VOLUME 8 NO.6 JUNE 2008 Qluj journal I ^^^^1 ^^^^1 Association of Jewish Refugees ^M

Supping with the devil ome ten years ago, I was sent to Hence the importance of the train to Switzer­ Brighton by the Shoah Foundation land: only if the Germans gave a tangible to interview Professor Ladislaus Lob token that they were negotiating in good Sof Sussex University. I knew Laci faith, argued Kastner, could they have any Lob professionally, and had always hope of obtaining money from 'world Jewry' assumed that he was Swiss. Only during the or concessions from the Allies. On this frail course of the interview did it emerge that basis of bluff and deception, Kastner built he had been bom the son of Hungarian Jews up a ]X)sition in which he worked closely in Kolozsvar (Cluj), capital of Transylvania, with SS-Obersturmbannfilhrer Kurt Becher, which became part of Romania in 1918 and travelled freely around Germany, crossed was retumed to Hungary by Hitler in 1940. the Swiss border with the train from Bergen- At the age of 11, in 1944, his life was Belsen and retumed, and even went to Berlin saved when he and his father boarded the Rudolf Kastner, 1947 for a meeting with Himmler (which never legendary train organised by Rudolf Kastner claims that Kastner's negotiating tactics also took place). It was a performance of stag­ (Rezso Kasztner), a prominent figure in helped to protect the Jews in the Budajjest gering audacity and steely nerves. Hungarian Jewry, in which some 1,670 Jews ghetto from deportation, saved children and But one needs a long spoon to sup with travelled from Budapest to safety in Swit­ the elderly from murderous forced marches the devil. Post-war Israel was psychologi­ zerland, spending several months in a from Budapest towards Austria, and even cally unprepared to accept the moral compound for special prisoners at Bergen- that he influenced Himmler's decisions to compromises necessitated by attempts to Belsen camp en route. Kastner had terminate the extermination programme in negotiate with the Nazis. Israelis preferred successfully negotiated this rescue with late 1944 and to hand over Theresienstadt to see the Holocaust in black-and-white Adolf Eichmann; for this he was assassi­ and Belsen to the Allies without fighting. terms, with the evil of Nazism opposed by nated in Israel in 1957, after having been These claims are disputable, but Kastner heroic figures like those of the Warsaw vilified as a collaborator with the Nazis. probably saved more Jewish lives during the Ghetto uprising; they saw Israeli society as Now, Ladislaus Lob has written a book Holocaust than did any other Jew. creating a new kind of Jew - the sabra - about his experiences: Dealing with Satan: Kastner played on the Nazis' greed and, tough, self-reliant and capable of striking Rezso Kasztner's Daring Rescue Mission towards the war's end, on their need for back at any enemy, in contrast to the image (London: Jonathan Cape, 2008, £18.99), testimony to their lenient behaviour towards of the Eurofxjan 'ghetto Jew' - weak and pas­ which mounts a stout defence of Kastner Jews. The Vaada raised 5 million Swiss sive, who had gone 'like a lamb to the against the charges levelled against him. francs, the ransom demanded by the slaughter' in the Holocaust. The Holocaust came late to Hungary, Germans for the Jews on the train, by selling In this scenario, even when it came to with the (German occupation of their erst­ 150 places on it to rich Jews still in saving Jewish lives, those who opted for while ally in March 1944. But in the months possession of their property. But mostly the negotiation rather than resistance became before their eviction by the Red Army in Vaada had to bargain with imaginary assets. associated with the figure of the grovelling, January 1945, the Germans used the tech­ Joel Brand, one of Kastner's associates, was conniving Jew who had half-collaborated in niques of extermination they had perfected sent to the Middle East with Himmler's offer his own extermination, a standpoint to kill some 450,000 Hungarian Jews. In this to spare a million Jews if the Westem Allies advanced with more force than faimess by desperate situation, Kastner set up the provided the Germans with 10,000 lorries Hannah Arendt in Eichmann in Jerusalem. Vaada, an organisation to rescue Jews, in for use on the Eastem Front. Brand was Even Yiddish, the language of Jewish Budapest. Considering resistance futile and arrested by the British and his mission Eastem Europe, was tainted with inferiority assistance from outside unlikely, Kastner failed. Kastner realised that the Allies would to Hebrew: when Rozka Korczak, a opted to negotiate - with remarkable audac­ reject the Nazi offer, but hoped that they resistance heroine from Vilna, spoke Yiddish ity, as he held no bargaining cards in his would make a show of interest, so as to drag at a Histadmt convention soon after her hand at all and could himself have been the process out and delay the deportations. arrival in Palestine in late 1944, David Ben- deported at any moment. The transparent bad faith of the Germans Gurion complained that 'Comrade Refugee' But he succeeded in spinning out gave him something with which to flesh out was speaking a 'foreign language'. negotiations with Eichmann and other his bluff: he was able to lay the blame for Consequently, when Malchiel Gmenwald, senior SS officers for months, the frainload the failure of Brand's mission on Eichmann an embittered eccentric from Jemsalem, used of Jews released to Switzerland being only by pointing out that he had already sent the his newsletter to launch a wild and highly the most visible evidence of his efforts. Lob Jews intended for exchange to Auschwitz. continued overleaf AJR JOURNAL JUNE 2008

StVPt.Xa WITH THE DEMI, continued from nuiie I Kastner was subsequently cleared of most coloured attack on Kastner in 1952, attitudes But when Shmuel Tamir, Gruenwald's of the accusations against him on appeal to to Kastner's rescue operation were far less able and unscrupulous lawyer, caught the Supreme Court, the damage had been favourable than would be the case today. Kastner out in an ill-judged attempt to fudge done. On the night of 3 March 1957, he was Kastner felt obliged to sue Graenwald for the tmth about his intervention on Becher's shot, and died three days later. Three libel, since the charges levelled against him behalf, Kastner's cTedibility began to unravel; suspects with extreme right-wing were extremely serious; worse still, he held he effectively became the defendant in the connections were convicted of the murder, an important position in a government case. Tamir, allowed remarkable latitude by but released in 1963. ministry, so the attack could be extended to the indulgent Judge Halevy, went on to ex­ Kastner's murder was not the first of its the entire Mapai-led govemment and had, ploit the fact that Kastner had allocated kind. In June 1924, Jacob de Hahn, a Dutch Attorney-General Chaim Cohn believed, to places on the train to Switzerland to mem­ Jew and poet who was friendly with Arabs be refuted in open court. bers of his family, to people from his (especially Arab boys), was shot in Gmenwald alleged that Kastner had prof­ hometown of Kolozsvar and to leading Hun­ Jemsalem by political activists, for whom ited from his collaboration with the Nazis, garian Zionists. He alleged that Kastner had he epitomised the ignoble 'Diaspora Jew', the both financially and through saving mem­ indeed used the negotiations with Eichmann antithesis of the new Zionist pioneer. The bers of his own family, and that he bore for his own selfish ends and that, by failing murder inspired a gripping novel by the indirect responsibility for the murder of to wam Hungary's Jews about their impend­ German-Jewish writer Arnold Zweig, De Hungary's Jews. Judge Halevy, who presided ing fate, he had colluded in their murder in Vriendt kehrt heim (De Vriendt Goes Home, over the trial that commenced in 1954, listed order to save a small number of those close 1932). In June 1933, Chaim Arlosoroff, a Gmenwald's accusations under four head­ to him. (How Kastner might have done more senior Jewish Agency official involved with ings: collaboration with the Nazis; 'indirect to save those dejDorted remained obscure.) the haavara (transfer) agreement with Nazi murder'; partnership in theft with a Nazi, In what seems today a seriously flawed Germany, by which German Jews were Kurt Becher; and saving that Nazi from pun­ judgment, Halevy found that three of the allowed to emigrate to Palestine while ishment after the war. Kastner proved to be four charges levelled at Kastner by economic benefits accmed to the Reich, was his own worst enemy, for he had indeed trav- Gmenwald had been substantiated, and in assassinated in Tel Aviv, presumably by elled to Nuremberg and provided an relation to the fourth irajrosed the derisory right-wing activists. And we are still living affidavit in Becher's favour; his reasons for fine of one Israeli pound on Gruenwald. with the consequences of the murder of doing so, however, were not financial, as Kastner had, said Halevy, in a remarkable Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in November Gmenwald alleged, since Kastner lived and departure from the normal language of legal 1995 by a right-wing fanatic. died a poor man. verdicts, 'sold his soul to Satan'. Though Anthony Grenville

Reconstituting a Traumatised Community ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The German-Speaking Refugees of the 1930s of and their Legacy to Britain THE ASSOCIATION OF Afternoon Workshop at the British Academy, JEWISH REFUGEES 10 Carlton House Terrace, London SWl TUESDAY 3 JUNE 2008 on Tuesday 24 June 2008 from 2 pm to 6 pm AT 11.00 AM his Workshop provides an conceming the involvement of the refugees at The Paul Balint AJR Centre 15 Cleve Road London NW6 opportunity to reassess the legacy in all aspects of public life. Their achieve­ For further details, T of the refugees of the 1930s, tak­ ments have in some respects proved please telephone 020 8385 3070 ing account of the newly created database exceptional, especially in the fields of natu­ The three mennbers retiring by rotation ral science, medicine and the arts. But in are Mr W D Rothenberg, Mr C W Dunston 'British Archival Resources Relating to and Mr E Reich. German-Speaking Refugees, 1933-1950' constming the process as a success story, The Association has received notice in (BARGE). The database, which covers both there is a danger that the stresses of resettle­ accordance with the rules to propose that public and private collections, was compiled ment may be obscured. A balanced picture Ms Karen Goodman and Mr Tim Schwarz by researchers at the University of Sussex will require further rigorous research, be elected as members of the Management Committee. Centre for German-Jewish Studies, funded by combining archival evidence with oral the Arts and Humanities Research Council. testimony. The Workshop will begin with short The Workshop will conclude with a AJR Directors Gordon Greenfield presentations by the researchers involved, Buffet Supper. Participants are also invited Carol Rossen including an online demonstration of the to attend the evening Public Discussion on AJR Heads of Department Maisie Holland Social Services functions of the database. This provides 'Immigration, Diversity and Integration: Michael Newman Media and Public Relations access to a remarkable range of archival Past Experience and Present Trends', which Susie Kaufman Organiser, AJR Centre testimony, recording both liberation and begins at 7 pm. The aim of the Discussion AJR Journal Dr Anthony Grenville Consultant Editor frustration. The immigrants, although is to consider whether past experiences of Dr Howard Spier Executive Editor assisted by voluntary refugee committees, immigration can shed light on the highly Andrea Goodmaker Secretarial/Advertisements also encountered hostility and resistance, topical issues of cultural diversity and social Views expressed in the AJR Journal are not culminating in the trauma of intemment. cohesion in multi-ethnic Britain today. necessarily those of the Association of Jewish The aim is to promote further research I Continued on page 4 \ Refugees and should not be regarded as such. AJR JOURNAL JUNE 2008

To AJR members A letter from Jewish Care NEWTONS Leading Hampstead Solicitors advise on am writing to let you know about the or living under false papers - as well as Property, Wills, Family Trusts services that Jewish Care offers to refugees who came to the UK after and Charitable Trusts IHolocaust survivors and refugees in Kristallnacht. addition to those you can receive from The Centre is open 6 days a week French and German spoken the AJR. including Sunday afternoons. The social You may have heard of our two programme, which is developed in Home visits arranged centres based in Hendon: Shalvata and partnership with the members, is aimed 22 Fitzjohn's Avenue, the Holocaust Survivors' Centre. at providing relief from the traumatic London NWS SNB Shalvata was set up in 1990 to offer memories that so many of you carry survivors and refugees an opportunity every day. The regular programme Tel: 020 7435 5351 to speak about the emotional effects of includes an art class, creative writing, a Fax: 020 7435 8881 their suffering to professionals trained weekly Yiddish group, keep fit, Israeli to respond to these particular dancing, Tai Chi, and current affairs, to difficulties. Today, we also focus on name but a few. There are regular current problems as well as past outings to the theatre, opera, stately traumas. We offer monthly therapeutic homes, exhibitions, museums and other groups for the spouses of survivors, as places of interest. We run groups for well as a combined group for those who those who are alone and feel isolated JACKMAN- were hidden as children in Europe and as well as a singing group and well-being those who came on the Kindertransport. workshops. Meetings with a solicitor can SILVERMAN The setting is informal and friendly and be arranged. COMMERCIAl, PROPERTY CONSULTANTS we receive very positive feedback from At the heart of the Centre is a vibrant those who have been helped by these caf6 and members can just come in to services. Shalvata's work is unique and enjoy the delicious food and have a chat we would encourage you to contact us with fellow survivors or join in the if you feel you may be able to benefit. activities - the choice is yours. All the The Shalvata team also includes Jewish festivals are celebrated at the 26 Conduit Street qualified social workers who can assist Centre. We also hold a Seder at Pesach London WlR 9TA with the many practical requests that we and once a month we have a Friday- receive. Someone may need financial night dinner. On Yom HaShoah, we Telephone. 020 7409 0771 help, domiciliary help, or a volunteer. arrange for members to go to Logan Hall Fa» 020 7493 8017 Like our colleagues at the AJR, with and then return to the Centre for lunch, whom we liaise closely, our staff will visit and similarly on Holocaust Memorial Day. at home if it is too difficult for you to The Holocaust Survivors' Centre come to Shalvata. If, for example, produces a monthly newsletter to keep someone is finding it hard to cope in our 600 members informed, and we their own home and wishes to enter encourage members to write articles. AUSTRIAN and GERMAN sheltered or residential accommodation, The members have told us that they PENSIONS our staff can assess and deal with this regard the Centre as their 'home'. complicated process. If a survivor or Perhaps most importantly, through the nefugee wishes to record their testimony, Centre the members have helped to PROPERTY we have trained volunteers to help with build a new community out of the RESTITUTION CLAIMS this. We also work closely with aftermath of the Holocaust. EAST GERMANY - BERUN educational organisations such as the If you meet the membership London Jewish Cultural Centre and the criteria and would like to know more, On instructions our office will Imperial War Museum to enable survivors we would be delighted to hear from assist to deal with your and refugees to speak about their you. Please ring 0208 202 9844 applications and pursue the experiences in schools or other settings. between 9 am and 5.30 pm Monday matter with the authorities If you have gone through Nazi to Friday. persecution and feel that Shalvata can Judith Hassan OBE For further information assist you, please contact us on 0208 Director of Services for Holocaust and an appointment 203 9033 between 9 am and 5.30 pm Survivors and Refugees (Jewish Care) please contact: from Monday to Friday. There is no charge for these therapeutic services. ICS CLAIMS Next door to Shalvata is the Holocaust Annely Juda Fine Art 146-154 Kilburn High Road Survivors' Centre, which opened in 1993. London NW6 4JD 23 Dering Street (off New Bond Street) Unlike Shalvata, the present membership Tel: 020 7629 7578 Fax: 020 7491 2139 of the Centre is limited to those who Tel: 020 7328 7251 (Ext. 107) were in Europe during the war - in CONTEMPORARY PAINTING Fax; 020 7624 5002 AND SCULPTURE camps, ghettoes, in hiding, as partisans A)R JOURNAL JUNE 2008

he telephone rang. A voice asked: on Kristallnacht. 'Would you be willing to take part In the centre of Vienna the cathedral T in a project called "Letter to the loomed darkly as I remembered it and, Stars"? It involves making links between walking on to the 2nd district, I was back school students in Austria today and those by the Donaukanal along whose banks I of you who were schoolchildren in Austria had wheeled my cousin in his pram. Two before the Anschluss.' I said I would. THE RETURM incidents stand out. In the Innere Stadt, I That set me thinking about my saw a big stone chained up. On my connection with the country of my birth. Sunday walks with my father he had Having come to England as a nine-year- directions understood my German and shown me such a stone and explained that old refugee without my parents, I regarded were polite and helpful. I couldn't make it was a relic of the Turkish siege. I Austrians as the enemy. My memories of it out. Gone were the swastikas and the wondered: was this the same one? It was! willing participants in the Nazi explosion uniforms. Had the leopard really changed Another favourite place was the Prater I of hate made it impossible to buy the its spots? found it easily. The big wheel made excuse that Austria was Hitler's first So deep was my aversion to staying famous by the film The Third Man was victim. For many years the thought of under an Austrian roof that we took a tent still there, as was the palace on the hill, going back to that hated place did not and camping equipment. When we the Gloriette. All the buildings were as I cross my mind. After all, my relatives were stopped at Regensburg I was for turning remembered them - but gone were the dead, so what was there to go back for? back, but my husband persuaded me to people. As I was standing by an ice cream Then, as the years went by, I began to carry on until we arrived at a campsite on stall, a child called out 'Papa!' That proved too much for me. I said to my husband: get curious about the country that had the outskirts of Vienna. Now for the 'We must leave.' rejected me. Had it all been a dream? Had moment of truth. Would anyone be able I really lived in the 5th district of Vienna? to make sense of the address I gave them? The trip had been a painful but I had to be sure. So 37 years after I made Did it still exist? To my astonishment, I necessary reality test for which I'm that fateful train journey to England, I was given clear and unhesitating direc­ grateful. My next visit, by invitation for decided to drive back to Vienna tions. Two bus rides, the first to the the launch of the German version of my accompanied by my husband. The route Ringstrasse, took us to the district of book A Child Alone (Ich kam als Kind), took us through eastern France and I Margareten. Before long I found the flats was a rather different experience and remember taking a deep breath before where I had lived with my parents for nine marked a new chapter in my relationship crossing the border into Germany. I had years, the primary school I had gone to, with Austria. But more of that anon. a fantasy that the sun wouldn't shine on the park where I had played 'Faules Ei' Martha Blend the other side. Not only did it shine, but and other ring games. The synagogue no The second and concluding part of this the people who answered my request for longer existed - it had been burnt down article will appear in the July issue.

'Aktion Siihnezeichen has changed Germany' he 50th anniversary celebration of age homes, in hostels for homeless Germany and Israel. Action Reconciliation/Services for people, in centres for children with special My husband and I feel very strongly T Peace (ARSP) took place in Berlin needs. Britain has had them over the years that this organisation has stretched out from 27 April to 4 May - a week of at the Wiener Library, the Holocaust the hand of reconciliation. Many people debates, workshops and festivities Educational Trust, the Jewish Museum, with a similar history to ours have been attended by more than 1,000 guests and the AIR and the Anne Frank Trust. prepared to accept such a gesture and ARSP volunteers. German President Horst Michaela Vidlakova, a Jewish survivor believe that it finally brings a return to Kohler gave the keynote address, in which from Prague, opened her address to the some sort of normality in Europe. he thanked the 15,000 volunteers from conference with the words 'Meine lieben Lilian Levy the last 50 years who, he said, had been Freunde' - something no one could ever goodwill ambassadors for their country. have thought possible 50 years ago. She Lilian and Herbert Levy were invited to ARSP volunteers are young German said the young volunteers of ARSP had the conference in recognition of their conscientious objectors who have to changed the face of Germany, a feeling work with ARSP over the last 15 years. In undertake some form of 'Zivildienst' echoed by Charlotte Knobloch, president that time, they befriended volunteers who (alternative service). They work in all the of the German-Jewish community, who came to England and were guest speakers countries affected by the Nazi regime, stated that the work of ARSP was a major at reunions organised by the country co­ including Israel. One will find them in old- cornerstone in relations between ordinators.

RECONSriTUTING A TRAUMATISED COMMUNITY cont from page 2 and the Nuremberg Trials and authority on Medical Refugees in Britain, 1930-1955 Speakers at the Workshop Alternative Space in Exile Writing Dr Marion Berghahn (publisher. New York Ms Samira Teuteberg (University of The Workshop is organised by the and Oxford), author of the recently Sussex), Resource Officer for the online University of Sussex Centre for German- republished study Continental Britons: database of Archival Resources Relating to Jewish Studies in collaboration with the Ckrman-Jewish Refugees from Nazi Germany German-Speaking Refugees 1933-1950 British Academy. The BARGE database can Professor Gustav Born FRS (King's Professor Edward Timms OBE, FBA be accessed on http://www.sussex.ac.uk/ College, London), author of The Born Family (University of Sussex), Principal Investiga­ Units/cgjs/barge in Gottingen and Beyond tor of the BARGE project, author of If you would like to participate, please Dr Andrea Hammel (University of 'Remembering Refugees Lost at Sea' register with Penny Collins at Sussex), Research Fellow for the BARGE Professor Paul Weindling (Oxford [email protected], telephone 020 7969 project, author of Everyday Life as Brookes University), author oiNaziMedidne 5238, website www.britac.ac.uk/events AJR JOURNAL JUNE 2008

THE BRITAIN WE EIVE IN

/ I ^ he Britain we now live in has changed against it not for economic but for political Looking back at my ABC periods, I am I very much from the one I first knew. reasons. Britain's long history overall shows content to complete the joumey in Britain, JL There is no longer a pride in one's a favourable balance of good over evil. I where we have spent more years now than country. The virtue of the stiff upper lip is have greater confidence in this country's in either Austria or Canada. By now, I am ridiculed. Queuing is often ignored. Contem­ standards of public life, even if they are past the Sturm und Drang Jahre, when I felt porary Britain has tumed into a back-bit­ dubious at times, than in those on the the need to identify with a specific ing, self-denigrating society which has sac­ Continent, where devotion to tolerance and nationality. Still, if one has to be labelled, I rificed the old rules on the altar of moder­ democracy is of more recent vintage. have no objection to being called an nity and has only trendy stratagems for their People change, nations change, but one's Austrian Jew of British and Canadian replacement. Not even Winston Churchill nationality who prefers to live in England. has been left unmocked. Climbing on the Nor do I mind getting older as long as I do bandwagon of one-upmanship and touchy- not feel old. feeliness are the flavours of the day. Despite Jussi Brainin increasing taxation, sneakily introduced, the This article is excerpted from the author's country's infrastructure has not improved. 'My A (For Austria). B (For Britain), C(For Two current topics highlight the state of Canada) Trilogy: Short Version'. Britain. One is asylum-seekers, the other the Euro. Asylum-seekers first. As a former nationality. refugee myself, I empathise with them. Yet, Still, if one has to be labelled, while there are many foreigners (like me) I have no objection to being 'Our hero': In memory who had, or can acquire, a right to live here, of Leon Qreenman not all have an inalienable right to settle called an Austrian Jew of here, or an>'where else for that matter. There British and (Canadian is a profound difference between those truly nationality who prefers to in fear of life and limb and those who merely wish to improve their lot. Surely restrictions are justified to control the flood of the world's poor. There is a need for immigrants, but the influx needs to be regulated in the country's interest and the immigrants' long- term interest as well. An awkward problem - often ignored - has to be stressed. Previous waves of perception of the past does not. I and all immigrants - whether they were Huguenots, those who found a refuge in this country Jamaicans or Jews - accepted the need to owe Britain a debt. It was this nation which, integrate and adapt to the majority culture, at long last, stood up to Hitler in 1939; and without sacrificing their identity. This it was Britain which, after the defeat of its assimilation process no longer applies to allies, faced the might of a victorious recent waves. They insist on retaining all Germany all alone. By standing firm it saved ^Tpeachers at Thornhill School, a the aspects of their culture, often in direct Europe from regressing into the Dark Ages. I Business and Enterprise College in opposition to the mores of the host country. Half-a-century later this intrepid chapter Sunderland, have sent a cheque to the Catering to the immigrant's lifestyle now tends not only to be disparaged, but the new AJR in memory of Holocaust survivor goes under the heading of 'multi­ wave of modemisers brush it aside. Leon Greenman, who died earlier this culturalism'. Regrettably, no such tolerance So far, a rapidly changing world has only year at the age of 97. is extended to non-believers or minorities in marginally affected the small community in The teachers - Christine Farmer, the immigrants' home countries. which we live. There are more cars, a few Judith Elphinstone and Trevor Harvey - An unprejudiced, colour-blind commu­ more dwellings and talk of a lot more to write on behalf of TAIT (The Arts nity, desirable as the ideal is, may exist in come. Gone are the small store, the post Included at Thornhill), in which they parts of Hampstead and Islington, but office and the village policeman. When we work with pupils to challenge all forms regrettably nowhere else. The outcome of arrived 23 years ago, the vast majority of of bullying and injustice. They say they were privileged to hear Leon Greenman any enforced policy which goes against the inhabitants were locals whose roots went speak at the Arena in Newcastle and that grain of a population which feels itself back for generations. Now, a clear division 'The impact of Leon's presence and threatened is the same for every endangered has become apparent. On one side of the words was immense, and made a lasting species - it becomes extreme and violent. village are those born and raised here, living impression on our young people.' The issue also has a bearing on the in council houses; on the other side are The teachers also enclose a letter by argument about whether or not Britain commuters and comfortable incomers who Tony Richardson, one of their Year 9 live in loftier dwellings. Only the village should adopt the Euro as its currency. I pupils. Tony writes: Leon Greenman 'is consider myself a European, and though to green, the church and graveyard attest to our hero. He might be Jewish but he's just me Britain is part of Europe, I am not in what was once a closely knit community the same as us with a different religion.' favour of joining the single currency. I am with a life of its own. A|R JOURNAL JUNE 2008

commemoration of the strike in protest against the treatment of Dutch Jews by the Nazis in February 1941. flETTERS^ The Editor reserves the right This was the largest civil protest to shorten correspondence against Nazi occupation anywhere in the I TO THE 1 submitted for publication occupied lands and at any time during the Nazi period. Starting among tram and N, EDITOM dock workers in Amsterdam, it spread to Utrecht, Hilversum and other areas before it was brutally suppressed by the Germans, who shot nine people dead, seriously 'FINE WORK' OF THE AJR that the relationship between Israel and injured 24 and arrested countless strikers. Sir - Thank you for the very fine work the Britain (including England) remains strong. By February 1941 the brutality of the AJR has done for us all over many years. Long may it continue thus. Let us have no Germans, supported by the vast number It was through the AJR's efforts that I suggestion that it no longer exists. of Dutch collaborators, was well known learned about Austrian pensions and John M. Davis, London NWl 1 to the Dutch. The Austrian Nazi governor claims. Also, the May article by Dorothea of the Netherlands announced on 10 Shefer-Vanson brought back memories of Sir-So Dorothea Shefer-Vanson concludes February that anyone with one or more my family's treasures that are now that England is antisemitic. She bases her Jewish grandparents had to register, a untraceable and all I have is very happy allegation on the assumption that criticis­ 'service' for which the Dutch local and memories of a lovely and loving family. ing Israel's government is equivalent to national authorities charged a fee. On 22- Re the letter by Peter Phillips, the team being antisemitic. On these grounds, she 23 February the first round-ups of Jewish of Dr Ariel Muzicant helped just a few years would class me as being antisemitic men took place and 427 were sent to ago to trace where my mother and because I belong to Jews for Justice to Mauthausen concentration camp in 133,000 others were gunned down as they Palestinians and Alternative Jewish Voices. Austria and Buchenwald in Germany, emerged from cattle trucks somewhere in Both organisations criticise the Israeli gov­ where they all died within a year The strike, Eastern Europe. It was through them that ernment's treatment of the Palestinians. publicised by an 'illegally' cyclostyled I at last had a death certificate and was Inge Trott, Cheam, Surrey pamphlet which couriers risked their lives therefore able to submit a claim for to distribute, started on 25 February. restitution. My father's death certificate I THE PALESTINIANS So I decided to go along to the had soon after the Second World War: the Sir - So the Palestinians are not in fact commemoration, which was held in the British Red Cross traced the small Dutch Palestinians! According to the article by Jonas Daniel Meijerplein, the square in village which Dad had left for Auschwitz. Mendel Storz (February), they are only which the Jewish men had been herded R. Willis, Loughborough Arabs who have been living in that part for deportation before the strike. The of the Levant since the seventh century square, close to the Amsterdam Jewish Sir - As usual, I enjoy the contents of AJR CE. Well, that's about as long as the Museum and the Portuguese Synagogue, Journal and gladly continue my Anglo-Saxon English people have been now contains a bronze statue of a dock subscriptions for myself and my sister-in- settled here in Britain. Do they not have a worker commemorating the strike. A few law in the USA. right to live in this land? Fifteen hundred thousand people crowded around a I am pleased to see that Victor Ross is years or so is an awful long time whoever temporary enclosure in which cabinet back again. I agree with the comments of you are, wherever you live. It is your home members, representatives of trade unions Peter Phillips (April, Letters): 'I am a Jew and your heritage. and local authorities, ex-strikers and racially I am also a Jew religiously because The Israeli author Amos Elon made the pupils from a Jewish school, as well as I do not believe any religion makes more point succinctly: 'There is an unexpected representatives of organisations such as sense than Progressive Judaism.' The element of irony in the fact that the Israeli the Anne Frank Foundation, participated English woman who saved the three of us Jews, who owe their existence as a nation in the ceremony. One senior politician knew nothing about kosher food. She was to their extraordinary memory of past quoted Sophie Scholl, a young Lutheran the only one to take us three into her history, should now be forced to rely on German woman executed by the Nazis for humble home. Otherwise, I might not be the Arabs forgetting theirs.' membership of the anti-Nazi student here writing to you. This might be a Howard Turner, Ashford, Kent organisation Die Weisse Rose and for blessing from your point of view! distributing leaflets: 'One has to do something in order not to be guilty Laura Selo (nee Gumpel) 'ISRAEL AT FAULT' oneself. What is needed is a strong spirit Clara Nehab House, London NWl 7 Sir - In the May letters pages, it's the turn and a soft heart.' Many people left flowers of the Israeli hawks. It's all the fauh of at the foot of the statue. ENGLAND ANTISEMITIC? the terrorists; Gaza democracy is a sham. Sir -1 was shocked by the April 'Letter from But in Newsround (page 16), Israel is For me, the event was a good excuse Israel'. The writer, on her return to London regarded as the country with the most to pay a visit to the woman who hid me from Israel after many years, found an negative influence, second only to Iran. during the war and lost her husband in enormous increase in the numberof Arabs. This is what bugs me. After all the charges Neuengamme concentration camp as a These are students, shop-owners, workers and counter-charges, the consensus (and result. I'm glad I went and sorry not to in many fields, and tourists. She then went this includes very many Jews and a fair have done so in earlier years. on to state that the English media ignores number of Israelis) is that Israel is at fault. Martin Stern. Leicester Arab rocket attacks on Israel. All this, she George Schlesinger, Durham suggests, is an indication of English THE RABBI AND THE PARISH PRIEST tolerance of Arab attacks on Israeli Jews. COMMEMORATION OF 1941 Sir-1 vividly remember this beautiful part The link between Israel and Britain over AMSTERDAM STRIKE of Bavaria (May issue) as I did a lot of the past 75 years, including the Palestinian Sir - Looking through the AJR newsletter mountaineering with my father in this Jews who fought with the British Army, recently, I came across a small item by area. Navy and RAF, is a powerful indication George Landers about the coming annual In 1941, prior to joining the RAF I was AjR JOURNAL JUNE 2008 living in Ampthill, Bedfordshire working Gregor and Tibor von Halmay. The largely in the hands of the elected Euro­ on invasion barges in the engineering autographs were obtained in Vienna in pean Parliament. So do not shoot those department of a local factory. The 1935-38. I have been able to decipher who in a vastly imperfect system try their Admiralty printed an appeal in one of the about 30 of the signatures. As for the rest best, Professor Reuben. MEPs are as dailies for information on suitable German - about 20 -1 have so far failed, although approachable as MPs are - I correspond bombing targets, which reminded me of I have consulted volumes of the Deutsches with several by email and get replies a suitable object - the huge power station Buhnenjahrbuch. particularly in relation to EU policy on at the end of the Walchensee, where the Are there any readers who may be able funding the Palestinian Authority and force of the water falling down to the to identify the rather illegible signatures accountability thereof. One does not Kochelsee drove the turbines. and tell me who these people were? An need meetings in many cases to get the With the aid of photographs and maps interesting observation on the Deutsches point across. The problem is what the I was preparing a sketch when suddenly BOhnenjahrbuch is that several actors MEPs can or cannot achieve in relation the door was thrust open and my landlord who appeared on the stage in Vienna in to the Commission. entered with two policemen and three 1935-38 had entries in pre-1933 volumes Whether one likes the system or not, soldiers, pointing at me with handcuffs but were absent in post-1933 volumes. it is here and the fact is that it controls at the ready and shouting 'We have a Obviously they were still alive and far more of UK life than Westminster does German spy!' A third policeman - I think performing, but they must have been already. a superintendent - entered and he considered undesirables (Jewish, Czech, Peter Simpson, Jerusalem recognised me as an air raid warden. I Polish, etc) by the Nazis. Please contact changed my lodgings the following day. me on 020 8467 5656 or at PIGS AGAIN Anthony Goldsmith [email protected] Sir -1 am sorry to have to bring the subject Wembley, Middx Professor Robert A. Shaw, of pigs up again. These poor creatures Chislehurst were bundled and prettily dressed up and IN SEARCH OF HEINZ NATHAN sold for billions by clever bankers in the Sir - Does any reader of this journal 'ROSEBUD' USA who lost other people's shirts, only remember Heinz Nathan and what Sir - Seeing an article about Paul Rosbaud to be snapped up by some very naive became of him? in an earlier issue of yours, I am reminded British mortgage lenders. The result - Heinz Nathan was a prominent sprinter of an unforgivable lapse by a film critic officially known as the credit crunch - in pre-war Berlin and a longstanding writing about Citizen Kane when it was was, in reality, simply a case of buying member of Sport Club Charlottenburg, going to be shown on TV a few years ago. pigs in pokes wholesale. one of the top sports clubs in the city. He could not understand the significance Frank Bright, Ipswich There, he was a member of the record- of the sledge being thrown on the fire breaking sprint relay team in 1918-33, when Kane's house is cleared after his after which all Jewish members were ex­ death. On his death-bed Kane had pelled (including my late father and his murmured the word 'Rosebud' and part SPRING three brothers). of the story of the film is to try and GROVE On escaping to England just before discover who or what Rosebud was. 214 Finchley Road the Second World War, Heinz Nathan got As the sledge is consumed by the a teaching job at Rugby School, where flames, the camera reveals only for a London NW3 he stayed many years (probably teach­ couple of seconds the word 'Rosebud' London's Most Luxurious ing German). Among the important before the fire erases it. The sledge called RETIREMENT HOME items he brought with him from Berlin 'Rosebud' was Kane's prize possession as was an amateur film taken of the 1936 a child and he was using it when his father • Entertainment - Activities Berlin Olympics. This amateur film had called him into the house to tell him that • Stress Free Living no connection whatever with the infa­ he was going to be sent away immediately • 24 House Staffing Excellent Cuisine mous Leni Riefenstahl him commissioned and the sledge was unceremoniously left • Full En-Suite Facilities by Hitler. behind. So all Kane's life was geared upon losing his lovely sledge in childhood, never Call for more information The film Heinz brought to England or a personal tour would be of immense historical interest to be regained, and he remembers it on 020 8446 2117 today, but unfortunately no one at Rugby his death bed above all his other loves. In the cinema the sledge and its name could or 020 7794 4455 School can throw any light on the fate of [email protected] either Heinz or his him. If any reader can be clearly seen, albeit only briefly, but on assist in tracing Heinz Nathan's move­ the TV screen it was too small to be ments after retiring from his teaching job deciphered and the critic on his review at Rugby School, or indeed the film's copy missed the most important point of whereabouts today, please contact me. this magnificent him. WANTED TO BUY On a related topic, could anyone who Rudi Leavor, Bradford has knowledge of any other amateur film German and of the Berlin Olympics please contact me. NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY AND THE EU English Books Henry Kuttner, Edgware, Middx Sir - Professor Bryan Reuben's letter about [email protected] national sovereignty and the EU (May) Bookdealer, AJR member, tel 020 8959 2176 fax 0870 916 5216 confuses two entirely separate bodies: the welcomes invitations to view and European Parliament (which he wrongly purchase valuable books. VIENNA AUTOGRAPH BOOK calls corrupt and unaccountable) and the Sir - I inherited an autograph book European Commission, which it is Robert Hornung containing signatures of stars of the appropriate to call corrupt and largely 10 Mount View, Ealing opera, ballet, theatre and film, including unaccountable. London W51 PR Email: [email protected] Marlene Dietrich, Adele Kern, Michiko The accountability of the European Tel: 020 8998 0546 MeinI, Lillian Gish, Helene Thimig, Nora Commission and the bureaucrats there is the rise of the middle classes. The three most fashionable eighteenth- REVIEWS century hostesses were Elizabeth Vesey, Frances Boscawen and the literary critic Elizabeth Montagu - called the queen of the THEATRE bluestockings by Samuel Johnson, who honoured her pivotal role in attracting The theft of childhood intellectual contemporaries. Let their menfolk AND THEN THEY CAME FOR ME: booze on: these three offered tea and literary REMEMBERING THE WORLD lowing shapes, mass and volume are conversation, the motif of civilised OF ANNE FRANK the themes chosen by Alison Watt, conversation in the eighteenth century. by James Still the National Gallery's seventh Politically, Britain was at peace: it had won F produced and directed Associate Artist and the youngest since they the Seven Years' War against France and the by Nic Careem linked with the Rootstein Hopkins Foundation horrors of the French Revolution were way in to develop this scheme. The selected artist the future. Women who bemoaned their lack Criterion Theatre, London w^orks for two years at the NG, which ensures of inspirational feminine role models or ohn Bird, founder of The Big Issue, continuity between the Old Master and the and Nic Careem of the Blue Sky young contemporary artist. JNetwork, supported by the AJR In Alison's case, she has come up with six among others, are on a mission to large-scale works which reflect her 'dismantle poverty and discrimination' preoccupation with volume, shape and space. through something they describe as the For this she has elected to study Courbet and Bigger Movement, which proposes to Ingres, although she takes Ingres's 1856 break down hatred - or, in Careem's portrait of Madame Moitessier with its words, 'to make poverty history by elaborate frills to a far more modernistic and making hate history'. sculptural level - indeed, some of the work, in Such noble intentions, so innocently its softness and pallor, has the fluidity of sand expressed, may fall on the cynical ears of dunes. Deceptively white, with what appear those scarred by Nazism, even in these to be darker entrances to the fabric folds, her days of so-called diversity, but they have palette actually includes grey, burnt sienna, been harnessed to the experience of two cadmium red and yellow ochre. young girls, both born in 1929 and both The six works she shows look as though hidden in Amsterdam during the Nazi era. she enjoys folding and melding fabric, as One of them was the literary prodigy and though she is pushing the subject as far as it Holocaust martyr Anne Frank; the other will go without leaning too far into abstraction. was Eva Schloss (nee Geiringer), who Both her works. Pulse and Echo, seem Anna Seward hy Tilly Kettle, 1762 became her posthumous step-sister The representations of a knot and the weighty oil on canvas © National Portrait Gallery relationship between the two does not substance of it physically begins to invade the mentors decided to take on the role themselves, appear close: Eva seems to have felt viewer's space. Her interest in Zurbaran's Saint often supporting poorer gifted and aspiring dwarfed by Anne, who giggled a lot, flirted Frances in Meditation is said to have excited poets or novelists, and taking them under their with boys, loved clothes and celebrities and was the centre of attention. Every inch the her most. The crude, rough-spun brown fabric wing. Literature and scholarship were their modern teenager, in fact. habit wom by the mystic, whose hooded face new bond as well as a need for sexual equality. The war decimated both families. is completely obscured, although his mouth is In portraits by Allan Ramsay, John Anne's father, Otto, was broken by the open, speaks of death, especially in the skull Opie and Frances Reynolds, the women are imagery. Watts's reductive skills have murder of his entire family, yet saved from beautifully dressed but their faces have an the pit of depression by his work on his bleached away colour, realism and imagery to intellectual edge, at odds with the soft lace and leave us with a space to get lost in. daughter's diary. Eva, who went to school drapery. Allan Ramsay's dreamy portrait of with Anne and saw her nearly every day The term 'bluestocking' once signalled a Montagu, in which she is softly moulded by between 1940 and 1942, lost her father dried-up, sexless woman too clever for her own her salmon-pink dress with pearls and old lace, and brother, while she and her mother, good. At least in the limited viewpoint of a flower in her corsage and one in her hair Fritzi, survived. New families, aching and terrified men! But the original meaning of the accentuates the refinement of her hands and fragile with grief, started to rebuild their term was anything but derogatory, and in the the sad wisdom in her eyes. As a widow, she tenuous lives, among them Fritzi eighteenth century, awash with Enlightenment proved a shrewd businesswoman, building Geiringer, who married Otto Frank. ideas and aspirations, the impact of intellec­ Montague House in Portman Square, whose This, including the most graphic tual women on creativity was lauded and classically opulent drawing room, which she description of camp terror, is the burden romanticised, particularly in painting. The described as 'a temple of virtue and friendship', of the play, which was first performed at romantic view of the young poet, hosted in the was the setting for her literary meetings, which the Gatehouse Theatre, Highgate in 2000 salons of Paris, has found its way into litera­ embodied the spirit of the Enlightenment. and has been widely shown, first to ture and music. Theirs was a mutual admiration society, but Parliament, Scotland Yard and City Hall, Yet here in Britain, the term 'bluestocking' if equally based on mutual wealth, patronage then to over 70 London schools before was a way of poking fun at intellectual women was also offered. After her husband's death touring the North of England, including and the National Portrait Gallery's current she offered annuities to several women writers. the West Yorkshire heartlands of the show, Brilliant Women: 18th-Century One famous case is that of the milkmaid poet British National Party. Bluestockings, restores the romance of the Ann Yearsley, whose work was promoted by Through a blend of live performance salon set and offers historical insight into how the women until a bitter legal suit ended their and the video testimony of the survivors, wealthy women with literary aspirations patronage. A mezzotint of Ann by Joseph the horrors that Eva and her family faced nurtured each other. In London, the movement Grozer portrays her in muslin cap and during the Holocaust are brought to life. grew informally in social circles which also workaday dress, glancing up from her writing The play seeks to show how a once care­ developed the talents of poorer women during with a knowing smile. free young girl had to adjust to life under AJR JOURNAL JUNE 2008 the Nazi regime and how this impacted to leave when the Nazis came to power filmed twice as the starving children on her and her family. Once in government, the Nazis soon disposed of the food before the camera The audience witnesses Eva's humili­ realised the value of film as propaganda could catch up with them. ation at restrictions imposed on all aspects and made good use of it to that end. The author of this book was an advisor of her life and her community. We see There had already been hims showing to the legal team which planned to press how this spirals into a tragedy of family historical hgures like Frederick the Great charges against Leni Riefenstahl for denial separation and eventually into her incar­ as heroes. These were designed to boost of the Holocaust. The book itself is a ceration in Auschwitz along with her morale after the defeat of the First World fascinating and well-documented piece of mother and into the indignities of the War In 1933 came Morgenrot, a film about research and deserves a place in every dehumanisation process there. Eva sur­ the sacrifice of some submarine sailors in library. vived and the audience is offered hope that war. Ironically, the actress who played Martha Blend that survivors have been able to overcome the part of one of the sailors' wives was their ordeal and are using their experi­ half-Jewish. However, the most widely ences to raise awareness of the effects of shown him was Leni Riefenstahl's Tnumph prejudice. des Willens (The Triumph of the Will - Intractability of Germany has been taking school­ 1934), made to glorify Hitler and the Nazi Arab-Israeli conflict children to see its former concentration regime. There are shots of massed ranks THE SALADIN MURDERS camps for many years now as part of their of Nazis with their swastika-emblazoned educational process and it is essential that banners and of enthusiastic crowds by Matt Rees 'Lest we forget' is not forgotten in Brit­ watching the Fuhrer descend god-like by London: Atlantic Books, 2008, 340 pp. ain either and that the crimes of Europe's aeroplane from the sky. The images of LET IT BE MORNING terrible past are brought up whenever rac­ individuals are stereotyped - adoring by Sayed Kashua ism, fascism and bigotry threaten social women and determined men - and much translated from the Hebrew by stability. However, watching this play use is made of low-angled shots to give a Miriam Shiesinger made me feel a little uncomfortable. Rub­ heroic effect. London: Atlantic Books, 2006, 271pp. bing the audience's nose in the Holocaust Antisemitic films specifically about with this rollercoaster of shock-horror and Jews do not appear until 1937, though wo remarkable second novels set in screaming may only serve to cheapen the there had been negative Jewish stereo­ Israel and the Territories! experience, where the lighter touch of an types as part of a story before then. One T The Saladin Murders is a classic experienced director would have given it of the first antisemitic films is Die crime novel by Time Magazine's former edge and distance and aroused genuine Rothschilds, which shows Jews manipu­ Jerusalem Bureau chief. It marks the compassion. Think Primo Levi. Think lating the hnances during the Napoleonic second appearance of Omar Yussef, Arab Aharon Appelfeld. Wars. Another is Jud SOB (Jew Suss - history teacher turned detective, whom This is not to say that the piece does 1940), the story of a court Jew in we met in The Bethlehem Murders. This not grab you by the throat and make you Wurttemberg who becomes influential time, he has been tempted to visit Gaza want to wail - perhaps that's all Nic through lending money to the cash- with a United Nations inspection team. Careem wanted it to do. Buffeted by all strapped duke. He comes to a bad end But Gaza is not St Mary Mead; it is more the noise and action, the still, serene and but the British version is quite sympathetic like Texas in the 1850s. There is neither sanguine voice of Eva Schloss discussing to the Jewish characters, while the Ger­ effective government nor police, and the her life on video was all but lost in the man one depicts them all as villains. area is dominated by terrorist gangs. They background, drowned out by the hysteria The most notorious of the antisemitic fight each other, while justifying their onstage. Yet hers, and that of Anne's sur­ hIms is Der Ewige Jude (The Eternal Jew- actions as the liberation struggle against viving boyfriend, Helmut Silberberg (now 1940). This was a compilation that made the Israelis, who withdrew some time Ed Silverberg), were the authentic voices use of any footage that could be twisted previously but glower over the border The you wanted to hear. It is at least a laud­ to show Jews in an unfavourable light. groups compete in the smuggling of able experiment that their moving There were scenes from the Lodz ghetto rockets through tunnels from Egypt into testimony formed part of the drama, of Jews bartering in the street and shots Rafah. Yussef's fellow teacher, Eyad even if it failed to rise above the din. As of crowded and dirty interiors, though of Masharaw, has been imprisoned on a for the actors, apart from Catherine course no mention is made of the fact that charge of spying for the CIA and UNWRA Robey's convincing performance as Eva, these conditions were imposed on the official Magnus Wallender has been they may well have been acting a school Jews by Nazi policy. Finally, maps of the kidnapped by the Saladin Brigades. As play. Better perhaps to let the school­ wanderings of the Jews were juxtaposed Yussef tries to free them, the body count children up and down the shires of with images of rats: it is implied that Jews, mounts as if it were the last act of England read Eva Schloss's book Eva's like vermin, bring ruin and disease. What Hamlet. Story. Or, for that matter. The Diary of the reaction to these hIms was is difhcuh Sayed Kashua, the author of the Anne Frank. to gauge as critical reviews were not second novel, is an Israeli Arab with a Gloria Tessler allowed to be published. There was a regular column in Ha'Aretz, a 'soap' on with additional material by Darren Aaron change after the outbreak of war Many Israeli prime-time television, and a films, as in Britain, were escapist but there previous novel. Dancing Arabs. He writes were also morale-boosters. in Hebrew, as he explains self-deprecat- Film as propaganda What of the treatment of the Jews? ingly, because his word processor does There is virtually no footage of the not have Arabic fonts. His narrator is an NAZIS AND THE CINEMA interiors of the concentration camps Israeli Arab journalist, who is being by Susan Tegel though German soldiers filmed ghetto marginalised as a result of anti-Arab feel­ Hambledon Continuum Books, 2007, scenes and executions with high-quality ings following the second intifada. His 324 pp cameras. However, there is a film made paper has downgraded him from full- rom the end of the First World War in Theriesenstadt to reassure neutral time employee to freelance and, because to the end of the Second World War opinion. This shows football matches, a of the increased antagonism in Tel Aviv, FGermany had the largest film cabaret and well-fed, smiling people - the he has moved back to the village where industry outside Hollywood. Many of the new arrivals. A scene showing children he and his wife grew up. They are used original film-makers were Jews who had eating bread and margarine had to be Continued on page 10 AJR JOURNAL JUNE 2008

RE\'IE\V.S continued from pat Yom Hashoah commemoration at to urban Israeli ways and find the tradi­ tional Arab life oppressive; his wife did Pinner Synagogue not want to return in the first place. When the Israeli army feels the need to isolate Recalling the Kindertransports the village, the clashes between the nar­ rator's identities as Hebrew journalist, inner Synagogue has once again described vividly how she was in a Israeli Arab and ethnic Palestinian assert held an evening in remembrance of constant state of 'tug-of-war' between themselves. Pthe Holocaust, paying tribute to all her two personas as she sought to At first reading, the moral ambiguities who perished in those dark days. embrace her Jewishkeit. of Kashua's novel seem more acute than Over 400 people packed the hall, Hermann Hirschberger, former chair­ those of Rees's crime story, but that is to among them the Mayor of Harrow, Coun­ man of the AJR's Kindertransport special misunderstand the complexity of Yussef's cillor Jean Lammiman; the Ambassador interest group, arrived in England in position. He too is torn between a Pales­ of the Slovak Repub­ March 1939 with his tinian identity, a loyalty to his United lic, His Excellency Mr brother He described Nations friends and colleagues, and a re­ Juraj Zervan, who his early childhood in spect for historical truth. 'Shame', he gave a brief address; Germany, including a writes, 'that I chose to live a quiet, easy and the deputy Heads memory of staring life for so long, while there was death and of Mission of the Aus- into the pistol of an suffering all around me.' trian, Polish and SS officer who Both heroes operate in an anarchic, Slovak embassies. demanded that he dysfunctional society in which life is The theme this 'hand over' his cheap and democratic accountability an year was 'Reflect and father Hermann high­ unheard-of concept. What does it mean Act' and the guest ly praised the then to be a moderate Arab in Israel? Or in speakers were former British government the West Bank and Gaza? What can a Kinder Susi Bechhofer for its unique action man of honour do in a society in which and Hermann Hirsch­ in sanctioning the honour means clan loyalty rather than berger Kindertransport pro­ integrity? gramme. Rees and Kashua could have written Susi Bechhofer arrived with her three- For both speakers, 'easy' novels - a Mysterious Affair at CANDLE-LIGHTERS: (back, from left) Gaza thriller perhaps and a mawkish in­ year-old twin sister Hermann Hirschberger, Ernest Simon, Erich the true heroes of ter-ethnic romance, 'Goy meets Girl' (to Lotte at Liverpool Reich; (front, from left) Bertha Leverton their stories were be turned into a musical: 'West Bank Street Station in May MBE, Susi Bechhofer, Ursula Gilbert their parents who. Story'). But both have written infinitely 1939. They became knowing of the more complex books that illustrate the foster children of a Baptist minister who personal hardships and dangers they were intractability of the Arab-Israel conflict. raised them as Christians. Susi described likely to face, unselfishly made the That is an excellent reason to recommend how she learned of her real identity, decision to send their children away to a them. finding members of her large family land of safety and opportunity. Bryan Reuben scattered around the world, and Brian Eisenberg

'Our most loyal volunteer' calls It a day Maifing. on opular volunteer Fred Dunston has finally decided to call it Pa day and is moving into Hammerson House. Fred has been coming to the AJR offices since 1983. In the last few years he has worked in the accounts department in Stanmore filing documents. Last year, when the AJR held a lunch to celebrate Fred's 90th birthday, AJR Director Carol Rossen described him as 'our most loyal volunteer'. NON-$TOP TRIP TO ISRAEL arlier this year, 29 AJR members and gallery of sculptor Frank Meissler; Tel ocial Care Worker Nonii Lackniaker E3 staff met at Heathrow Airport for Aviv; and Yad Vashem, where the AJR 'is leaving the AJR almost exactly the AJR's first organised trip to Israel. was presented with a certificate three years to the day she arrived. On arrival at our hotel in Netanya, we thanking us for collecting names for AJR Director Carol Rossen told staff were joined by 4 members who had their archive. One evening, there was a at a lunch given in her honour that Nonii had had 'a great impact' on the AJR. travelled from Manchester fascinating talk by two refugees from Nonii, for her part, said she had learned During the 10 days we were in Israel, Darfur a great deal at the AJR and had had 'the it was non-stop. We visited Caesarea to Judging by the number of letters, privilege of meeting some amazing see the gardens. We spent time in cards and emails we have received people'. Jerusalem, including a visit to the thanking Susie Kaufman, Carol Hart and Nomi is not, however, going far and tunnels beneath the Western Wall. We myself for the trip, we are delighted it will remain in contact with the AJR: she danced the Hora on a boat from Tiberias was so successful. We're now working is moving to the Hendon-based Shalvata therapy centre for survivors, refugees to Ein Gev. On top of that, we were in on 2009! and their families. Jaffa, where we paid a visit to the Carol Rossen

10 AJR JOURNAL JUNE 2008

More figliting tallc

Tills is the concluding part of an article which not down to be called by the prosecution your job for you.' Then I asked for the appeared in last month's issue of the JournaL because he was too ill to attend; his evidence alleged victim to be marched in. I had fixed s I was telling you in the May issue, was contained in a sworn statement. So I this with the hospital, which was only too I was knocking about on the took myself off to the hospital and found happy to let him go. 'Here we are. Now tell A Indian subcontinent, a British him playing ping pong in the recreation hut. us,' I said, pointing to the guard in the army lieutenant on attachment to the Indian 'Healing well?', I asked. middle, 'whether you recognise this army in acknowledgement of my linguistic 'Very well, sir. Look.' He pointed to a man.' Note that I didn't ask whether it was prowess, including a recently acquired small bandage on his arm and a sticking the man who stabbed him - I wanted that knowledge of Urdu. What I lacked was a plaster below his left eye. to come from him. proper job. I was supposed to supervise the 'It must have been a jolly big knife.' And the answer came back at once. 'Yes, construction of landing strips in the 'Very big,' he confirmed. 'It made hole.' sir. He is the one who cut me.' Burmese jungle, but no one seemed to think The president of the court was a 'Are you quite sure?' my contribution was essential to the coming lieutenant-colonel, a member of the English 'Quite sure, sir. He had the big knife.' battle. Who was I to try to push myself bar, assisted by two lay assessors, both Tubby tried to save the situation, but it forward and influence strategy, the more so captains. The prosecuting officer was a was beyond retrieval. 'I think a conviction as my knowledge of languages did not tubby Tamil, a lawyer, distinctly would be unsafe in the circumstances,' I said. extend to the correct phrases for formal unimpressive. I had him down as LI.D. 'We have wasted a morning,' said the surrender in Japanese (theirs or mine)? Madras (failed twice). president. 'Case dismissed.' 'Speak Urdu, don't you,' the brigadier Proceedings were conducted in English, The following day I was collared by my tackled me out of the blue. 'Just the man. with every word translated into Urdu by the brigadier. 'You made a fool of the court. Court martial.' court interpreter. Just to lay down a marker, Nothing to be proud of.' 'I didn't know learning Urdu was a I pulled him up once when he took a shortcut 'On the contrary, sir. I stopped the court punishable offence, sir.' in translation. Surprise all round. We got off from making a fool of itself. The evidence 'Not your court martial - not yet! They to a bad start when I asked why the weapon was all over the shop. If there had been a wamed me you were a bit of a wag. Where was not among the exhibits. 'It's all in the conviction I would have asked for a review, did you say you came from?' papers,' Tubby said irritably. 'If you come and the Judge Advocate's Office would have 'I didn't say, sir, but I was bom in Vienna to court you must read the papers.' He began blovm a gasket.' and live in Hampstead when the army lets to outline his case. 'I dare say. Even so, it was all a bit too me.' Translating every word made it infinitely much Hampstead.' "Not much difference these days, eh? Got tedious. When my turn came to speak, I Three weeks later, miraculously acceler­ a job for you.' decided to make the most of everybody's ated, I was on active service in Burma. The job was to act as 'Soldier's Friend', desire to finish before lunch: 'We are a bit Victor Ross a lay defending officer, to a soldier accused short of substance: no weapon, no chance of knifing a comrade. A conference with my to cross-examine the alleged victim. The client revealed that he had been in a dmnken weakness of the prosecution's case may help ANCESTRAL brawl about which he remembered little us to reach a speedy conclusion.' At the FOOTSTEPS except that he had been attacked and forced words 'speedy conclusion' everybody perked to defend himself. up. 'Given my lack of experience, I would Ancestral Footsteps offers you the opportunity to retrace your 'With a knife?' like to ask the court's indulgence in calling family's history in person. 'No, sir. With a pen.' just one more witness who is not listed. He It investigates clients' family 'You mean a penknife.' is waiting outside.' history using genealogical 'No, a pen. Ball point.' He pointed to a There was a bit of whispering on the researchers and historians, then uses row of ball point pens in his breast pocket, bench and a shrug of the shoulders from this information to create an their number an indicator of status in the Tubby. 'Granted,' said the president, 'but individually customised journey in world of the Indian army clerk. make it snappy.' which clients spend a week discovering their past. Each journey Over the next few days I studied the I made the two guards who stood either includes a researcher-guide and papers in the case and immersed myself in side of my client take off their caps so that luxury travel arrangements. court martial procedures. The evidence had they were bareheaded like the accused. Then Consult been negligently assembled and poorly I asked them to stand in a row, with the www.ancestralfootsteps.com or docimiented. There was no reference to a accused next to me and no longer in the contact Sue HiUs pen or a knife, just 'a weapon'. The victim's middle. 'What's going on?', asked Tubby. (former director for BBC's injuries were described as 'cuts', which was 'This is most irregular.' mio Do You Think You Are?) on 01227 281 222. not consistent with the use of a f)en. He was 'I am holding an identity parade. Doing

II Wembley CF: 'Keeping safe' ^ .^^., :• gt^f. Members reported on their experiences, negative and positive. We were warned ^^f ^ ^ not to open our front door unless we had checked the credentials of unknown ^^^^^^I^^^P^^ T^^^^^^l callers - including those of policemen. A ^^•KT i^^B lively afternoon. Myrna Glass ^^^Un^ f^^H^ Cambridge and Ben Uri HH "'•!i>^**^^*pi^^^^Hi Hendon Middle East update Two new members enjoyed with us an The AJR Manchester Holocaust Rabbi Charles Emmanuel spoke to us on excellent talk by Suzanne Lewis, from Memorial Book was launched at the 'Israel and the Diaspora'. At first, he said, whom we learned about the Ben Uri Yom Hashoah Commemoration Event Israel had been welcomed by European Gallery's history, its function in recent in Manchester on 1 May. Pictured are nations but now anti-Israel feelings had years, its international reputation, Ruth and Werner Lachs, who, together come to the surface, resulting in and its planned contribution to with Angella Carne, produced the antisemitic prejudice. Israel remains, displays in Liverpool, 2008 European City Book, and Tania Nelson and Susanne though, the only democratic country in Green, who helped with the collation of Culture. Keith Lawson of the information. The Book is now the Middle East. Annette Saville Next meeting: 12 June on display at the Manchester Jewish Next meeting: 30 June. Audiologist Museum. For copies of the Manchester Robert Beiny Oxford power-point presentation Memorial Book, please contact Werner Howard Falksohn, himself the son of a Lachs on 0161 773 4091. Weald of Kent: History of South refugee from Germany, gave a power- Africa point presentation on the past, present At a well-attended meeting in Tunbridge and future of the Wiener Library. Radlett: Safety in the Community Wells, we listened to Dr Sheila Marshall Anne Selinger Community Police Liaison Officer Phil Tuck on the history of South Africa - not at all Next meeting: 3 June told us that Radlett was a safe place. He reassuring! Mr Pincus's video threw light also gave us insight into the work done by on the part of the Jews in present-day life HGS: The Vienna Kaffeehaus the local police. Eric Newman in that country. Inge Ball Otto Deutsch, born in Vienna and a tour Next meeting: 18 June. Maurice Collins guide there for some 40 years, spoke to MBE, 'Memorabilia Collection' llford: Voices from the past us about the ritual of drinking coffee in Alan Bilgora gave us a highly enjoyable the 1930s. Otto's parents and sister did Cleve Road: Jewish opera singers illustrated talk on 'Famous Jewish not survive when the Germans annexed Alan Bilgora told us Jewish opera singers Operatic Singers'. Wonderful voices from Austria in 1938, whilst he came to had often begun their musical careers by the past - Jan Peace, Richard Tucker, England with the Kindertransport. singing in synagogues. Some had changed Yossele Rosenblatt, and my favourite, Max Sulzbacher their names in order to progress or because Alexander Kipnis. Hermi Rothman Next meeting: 16 June. Jason Caplin they wanted to change their recording Next meeting: 4 June. Revital Shioman, (Israeli Embassy), 'Mid East Update' company. The meeting ended with a 'From Givatayim to Redbridge' presentation to Mr Bilgora. David Lang Brighton & Hove Sarid: Next meeting: 24 June. Dr Helen Fry, Pinner lecture on Wiener Library Talk by Scarlett Epstein 'The King's Most Loyal Enemy Aliens' Wiener Library archivist Howard Falksohn Professor Scarlet Epstein OBE updated us traced the Library's development from its on her life-long study of developments Welwyn Garden City Get-together origins to the present day and showed us in India. We were shown a film illustrating About 13 of us met at the home of Monica pictures from its collection, providing the differences between two villages with Rosenbaum. We chattered among explanations of the individuals and events respect to obtaining irrigated water. ourselves for a little while, then discussed involved. Paul Samet Susanne Dyke speakers for future meetings as well as Next meeting: 5 June. Jerry Lewis, Next meeting: 16 June. Ivor Richards, possible outings. Ruth Tuch 'Board of Deputies' 'A Journey to Ashkenazi Jewry' Next meeting: 19 June. Social Get- together Essex and Jewish Care Edgware current affairs' discussion Jewish Care's Richard Shone told us, Ronald Channing chaired a discussion on Kingston CF/ South London/ North among many other things, that there such topics as the election of the mayor London outing were 2,700 Jews in our area with 63 per of London; the Olympics; and, once again, The heavy rain was not conducive to our cent of them over 75. Jewish Care was, whether we are still refugees - and, if not, visit to Kew Gardens. But our guide was he said, spending £15 million per year on how we can best describe ourselves (no excellent: many thanks to her for making Southend and Westcliff caring for people agreement reached). Felix Winkler the visit so enjoyable despite the weather. with dementia and other old-age illnesses Next meeting: 17 June. Clare Ungerson, Our thanks too to Hazel and Esther for in care homes. Ken Ward 'Kitchener Camp' organising this event. Next meeting: 3 June. Accordion recital Herbert Haberberg Liverpool: Return visit to Bochum Edinburgh: The Jews of Jamaica AJR member Dr John Goldsmith talked Spring in Surrey Francoise Robertson's talk on the Jews of about his recent return visit to Bochum, Edmee Barta entertained us once again Jamaica was riveting. Her theme: the when a commemorative plaque had been for the Spring coffee morning. We have wandering Jew, persecuted wherever he placed outside the family home prior to added a number of newcomers to our is for his religion and success. Susanne the war. The RESPECTACLE exhibition, group - all due to the continuing hard Green discussed the Holocaust Memorial which drew a large, appreciative audience work of Myrna and her colleagues. Also, Books and their great educational in Liverpool Town Hall, is being re-housed Myrna ensures we are updated on the potential. in the World Museum Liverpool. AJR's wider activities as well as services for Jonathan Kish G. Alis members. Once again, an enjoyable social

12 AJR JOURNAL JUNE 2008 gathering. Vernon Saunders Next meeting: 18 June. Social Get- HOLIDAY FOR Paul Balint AJR Centre together at home of Saunders NORTHERN MEMBERS 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 Tel: 020 7328 0208 FURTHER MEETINGS Sunday 20 July 2008 - .iassatK-JuwBtrawBraiwwrMiMi Kingston CF 18 June. At home of Joe Sunday 27 July 2008 and Margaret Allen in New Maiden AT THE FERNLEA HOTEL AJR LUNCHEON CLUB Wednesday 18 June 2008 Temple Fortune 19 June. The Wiener 11/17 South Promenade, St Annes Library's Howard Falksohn Tel 01253 726 726 Kathleen O'Malley Wessex 25 June. Outing to Isle of Wight The cost, including Dinner, Bed and 'Childhood Interrupted' Breakfast, is £495 per person North London 26 June. Jane King, Please be aware that members should not 'Coram's Children' The hotel charges a supplement per room for sea view or deluxe room automatically assume that they are on the Luncheon Club list. It is now necessary, on receipt Programme includes of your copy of the AJR Journal, to phone the An emotional occasion ENTERTAINMENT Centre on 020 7328 0208 to book your place. OUTINGS MEET OLD AND NEW FRIENDS Travel to St Annes by RAIL, KT-AJR NATIONAL COACH or CAR Kindertransport special Please contact Ruth Finestone on interest group 020 8385 3070 Monday 2 June 2008 Alex Faiman 'The Jews of Ukraine' KINDLY NOTE THAT LUNCH DIARY DATES WILL BE SERVED AT Tuesday 24 June 1.00 PM ON MONDAYS •The mock Seder held at Cleve Road was Day trip to Brighton and Hove Reservations required a most enjoyable yet emotional occasion', Jewish Day Centre writes Hortense Gordon. 'I - and I think Please telephone 020 7328 0208 most AJR members present - would like Sunday 20 July - Sunday 27 July to thank Susie Kaufman and all the staff St Annes Holiday (Fernlea Hotel) Monday, Wednesday & Thursday most sincerely for their hard work and Sunday 21 Sept 9.30 am-3.30 pm loving care that made the event so memo­ AJR Tea at Hilton Watford PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CENTRE IS rable. Many thanks also to Rabbi Katz for CLOSED ON TUESDAYS the wav he led the Seder.' Sunday 26 October - Sunday 2 Nov Eastbourne Holiday (Lansdowne Hotel) June Afternoon Entertainment Mon 2 KT Lunch - Kards & Games Klub For further information, please call us Tue 3 CLOSED AJR GROUP CONTACTS on 020 8385 3070. Wed 4 BINGO Bradford Continental Friends Thur 5 Geoffrey Strum Lilly and Albert Waxman 01274 581189 Mon 9 CLOSED - Shavuoth Brighton & Hove (Sussex Region) Tue 10 CLOSED Fausta Shelton 01273 734 648 Liverpool Wed 11 Douglas Poster Bristol/Bath Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Thur 12 Madeleine Whiteson Kitty Balint-Kurti 0117 973 1150 Manchester Mon 16 Kards & Games Klub Cambridge Werner Lachs 0161 773 4091 Tue 17 CLOSED Anne Bender 01223 276 999 Newcastle Wed 18 LUNCHEON CLUB Cardiff Walter Knoblauch 0191 2855339 Thur 19 Katinka Seiner Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Norfolk (Norwich) Mon 23 Kards & Games Klub Cleve Road, AJR Centre Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Tue 24 CLOSED Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 North London Wed 25 Guyathrie Peiris & Bill Patrick Dundee Jenny Zundel 020 8882 4033 Thur 26 Ronnie Goldberg Mon 30 Kards & Games Klub Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Oxford East Midlands (Nottingham) Susie Bates 01235 526 702 Bob Norton 01159 212 494 Pinner (HA Postal District) Edgware Vera Gellman 020 8866 4833 'DROP IN' ADVICE SERVICE Members requiring benefit advice please telephone Ruth Urban 020 8931 2542 Radlett Linda Kasmir on 020 8385 3070 to make an Edinburgh Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 Frangoise Robertson 0131 337 3406 appointment at AJR, Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Sheffield Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL Essex (Westcliff) Steve Mendelsson 0114 2630666 Larry Lisner 01702 300812 South London Glasgow Lore Robinson 020 8670 7926 Claire Singerman 0141 649 4620 South West Midlands (Worcester area) Hazel Beiny, Southem Groups Co-ordinator Harrogate Myrna Glass 020 8385 3070 020 8385 3070 Myrna Glass, London South and Midlands Inge Little 01423 886254 Surrey Hendon Groups Co-ordlnator Edmee Barta 01372 727 412 020 8385 3077 Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 Temple Fortune Susanne Green, Northern Groups Co-ordinator Hertfordshire Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 0151 291 5734 Weald of Kent Susan Harrod, Groups' Administrator HGS Max and Jane Dickson 020 8385 3070 Gerda Torrence 020 8883 9425 01892 541026 Esther Rinkoff, Southern Region Co-ordlnator Hull Wembley 020 8385 3077 Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Laura Levy 020 8904 5527 KT-AJR (Kindertransport) llford Wessex (Bournemouth) Andrea Goodmaker 020 8385 3070 Meta Rosenell 020 8505 0063 Mark Goldfinger 01202 552 434 Leeds HSFA Child Survivors Association-AJR West Midlands (Birmingham) Henri Obstfeld 020 8954 5298 Trude Silman 0113 2251628 Ernest Aris 0121 353 1437

13 AjR JOURNAL JUNE 2008

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS KINDERTRANSPORT Birth AJR DAY TRIP 70TH ANNIVERSARY Congratulations to AJR Northern Social Join us for a trip to REUNION Worker Anthony Fagan and Jennifer on the Brighton & Brighton & Hove ELY EVACUEES birth of their daughter. Jewish Day Centre In order to create a small exhibition on 23 Deaths Tuesday 24 June 2008 November at JFS, we are looking for memorabilia - letters, pictures, photographs Breskin, Nathan (Nat), husband, father, Coach leaving AJR. Centre, grandfather and Holocaust survivor. Slipped etc - from Kinder who were evacuated with Cleve Road, London NW6 JFS to Ely. away with grace and dignity on 25 February at lO.OOam Please contact Andrea Goodmaker at the 2008. Deeply mourned by his wife Edith (nee £20 per person to include AJR on 020 8385 3070 if you have anything Eichner), sons Stephen and David, daughter- that might be suitable. in-law Manijeh, and grandchildren Andrew transport, lunch and tea and Alison. Pleeise contact Carol Rossen or Lorna Moss on 020 8385 3070 SECOND GENERATION AJR Centre Places are limited so please book early GATHERING Chiropodist Trevor Goldman at the Paul The next Second Generation gathering will Balint AJR Centre Wednesday 25 June, 10- take place in Manchester on 15 June from 11.30 am. 10 am to 4.30 pm THE HOLOCAUST CENTRE For further information, contact Barbara LEO BAECK HOUSING INVITES AJR MEMBERS TO on 0161 368 [email protected] ASSOCIATION LTD THE POST-OPENING SHELTERED ACCOMMODATION VIEWING OF ONE BEDROOM FLAT TO LET PillarCare SITUATED NEAR SWISS COTTAGE 'THE JOURNEY' Quality support and care at home LOUNGE • BEDROOM AT BETH SHALOM. • BATHROOM WITH SHOWER • FULLY FITTED KITCHEN THE HOLOCAUST CENTRE Hourly Care from 1 hour - 24 hours • RESIDENT WARDEN Live-In/Night Duty/Sleepover Care • CAMDEN CARE LINE In Laxton, near Nottingham Convalescent and Personal Health Care FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on Sunday 14 September 2008 AND VIEWING CONTACT DAVID Compassionate and Affordable Service LIGHTBURN ON 020 8455 2286 'The Journey', partly created with a grant Professional, Qualified, Kind Care Staff from the AJR Charitable Trust, tells the story of the Kindertransport - the Registered with the CSCI and UKHCA refugees' escape from Nazi-occupied LEO BAECK HOUSING Europe to resettlement in Britain. Call us on Freephone 0800 028 4645 KB Studio I Utopia Village ASSOCIATION To reserve a place, please contact 7 ChalaU Road, NWl SLU CLARA NEHAB HOUSE Susan Harrod at AJR head office 13-19 LEESIDE CRESCENT, on 020 8385 3070 before 29 May. LONDON NWll There are 60 invitations, which ACACIA LODGE OUR ANNUAL GARDEN we are making available to members Mrs Pringsheim, S.R.N. Matron PARTY AND OPEN DAY WILL throughout the country on a For Eideriy, Retired and Convaiescent (Licensed by Borough ol Barnel) first-come first-served basis. TAKE PLACE ON • Singie and Double Rooms. SUNDAY 13 JULY 2008 Please let us know if you are concerned • Ensuite facjiities, CH in ail rooms. 2.30-5.00 PM about travel - transport can be • Gardens, TV and reading rooms. • Nurse on duty 24 iiours. Afternoon tea will be served arranged from main centres. • Long and short term and respite, Everyone welcome ^^ Members who have already received inciuding trial period if required. invitations from Beth Shalom for the Between £400 and £500 per yieek opening of 'The Journey' should reply 020 8445 1244/020 8446 2820 office hours QcJU)U^ Home Care directly to The Holocaust Centre. 020 8455 1335 other times 37-39 Torrington Park, North Finchley Care through quality and London N12 9TB professionalism Celebrating our 25th Anniversary 25 years of experience In providing the Sometimes life is easier .Sj^ highest standards of care in the comfort nf vniir own horrie with a little bit of help ANA\ i, ^k •,-^ ANA Nursing can provide professional carers and nurses to help with any of your needs.

24 hr service, 7 days a week. Personal care, Respite care. From 1-24 hours 1 hour to 24 hours care call us on: Registered through the National Care Standard Commission 020 8905 7701 Call our 24 hour tel 020 7794 9323 www,colvln-nursing.co.uk

14 AJR JOURNAL JUNE 2008

OBITUARY

Michael Newman Edyta Klein-Smith, 4 May 1929-10 February 2008 lax and benefit exemptions dyta Klein-Smith, one of the last the Holocaust was never forgotten. The We set out here confirmation that certain survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto, group was a major promoter of the New Holocaust restitution and compensation has died in the Hammersmith York Holocaust Museum in Manhattan and payments are disregarded when calculat­ E ing entitlement to welfare benefits and Hospital at the age of 78. Her entire family, a prime mover in the establishment of the are exempt from specific taxes. with the exception of Edyta and her Holocaust Museum in Washington DC. mother, were killed in the Holocaust: she In 1967 Edyta and her family moved to Atrocity pensions We have received confirmation from the and her mother escaped from the Ghetto London, where she became active in Pension Service that an atrocity pension, immediately prior to its destruction. organisations promoting Holocaust studies such as a German Wiedergutmachung or The following years were spent living and speaking in schools throughout England payments from the Article II Fund, is fully telling of her experiences. She and her disregarded when applying for pension rough on false papers in Warsaw until the credit. Russians arrived in January 1945. In 1946 survivor friends began to push for a they escaped from Poland and arrived in the Holocaust museum in London. Through the DSS capital disregards clarified American zone in Germany. They tried to efforts of Suzanne Bardgett and many Lump-sum compensation payments, such as slave and forced labour reparations, get to Palestine but failed. concerned Jews and Jewish organisations, can be disregarded as capital when While living in the refugee camp in the Holocaust Exhibition opened in the calculating housing- and income-related Germany, Edyta married Carl Fink, also a Imperial War Museum. Edyta and others benefits following an extension to social security regulations announced in Jewish refugee from Poland. They and her featured as survivors. Much has been November 2001. mother emigrated to the United States in published about her exploits, strengths and 1947. None of them spoke English. In late determination. Income tax 1947 Edyta gave birth to a son, Norman. Edyta was a member of, among other At the instigation of the AJR, legislation passed in July 2005 makes exempt from Within a year Carl was killed in an organisations, the AJR, Jewish Care and the income tax compensation payments paid automobile accident. London Jewish Cultural Centre. She is by foreign banks and building societies, Soon after, Edyta and other Polish- survived by her husband Thomas, sons including dormant Swiss bank accounts, to Holocaust victims or their heirs. The Jewish survivors founded the Warsaw Norman and Andrew, and five grandchildren. announcement extended the terms of Ghetto Resistance Organisation to ensure Thomas Smith extra-statutory concession A100. Separately, Section 330 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 confirms ARTS HID [Vims DIARY - |UN[ that pensions and allowances paid to vic­ tims of Nazism are exempt from income To 29 June 'Lifelong Impressions - Theatre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School tax. Importantly, this exemption applies Paintings, Prints and Drawings by Milein Building, University of Sussex, 5 pm, tel to compensation received regularly but Cosman' Hampstead Museum, Burgh Centre for German-Jewish Studies on 01273 not to one-off or ex-gratia awards. House, New End Square, London NWS. 678771 Contact Dina Wosner on 020 8371 7371. Mon 16 Avis Saltsman, 'The Roots of Capital gains tax Sponsored by Burgh House and Twentieth-Century Art: Van Gogh and Awards made in respect of insurance poli­ Hampstead Museum, AJR and Jewish Gauguin' Club 43 cies under the terms of the International Museum Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Mon 16 'Remembering Hungarian Jewish To 8 June 'Whitechapel at War: Isaac Claims and for property in the former East Composers Who Perished in the Germany are exempt from capital gains Rosenberg and His Circle' Ben Uri Gallery, Holocaust' Hungarian Cultural Centre, 10 tax in accordance with the terms of extra 108a Boundary Road, London NWS, tel 020 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2, statutory exemption D50 (ESC D50). 7604 3991 7.00 pm. Tel Agnes Kory, Bela Bartok Centre Mon 2 No lecture (hall not available) Club for Musicianship, 020 7435 3685. Admission 43 free, booking required Inheritance tax Lump-sum compensation payments made Mon 9 No lecture (hall not available) Club Wed 18 The first study of the wartime in respect of personal persecution are 43 Austrian Centre, Out of Austria: The excluded from inheritance tax (IHT) under Austrian Centre in London in World War Tues 10 Prof Christian Wiese, 'Challenging the terms of an extra-statutory concession II by Marietta Bearman, Charmian Brinson, Cultural Hegemony: Jewish Studies, (F20) announced in March 2002. This Richard Dove, Anthony Grenville and Jennifer concession allows the compensation to Liberal Protestantism, and Anti-Semitism Taylor, will be launched at the Austrian be deducted from the claimant's IHT- in Wilhelmine and Weimar Germany' Cultural Forum, 28 Rutland Gate, London German Historical Institute, 17 Bloomsbury SW7 at 7.00 pm. The book is available from chargeable estate, whether the payment Square, London WCl, 5.00 pm, tel Centre publishers I. B. Tauris, London is made to the claimant before their death for German-Jewish Studies on 01273 678771 or is made subsequently to their personal Mon 23 AGM Club 43 Wed 11 Professor Jay Winter, 'The representatives. This concession does not Degeneration of War' Wiener/Birkbeck Mon 30 Ernst Flesch, 'A Journey across apply to compensation for assets or Lectures. Venue: Birkbeck College, Central Europe (Germany, Austria, property. Lecture Theatre B33, Malet Street, London Slovakia and Czech Republic) with Slides' Written enquiries should be sent to Cen­ WC1, tel 020 7636 7247 Club 43 tral Office for Holocaust Claims (UK), Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Stan­ Fri 13 Prof Saul Friedlander, 'An Integrated Club 43 Meetings at Belsize Square History of the Holocaust: Some Synagogue, 7.45 pm. Tel Hans Seelig on more, Middx HA74RL, by fax to 020 8385 Historiographical Issues' Chow/en Lecture 01442 254360 3075, or by email to mnewman@ajr org. uk

15 AJR JOURNAL JUNE 2008

LETTER FROM Newsround Germans and Israel's welfare ISRAEL Most Germans feel their country has no particular responsibility for Israel's welfare, according to a poll conducted by the German TV network ZDF. The poll shows that Israel at sixty only 40 per cent of some 1,230 respondees said that Germany had a special fruit, flowers, vegetables - even its wines - urning sixty is not generally an responsibility towards Israel. The poll also event to be celebrated. It marks a are welcomed in global markets, while shows that 58 per cent felt that Germany Tturning point between being demand for its organic produce outstrips must come to Israel's aid if it were attacked, middle-aged and elderly, though perhaps supply. as opposed to 33 per cent who opposed that is not as clear-cut today as it once was. One of the world's leading high-tech assisting Israel. But for a country, and especially one whose companies, Intel, esteems Israeli brain­ German-Jewish leader calls for initial survival was uncertain, it is a power so highly that it has made Israel one end of ban on Me/n Kampf significant milestone. Today, Israel's of the leading centres of its R&D activities, Stephen Kramer, the secretary-general of existence, though still questioned by some with several development units in Israel. It Germany's Central Council of Jews, has called for the ban on Hitler's Mein Kampf on the terrorist fringe, is firmly entrenched is also the site of some of its largest to be lifted. He said his organisation was and its achievements are far from factories, or 'fabs', in which micro­ prepared to edit the text so the book could insignificant. processors, the 'brain' of the computer, are be published together with editorial There is no need here to go into the made. So when you see the words 'Intel comments. details of Israel's struggle to combat the inside', you can read them as 'Israel inside'. Armenian genocide museum initial onslaught by the Arab countries Israel's literary production - and con­ under construction surrounding it. Suffice it to note Israel's sumption - is phenomenal, with new and An Armenian genocide museum is currently integration of the myriad Jewish refugees veteran writers being published at an under construction In Washington DC, close from Europe and the Arab countries, when unprecedented rate. Israel's market for to the Holocaust Memorial Museum. The books is among the largest in the world museum, which is privately financed, is its population doubled in the first five years scheduled to open in two years. of its existence. Those Arab countries relative to population size. Fifty Israeli writ­ refused to invest even one hundredth of ers whose books have appeared in French Jewish memorial vandalised their vast resources in absorbing their own were feted at the recent Intemational Book in Slovakia Slovak police say three teenagers have Exhibition in Paris. Many more Israeli refugees, preferring to leave their fellow- vandalised a memorial in Bratislava to the Muslims to rot in refugee camps, thereby authors were left out for lack of room and nineteenth-century scholar Rabbi Chatam deliberately perpetuating the problem. resources. Furthermore, the Israeli film Sofer If the youths are convicted, they could Israel's record in absorbing immigrants Beaufort, based on a novel by Ron Leshem, face a sentence of up to two years' has been recognised as an unparalleled was a candidate for best foreign film at the imprisonment. social and economic achievement. At the recent Oscar ceremony, and took first prize Rise in violent antisemitic same time, Israel has managed to mark up at the Berlin Film Festival. attacks worldwide achievements in agriculture, education, Alongside such established names as Despite an overall decline in antisemitic science, the arts and industry that are the Zuckerman, Barenboim and Perlman, incidents worldwide in 2007, a report by Israeli musical talents continue to gain Tel Aviv University's Antisemitism Research envy of many larger, richer and longer- Centre records a 6.6 per cent rise specifically established countries. international renown. At the recent in violent antisemitic attacks. The report says In this era of ecological awareness it is Rubinstein Piano Festival, no first prize was a commitment to combating antisemitism worth noting that back in the 1950s Israel awarded but the joint second prize was is apparent in Western countries such as made the use of solar power for heating awarded to young pianists from Taiwan Canada, the USA and Britain, but less so In Russia and Ukraine. water mandatory in all new buildings. The and Israel ~ the first time an Israeli has Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, achieved this. A young Israeli cellist took Complaints over anti-Jewish together with the Technion in Haifa and the first place at a recent music competition in comments on Scottish newspaper universities in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and England. And Israeli names appear websites Beersheba, stand at the forefront of global frequently on the international art and Replying to a letter from AJR member Walter Kress, Barbara Schuler of the Public Health academic research. Israel's bio-tech and design scene. Israeli talents even grace the and Wellbeing Directorate's Equality Unit pharmaceutical industries are also among intemational football world. Division in Edinburgh, writes that the world leaders. Contrary to George Steiner's While this is no time for complacency, Scottish Government is 'aware of the expectations, Israel has even managed to Israel's achievements are remarkable by offensive comments which have been posted on the websites of The Scotsman and produce several Nobel Prize laureates in the any criterion. They can - and should - The Herald' and that 'the complaints are sciences. constitute a source of pride for all Jews being actively pursued by the relevant police Despite adverse conditions, Israel's everywhere. force.' She adds that 'it is also the agriculture has flourished. Today, Israel's Dorothea Shafer-Vanson responsibility of editors to ensure that their sites are being effectively moderated.'

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

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