Vol. IV. No. 5 MAY 1949 INFORMATION ll ISSUED fir THE ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH REFUGEES IN GREAT BRITAIN 8, FAIRFAX MANSIONS. FINCHLEY ROAD ( f>„R=f/xToAD) LONDON, N.W.3 Offc* and Canemhing Hmirt: 10 a.ni.—I p.m.. i—t p.m., Sunday 10 a.ia.—I ^m. Tai^hena: MAIdt Vsle 90t(

ACHIEVEMENTS AND TASKS W^alter JVi.. Lipptnan (JMelkourne): HIS year's General Meeting of the AJR was the T last one to be addressed by Dr. K. Alexander who will emigrate to the United States this month. Dr. H. Reichmann has been appointed General JEWRY IN AUSTRALIA Secretary of the " Council of Jews from Germany " " To Arthur Phillip, a naval officer of the best Council of Australian Jewry to which they are all and Joint Secretary of the " United Restitution type, Australia owes her very existence as a British affiliated and which is recognised by the .Australian Office," and Dr. W. Rosenstock, General Secretary community." This man of Jewish descent, to whom Federal Government as the official organisation of the " Australian Encyclopaedia " paid such tribute of the A.J.R. Australian Jewry. Through the Executive Council, was the deservedly beloved first Governor of an Australian Jewry is also maintaining its close The achievements of the AJR and its related Australian settlement which he reached in 1788. contact with Jewish communities in other parts of organisations are unthinkable without the labour of Jews have been among the first free settlers of the world. The Zionist Federation of Australia and New Zealand is the Unk with the World Zionist Dr. Alexander and are linked with his personality. Australia and numerous Jewish names occupy honoured places among those who have helped to Organisation and is the central organisation of the Work for the Jewish community has always taken build the Australian nation of today. Australia is numerous Zionist organisations which play a vital a dominant place in his life, from the early begin­ among the few nations which allowed Jews to and prominent part in the life of Australian Jewry. nings in the Jewish Youth and Student movement occupy even the very highest offices of State. Sir until he rose to become a leading figure in German Isaac Isaacs as Chief Judge and later Governor Important contributions Jewry as an Executive Member of the " Reichs­ General, son of a Polish-Jewish immigrants tailor, Among the Jewish organisations in .Australia, and General Sir John Monash, Commander-in-Chief three deserve a special mention in this survey by vertretung " and a Vice-Chairman of the " Central- of the Australian Forces in the 1914-18 war, Verein." He devoted more time and energy to the virtue of the important contributions which they are descendant of a Jewish family from Germany, are making. The Australian Jewish Welfare Society day by day work of Jewish organisations than the but the two most prominent Jews whose names are with offices in all States is in charge of Jewish immi­ average " Honorary Officer," and being, at the firmly inscribed in the annals of Austrahan history, gration into Australia and, working in close conjunc­ same time, a much trusted practising lawyer in his Jacob Montefiore, one of the founders of South tion with the American Joint Distribution Committee home town, he was a particularly valuable colla­ Australia, and numerous members of the various and H.I.A.S., has helped thousands of Jewish immi­ State Parliaments in the political fields; N. Levi, borator to those whose experience was more ex­ grants during the past decade to settle in Australia David Nathan, Sydney Myer, Harold Cohen, Sir and to ensure their smooth and harmonious absorp­ clusively based on Jewish organisational work. Samuel Cohen, in the field of commerce and E. tion, by finding accommodation and employraent for In this country, he was amongst the first to Phillips Fox, Linda Phillips, Herz Bergner, S. them and by assisting them financially or by advice. conceive the idea of a self-representation of the Herman, Myles Evergood, Dr. L. Nathan among the The settlement of 8,000 Jews in the 1938/39 period exponents,of Australia's young art, testify to the and 4.500 since the end of the last war, was by no Jewish refugees from Germany and Austria. He contribution which Jews have made to the develop­ means an easy task for a Jewish community which has been an Executive member of the .\JR since ment of Australia in all w-alks of life. then numbered only approximately 25,000 souls. its inception in 1941 and became its General Infusion of new blood The second organisation is the Jewish Council to Secretary in 1943. From the outset, he concentra­ combat Fascism and anti-Semitism which has come ted his efforts on the first central task for whose It was therefore not surprising that in the dark days of 1938, the Australian Government should to be recognised as the main organ for the public accomplishment the AJR had been founded ; to have offered refuge to Jews seeking a new home relations of the Jewish community. Anti-Semitism secure the right of permanent residence in Great away from Hitler's persecution. At the Evian Con­ is not unknown in Australia, Under the influence Britain for all those who wished to stay here after ference, Australia declared her willingness to give of Hitler, Mosley and Fascism and as a result of the the war. By establishing and strengthening con­ sanctuary to 15,000 Jews fleeing from Nazi persecu­ strained social and political atmosphere throughout tion. Before the outbreak of the war, some 7,000 the world during the past decade, anti-Semitism has tacts with the authorities and with voluntary also greatly increased in .Australia. No longer is it organisations, with Members of Parliament and German and Austrian Jews reached Australia under this scheme, giving a welcome infusion of new blood confined to small sections of the population; in public other personalities of pubUc life, he incessantly to the Jewish community whose proportion in the life and in Parliament, anti-Semitism has shown its Worked towards this goal and, at the same time, Australian population has shown a decline despite ugly head during recent years, overshadowing in huilt up a goodwill from which the AJR has bene­ the steady influx of Jewish immigrants, mainly from importance the social anti-Semitism which has been in existence for many years in certain circles of fited ever since. After the war, he immediately Poland and Russia, in the first three decades of this -Australian society and which had resulted in the got in touch with the surviving German Jews in century. According to the Australian census of 1947, 32,000 Jews representing one-half per cent, refusal of membership to certain clubs, even to men France, HoUand and Belgium, and with German of the total population, were living in Australia. like General Monash and Sir Isaac Isaacs. The Jewish organisations overseas, especially in Israel (Approximately ten per cent, of the total Australian Jewish Council has developed efficient public and U.S..\. The formation of the "Council of population did not state their religion and pre­ relations machinery and its contacts with well- Jews from Germany " was the outcome, and Dr. sumably a proportion of these would also be Jews.) wishing leaders in the political parties. Trade The vast majority of these are living in the cities of Unions, professions and the press, have enabled it to Alexander became its General Secretary. When, play an important part in the life of the -Australian for the .\JR and the " Council," the restitution Melbourne and Sydney', respective capitals of the States of Victoria and New South Wales. Smaller Jewish community and beyond that, with its plat­ problem became increasingly urgent, he secured, communities are in Brisbane (Queensland), Perth form for the preservation of democratic rights of all after most complicated preparatory work, the (Western Australia) and Adelaide (South .Australia), citizens, in the general life of Australia. sponsorship of the great international Jewish relief while two of the oldest Congregations in Australia at The third organisation is the Jewish National Organisations for the establishment of the inter­ Ballarat (Victoria) and Hobart (Tasmania) are Fund and with it, I would like to couple the other national " United Restitution Office." struggling hard to avoid their total extinction. fund-raising organisations through which -Australian The occupational distribution of .Australian J ewry Jewry was enabled to contribute relatively large Looking back, this development seems to be a follows closely that of Jewish communities in other sums to the upbuilding and establishment of the Jewish State. During 1948, approximately ;£450,ooo logical sequence of events. Those, however, who countries of the diaspora, although the proportion of manufacturers may be larger than elsewhere. was raised for these purposes in AustraUa and for a have a deeper insight know that these achievements community which now numbers approximately sre mainly due to Dr. .Alexander's untiring energy Link with Jewish world 37,000 souls, this surely represents an impressive iind imagination, his efficiency and diplomacy, and— The Jewish community in Australia is organised amount. last not least—his youthful optimism and flexibility. in each State around a Board of Deputies, except in South Australia and Tasmania where the respective Anti-Senvitism " not yet frightening " To carrj- on with the work that he has initiated Hebrew congregations take the place of the repre­ Reference has already been made to the existence Slavs in former German declared itself " at one with the vast majority of sized industries, undertakings, workshops, shops, territory is, historically seen, one of the most far- people who, irrespective of party, are opposed to etc., and the same may be stated of Haifa, where, reaching results of the war. The author quotes the Fascism and its exploitation of racial intolerance besides, foundations for larger enterprises have been English historian J. B. Bury who wrote in 1912: and who, therefore, demonstrated against the Fascist laid. The refineries are stUl out of work, although " If in the year A.D. 800 a political prophet had march." ^^__^^^_ they are supposed to reopen soon; probably this will possessed a map of Europe, such as we can now more or less depend on the Iraq pipeline resuming construct, he might have been tempted to predict its function. In Jerusalem great efforts are being that the whole eastern half of the continent . . . I DR. STEPHEN S. WISE I made to revive trade and industry, to have some of was destined to form a Slavonic empire. ... A the government departments transferred there, and vertical line from Denmark to the Hadriatic seemed With the death of Rabbi Dr. Stephen S. Wise, to revive its tourist trade. From the tourist trade to mark the limit of the Teutonic (and Slavonic) one of the most distinguished personalities of World will also benefit the numerous smaller places of world." Such a conclusion, Kulischer says, did not Jewry has gone. I historic or actual interest, and health resorts, such as materialise in the following eleven centuries. He was one of the founders of the American HerzUa, with its new modern hotel, Tiberias, and " Today," he goes on, " the prophecy which might Zionist Organisation, and soon became its President Naharia. Many visitors from overseas have already have been drawn up before Charlemagne's conquests and a member of the World Zionist Executive. arrived, and vrithout further political or military is not far from being fulfilled." Under this aspect In 1936, Rabbi Wise founded the World Jewish incidents, Israel may expect to resume her role as the war was, from the German point of view, not Congress, whose President he had been until his one of the most attractive tourist centres in the only an " unnecessary war," but, perhaps, the most death. Jews from Germany wiU remember his call world. costly war ever waged. in J 933 to the conscience of the world in face of HANS MOSBACHER. WERNER ROSENSTOCK the Nazi persecutions. Page 4 AJR INFORMATION May, 1949

But the errors, great and small, which some com­ C. C Aronsfela: mitted, are now redeemed through the trials which all endured. And when the reader lays down this weighty book, sensing as he must the wings of history beating in its pages, he cannot but be quietly "TRIAL AMD ERKOK" grateful not only for a deeper insight into the incom­ parable Jewish story but above all for the assurance When, out of the depths of the 19th Century, the whole truth, at least not as far as German Jews are that after blood and tears, after errors so great and persecuted Jews were crying unto heaven because of concerned. In spite of the pre-occupation of many trials so grievous, Israel is at last arising out of their affliction, two leaders arose who were to redeem of them with Chachmath Yavanith, they did not bondage unto freedom—through the work and faith their brethren and guide them, across 40 years, into entirely neglect their duty towards Zion. Indeed of Theodor Herzl, who saw the Promised Land from the the freedom of a homeland. The first was they won a distinction in the Jewish National Move­ afar, and of this man Chaim Weizmann who went Theodor Herzl, the leader of Promise; the second, ment which is unsurpassed and will assuredly abide. over to possess it'. the leader of Fulfilment, hcis been Chaira Weizmann, It seems a pity that among the many references to now the head of the resurrected Jewish State. his remarkably, and sometines exasperatingly, accu­ Both differed from each other fundamentally. rate judgment. Dr. Weizmann has omitted to include JEWISH ART The one received the message through the shame of these words spoken in Berlin in 1927: " Germany " A Short History of Jewish Art " is the title of a antisemitism, the other through the pride of an and the German-speaking countries gave us for new book by Helen Rosenau to which Edward impenitent Judaism. The one saw the surest nearly a whole generation the captains of the Zionist Carter, Counsellor for Libraries and Museums, prospect in political action among the Powers, the movement." UNESCO, wrote a highly appreciative preface. other in practical work on the ancient soil. The one German Zionists (James Clarke & Co. Ltd., London, 15/-). was of the West, the other of the East. And In his life story now he also bears ungrudging There is some need for a book of this kind. Karl although Zionism is at issue with Europe's East as witness to the oft-obscured fact. The German Keren Schwarz and Ernst Cohn-Wiener (1928) have much as with its West, this particular contrast (even Hayesod, he noted soon after the first war, was not been brought up to date, Franz Landsberger's when later rendered " synthetic ") was enduring " a real prop " to colonisation in Palestine, and very attractive survey (1935) with its simUar enough to govern not only the relations between two " from the outset it owed much to the devotion of pictorial lay-out and its fine threefold division great men but the whole story of the providential Kurt Blumenfeld and to the keen and warm heart (Jewish Art, Jewish Artists, Jewish Style)—as the consummation which their vision and their labour of Oskar Wasserman." There were others too. previous ones not translated into English—is have now brought to pass. At least Dr. Weizmann There was .Arthur Ruppin who had " the first vision apparently unobtainable now, and Rahel Wisch- so conceives of it in his fascinating autobiography of Tel Aviv " and than whom Weizmann " never had nitzer-Bernstein dealt with a, however important, which has just appeared (" Trial and Error," a better collaborator." There was Martin Buber special field of studies only; Symbols and Figures Hamish Hamilton. 21s.), and few born and bred in who, with Berthold Feivel, edited " Der Jude." (i.e. " Gestalten ") of Jewish Art. Helen Rosenau the Western sphere will turn these pages without There was Albert Einstein who eagerly joined in the has both the enthusiasm and the scholarship for this heartburning and unchastened in spirit. work for a Hebrew University, the project of which task, and her fine sense for sociology and formal was first voiced by Prof. Herman Shapira, of Heidel­ problems, above all in architecture, blend very weU. " Slavery in Freedom " berg, and there were a great many more whom After an introductory historical survey she groups It so happened that Weizmann first came face to Weizmann remembers with " pride and deep satis­ her subject in architectural history, painting and face with the West in Germany, and a dismal faction," for " the distinguished contribution which sculpture, and ritual objects, fittings and ornaments. encounter it was. At that time, 60 years ago, " the they have made to the orderliness, discipline, effi­ A chapter, " The religious significance of Jewish assimilated Jews of Germany were in the high ciency, and general quality of our work." art," suras up her research, which is original to a summer of their illusory security, and mightily proud It is perhaps natural that in considering the high degree, and her conclusions, which are, on the of it," he writes and strings off the familiar record desperate fate of this once great community, whole, free from sweeping generalisations. For the which unreflecting complacency has frequently em­ Weizmann's mind strolls back to his student days fact remains that the question, " What is Jewish ployed as an insult to injury. It is of course perfectly when he saw Russian Jews being " kindly—and Art," put twenty years ago by Cohn-Wiener, is stUl true that German Jews were " evasively blind " to patronisingly—received " by German Jews, only to unanswerable, at least by definition. Even the most that " heavy, solid, bookish antisemitism " which be passed on, via Hamburg and Lubeck, to America. methodical approach and the most scholarly research was then eating deep into the German mind. They History does seem to be indulging its notorious irony must, in the end, fall back on sentiment. did not realise they were sitting on a volcano, and to excess—and how we all will be caught in its cruel Jewish Art has grown on its own soU for a com­ many of them certainly strove to be " more German meshes. For when German Jews are reproached for paratively short period only. At the end of this than the Germans, obsequious, super-patriotic," etc. their misguided ambitions, it is well to be reminded period it produced, under Greek influence, the All this is true and in great measure probably in this book that time was—within this present frescoes in the Syrian Synagogue Dura-Europos, an inevitable among the hazards of " assimilation "— generation—when Eastern Jews longed for the interesting link with early Christian Art (Jewish— anywhere. Ahad Haam's famous vision of " slavery coming of German arms and hailed them as the through the medium of Greek) and.particularly, its in freedom " was not confined to any one country, harbingers of freedom! Such formidable spirits as Eastern branch. But, perhaps, for this very reason, and if Weizmann found " no contact whatsoever Menachem Ussishkin and Shmarya Levin in 1914 Jewish Art is, on the one hand, more than other between the Jewish grandees in Germany and the earnestly believed in a German victory—not from " national " arts evading " definition," on the other Jewish people," he for one was to feel the very wishful thinking but because they were vastly im­ hand most fascinating because of the chequered reality of such an unhappy condition nowhere more pressed by the German achievement. They " did Jewish history and the struggle for survival in the drastically than in England. not look deeply enough," says Weizmann, who diaspora. But if these strictures on assimilated Jews un­ himself was once tempted to exchange Manchester Helen Rosenau is conscious of the eternal dialogue doubtedly contain the truth, they do not present the for Berlin. between Jewish religious tradition and the inspira­ tion drawn from a new experience in changing sur­ roundings, of the balance, so often upset, between new gains and old substance. LAW and LIFE She is a versatile guide and sixty well-chosen Legal Advice Hours [for persons wtth limited means only): Wednesday 5-6.30 p.m., Sunday II a.m.-I2.30p.m. illustrations add to the attractiveness of her instruc­ tive and timely book. THE HACKNEY CARRIAGE (1835)—and there are penalties for the attempt DR. LUTZ WELTMANN. It is hoped that a number of our readers are in a to defend cabmen. (1896.) position to afford hiring a taxi-cab occasionally, at (3) Agreement to pay more than the legal fare is not THE END OF BERLIN least in an urgent case. There may be a difference binding; sums paid beyond the proper fare may "Finale Berlin" by Heinz Rein (Verlag JHW with the driver now and then, apart from the be recovered. (1835.) Dietz Nachf., Berlin) describes the last fortnight problem how to tip fairly. If you wish to look up The principle mentioned under (1) has been more before the occupation of the German capital in 1945. some legal source about this, where would you look elaborated by a clause of one of the 1853 Acts It is written in the form of a novel, but the plot is for it ? I bet, you would not look at the place where which says that there is liable to a penalty somehow artificial and the author's means of ex­ you can find the law, viz. under the description " every driver of a Hackney Carriage who shall pression reach not always a literary standard. " Hackney Carriage." refuse to drive such carriage to any place within the Nevertheless, the book contains many revelations of documentary value. It shows how Nazi terror and There are in fact stUl in force, at least partly, and limits of this Act not exceeding six miles (a distance which is often exceeded in Greater London) denounciation poisoned the relationship between apply to the London taxis the London Hackney family members and neighbours. It also puts on Carriages Acts, 1831, 1843, 1850, 1853. In addition to which he shall be required to drive any person hiring or intending to hire such carriage, or who record that, with the advancing Allied forces, other acts like the Metropolitan Pohce Act, 1839 and the position of anti-Nazis became rather more 1867, the London Cab Act, 1906, the London Cab shall refuse to drive any such carriage for any time not exceeding one hour, if so required by any than less endangered. Readers who are familiar and Stage Carriage Act, 1907, contain relevant with the districts, and streets of Berlin from bygone passages. Obviously, taxi-drivers have to be much person hiring or intending to hire such carriage, or who shall not drive the same at a reasonable and —and better—days, will agree that the author has of a lawyer and must be able to argue their case. succeeded in bringing home the atmosphere of this And are they not ? proper speed, not less than six miles an hour (not much for a taxi !)—except in cases of unavoidable unique town, now in ruins. W. R. There are the most diversified provisions and only delay, or when required by the hirer thereof to drive a few can be given by way of examples, leaving aside at any slower pace ( I ) ". ON GERMAN GUILT aU the more technical regulations; This clause, 95 years after enactment, gave most " Whoever attacks a Jew, attacks us," said (i) Hackney carriages standing in any street shall recently cause to litigation and the High Court, Propst Heinrich Grueber in the pamphlet " Schuld be deemed to be plying for hire and the drivers presided over by the Lord Chief Justice, decided und Verantwortung," issued by the Niedersachsen refusing to go with any person shaU pay a fine. on December ist 1948 that the driver of a taxi-cab District of the Organisation of Nazi Persecutees (1835.) which is travelling along the road is not " plying (WN). The incidents revealed there indicate that (2) Compensation is to be made to drivers improperly for hire at any place " and commits no offence if he the German people as a whole is far from sharing summoned for refusing to carry any person refuses to accept a passenger. this attitude. AJR INFORMATION May, 1949 Pages Felix JML. R.oseatnal (Jonannesburg) : Old Acquaintances Rudolf Foreter in London:—He has not changed JEWISH SCENE IN SOUTH AFRICA at all, although he himself confessed to be 65. The election results in South Africa caused a Though Dr. Malan is no philosemite, he is no Hitler Forster, who used to be Elisabeth Bergner's partner great shock amongst the Jews. Some Jews became in the German sense either. He is a very religious in " Ariane " and " The Dreaming Lips " arrived panicky, and there was much talk about selling man and actuaUy began his career as a Minister of from Vienna to give \ recital of .Austrian poetry in businesses and leaving the country. Jewish refugees Religion. " Wigmore HaU," and to speak Jerome's " Der •were particularly disconcerted; the memory of their Fremde " directed by F. Wendhousen for the B.B.C. There were some incidents in respect of member­ I remember having seen him last as " Leicester " in previous experiences was too fresh in their minds. ship of Jews in the NATS Party; three districts of This shock did, however, not last longer than a couple Max Reinhardt's " Maria Stuart," the last produc­ the party admit Jews, whereas one group (Transvaal) tion the ' great magician " directed on the German of weeks, and the temporary feeling of frustration insists on being " judenrein." gave room to sober consideration. Some time after stage; Helene Thimig and Eleonore von Mendelssohn Dr. Malan had, in a broadcast, solemnly promised The attitude of the Government to the Jewish played the two Queens, and gifted Herbert Berghof equal treatment to the two wlute sections of the problem was revealed in an interview given in Paris was " Mortimer." Forster started in the early population, English and Afrikaans, he told a delega­ by the Head of the South African U.N. Delegation, twenties when Jessner produced " Richard the tion of the South .African Jewish " Board of Depu­ Dr. Erich Louw. He said that his Government did Third "in BerUn, and looks even today by far more ties ": " There will be no discrimination whatsoever not intend to discriminate against the Jews who British than many naturalised Britishers. against the Jews. I wish the Jewish question to were already resident in the country but that, to Eternal Adore:—The verdict on Veit Harlan disappear from public discussion." He gave this avoid the rise of anti-Semitism, the admission of wiU have been announced when this column is assurance not only on his own behalf, but in the further Jewish immigrants would be restricted. published, but I suppose everybody will already be name of the Cabinet. In the Jewish camp, two personalities with happy if the accused is not declared a " victim of nationalistic leanings are trying to establish closer Fascism." His wife Kristina Soederbaum appeared r; I contact between the Jewish community and the as a witness and denied that she leaped into one of FROM ALL CO>RNERS NATS party. One of them is Councillor Frank, the the Venetian channels on the order of Dr. Goebbels SWEDEN other one a Mr. Nossel. Mr. Frank, a gentleman of —in the nude. She stated it that she was fully The number of aliens in Sweden is expected to rise the Old School who has held civic offices in Cape clothed. The Court went even from Hamburg to to 175,000 during 1949. According to " Svenska Town for many decades, is on very good terms with Berlin to listen to director Erich Engel who testified Dagbladet," the number of refugees, who crossed the the -Afrikaans and never spared any efforts to foster that it wasn't risky at all to refuse orders Uke pro­ frontiers without visas or entry permits, trebled good relations between the Jews and the population ducing " Jud Suess." Gustav Froehlich spoke out during the last three years and in the view of the of the " Platteland." When I saw him recently, he what everyone felt: " It's unpopular already again Aliens Board, Sweden must now be regarded as an told me he would only join the N.ATS Party, if the to say: I never was a Nazi. After all, one day immigration country. -At the end of 1948, 18,000 initiative came from the NATS. There is, however, Harlan will be a big boss again, and it wiU be aliens held working permits—a record figure for he said, a difference between joining the N.ATS and dangerous to be his enemy." Film star Froehlich Sweden—but refugees are finding it increasingly being on good terms with the Africans. Mr. Frank believes that Harlan denounced him to Dr. Goebbels difficult to obtain employraent. then told me of the good old days when Jews and because he was too outspoken against the regime. The Swedish Ministry of Justice announced that .Africans were sincere friends. This friendship, What'e on in London ? :—Sybille Binder left for in future eight years' residence in Sweden, instead according to his account, still exists to-day at some Vienna where she will act again in autumn.—Anton of nine, would be demanded for the naturalisation of places. Walbrook scored a personal success when his latest persons " not regarded closely akin to Sweden. ' Mr. J. Nossel has a different background and picture " Queen of Spades " was shown; credit goes The Ministry has also set up a committee to study considers things from a different angle. He came also to the cameraman Otto Heller who used to work the revision of the Alien's Act and the act on extra­ to South Africa from Lithuania 25 years ago, owns for Carl Lamac in the old days.—Richard Dn- dition of criminals with a view " to establishing two shoe shops in a suburb of Cape Town and, schinsky, the Austrian playwright, left the Austrian positive guarantees for the exercise of the right of recently, bought a small farm. When I spoke to section of the B.B.C. because he wants to write for asylum." him, he pointed out that in his Farmers' Association the stage again.—Charles Goldner directed Eric DENMARK he was the only Jew amongst 30 members and was Maschwitz' " Belinda Fair," and Paul Ludwig Stein Mr. Kieler who published a number of anti- treated as an equal. After the elections he joined is producing Hans May's new operetta " Waltz Danish and anti-Jewish articles in the "Nord- the NATS party in the Cape and congratulated Dr. Time " which starts touring at Blackpool in a few schleswigsche Zeitung " during the German occupa­ Malan on his victory. In his address he predicted days.—Thomas Mann wUl be guest of honour when tion, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment that the Transvaal district of the Party would the English P.E.N. Club celebrates Goethe on and five years' loss of civic rights by a Danish court abolish the " Jewish clause." For this assertion he May 17.—Lucie Mannheim and her husband Marias at Aabenraa. got a rebuff from the Party Secretary. Mr. Nossel Goring will give a recital in English and German on ITALY criticised the policy of the " Jewish Board of Depu­ May 22 in Wigmore Hall.—Professor Ernst Stern -A farewell dinner was given in Rome to Dr. Leo ties " towards the Nationalists. In the end, who did the decors for many of Max Reinhardt's Bernstein, Chairman of the Organisation of Jewish however, his behaviour was disliked not only by the productions is writing his memoirs for early pubUca­ refugees in Italy prior to his departure to Israel. Jews but also by the English and the Afrikaans. tion here.—Victor Skutezky, whose production of The dinner was attended by Mr. Arieh Oron, " For them tliat trespass " was successfully shown Summarising the situation I think that there is no in the Westend, prepares Neville Shute's " Landfall " Israeli Consul in Italy, -Adm. George Mentz, Chief of danger for the security of the Jews in South Africa. IRO in Italy, Mr. Raffaele Cantoni, President of the for A.B.C. in London.—When they screen Korda's But this cannot be sufficient. The Jews do not want picture " The Third Man " directed by Carol Reed, Union of Italian Jewish Commuriities, and many to be there on sufferance, they want to remain part other personalities. Dr. Bernstein's departure for you will see nearly all London refugee actors, for and parcel of the South African nation. There was instance, Nelly Arno, Erich Pohlmann, Martin MiUer, Israel brings to an end the operation of the Organisa­ always a splendid Give and Take between Jews and tion of Jewish Refugees in Italy which had been in Lilly Kann, Lotte Berk, Leo Bieber, Paul Hard- other sections of the population, and it is hoped that muth, Fritz Schrecker, and also Ern.st Deutsch. existence since 1945. A skeleton organisation wUl this position will be left unchanged. remain in operation for some time. Ofcitaorcea;—In Buenos Aires died Carl Mein­ A cable was sent to Premier Alcid'e De Gasperi in hard who survived Theresienstadt. He was Rudolf which the Jewish DPs express their thanks for the S.A. BOARD PROTEST Bernauer's associate in Berlin and used to run hospitality accorded them whUe staying in Italy by several theatres. Meinhard started once with the the Italian government and people. The Minister of Justice, Mr. Swart, said in famous " Boese Buben " cabaret, and later on scored CHILE Parliament that people connected with disturbances many successes with Maria Orska in the lead.—Felix The newly elected Board of the Sociedad Cultural at a public meeting included " certain Communists Bressart, the well-known comedian, died in Holly­ Israelita " B'ne Jisroel " is composed of as follows; and members of the South African Jewish Board of wood, aged 56. He had first emigrated to London Jos^ Hirschberg, President; Siegfried Landau, Deputies." but, in the course of six years never got a chance Vice-President; Fernando O. Friedmann, Hon. The Chairman of the Board's Executive Com­ here on stage or screen. As soon as he came to Secretary; Leon Rosenthal, Hon. Deputy Secretary; mittee stated that Party Politics was entirely HoUywood the late Ernst Lubitsch gave him the Alfred Feldmann, Treasurer; Boris Levy, Deputy beyond the province of the Board. " The Board is opportunity to make people laugh. To make his life Treasurer; Heiman Abramczyk, Director. The concerned only to protect the Jewish community more secure Bresssart studied medicine, and became Chairman of the " Repraesentanten-KoUegium " against discrimination, and any interference with a masseur in California.—Berlin's young and gifted is German Lehmann. their rights as citizens. The position of individual theatre critic, Rolf Nuernberg died, aged 45, of heart ARGENTINE Jews is entirely different. As a citizen, it is both failure in New York. Nuernberg started very early According to a statement by the Organisation the right and the duty of any Jew to play a part in and was successful as a critic and a sport reporter; Israelita Argentina, a pro-Peronist Jewish organisa­ the political life of the country in terms of his own he published two books—one about Max Schmeling, tion. President Peron has promised that the new viewpoint and Party affiliation. I sincerely trust the other one about the affair Lindtberg and Haupt­ Argentine constitution will include a clause stating that all Jewish citizens are taking their political mann.—In Berlin died art critic Lothar Briegar who that " Argentina does not recognise any racial responsibilities seriously in order to make a full returned from China only one year ago. He was differences." President Peron is also said to have contribution to the progress of South Africa. . . seventy years old, and used to be with UUsteins f authorised the organisation to check applications We pride ourselves that the Board, as the represent­ before 1933. from Jews for visas to enter the Argentine, and ative body of South African Jewry, comprises promised that those Jews who would be useful to members supporting every shade of political Around Broadway:—In New York, Viktor the welfare of the country would be admitted. opinion. We would strongly resent the suggestion Barnowsky directed a German performance of HUNGARY that the actions of individual members should be " Iphigenie " with Elisabeth Bergner.—Alfred Polgar will return to Vienna this summer.—^TiUy According to the Hungarian official Gazette, 50 interpreted as the official policy of the Board." He added that the person who was alleged to have Losch will also go back to Austria to dance there pre-war Jewish Communities have ceased to e.xist. again. Their inhabitants perished as a result of Nazi participated in the disturbances was in fact not pogroms and deportations. a member of the Board of Deputies. PEM. B!ffltai5.-?jjg»-»!gg!'.^

Page 6 AJR INFORMATION May, 19«

us as presentations of the highest; and they say, to write their full history. It should, however, be FROM MY DIARY ' AU Jews are alike.' If doing what I was content the moral duty of individual German Jews to put on to do here, because I was grateful for the past and record the main events they can remember. There The changing of names in Israel has assumed have smaU need of money now, I had been Christian, unique dimensions. People who, in the evening, is the great danger that these facts might be for­ I could have done it, compromising no one but my gotten once and for all and that material, which were stiU bearing their Polish or German sounding individual self. But doing it as a Jew, I could not names, wake up in the morning totally Hebraised. might be indispensable for a full history of German choose but compromise the Jews of aU conditions Jewry, especiaUy during the last three decades, thus That applies no less to the anonymous mass of the and aU countries. It is a Uttle hard upon us, but it people than to the leading men in public life. The get irrevocably lost. is the truth. I would that all our people remem­ NARRATOB Foreign Minister, for instance, who rose to his bered it!" position under the name of Shertok, wishes to be known as Sharet, and the late distinguished leader of the Mizrachi, Rabbi Meir Berlin changed his name PERSONALIA into Meir Bir-Ion. Count Bemadotte's autobiographical notes, Mr. Julius Erlanger celebrated his 75th birthday A correspondent in Zionist Review suggests " we " Instead of Arms" (Hodder and Stoughton. on April 17th. Before he came to this country hie shall soon need not so much a ' Who's Who ' but a London) are not as moving and dramatic as his first took an active part in the work of the Jewish Com­ ' Who Was Who,' but adds a more serious note when book, " The Curtain FaUs," where he described his munity, Frankfurt/Main. The AJR with which he he sajs " An Israeli Minister in a Western country peace negotiations with Himmler in 1945 and his has always closely co-operated as a Board Member, bearing a Russian sounding name or in the Eastern dramatic rescue of prisoners-of-war and internees, extends to him its very best wishes. countries an English or American sounding name among them many Jews, during the war years. His might easily be misunderstood. In such circum­ last book merely fills the gaps left by his first Dr. E. G. Lowenthal, Executive Member of the stances it is perhaps just as well to mark the inde­ account of his humanitarian and courageous work. AJR, resigned from his office as Senior Area Repre­ pendence of Israeli names as that of the country." With his mission to negotiate in the Palestine con­ sentative of the Jewish Relief Unit. The gratitude flict which had come to so tragic an end, he could for his more than two years' services in the interest deal only in a postscript, written in an aeroplane en of the Jews in Germany was expressed at a FareweU route from Rhodes to Rome in July 1948 where he The discussion on Oliver Twist has not yet died Party of the Duesseldorf Jewish Community. Dr. seemed fuU of optimism to come to a settlement Lowenthal has taken up an appointment with the down. Only recently the " News Chronicle " com­ between the two parties. mented that '' The fate of ' Oliver Twist' in the Jewish Cultural Reconstruction Inc. and wiU be in hands of some Jews in New York and Berlin was a charge of the coUection of books and other cultural sad story of the lessons of a thousand years un­ assets, at present stored at Offenbach for re­ distribution. learned," leaving it open who had learned or un­ It is gratifying that the history of the Jewish learned the lessons—Jew or GentUe. community of Wiesbaden between 1918 and 1942 has Mr. E. Gould, a Board Member of the AJR, has It may be interesting, in the context of the contro­ been written by Rabbi Dr. Paul Lazarus who, until been nominated as a liberal candidate for the forth­ versy on Dickens, to quote a passage from his novel, his emigration to Israel was the Rabbi of this com­ coming Hampstead Borough CouncU elections. " Our Mutual Friend," which appeared after he had munity. It is also an appropriate token of loyalty created the Fagin character. There he lets an old that Jews from Wiesbaden honoured their former Jew say, " I reflected—clearly reflected for the first religious leader on the occasion of his 60th birthday Rabbi Dr. Georg Wilde died in London recently. time, that in bending my neck to the yoke I was by having the manuscript printed (Publishers: For several decades he was the religious leader of the wiUing to wear, I bent the unwUling necks of the I. Kauffmann, New York). Magdeburg community and the trusted friend of •whole Jewish people. For it is not, in Christian The achievements in the field of religious life, many of its members. His active participation in countries, with the Jews as with other peoples. cultural activities and social work, and the sound the Jewish liberal movement in Germany was of Men say, ' This is a bad Greek, but there are good structure of this centraUy administered " Einheits- greatest value to German Jewry at large. He left Greeks. This is a bad Turk, but there are good gemeinde" are typical for many middle-sized Germany after having been in a Concentration Turks.' Not so with the Jews. Men find the bad German Jewish communities which, in the course of Camp. The work for German Jews remained near to : among us easily enough—among what peoples are generations, developed into healthy and weU- his heart and he has always taken a very great i the bad not easily found ?—but they take the worst balanced organisms. It may not be possible in the interest in the work of the AJR in London as weU as •of us as samples of the best; they take the lowest of case of all the other communities to publish or even in Cambridge, where he lived for several years. CLASSIFIED ALTERATIONS, Remodels. Dress­ WIENERIN, intelhgent, smart, do­ MISSING PERSONS Employment maker, Mrs. Cohn, 158 Adelaide Road, mesticated, with business experience, Inquiries from AJR Adverlitemenie are subject lo Control of Engoge- PRI 7428. ment Order. some savings, seeks serious minded Ehrlich, Hans-Amold, and Marr AJR EMPLOYMENT AGENCY (an­ Personal garete, n^e Borman, from Breslau, for BUSINESS LADY, middle-aged, own gentleman, abt. 45-55 years, in secure nually licensed by the L.C.C.) has on position, view marriage. Replies, pos­ AJR. its register men and women (skilled and flat, wishes acquaintance refined gentle­ man re marriage. Box 727. sibly with photo, under Box 736. WengUnski or Weglinskl, Moritz, unskiUed), also homeworkers of any born 20.1.03, *or Franziska Duda, kind, sitters-in. Report vacancies esp. Berlin. for book- and storekeepers. Tel. MAI 9096. Orgler, Helmuth, son of Prof. Arnold BOOKKEEPER wants change. Hard, Orgler, Berlin, last known address: reliable worker. Best London refer­ MAKING A 6 Carlton HUl, N.W.S, for Han»- ences. Box 732. Juergen Bredereck, Berlin. SECRETARY, RELIABLE, experi­ enced shorthand-typist (English-Ger­ man), book keeping, P.A.Y.E., cash & banking, desires responsible job. Best GIFT ref. Box 728. BRASSIERES, etc. (FRENCH & ENGL.). Represent, wanted for aU PARCELS • Provincial Areas. Good connections F you wish to make provision for the with Stores, etc., essential. Commission Basis. Box 735. I future, you will entrust the execution of Accommodation your Will to a Trustee Company whose TO EUROPE ACCOMMODATION of any kind wanted. AJR Social Service Dept. special knowledge of the problems and needs Food, Clothing, Soap BOARD AND LODGING wanted by of Jewish Clients can help you and your single elderly lady. Offers with terms and Medicines under Box 731. Solicitor to carry out your intentions in Examples of Parcels : LONELY YOUNG MAN seeks room conditions of perfect Security and Secrecy. in refugee house ia London Area. 6 lbs. Coffee, Beans or K.K.L. Executor & Trustee Company Ltd. Roasted .Box 733. Price Including cost ot packing and BUSINESS COUPLE requires 2 room will be pleased to forward, in complete postage from Jamaica B.WJ. 27/6 flat, possibly unfurn. Prepared to buy part furniture. Box 730. privacy, any information you or your 7 lbs. GoSee, Beans or TO LET, nicely furn. dble bed-sitting- Solicitor may require in order that you Roasted and 3 lbs. of Sugar room and kitchen. MAI 4335. Price including cost of pacldng and BEAUTIFUL ROOM with breakfast, may consider appointing the Company as postage from Jamaica B.WX 32f6 full board offered to business man, Executor of your Will. 4 lbs. Ceylon B.O.P. Tea retired. Reasonable. MIL 4909 after Price including cost ot paddng and 7 p.m. postage from Ceylon 30^ Miscellaneous Please write or telephone for particulars to The Manager HOSPITALITY for half-Jewish giri in Catalogues on requeat BerUn who wants to visit England, K.K.L. EXECUTOR & TRUSTEE CO. LTD. urgently required. Particulars from AJR. 199, PICCADILLY, LONDON, W.l. Turner, Roche & Co. Ltd> 120 LONG ACRE, LONDON, W.CL3 UTILITY WARDROBE, light oak, REGent 7676-7 almost new, to sell because of emigra­ Tel. TEMple Bar 4566-8 (3 lines) tion^^ AJR INFORMATION Mav 1949 Page 7 LETTER TO THE EDITOR NEW TASKS AHEAD HOSPITALITY The Annual General Meeting of the AJR took tunately, died some months ago, and of Dr. Eva Dear Sir, place on 25th AprU, at i, Broadhurst Gardens, Reichmann, Mr. J. Sachs and Mr. M. Zimmer who I should be glad to know if any of your readers would London, N.W.6. Dr. K. Alexander who, for the resigned—are : Dr. H. Capell, Mr. A. Wechsler care to offer hospitality for a fortnight or a month to «st time, addressed an AJR Meeting went beyond and Mr. L. UUmann. The other Executive Mem­ Jewish deportee children from Homes in France and giving an ordinary report on recent activities and, bers were re-elected, namely Mr. A. Schoyer (Chair­ Belgium. 150 of these young people, aged between w a vivid account, dealt with the basic principles man), Mr. W. M. Behr, Dr. R. Bienenfeld, Dr. W. 14 and 18, will be here from July 20 to August 18, and involved in the work of the AJR. He described Breslauer, Mr. A. Horovitz, Mr. P. Goldschmidt, from July 27 to August 25. •low, by continuous endeavours, the AJR gradually Dr. E. G. Lowenthal and Mr. M. Pottlitzer (Hon. For further details, please get in totwh with me ai established its position inside and outside the Treasurer). New Board Members are, in addition my office address. community. Questions which previously stood in to the former Executive Members Dr. Eva Reich­ Yours truly, ™e foreground, such as the naturalisation of mann and Mr. J. Sachs : Dr. F. E. Falk, Rabbi Ursula Torday, refugees, were brought to a satisfactory solution C. E. CasseU (formerly Glasgow) and Mr. A. Rei­ Organising Secretary, and other tasks, which originaUy were considered mann (formerly Leeds). Children's Marrainage Scheme, ?s being outside the scope of AJR activities, e.g. 7 Endsleigh Place, wtense social work, had to be taken up. During "THE HYPHEN" London, W.C.i. ttie year under review, the outstanding achieve­ Saturday, May 7: 7.30 p.m. at 30 Buckland ments were the establishment of the AJR Employ­ Crescent; A Psychology Lecture by Dr. May ment Agency, annuaUy licensed by the L.C.C., and RAVDEN: " FamUy, ChUd and Adult." AJR STEPS IN