Holocaust She writes similarly about her mother, but important part of the refugee story matters but helpful to uninitiated the third major life in her book, and her in Great Britain. What happened to all readers. Mr Hensley’s research has mother’s trajectory, framed by her life in those children who arrived at Liverpool been dedicated and comprehensive; Vienna, with its own chequered political Street? Some of them were taken in by the book wants only a good editor. history during the 1930s and 1940s. Christadelphian families and this book Despite its editorial flaws this is a Weiner’s father was, while Jewish, tells some of their stories. very valuable addition to the record. It more political than her mother. In the The first part of the book is an (not is the first in a series of projected books early twentieth century in Poland, he absolutely clear) explication of the telling the stories of Kindertransport was involved in many of the political Christadelphian religion and why so children fostered by Christadelphians and social movements of the time and many of its adherents wanted to help and on the copyright page the was therefore always ready to flee, a Jewish children. The second part tells author asks for any such children pattern which came to dominate – and the stories of ten individuals, in their (or their descendants) to contact damage – his personal life, including own words and those of the families him at iwaspartofthefamily.com with his daughter. Indeed, it was only who took them in. Almost all the More stories need telling yet. when she was in her twenties that families had limited resources and Tanya Tintner Weiner started to discover some of her sometimes limited incomes; all wanted father’s many secrets. Many secrets to do good. And good they certainly continued, however, to elude her did. Every child here became part of A remarkable story of despite strenuous efforts. Such is the the family and felt indebted and close survival effect of exile and dislocation. to them for the rest of their lives. The UNTERGETAUCHT: EINE JUNGE Weiner’s parents, from such distant stories are very moving and especially FRAU ÜBERLEBT IN BERLIN 1940- countries, met as exiles in London in the letters (translated and reproduced 1945 (Gone to Ground: A Young 1942, her father having been expelled in full) from the parents still in Europe Woman Survives in Berlin, 1940- from Belgium for being a Jew and a – some never seen again – thanking 1945) Communist. They moved in together the fostering parents for the care of by Marie Jalowicz-Simon and had a daughter (the author). The their child. edited by Irene Stratenwerth story does not end there – both her The drawback of this book, and Hermann Simon Fischer, parents had difficulties in establishing however, is that it is self-published and Taschenbuch, 2015, themselves in their new countries unfortunately suffers the problems that ISBN 978-3-596-19827-6, 10.99 euros (the post-war experiences constitute bedevil so many such books. Sad to say, his book (not yet translated into about the last third of the book). some of the photos, probably not of English, I believe) is an edited The British state did not gladly yield high quality as originals, are printed so Ttranscription of 77 cassettes, on naturalisation to Weiner’s mother poorly as to be useless (some appear to which Hermann Simon Fischer’s wife despite her attempts. Although her have been faxes or photocopies); the Marie recorded her life up to 1945. relationship with her mother was close, subtitle of Flora Hertz’s photo on p.316 He eventually persuaded her to do so her relationship with both parents is ‘Note the number on her forearm’, at the end of 1997, when she was 75 was deeply marked by her parents’ but none is to be seen. There is too years old. histories. The effects of exile and much repetition: we do not need to A sensitive reader will soon notice persecution continue on to the next be reminded in almost every chapter that this account is written not as generation. that the family taking in a child was a book but as a spoken record. Writing such an auto/biography Christadelphian. There is too much The editors have been careful to is inevitably fraught with difficulty, emphasis, to the point of sounding preserve this ‘direct’ approach, which which Weiner largely transcends. defensive, on the fact that none of often includes witticisms, amusing She is hoping to introduce ordinary these families attempted to convert expressions and direct speech in Berlin people to the readership who may the children to Christadelphianism dialect, all adding to the reader’s know very little about the political (though some children chose to pleasure. circumstances. She therefore provides convert notwithstanding) and we are Marie Jalowicz was born in 1922 significant contextualisation and tries too often told why Christadelphians and lived in the eastern part of Berlin,

9 journal DECEMBER 2016  Reviews continued from pg. 9 RENOWNED JEWISH WOMEN SCIENTISTS which I, another ‘Berliner’, hardly n Sunday 25 September, knew as I was born and grew up in HSFA (Holocaust Survivors the western districts of Schöneberg Friendship Association) AJR GROUPS ANNUAL and Charlottenburg. A map provided O members and guests attended a at the end of the book shows the 19 CHANUKAH PARTY presentation by Bernice Pearlman, addresses mentioned by the author. a well-known member of the Leeds All Welcome Marie was born 11 years after her Jewish community. A scientist parents married and remained their herself, it was not surprising that Thursday 15 December 2016 only child. Both families had originally the subject of her talk was ‘Women at North West Reform Synagogue come from Russia and her father in Science’. Alyth Gardens, Temple Fortune, and his brother had completed their Mrs Pearlman gave an extremely London NW11 7EN secondary education with the Abitur interesting account of seven Jewish and gone on to become lawyers. Her Starts at 11.30 am women through the ages who, mother died in 1938 at the young age Ends at 3.00 pm despite much opposition from of 53. Her father lost his income as men, became renowned scientists; Cost £10.00 per person Notary Public in 1933 but was able to two of them also became Nobel payable on the door continue as a lawyer until 1938 as he Prize-winners. This talk was part (places must be booked in advance) had been a Frontkämpfer (soldier at of a regular programme of events the front) in the First World War. From A welcome by AJR Chief Executive held by the HSFA. then on his income was negligible and Michael Newman Barbara Cline Marie had to supplement it by giving Delicious two-course lunch coaching lessons to younger pupils. In 1940 Marie was ordered to Zap the Magician will perform table magic become a Zwangsarbeiterin (forced to Bulgaria and she agreed, imagining to amaze and entertain you during lunch labourer) at the Siemens factory in she might have the opportunity to After lunch, professional opera singer Spandau. She describes in great detail reach Israel from there. But for the trip Bronwen Stephens will perform a the atmosphere there as well as her to Bulgaria she needed papers, above selection of well-known opera and songs colleagues – she thought there were all a passport. She always met people from the theatre some 200 Jewish women at the factory. willing to help her and a woman called Following her father’s death in 1941 Johanna Elisabeth Koch allowed her It is essential that we know exact she managed to leave Siemens but to use her name for a forged identity numbers for catering was ordered to work the night shift card, enabling her to obtain a passport. in a spinning mill. She managed to Marie and her fiancé reached Please call Susan Harrod on get out of that by claiming she was Sofia but she didn’t have the papers 020 8385 3070 suffering from a nervous complaint necessary to register with the police or email [email protected] and was for that reason constantly and her presence in Bulgaria was tearing the threads. Before long she therefore ‘illegal’. Eventually she and succeeded in having her name deleted her fiancé decided they were not that from the labour exchange records: a well suited to each other after all and ‘From the Front Line: postman asked whether Marie Jalowicz she managed to obtain a permit to Negotiating with the German was living in her flat and she replied return to Berlin. Government for Compensation the lady had been deported. After It is not appropriate to describe all for Holocaust Survivors’ that she was no longer ordered to do her subsequent activities in detail but by Karen Heilig forced labour. she managed to remain undetected by Marie’s aunt Grete was deported to the Gestapo and obtained help from Assistant Vice President and Lodz (Litzmannstadt) in the autumn a number of anti-Nazi Germans. She General Counsel, Conference on of 1941. Although her aunt tried survived until she was ‘liberated’ by the Jewish Material Claims Against to persuade her to accompany her Red Army in 1945. Suffice it to say that Germany, New York voluntarily in order to support her, she subsequently studied at the Berlin Marie refused, fearing she might be University, became a lecturer there and, Limmud Conference, killed. in 1973, a professor. She died in 1998. Birmingham, In September 1941 a police Marie had been friendly with Hermann 25-29 December 2016 regulation forced all Jews to wear a Simon when they were both at the yellow star on their clothing when Jewish High School in Berlin, where they For decades the Claims Conference away from their home and the author passed their Abitur together in 1939. He has been negotiating with Germany for describes the ways in which many had subsequently emigrated to Palestine compensation for Holocaust survivors Jewish people managed to disobey this but on hearing that his girlfriend had to provide a measure of justice for the law. Meanwhile, Marie had made up survived the war, he went to see her greatest crime of humanity. Hear the her mind that she wanted to survive, in Berlin in January 1946, still a British insights and first-hand experiences succeeded in avoiding arrest by the soldier. Simon agreed to live in Berlin too from the negotiating table on the Gestapo, and did not comply with and they married in 1948. successes, challenges, dilemmas and instructions to prepare for deportation. The book is not only the record of the way forward in these unprecedented Marie had met a Bulgarian who the survival of a remarkable woman meetings. wished to marry her and she was also in but also a thrilling story. For further details, see love with him. He proposed to take her Fritz Lustig limmud.org/conference

10 DECEMBER 2016 journal

A FEELING OF PRIDE – THE AJR’S PLAQUE IN MEMORY OF MY FATHER Last month, we published an account they started in a little hut making of the unveiling by the AJR of a special firelighters. There is a story that commemorative plaque in honour of when there was a fire in their the industrialist Lord Schon (1912-95) ‘factory’ everything burned down at the house in Whitehaven, Cumbria, but the firelighters! Ultimately, where he and his family lived. Below, Marchon became one of the Lord Schon’s daughter, Yvonne largest factories manufacturing Saville, reflects on the feelings this raw materials in the world, event triggered in her. working with Colgate, Palmolive, n March 1939 my father, Frank etc. Schon, and my mother, Trudic, As I stood outside the house Iarrived at Victoria Station having we had lived in memories flooded narrowly escaped from war-torn back. I now understood the Vienna via Prague (where he was bigger picture. For them to working). He pointed to his map and come to another country, not said very animatedly to a passing knowing the language, having porter ‘Who am I? Who am I?’ been hounded out of their home In retrospect, that question may for being Jewish and now to be have been more pertinent than in a completely strange land, it was huge difference to both parties. I ‘Where?’ since they were both no wonder that my concept of our know this when I look up to the completely traumatised. Having lost roots was to be buried in an attempt skyline where I used to see smoke much of their family to the camps, to assimilate. They wanted to forget belching out of enormous chimneys. they were then to be labelled ‘enemy and even deny – there was no talk of Now there is nothing. Marchon is aliens’. They spent one year on the the past. It was too painful. German gone. I will always remember how Isle of Man. He spied Cumbria across was not spoken unless with a few it used to be. the sea and, since he thought it immigrants who had also found their I am most grateful to the might be as far away from Hitler way up to ‘Cumberland’. Now, the Association of Jewish Refugees for as possible, he decided to settle in plaque spells out the very facts they bringing home to me very positive Whitehaven and ‘create jobs’, giving tried to forget and deny – that was feelings about my parents and a boost to an underdeveloped area ironic and somewhat poignant to me. people, who, despite devastating of England. However, the overwhelming feeling tragedy, can heal, and indeed find, My father had to borrow £10 is one of pride. The alchemy of their their intrinsic strengths. from his brother-in-law Otto Secher strengths, the acceptance and warmth Yvonne Saville and, together with Fred Marzillier, of the Cumbrian people made a

CLASSIFIED THEATRE OUTING Joseph Pereira (ex-AJR ‘Half A Sixpence’ caretaker over 22 years) is now Wednesday 18 January 2017 at 2.30 pm available for DIY repairs and Noel Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2 4AU general maintenance. ‘Half A Sixpence’ is the iconic British musical adaptation of H. G. Wells’s disguised No job too small, autobiographical novel Kipps: The Story of a Simple very reasonable rates. Soul, based on the author’s unhappy apprenticeship Please telephone as a draper at Hyde’s Drapery Emporium in Southsea. 07966 887 485 This new stage version of the novel is a completely fresh adaptation by Julian Fellowes, Oscar-winning screenwriter and creator of Downton Abbey. Arthur Kipps, an orphan, is an overworked draper’s assistant at Shalford’s Bazaar, Folkestone, at the turn of the last century. He is a charming but ordinary young JACKMAN . man who, along with his fellow apprentices, dreams of a SILVERMAN better and more fulfilling world, but he likes his fun just like any other – except not quite. When he unexpectedly COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS inherits a fortune that propels him into high society, it confuses everything he thought he knew about life. Tickets £45 per person – Royal Circle with easy access Flash bang wallop – don’t miss the chance to see this amazing production! Telephone: 020 7209 5532 For details, please contact Susan Harrod on 020 8385 3070 or at [email protected] [email protected]

11 journal DECEMBER 2016 BOOK CLUB Unputdownable from Chaucer to Dylan Thomas and We enjoyed a successful meeting were presented with a vivid mosaic and a delicious lunch. The book we of London’s past literary life. A most discussed was The Girl Who Wrote in entertaining and instructive talk. Silk by Kelli Estes. Everyone thought it Elfriede Starer was a good read. I personally couldn’t INSIDE put it down. WELWYN GC Screening of The Gerda Torrence Sturgeon Queen the A small but select group was treated HULL CF Strong ‘Wanderlust’ to the 2014 film The Sturgeon Queen, AJR Veronika gave a wonderful account covering the 100-year history of the of her recent whistle-stop trip to four generations of the Russ family, Canada. It was wonderful to see her who specialised in the smoked fish GLASGOW BOOK CLUB Days Gone ‘wanderlust’ is still so strong! trade serving the Jewish community By and First Kisses Wendy Bott of New York’s Lower East Side. After The group agreed that Maggie the film we were treated to a superb O’Farrell’s The Vanishing Act of Esme COLIN DAVEY V WESSEX AJR lunch of bagels and rolls filled with a Lennox, though a fictional story, told A semi-retired top London solicitor variety of smoked fish. how the upper classes ‘removed’ regaled us John Mortimer-style with Peter Colman family members who behaved outside a Cook’s tour of English law, criminal the family norms. Group discussion and civil alike. Seemingly the average NOTTINGHAM (EAST MIDLANDS) led to reminiscences of days gone citizen is remarkably non-litigious. Meeting in the ‘Wilds’ of by in different countries and of first Generously he heard out our personal Leicestershire kisses! We look forward to next dilemmas, so we left feeling inspired Our last social meeting of 2016 took month’s novel The Shadow of the to stand our ground should injustice place in the ‘wilds’ of Leicestershire Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. ever make an appearance in our lives. in the home of Jurgen and Ruth Anthea Berg Kathryn Prevezer Schwiening, who laid on a splendid and much appreciated lunch. We PINNER A Very Worthwhile caught up on the latest news from Afternoon NEWCASTLE London, including planned trips and We had an interesting session with Out of Chaos Exhibition activities, brought to us by the much the AJR’s Head of Social Services, Sue welcomed Esther Rinkoff. Kurlander. She told us about the many e visited the Laing Art Bob Norton services provided to members – not Gallery in Newcastle, only first generation but also second Wwhich is currently hosting EDINBURGH Meeting of Experts and sometimes third generation. a selection of art works from Vivien spoke about her Scandinavian Many members were taking notes the Ben Uri Gallery in London. jewellery, in which she is a world expert; during her talk and a number had As it featured artists of Jewish Judy brought samples of her exquisite one-to-one chats with her after the descent, many of whom fled Nazi- cushions and pictures of her curtains meeting. Altogether a useful and very occupied countries, it came as no and upholstery; Pam spoke about her worthwhile afternoon. surprise that most of the paintings love of playing the piano and reading; Robert Gellman dealt with issues such as identity, my husband David spoke about the belonging and building new lives. textiles he had collected from all HARROGATE/YORK Brexit and Thanks are due to Agnes, who over the world; Lilian told us about German Passports organised our outing. her stage productions and brought Our lunchtime get-together worked Judith Fodor along some of the costumes she had out as the perfect time to listen made; Eva told us about learning the to Michael Newman’s slot on the piano in Germany as a child; and I David Vine Radio 2 show discussing LEEDS CF A Real Treat told everyone about my passion for ‘Descendants of Jewish refugees Leeds members had a real treat foraging, nettles and berries, but seeking German citizenship after the when master chocolatier Robert especially wild mushrooms. Brexit vote’. Indeed, it made for some Winterflood gave a talk about the Maria Chamberlain good discussion along with many history of chocolate – and, as he other interesting subjects! spoke, chocolate samples made their CAMBRIDGE Fostering Better Wendy Bott way around the room. How any of us Understanding had room for Barbara’s usual fabulous UJIA’s Harvey Bratt explained the KENSINGTON AND NOTTING HILL baking is a mystery but we did! philanthropic work the organisation is A Leisurely Afternoon Wendy Bott doing to foster better understanding Conversation flowed freely among those in and around Israel, for instance who came to enjoy a leisurely afternoon RADLETT Literary Figures and the in education by creating mixed at Peter Wayne’s lovely flat. Topics of Tube universities, schools, etc. UJIA also conversation ranged from Brexit, to Nick Dobson described an imaginary provides free writing of wills to travels to and within South Africa, to a journey on the London Underground encourage donations and legacy- talk at Alyth Gardens about the raid on with a number of stops at locations giving. Entebbe 40 years ago, to how to look related to London literary figures. Ruth Clapham after pianos. Eva told us of forthcoming At each stop, Nick’s associate Alison events, especially the forthcoming AJR Dabias gave an expert reading of DIDSBURY CF Favourite Books and Groups Chanukah Party. a relevant piece of writing. Thus Delicious Food Walter Goddard we came into contact with authors Members enjoyed a discussion

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DECEMBER GROUP eventS Antiques Roadshow Pinner 1 Dec Chanukah Party Sharing Your Story Wessex 1 Dec Chanukah Tea he BBC is working with the UK Newcastle 4 Dec Pre-Chanukah Lunch Holocaust Memorial Foundation Didsbury 6 Dec Social Tto create a special edition of the Antiques Roadshow, looking at artefacts Ealing/Wembley 6 Dec Joint Chanukah Party from the Holocaust and exploring the Ilford 7 Dec Chanukah Party – Chapel End Players extraordinary stories behind them. Kingston/Surrey 7 Dec Social This episode will include artefacts of such historical importance that they Cambridge 8 Dec tba are priceless. So, in a rare break with Manchester 11 Dec Chanukah Party the traditions of the programme, the Essex (Westcliff) 13 Dec Pre-Chanukah Party BBC has decided that items will not be valued. Leeds 13 Dec Chanukah Party The Roadshow has featured stories Kent 14 Dec Chanukah Lunch and objects owned by Jewish families Liverpool 15 Dec Chanukah Party during the Second World War in previous editions: jewels buried by families fleeing Brighton 19 Dec Godfrey Gould: ‘Hove’s Local Jewish Personalities’ the Nazis, a precious watch that is a permanent reminder of a relative who about favourite or memorable books lost her life in Auschwitz, even a ring a they had read and jotted down CONTACTS Holocaust survivor kept hidden through recommendations from each other for several concentration camps. Susan Harrod future reading. Of course no meeting The Antiques Roadshow is now would have been complete without Lead Outreach & Events interested in hearing more accounts delicious food to accompany it and a Co-ordinator good time was had by all. 020 8385 3070 [email protected] that tell of this dark period in history. Wendy Bott As well as telling the stories of loss and Wendy Bott tragedy, they want to discover stories of Northern Outreach Co-ordinator SURREY/KINGSTON Delightful 07908 156 365 [email protected] hope and love for a special episode to be Hospitality filmed later this year and due to be aired Members were delighted to see each Agnes Isaacs in January 2017. other again and enjoy another dose Northern Outreach Co-ordinator of Edmee’s delightful hospitality on 07908 156 361 [email protected] If you or your family would like to a grey Sunday morning. share your story, please contact the Susan Harrod Kathryn Prevezer BBC at [email protected] Southern Outreach Co-ordinator NORTH WEST LONDON Much Food 07966 969 951 [email protected] for Thought We were all asked in advance to select Esther Rinkoff Rosie and Truus our favourite piece of music, which Southern Outreach Co-ordinator  continued from pg. 4 was played while we consumed a 07966 631 778 [email protected] the worst crime in history but I will lovely lunch. Later we had a very Eva Stellman lively discussion about an article in be especially remembering two little Southern Outreach Co-ordinator Dutch girls – one Jewish, one Christian that day’s Guardian, ‘Descendants 07904 489 515 [email protected] of Jewish refugees seek German – who loved each other and played citizenship after Brexit vote’. AJR KT-AJR (Kindertransport) together but were wrenched apart member Harry Heber, who was born Susan Harrod by the Nazi killing machine. They are in Austria, was quoted in the article 020 8385 3070 [email protected] together now for all time. Bless them as saying he was appalled at the both. suggestion that he might apply for Child Survivors’ Association-AJR Martin Sugarman Henri Obstfeld Archivist, AJEX Jewish Military restoration of his Austrian passport. 020 8954 5298 [email protected] Much food for thought here. Museum David Lang Author’s note: despite kind help from the Dutch-Jewish Community GLASGOW CF From Tom Jones to Archives and Yad Vashem in Israel, it Pavarotti switch on electrics has not yet been possible to identify Our bring-and-share musical afternoon Rosie’s family: Truus died before turned out to be a wonderful social Rewires and all household anyone thought of asking her (of occasion. Members enjoyed a wide electrical work course she may not have known). variety of music – from Tom Jones to The archives show several possible Pavarotti – plus a chance to catch up PHONE PAUL: 020 8200 3518 candidates named Rosie, or similar, on everyone’s news. Mobile: 0795 614 8566 from Arnhem, of about the right age Agnes Isaacs and time.

13 journal DECEMBER 2016 ObituarIES Irma Mayer, born Magdeburg 8 December 1927, died London 9 August 2016 rma Mayer (née Pessel) was leave Germany. having sadly left behind his parents, a Kindertransport child. Her Aged 11, Irma joined the who were transported to Auschwitz journey to safety in England began Kindertransport, leaving behind her concentration camp and murdered. whenI her father was offered a job in mother, who was last to travel. She Irma and Harry enjoyed more London in 1938. Her mother had been was met by her father than 50 years of employed in Germany for a short time at Liverpool Street happy marriage. by their benefactor, who was married Station and taken in They settled in north to a French Jewess and, realising the by a Jewish family in London, raised two serious situation in Germany, wanted London’s East End. She children and made to help the family escape. was later evacuated with many friends. They Irma’s father's offer of employment her school to Rochdale, were fortunate to allowed him to travel to London only spending the war years see the birth of five to discover the job was bogus but it in Lancashire, where her grandchildren and saved his life and enabled him to make parents were able to join Irma lived to see the arrangements for his wife and child to her after a time. arrival of two great- Some years later she grandchildren. discovered she had a Sadly Irma’s son, talent for dancing and family became a ballet and tap Dr Robert Mayer,  anouncements dancer, then A teacher passed away from Death of dance and, in later cancer at the age of Young, Ruth (of Sidcup) – we are sad years, she trained as a 48 and, following his to announce the death of our treasured, keep fit instructor for adults including death, her health declined. much loved mother, nanny, great nanny the over 60s. Another particular Irma was able to use her talent for on 18 October at the grand age of 95. dance and movement to bring pleasure Her strength, love and kindness will pleasure for the family was seeing continue to inspire her family, all of her perform at the National Keep Fit to many people and to inspire her whom she greatly cherished. Festivals at the Albert Hall. students to take part in numerous She taught keep fit at the Michael fundraising events including tap Sobell Jewish Day Centre and many dancing marathons. retirement homes and day centres for She also felt passionately that it LEO BAECK HOUSING ASSOCIATION senior citizens. was important to keep telling the CLARA NEHAB HOUSE Having returned to London story of her childhood experiences. RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME with her family after the war, Irma She visited a local primary school in Small caring residential home met and married Harry Mayer. He Enfield for several years telling her with large attractive gardens too was a Kindertransport child, story to youngsters who were learning close to local shops and public transport 25 single rooms with full en suite facilities. having arrived from Berlin alone and about the Second World War for the 24 hour Permanent and Respite Care first time. Entertainment & Activities provided. In her home town of Magdeburg Ground Floor Lounge and Dining Room she also told her story to German Lift access to all floors. WHY NOT schoolchildren. She had a Stolperstein, For further information please contact: CONVERT The Manager, Clara Nehab House, a memorial stone, placed outside the YOUR OLD CINE apartment she had shared with her 13-19 Leeside Crescent, London NW11 0DA FILMS Telephone: 020 8455 2286 parents in Magdeburg and dedicated AND PUT THEM to her grandmother Henrietta, who ON DVDS had lived with them and who had FREE OF CHARGE? been transported to Theresienstadt, PillarCare Contact Alf Buechler at where she perished. Quality support and care at home [email protected] or tel 020 8554 5635 Irma was proud of her membership  Hourly Care from 4 hours – 24 hours of the AJR and, while she enjoyed  Live-In/Night Duty/Sleepover Care better health, attended AJR events.  Convalescent and Personal Health Care Books Bought At one such event she met Prince  Compassionate and Affordable Service Charles and had her photo taken  Professional, Qualified, Kind Care Staff Modern and Old talking to him.  Registered with the CQC and UKHCA Eric Levene Irma was my loving mother and Call us on Freephone 0800 028 4645 020 8364 3554 / 07855387574 she will be remembered for her PILLARCARE [email protected] kindness and generosity to her many THE BUSINESS CENTRE · 36 GLOUCESTER AVENUE · LONDON NW1 7BB friends and extended family. PHONE: 020 7482 2188 · FAX: 020 7900 2308 I also purchase ephemera www.pillarcare.co.uk Jacqueline Steele

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ObituarIES cont. from p.14 Elena Lederman, born Milan 6 October 1917, died London 11 May 2016 n immigrant from Italy to of the war. Belgium, Elena Lederman (née After the war, Elena, her husband Attias) was a young mother and son moved to England. She spoke Awith an infant son, Paul, in May 1940 four languages and initially became when the Nazis invaded and began to a secretarial translator. Subsequently, persecute the Jews. While her husband the couple started a business importing François fought with the Belgian Belgian chocolates and opened 40 resistance, Elena took refuge with her shops throughout the UK and Europe. son in a forest. They hid in a ravine Among customers who visited their covered with grass and branches for shop in London was the film star more than three years living on mainly Elizabeth Taylor. In the late 1970s apples and carrots. She came out only Elena presented a box of chocolates at night and believed her Italian accent to Katharine, Duchess of Kent, who saved her life when she encountered was with British Prime Minister James German soldiers. Her family were Callaghan. rounded up and shot on the last day Elena is survived by her son.

Max Rubinsohn spring grove London’s Most Luxurious imon Rubinsohn’s obituary of his survivor), made it possible for that father in your September issue community to continue to function RETIREMENT HOME 214 Finchley Road does not include his contribution as it declined in size for over 20 years. London NW3 toS public service, which should not go Without these two gentlemen, the unrecorded. Synagogue would have closed down at  Entertainment I first met Max when I became least 10 years earlier.  Activities  Stress Free Living an active member of the Dollis Hill In addition to this, following the  24 House Staffing Excellent Cuisine Synagogue. I didn’t have the privilege formation of the Rishon Multiple  Full En-Suite Facilities of meeting his first wife, Rachel, Sclerosis Society, of which I was but her reputation and the great loss Chairman and later Life President, Max Call for more information or a personal tour he suffered was there for all to see. was a volunteer driver for many years, 020 8446 2117 Notwithstanding this tragic loss, bringing members to our meetings both or 020 7794 4455 [email protected] Max was a hard-working member of in his own car and in the ambulance the Parents’ Association, where I first the group owned or borrowed. He met him, and, later, a conscientious made himself available not only to do member of the Board of Management. this but also, when necessary, to drive www.fishburnbooks.com During my years as an Hon. Officer members to and from the respite home Jonathan Fishburn of the Synagogue from 1968 to 1988, in Melton Mowbray as well as outings buys and sells I knew whom to call on when things we arranged from time to time. Jewish and Hebrew books, needed to be done. After I left the Simon’s modesty in not mentioning ephemera and items of community in 1989 Max took my place the above is undoubtedly inherited Jewish interest. as Hon. Officer and, together with from Max z’l’. He is a member of the Antiquarian Benno Gocman (another Holocaust Harry Bibring Booksellers Association. Contact Jonathan on 020 8455 9139 Ruth Renfield or 07813 803 889 for more information ith regard to the obituary personal friend of Ruth as well as our of Ruth Renfield (August), organiser. I too was a volunteer at Ruth spoke of her time in the HannahW Karminski House in Swiss Auxiliary Territorial Service as well as the Ruth invited me to her Hendon Cottage from 1982 onwards. Ruth kindergarten she cared for. She taught home, where her cakes were a delight often spoke of her son Herbert and me so much about her Hamburg origins to enjoy. She was a fine, knowledgeable his family while we prepared Meals and the heimlich cooking she’d known: lady, whom I’ll always remember as on Wheels, which other volunteers her wonderful soups, the Sauerbraten, being sympathetic as my mother had delivered to members’ homes; Milli Rouladen, Rote Grütze with semolina died in early 1982. May she rest in Mautner and Paul Alexander were two pudding, and the many cakes she made peace. of the drivers. Ruth Anderman was a without a written recipe. Helen Grunberg

15 journal DECEMBER 2016

improving one’s mood. The fact that many Israelis take the opportunity to travel, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson either in Israel or abroad, means that our neighbourhood is less noisy than is usually the case and building work has more or A month of inaction less come to a halt. We can even hear the birds sing, though of course they can’t irtually the entire month of long enough or some such nonsense, but drown out the sound of the neighbour’s October this year was taken up the idea of picnicking in the garden (and dog barking. by the Jewish holidays – or holy schlepping plates, cutlery, food, etc first in Concurrently, throughout the month Vdays as they are sometimes called. In Israel and then out of the little booth) appealed dozens of cultural, sporting and musical that means that the month had only eight to our sense of adventure. I still have fond events are held all over Israel, from the working days so that throughout that memories of our children lisping the little Alternative Theatre Festival in Akko period schools, offices and businesses were ditties about Sukkot that they had learned at to the Choral Music Festival in Abu closed (try getting dental first aid in the kindergarten and hope that they too treasure Ghosh, bicycle and foot marathons few days that were not taken up by festivals those memories. along various scenic routes, multicultural or weekends!) and the customary daily For the Jewish housewife this month events in Haifa, and exhibitions for all traffic jams were doubled and redoubled, of fasting and feasting requires logistical tastes in a myriad venues. Of course, the in both length and breadth. planning and manoeuvring that could beach, the national parks and the nature If you are an observant Jew this unnerve the most seasoned of military top reserves host family outings and picnics. probably seems like paradise on earth but brass. No sooner is one load of shopping A current attraction is the exhibition if you are not (I suppose you’ve guessed unpacked and put away than it has to be of items brought by immigrants from by now that I am not) it’s more like the taken out in order to embark on the next Germany in the 1930s to which my other place. On those few days when shops round of cooking, baking, serving, clearing cousin has loaned the by now antique and supermarkets are open the goods you up, dishwashing, and so on, ad nauseam. dental instruments his late mother want to buy are either old or unavailable, Nauseam being the operative word for the (and my aunt) brought with her after there are long queues at every checkout vast quantity of food that has to be prepared qualifying and coming to pre-State till, the car parks are full, and everyone is if your family consists of more than two Israel. That particular exhibition, which in a hurry to finish their transaction and generations with the average 2.4 children. is in Galilee, is sponsored by Israeli get on with preparing for the next festival. Walk along any street in Jerusalem and you industrialist and former immigrant from I agree that there are some positive will see women laden with shopping bags Germany Steff Wertheimer. In addition, aspects to the festivals. When our children as they hobble along on what appear to be thousands of people attended the festive (and later also grandchildren) were small swollen ankles and aching feet, attesting blessing by the priests at the Western we always built a sukkah and crowded into to long hours spent tending to boiling Wall and tens of thousands participated it to eat in the shade of the roof made cauldrons and bubbling pots and pans in in the colourful annual Jerusalem March. of leafy boughs. The walls consisted of the kitchen. As the end of the month draws near, colourful fabrics originally from India Nevertheless, life in Israel does have its bringing with it the last few days of yet (bought in Petticoat Lane) and were compensations, even for non-believers. The another festival, the country seems to decorated with our offspring’s original weather is especially pleasant at this time breathe a collective sigh of relief as it artwork. Orthodox visitors scoffed ‘But of the year – sunny but not too hot – and gathers up strength to spring forward and it’s not kosher!’ because the walls weren’t there’s nothing like a bit of sunshine for resume normal service.

 letters to the editor cont. from p.7 and they got married. The friendship without even saying goodbye. He was was that he was employed by Interpol. almost petered out while he worked in sighted in Soho with a lady on each arm His suit and his general appearance, Kilmarnock and Sheffield. When they and not quite sober. however, did not reflect favourably on moved to St Albans, it was rekindled. Years later I met him at the Hungarian Interpol. Unfortunately the friendship came to a patisserie in Willesden in north-west And the third Jew? Me. Extremely complete halt when the wife made an London. Irresponsibly, I invited him to lucky! I was introduced through my antisemitic remark. our flat for lunch. On the day, an hour parents back in Hungary to an extremely Our third Jewish camp mate was early, he appeared, carrying a bunch pretty refugee girl, also Jewish and from older than us and luckier. His father had of flowers. From then on he regaled Hungary. Irresponsibly, she agreed to deposited £5,000 in a bank before the us with his story, which could compete become my wife. Presumably she regrets war. As soon as he managed to get his with those of Hans Andersen or maybe it but after 54 years it’s too late. hands on it, he disappeared to London the Brothers Grimm. The gist of the tale Janos Fisher, Bushey Heath, Herts

Published by The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), a company limited by guarantee. Registered office: Winston House, 2 Dollis Park, Finchley, London N3 1HF Registered in England and Wales with charity number: 1149882 and company number: 8220991 Telephone 020 8385 3070 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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