VOLUME 19 NO.5 MAY 2019 JOURNAL The Association of Jewish Refugees

LOOKING BACK & What shall we tell AHEAD Our annual report on pages 9 – 12 describes a year of looking backwards and forwards, remembering seminal moments from the past and rethinking the way the the children? modern world looks at prejudice. Deciding how and when to discuss the Holocaust These were also the themes of last month’s very successful conference about the Kindertransport, which with children and grandchildren has been a is reported in our sister publication, the Kindertransport newsletter, and will be covered in more detail in next perennial challenge for survivors and refugees. month’s Journal. Many found it impossible to speak; for others it was Meanwhile, to mark Yom HaShoah at the start of this difficult, both emotionally and conceptually, to know month, we bring you an insightful interview with one of the architects behind the proposed UK Holocaust how much to tell. Memorial and Learning Centre, plus an incredibly moving report from one of our key staff members in the north of England, who recently visited Poland with a delegation organised by her local council. Her account helps us to remember together that we are one.

We look forward, as always, to receiving your feedback on these and on the other articles in this month’s Journal.

Letter from Israel ...... 3 An architect’s perspective...... 4-5 Letters to the Editor...... 6-7 Art Notes...... 8 Annual Report & Accounts...... 9 – 12 Looking for...... 13 The Endless Night in the Killing Fields...... 14 – 15 Reviews...... 16 Obituaries...... 17 Some of the many books that have been published Around the AJR...... 18 specifically for children about the Holocaust. Adverts...... 19 Events & Exhibitions...... 20 In 2011 the London Jewish was also a lively discussion about Cultural Centre held a series three generations of survivors. of events marking the 70th AJR Team anniversary of the Association of One important word recurred Chief Executive Michael Newman Jewish Refugees. A number of through these discussions but Finance Director David Kaye talks focused on the relationship was never properly explored. Heads of Department between survivors on the one Again and again, people spoke Community & Volunteer Services Carol Hart hand, and their children (and about the ‘burden’ of what HR & Administration Karen Markham grandchildren) on the other. they had been through and Educational Grants & Projects Alex Maws ‘What shall we tell the children?’ how difficult it was to think AJR Journal was the subject of a moving of imposing this on the next Editor Jo Briggs lecture by Rabbi Jonathan generation. What no one asked Editorial Assistant Lilian Levy Contributing Editor David Herman Wittenberg from the New North is why do we speak of such Secretarial/Advertisements Karin Pereira London Synagogue and there Continued on page 2

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What shall we tell the had to make so their first books were handicap itself. less ‘Jewish’. The story of the publication children? (cont.) of Wiesel’s Night is a fascinating I don’t want to get into these doctrinal knowledge and its transmission as a example. wars which tore psychoanalysis apart ‘burden’? What is it we fear will happen for decades. But this distinction is – to ourselves, to others – if we tell them So how can we help people to tackle suggestive. Knowledge is a ‘burden’ of such experiences? Why do we assume this ‘burden’? One example came from because it is so terrible, so devastating. that even awful things, stories of death Rabbi Wittenberg in his talk. Through It is not just something that is and loss and deep depression, cannot his kind, gentle way of speaking he incomprehensible to those who weren’t be talked about openly, lovingly and opened up a space for survivors in the there, but something that could even explored safely? A number of people in audience to talk about what they had damage them once it is revealed. the audience spoke of not telling their gone through. They felt understood and Children were so often a haven, children as if it was unthinkable. And supported. This allowed them to open something undamaged by the Holocaust. others understood. But no one wanted up in ways that some had apparently So how could one taint them, burden to explore what is so frightening about never experienced before. Secondly, them, with this knowledge? Hence the trying to share such knowledge. by listening, in particular listening out rage when arguments broke out, when for the words people use, for changes children became difficult or hostile, and Children and grandchildren want to in emotion. One survivor started by were then discouraged from expressing know what happened to their parents smiling and saying how lucky he was. any negative feelings towards their during the Nazi years, whether they Within a few minutes, he had broken parents. ‘How could you, after what became refugees or survived Nazi camps. down completely, devastated by the we have been through?’ ‘The children There is now a whole genre of books by emotional impact of what he was we lost would never have behaved like the children (especially by the daughters) describing. It was as if for the very first this.’ ‘You have no idea what we went of refugees and survivors. Some are time he was describing experiences through’. Behind such intense emotions memoirs, such as Louise Kehoe’s In This that he had fended off for years. lies fear and devastation, but also anger Dark House (1995), Anne Karpf’s The That smile vanished. He broke down. and fury, that so often cannot find a War After: Living with the Holocaust Thirdly, by trying to overcome isolation. way out. It is so much easier for us to (1996), and Lisa Appignanesi’s Losing Rabbi Wittenberg spoke passionately treat survivors as victims and martyrs. the Dead (1999). There is also a new about Jews living in isolated parts of Many children know there is a darker wave of novels about the experience the country, who became cut off from story. Even as I write this, I am aware of Jewish refugees when they came fellow-Jews and survivors and lived how hurtful and wounding this must to Britain – by David Baddiel, Natasha alone with their dark thoughts and seem. But the children and grandchildren Solomons and Martin Fletcher, and most nightmares. For so many survivors (and of survivors know this is sometimes the famously, Judith Kerr’s When Hitler Stole their children), living far from the nearest case. One kind of burden, perhaps, is Pink Rabbit, among many others. The Jewish community, they felt completely denial, to argue that terrible experiences writers (and readers) of such books want alone. This was before psychotherapists don’t have serious consequences for to understand what their parents and and religious leaders became aware people’s lives. grandparents went through. So why a of what refugees and survivors were ‘burden’? Why do such experiences feel living through. So, awareness, knowing There are many more aspects to such like a bomb, to be handled with care, if how widespread and devastating these devastating experiences. But among at all? experiences and memories are, is crucial. many ways of helping survivors and their And from awareness must come support, children, one might be to help people Of course, these were terrible through religious and other forms of from both generations – and now from experiences – loved ones were murdered community. a third generation – confront the dark or tortured in the most awful ways. side of such feelings. The best fiction People survived in terrible conditions. Awareness, support and listening are and memoirs do this. They acknowledge Being forced from one’s home or important but are they enough? Let that survivors often seem a mystery to separated from one’s parents and me return to this word ‘burden’. I once their children and grandchildren. Or, siblings, are – literally – unspeakable asked a child analyst to explain to me worse, that people from the second and events. Not just for individuals, but for the difference between Kleinian and now third generation experience their a whole culture. For years there was Freudian psychoanalysis. Take a blind childhoods as a minefield, where they silence in post-war Britain about the child, she said. A Freudian would try and don’t dare to ask what happened to their experience of Jewish survivors. There help support this child and help build parents out of fear. Fear of what? That were memoirs or articles here or there, up their ego and defences against their their parents will scream and shout, or but by and large they failed to break into experience of blindness, to help them break down and weep, or finding out the cultural mainstream until the 1960s cope. A Kleinian, by contrast, she went what happened will be so terrible. As and especially the 1970s. This made it on, would begin by exploring the dark the third generation wants to find out even harder for survivors to open up side of this experience, the sense of rage what happened to their grandparents, it about what they went through. Look and anger and perhaps envy of siblings is ever more important to discuss these at the struggle of now famous authors or friends who are able to see. The painful questions honestly and with love. like Primo Levi and Elie Wiesel to publish child’s feeling about their blindness were their first books and the changes they sometimes more devastating than the David Herman

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LETTER FROM ISRAEL BY DOROTHEA SHEFER-VANSON

A GLOBAL and that may have been a factor in his favour. As far as I can tell from my limited experience SHOWCASE of (and interest in) such events, Israel’s entry is far removed from the syncopated and The Eurovision hyperactive entries of previous years. I have Song Contest, heard the ballad, which can be defined as which has been somewhat low-key (though certainly not off- held annually key) and sentimental. It is a bold choice, and There have even been rumours that for over sixty one hopes that the various voting panels are Madonna will be appearing at the contest, years, with over ready for a change in pace and theme. which would certainly give an additional forty countries boost to the power of the event to attract participating, is a huge opportunity for each Naturally, the intention is to make maximum an even bigger audience. At one stage the of those countries to showcase not only its use of the opportunity to boost tourism to participation of the Shalva Band of talented music but itself.Because Israel’s entry won Israel in general, and Tel Aviv in particular. This youngsters with special needs was mooted, last year, with Netta Barzilai singing ‘Toy,’ is particularly pertinent in view of the general but because of their adherence to orthodox Israel is hosting the contest this year. Usually atmosphere in Europe, where antisemitism Judaism they are unable to participate in the the event is held in the host country’s capital, and anti-Zionism are on the rise. In fact, the televised competition, which always takes but because of political pressure, both BDS movement did its utmost to organise a place on Shabbat. They may appear later in internally and from abroad, it will be held in boycott of Israel as host of the contest, with the evening, however. Tel Aviv rather than Jerusalem. fifty ‘prominent’ UK personalities signing a petition to this effect. This seems to have There were some unhappy rumblings in The last time Israel’s entry was victorious been successfully thwarted, however, with the media with regard to ticket-touting was forty years ago, with Gali Atari and the competition’s organisers condemning that and unfair distribution of complimentary the Hakol Over Habibi ensemble singing approach as constituting an undesirable mix tickets by the Minister of Culture and ‘Halleluya.’ It was indeed a catchy tune, of politics and music, emphasising that the Sport, but these rumours were promptly aided and abetted by the international purpose of the Eurovision contest is to unite suppressed and denied. There is no denying nature of the title word whose meaning peoples, not discriminate between them. that the cost of the tickets is very high, but ‘Praise the Lord’ in Hebrew has become this is considered as being justified by the international currency (along with other I myself received an online petition seeking enormous expense involved in putting on the Hebrew words such as ‘Amen,’ ‘Hosanna,’ to counter the BDS boycott, contending show, broadcasting it to the rest of the world, and many others too numerous to mention). that ‘music is our shared language, one and accommodating all the participating that transcends boundaries and brings artists and their entourages. The competition to be selected as Israel’s people together under a common bond.’ entry was strong, and the winner was I undoubtedly subscribe to that view and All that remains is to wish all the participants twenty-five year old tenor, Kobi Marimi, although I do not as a rule sign petitions I and organisers an enjoyable and successful who will be giving a rendition of ‘Home’, decided to sign that one. Whether it had competition, and hope that this event helps a romantic ballad written by Ohad Shragai any effect or not I do not know, but the to show Israel as the dynamic, advanced and and Inbar Weitzman. He bears a slight competition is going ahead, and that’s the welcoming country that we all know and resemblance to the late Freddie Mercury, main thing. love.

Left: Peter Cakes reunited Briess brought Gugelhupf The AJR editorial team was delighted to and chocolate receive a surprise delivery of ‘German’ cake to the cakes recently from member Peter Briess. AJR office Right: A page In December we had published a letter from Else from Peter, who came from Czechoslovakia Briess’ recipe with his parents in 1939, offering to share book his mother’s recipes with other readers. “Tasting these cakes was like a trip down and a glazed chocolate cake (made from Keen baker Heidi Goldberg responded and memory lane; Heidi managed to perfectly one of over 30 different chocolate cake the exchange resulted in a wonderful tea capture the flavours of the past,” reports Peter. recipes written in Peter’s mother’s book) party to sample cakes made by Heidi to left from the tea party for AJR staff to some of Peter’s mother’s recipes. Fortunately there were slices of Gugelhupf enjoy.

3 AJR Journal | May 2019 Memorialising the Holocaust: an architect’s perspective

In March we invited AJR members to review plans for the proposed UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. Several members expressed interest in the plans so Sophia Engel, who is currently on an internship with AJR, went to interview one of the project’s architects, Asa Bruno from the firm of Ron Arad Architects

Could you please introduce yourself? What are the major challenges? generation that has no living memory of the Holocaust. It needs to remain important My name is Asa Bruno and I am the We are very respectful of the subject and powerful for many generations to director of Architecture at Ron Arad matter and the need to give it the come, beyond the living memory of people Architects. I am originally from Israel and appropriate attention and place in the who actually experienced the Holocaust have lived in London for 26 years and public realm. At the same time we need to directly or even indirectly. And that is a worked with Ron Arad for 19 years. be very sensitive to the location, which is in very vast challenge, because you can’t a park close to the Palace of Westminster just do that through shock value or by Do you have a personal connection with in a highly protected area that is very telling stories; you have to reach people via this project? precious to the local community, and we different emotional, visual or audiophonic wish to retain as much as possible of the mechanisms. It’s not necessarily about My father and mother came to Israel park. So it is quite a challenge to develop it reading a plaque and learning “oh, this is from Germany and Poland, just before in the most sensitive manner. what that means”; the Holocaust is too vast the outbreak of WW2. Their stories to comprehend in a sentence. It’s about and those of other refugees were very Which other memorial and learning creating a visual and physical experience influential in my upbringing. Growing centres did you and your colleagues look that people won’t necessarily understand up in Israel, stories of the Holocaust are at? – because it is too big to understand – but ingrained in our education and culture, are nevertheless deeply moved by it, and but it was only in adulthood that I began The Ron Arad team has visited numerous hopefully encouraged to engage with and engaging with that subject on a more different Holocaust memorials around the learn more about. personal level. I have read a lot about world. I personally have been to Berlin, the Holocaust and spoken at length with Boston, Yad Vashem and a number of So you are really focused on the relatives who were directly affected. others. We have also had enlightening generations to come? When the opportunity to work in this discussions with Holocaust scholars project came along I thought it would and been fascinated by other types of The memorial will honour those who died be a very important thing for me to be memorials, such as the Cenotaph in in the Holocaust but the learning centre involved in. Whitehall. It’s a fairly simple, austere block will set its sights on the wider, long term, of stone in the middle of a busy road, yet it and more universal challenge of standing How big is the project team? captures collective grief and the attention up to injustices and preventing future of a whole nation. It doesn’t visually genocides. Adjaye Associates are leading the general symbolise war, i.e. it doesn’t look like a project and designing the learning centre tank or something else that people might Who will actually be responsible for filling underground. Ron Arad Architects are associate with war or soldiers, rather it’s the learning space and how much input designing the memorial. We have a team a much more abstract container for those will the architects have? of five, including Ron Arad, myself and a memories. team of three others. Gustafson, Porter The process began some months ago, and Bowman are the landscape architects, What is the ideal balance between and the exhibition designer and content responsible for integrating the memorial memorialisation and learning? director have been working very into the Victoria Tower Gardens Park. intensively, in partnership with the larger There is also a wide technical team of This relates to the issue of who this is design team. The content director, Yehudit consultants covering all aspects of the for. We are aiming for the memorial to Shendar, has come from Yad Vashem and project from structure and mechanical be of importance and significance to was also involved in the extraordinary engineering to conservation, traffic, living survivors of the Holocaust and Block 27 installation at Auschwitz. The accessibility and ecology. their relatives, but very importantly for a exhibition designer is Steven Greenberg,

4 AJR Journal | May 2019 (CREDIT HAYES-DAVIDSON) A view of the proposed memorial from inside A view of the proposed memorial from the park who has a lot of experience with sensitive Local Government, the Chief Rabbi and We expect and hope to receive approval exhibition-making, and has been involved other heads of faith, plus numerous other later this summer. with the powerful Holocaust exhibition stakeholders. When invited to design the in the Imperial War Museum. The two of Memorial, we didn’t really believe there What other high profile projects are you them bring a wealth of experience and was anywhere more appropriate than this involved with at the moment? sensitivity to this project and it has been a location. Placing a memorial to the worst very positive and strong process so far. humanly-caused tragedy in history, next to We just completed the first of two phases of one of the world’s most widely recognised a large office development in Tel Aviv, and What is this project’s connection with the symbols of democracy is a very brave the second phase is about to commence Imperial War Museum? move, and one which as architects we fully development. We have also designed a new support. cancer hospital in the north of Israel which There is obviously a link but the IWM deals will offer excellent care and research facilities with the Holocaust within the context Is it likely that the design will be modified and provide a very inspiring environment of war mechanism and deals primarily in response to the public consultation? for patients, visitors and staff. Its location is with that as its focal point, whereas the demographically very mixed – approximately Memorial and learning centre are more The project has undergone several half of the staff and patients will be Arab- of a vehicle for reflecting on what the stages of consultation, before the design Israelis, half Jewish-Israelis. We hope this will Holocaust meant for people in England at began, during the design process and the really revolutionise the quality, and the kind the time, how much of it was known, what competition stage, once the competition of care that the most vulnerable people in actions were taken, what actions weren’t entries were submitted, and once the local communities can receive. taken, and the outcome of these actions winning competition entry was announced. and inactions. It is also intended as an As part of the planning process there Do you have any particular message for educational device for addressing difficult have been two public consultations and AJR members? issues of social responsibility, tolerance, public exhibitions. We have already begun and active rejection of hatred on a more modifying parts of the design in response I am very grateful for the opportunity to universal level. to comments and feedback that the team share my thoughts with AJR members. has received. Working on this project I cannot see a What is your response to criticisms about more noble cause than to be engaged the location of the proposed memorial? Will it cost to get into the memorial? with people who have been refugees themselves or relatives of people who have I know that some local residents are I understand that entrance tickets will be experienced such suffering or undergone concerned about placing a memorial of this required, but they will be free of charge, such a major shift in their lives. As we see scale and importance in a relatively small and used solely to help monitor the around us this is not something that just park next to the Houses of Parliament. quantity and flow of visitors and ensure happened in the past, racial prejudice is But the site had already been chosen that their experience is safe and immersive. something that happens and will sadly when we were invited to take part in the continue to happen in the future. We must design competition. The location has What stage are you currently at with the keep our arms open, and look after our been widely endorsed, including by the planning permission? refugees and listen to them, and above previous and current Prime Ministers, all try to understand how we can help in the Mayor of London, the Secretary of The designs were submitted to everything that is involved in that huge State for Communities, Housing and Westminster Council in December 2018. process of migration.

5 AJR Journal | May 2019 Letters to the Editor The Editor reserves the right to shorten correspondence submitted for publication.

STICK TO THE GUIDEBOOK clearly remembered. We were refugees and his family at Windsor: Josef Dollinger. Editor writes: David Wirth’s article about with our brother and, along with so With his extraordinarily intelligent wife Vienna (March) continues to provoke many other children, were given homes Stella, they gave so many of us succour responses, in particular from the Austrian by amazingly kind and generous people and sensible confidential advice on how Embassy in London who wish to point out when the bombing intensified in the to deal with our parents’ strangeness, and that “Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky London and district areas. Young as we the unspoken grief with which many of (1970-1993) was born into a Viennese were, we did not fully understand the us were afflicted through no fault of our Jewish family and forced by the Nazi kindness of our host families but we now own. regime in 1938 to emigrate to Sweden. look back with amazement and gratitude He returned to Austria only in 1951 and at the generosity of so many people. Although the institution might be he never was a member of the Nazi party Birgitt Beesley, Ontario, Canada rightly much admired, it was for some NSDAP.” These sentiments were echoed of us second generation youngsters an by several others, including Paul Secher and extremely challenging childhood and an Austrian MP, Reinhold Lopatka, who A SYNAGOGUE FOR REFUGEES (March) difficult adolescent experience. wrote that “20 relatives of Kreisky died in I read with interest your piece on the Peter Hess, London N1 the Holocaust. Kreisky was not a member occasion of the 80th anniversary of of the NAZI party, he was a victim”. the Belsize Square synagogue (known in my day as the New Liberal Jewish RIGHTEOUS CANECKY All this interest in Bruno Kreisky has Congregation). I am pleased to see the Righteous among prompted the commissioning of a the Nations award has been given to dedicated article about him, to be I was raised in the heart of this Ondrej Canecky. published in a future issue of the AJR community, my parents having been Journal. members since their arrival in London in Canecky was a Slovak farmer who risked 1939; my father served on the board of his life to help two Auschwitz escapees, In the meantime, the Austrian Embassy the congregation in the 1960s. Rudolf Vrba and Alfred Wetzler. He also told the AJR that Vienna’s monument dressed them up as pig farmers, and to Russian soldiers, mentioned in Rabbi Salzberger officiated at my parents’ arranged a meeting with representatives of David Wirth’s article as a contrast to wedding at his synagogue in Frankfurt in the Jewish community in Slovakia. Thanks the memorial to Jewish civilians, was August 1938, just three months before to him, Vrbe and Wetzler were able to actually designed by the Soviet army Kristallnacht, when my father (like so write their account of Auschwitz /Birkenau before the liberation of Vienna and many others) was taken to Buchenwald that was one of the few authentic that its maintenance by the Austrian until January 1939. testimonies to reach Western authorities, authorities is one of the stipulations and which ultimately contributed to the of the 1955 Staatsvertrag. Finally, in It was not all a bed of roses for many of rescue of 200,000 Hungarian Jews. 2018, the Austrian Federal Government my generation, born just after the end Gerta Vrbova, London confirmed that it will cover the cost of of the war (I was born in 1950) when constructing a new memorial for the those of my parents’ generation who had victims of the Shoah. The “Wall of names escaped were attempting to restart their WEDGWOOD TRIBUTE in commemoration of murdered Jewish lives, many now without a trace of any I was delighted to read Lesley Urbach’s children, women and men from Austria” family. tribute to Josiah Wedgwood (April). will be built in the Ostarrichi park, in Without him, I would not be alive today. central Vienna, and will list the names The older I get, the more I realise how of the 66,000 Austrian Jews who were dark my childhood was. We had no In 1938, when my grandparents in murdered during the Shoah. family (‘What is a grandparent?’ we Vienna were desperately seeking refuge asked) unlike my mostly English school for their two daughters, my grandfather friends, in whose houses I sought some remembered a business card given to THANK YOU AJR kind of refuge, some light relief. him by an English gentleman. This was Thanks to a search notice in the AJR Josiah Wedgwood who, when contacted, Journal last May, my sister Maria and I One’s parents had their own terrible readily arranged for my mother and aunt, have recently received a collection of old demons with which to deal and so a Marianne and Gerda Lampl, to travel on family letters via Richard Canter, whose mention should and must be made of domestic visas and work in his household wife’s grandmother hosted us in Melton the marvellous and important cantor/ in Moddershall Oaks until he returned Mowbray 80 years ago. chazan/humanitarian/one-time opera to Parliament, after which he arranged singer under Richard Strauss/member of their relocation to friends of his in Glan Memories of those days are poignant and ENSA in the war who sang for George VI Conway.

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My mother kept in touch with him GENOCIDE as Editor of this journal from 1985 till and his wife, and clearly had the Danny Kalman’s brother Melvyn 1988, during the interim period after greatest respect and fondness for described his concerns at the way “… the retirement of Werner Rosenstock in them both. I owe him an enormous the genocides in Rwanda, Biafra and 1982 and the appointment of Richard debt of gratitude, as do my children Cambodia are being connected to the Grunberger in 1988. He was a leading and grandchildren, and wish that his Holocaust.” intellectual who researched and wrote humanity was more widely known and about the history of the Jews, in particular celebrated. According to the UN, ‘Genocide’ is the Jews of Germany, the German Jews Sue Phillips, Shrewsbury intentional action to destroy people, who settled in Britain before 1914 and nation, race, culture, language by the Jewish refugees from Hitler. He was deliberate killing. It is a combination of the author of numerous erudite articles REFUGEES IN NAME the Greek word ‘geno’ – race, and Latin in AJR Information in its early years. He David Herman’s lead article (April) word ‘caedo’-kill, cut. Other synonyms worked for many years at the Wiener was fascinating and useful in drawing are massacre, crimes against humanity, Library, rising to the position of Deputy attention to the status issue. However, extermination. Director. When he left the Wiener Library in the current climate, it is important Dr Elena Rowland, London SE18 in 1966, he joined the Institute of Jewish that the terms “refugee” and “asylum Affairs, where he edited the important seeker” (best defined as a prospective quarterly Patterns of Prejudice, ‘a journal refugee) are narrowly and precisely REFUGEES IN LEEDS devoted to the study of causes and used. A refugee is someone who has I read the article on David Makofski manifestations of racial, religious and been found or accepted to have “a (February) and the letter from Ernest ethnic discrimination and prejudice with well-founded fear of being persecuted Kochmann (March) with interest, as I particular reference to antisemitism’. for reason of race, religion, nationality, had previously come across an article in membership of a particular social group our journal that throws a different light The most significant aspect of the conflict or political opinion” and is outside on the chairman of the Leeds Refugee described by Aronsfeld was arguably its his homeland and cannot or does not Committee. In the interests of historical cause. Aronsfeld, then a young refugee want to seek his homelands diplomatic balance I draw the earlier article to the working as a factory hand, had written a protection. (Geneva Convention 1951, attention of our readers. piece of serious political comment for a Art 1(2)) newspaper. That infuriated the chairman The article, by C.C. (Cäsar) Aronsfeld, of the local refugee committee, who I would suggest that the term ‘emigrant’ appeared in AJR Information, as it then felt that Aronsfeld was acting above covers a multitude of categories was, in February 1952 under the title ‘A his station. Aronsfeld had brought his (refugees, entrepreneurs, foreign spouses) Refugee in Leeds’. It draws on Aronsfeld’s intellectual aspirations from Germany and is best used for all those who intend experiences in Leeds in the summer of and was determined to put them into or do settle in the new country. It thus 1934. Readers can access the article via practice in Britain, despite his reduced distinguishes emigrants from those the AJR’s website and reach their own circumstances. Such aspirations he calls exiles. For me, an ‘exile’ is a conclusions. Although Aronsfeld does sometimes clashed with the expectations member of a group which has formally not name Makofski directly, inventing an of a section of Anglo-Jewry, which been expelled. Before Wannsee changed unflattering nickname for him, it is plain tended to regard them as pretentions Reich policy, Jews were ‘encouraged’ to who the ‘Viceroy’ in Leeds is. Aronsfeld’s incompatible with the status of mere emigrate, but were not formally exiled. article prompted an immediate riposte refugees. Behind this conflict of values Francis Deutsch from a refugee who had settled in Leeds lay the longstanding reservations held and who protested vigorously against by many Jews from eastern Europe – Aronsfeld’s depiction of the experience of the communities from which much of MOUTH WATERING refugees in Leeds in the 1930s. Published Anglo-Jewry was descended – about Your review of the bilingual “Jewish as a letter to the editor in March 1952, the veneration for German culture and Cookbook from Hamburg” (April) sent it mounted a spirited defence of the intellectual prowess (‘Bildung’) that me into instant pursuit. Within 48 hours treatment of the refugees by their British was widespread among the assimilated, Amazon had furnished the book, which co-religionists in Leeds. educated Jews of the western, German- proves to be a sheer delight, both as mere speaking cities. That was an issue that reading matter full of delicious memories Aronsfeld, who repeated his account of continued to divide the two communities and as a well proven culinary guide. If his Leeds experiences almost verbatim in in Britain, once the refugees from only I could find a volunteer at AJR to his memoirs, Wanderer from My Birth Germany and Austria began to settle here produce all these delights for me! (1997), is not to be dismissed lightly. after 1933. Hans Eirew, Manchester Amongst other achievements, he acted Anthony Grenville, London NW6

7 AJR Journal | May 2019 ART NOTES: by Gloria Tessler

Celebrated for his haunting painting and lithograph The Scream, Edvard Munch had many more emotive ways to show the love and angst now depicted in his new exhibition at the British Museum. In fact The Sick if you go, I would advise taking a box of Child, by tissues with you. Edvard Munch

In this sensitively presented show of 83 to humanity,” he proclaimed. He added application of paint give her a supernatural artworks, including 50 from Norway’s colour to early intaglio prints to intensify glow which makes it almost unbearable to Munch Museum collection, we learn the emotion. Lithographs of young girls with watch. Munch wrote: “Few painters have true anguish the five year old Edvard felt flaming red hair recall Sophie, and in a had the experience to feel the grief of their at losing his mother, and a few years later, series of three prints, Towards the Forest, subject as I have.” his favourite sister, 15 year old Sophie, young lovers approach a forest which from tubercolosis. These harrowing gradually grows more ominous, its light Munch developed friendships with Henrik tragedies marked the man and his work, beginning to etiolate them, and finally to Ibsen, for whose Peer Gynt he designed a but although his prints and paintings, swamp them. The forest seems a metaphor programme, Gunnar Heiberg and August created with fervent, linear brushstrokes, for danger, for death. The romantic red hair Strindberg, whom he met in Berlin in are marked with death, loss and pain, so is youthful, love. It is a theme to which he 1893. Their friendship soured after the sensitive is this artist that his work seems returns, projecting women in various forms Swedish playwright poked fun at an almost other worldly. “For as long as I can of maturity, with the ever-present sense exhibition of Munch’s work in Paris in remember,” he wrote, “I have suffered that ageing and death lurk everywhere, May, three years later. Proving revenge is from a deep feeling of anxiety which I sometimes emphasised with memento mori a dish best eaten cold, Munch deliberately have tried to express in my paintings.” in the borders. misspelled his name as A Stindberg, on his lithograph of the writer, which translates His 1905 black and white woodcut Head A drypoint of two young lovers, Death as “mountain of hot air.” by Head betrays the extent of alienation and the Woman 1894, post-dates in this portrayal of a woman kissing an Schubert’s Death and the Maiden string As for the origin of The Scream, Munch unresponsive man. It reveals his obsessive quartet but possibly inspired him. Its pose described walking with friends one day fear of female power, which he finds has a gentle, dancer-like rhythm but the and watching the sky turn blood red. “I suffocating. sperm and foetus in the border expresses stood still, trembling with anxiety and I contemporary fear and desire. His own sensed an infinite scream passing through Working mainly in Krystinia, Paris and Paris love affair with the young violinist nature.” Munich, Munch had many love affairs but Eva Mudocci is commemorated in his eschewed marriage, perhaps fearing the beautiful, wistful lithograph of her. The exhibition, which continues until ultimate betrayal he experienced in the July 21, includes a rare black and white deaths of his mother and sister. There are several prints relating to his lithograph of The Scream which made his dying sister. The Sick Child proves the name. Few things could be darker than his Self artist’s almost supernatural ability to show Portrait with a Bottle of Wine, painted an etiolated image of the one chosen by in 1930, as the world was growing death; how her features blend with the Annely Juda Fine Art turbulent, and his own crashed down in a pillow, as Munch’s aunt (who took care 23 Dering Street nervous breakdown. Based on a 1906 self of the children after his mother died) sits (off New Bond Street) portrait when he was in Weimar painting weeping beside her. They culminate in his Tel: 020 7629 7578 Nietzsche, he sits among coffin-like tables, painting, which shows the ‘nurse’ with Fax: 020 7491 2139 his face frowning, pinched, introverted. bowed head, holding the young girl’s CONTEMPORARY hand. The tangled cloud of her red hair, PAINTING AND SCULPTURE “I want to create art that gives something the luminous colours, the fervid, vertical

8 AJR Journal | May 2019 2018 ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS

50 AJR STAFF £3,784,674 TOTAL INCOME 1,931 280 AJR AJR MEMBERS VOLUNTEERS £5,599,418 OF WHOM TOTAL 75% FEMALE EXPENDITURE 20% UNDER 30s 19% OVER 80s HAVE VOLUNTEERED 45% FOR 2 YEARS OR LESS HAVE VOLUNTEERED 495 12% FOR OVER 10 YEARS 2nd OR 3rd MEMBERS 20% GENERATION AGED 90+ 70% JEWISH £3,889,022 DIRECTLY GRANTED 43 TO MEMBERS FOR 1 1 HOMECARE AND 2 2 REGIONAL & OTHER SUPPORT SPECIALIST SERVICES 3 3 GROUPS 669 300+ 2ND & 3RD NATIONAL £25,903,968 GENERATION & REGIONAL RESERVES CARRIED MEMBERS EVENTS FORWARD

9 AJR Journal | May 2019 2018 AJR ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

2018 was a year for looking both We are always interested to hear from be the provision of practical and financial backwards and forwards. Backwards them and are also keen to connect with support to our members. As well as funding descendants of refugees. Approximately a substantial increase in Homecare, our because we commemorated the one-third of all AJR members are now drawn teams assisted with the processing of 80th anniversaries of seminal from the second and third generations and applications for new support grants for moments that had a profound we anticipate this share increasing as more members who came on the Kindertransport. descendants feel the need to honour their To date the Claims Conference has received impact on the refugees who fled to parents’ and grandparents’ experiences over 1,000 applications for this new fund Britain, most notably Kristallnacht and continue their educational work, while and has already started to make the one- preserving their family connection to the time awards of €2,500. and the birth of the Kindertransport. AJR. And forwards because we need to Meanwhile our Outreach team, which not remember not just the past but HOLOCAUST EDUCATION engages hundreds of AJR members The AJR continues to be the UK’s largest throughout the country in its regional rethink the way the world responds funder of Holocaust educational and meetings and events, also had a very busy to prejudice, and the AJR’s role remembrance programmes. Through our year. In the south of England Karen Diamond within that. grant making programme, organisations can and Ros Hart joined as co-ordinators, as apply for funding of up to 50% of the total Kathryn Prevezer left and Eva Stellman cost of new innovations and initiatives. The retired. Karen and Ros have brought a We began the year by focusing on the AJR is proud to promote impact-oriented new flavour and many new speakers to the 80th anniversary of the Anschluss with an projects and works closely with organisations Groups, which increased attendance during event at the Austrian Embassy, when the to provide expert consultation in addition to 2018. late Harry Bibring spoke movingly about financial support. his experiences in Vienna through to his In the north of England and Scotland reflections on the November ’38 pogrom. In 2018 we supported a diverse range Wendy Bott and Agnes Isaacs co-ordinated of projects across the UK. The Holocaust an enormous number of meetings and Later in the year we were honoured to Survivors Friendship Association opened events. Highlights included our Annual enable some of our members attend a the new Holocaust Exhibition and Learning Scottish Regional, held in Edinburgh, where wonderful reception with HRH Prince Centre at the University of Huddersfield. we welcomed Ruth Davidson MSP as our Charles at St James’s Palace, and help We also helped the National Holocaust keynote speaker, and our Northern Regional organise commemorative events at Centre develop a digital version of its Meeting in Manchester, was addressed by Westminster Abbey and in the Speaker’s flagship exhibition The Journey for Primary Lilian Black, Chair of the HSFA. State Rooms at the House of Commons. The School students. Our Chief Executive, latter event, when we recreated the 1938 Michael Newman, spoke at the launch Another highlight was our five day trip to debate that led to the Kindertransport, was of the book Rewriting History: Lying, Norfolk, attended by 35 members, whose particularly poignant. Another memorable Denying & Revising the Holocaust by Hope packed itinerary included Sandringham event took place at Liverpool Street Station Not Hate. The Jewish Museum London House, Norwich Cathedral and the Sainsbury to mark the anniversary of the arrival of the opened its exhibition Remembering the Exhibition. Outings in the south of England first Kindertransport on 2 December. We lit Kindertransport: 80 Years On. The Insiders/ included the Finchley Strasse Exhibition at a candle not only for Chanukah but also for Outsiders Festival launched its programme the German Embassy, the Chagall Windows the only light available at such a dark time to highlight the cultural contributions of at Tudeley Church, Eltham Palace and for Europe. Jewish refugees to Britain. And Northwood Westcliff. Holocaust Memorial Day Events developed Many AJR members took part in these and an educational programme which brought We were also delighted to organise our first other commemorative events. On behalf 3,000 students into local synagogues to hear ever cruise when 19 members travelled out of the wider British community, the AJR is the testimony of a Holocaust survivor. of Southampton for 12 days, visiting Lisbon, grateful to all our members who continue to Cadiz, Valencia, Cartagena and Gibraltar. go out of their way to help educate future In June we remembered Anna Essinger, Members took part in various excursions and generations about their experiences of the founder and headmistress of Bunce Court on board activities, including a special tour of Holocaust. School, by placing a blue plaque in her Jewish Lisbon. honour at the site of the old school in Perhaps as a result of the huge media Kent. Several members also enjoyed our regular interest surrounding these events, the AJR week at the Lansdowne Hotel in Eastbourne, continues to find first generation refugees MEMBERS SUPPORT & OUTREACH where they were blessed with fine weather, who are ‘new’ to us and require our support. The AJR’s biggest work stream continues to good food and great company.

10 AJR Journal | May 2019 2018 AJR ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS TREASURER’S

Lunches for AJR’s Kindertransport also increased as media outlets – REPORT Special Interest Group continued to including from Australia, France and run every month at Alyth Gardens. Israel – approached us for comment Speakers during 2018 included Stephen on everything from German passports While the nature and scope of our work Pollard, editor of the JC, Mona Golabek, to the 80th anniversary of the continues much as before, there were who performed her own pieces from Kindertransport. The Pianist of Willesden Green, and some notable changes in the scale Lord Livingston of Parkhead. Our flagship communications tool, the AJR Journal, continues to attract of our activity and in the economic We are routinely contacted by students a wide and varied readership and environment which are picked up in our about the Kindertransport, and they most months its Letters bag is full often attend our lunches. Towards the to bursting. Readers are clearly accounts for 2018. end of the year we were approached very much enjoying both its smart by BBC Radio to help journalist Adrian new look and the output of its new Goldberg, who was looking into editorial team. Members will be aware that the AJR leads an German citizenship, being the son of Umbrella Group of charities that deliver the a refugee. This resulted in a series of ORGANISATION AND STAFF welfare programs of our major funder, the interviews on BBC Radio 4 between Melanie Jawett joined as PA to the Claims Conference. The efforts of our social Adrian and our members. Chief Executive and Finance Director. work team and those of the Umbrella Group Rosemary Peters was appointed identified unmet care needs of survivors and AJR VOLUNTEERS Claims and Pensions Advisor. refugees so that significant increases in funds The Volunteer’s department currently were made available by the Claims Conference. supports some 280 AJR members The Social Work team said farewell As a result, some additional 49,000 hours of on a regular basis. Services include to Basil Hamzie, who left to work Homecare were funded. This together with befriending, telephone befriending, closer to home, and Maxine Weber, an increase of £258,000 in Self–Aid payments computer help and dementia who retired after nine years at AJR. from our own funds resulted in an increase in befriending. Our My Story project Kathryn Williams decided not to welfare payments to our members of £835,000, continues to grow and celebration return after maternity leave but a growth in excess of 30% – this is a measure of events were held in Leeds (October) Marilyn Thomas has stayed on what needs to be done. and London (December) to mark the after covering her leave. Elysia Polin print of 13 new books. During 2019 joined the social work admin team I wish to pay tribute to our social work and we will be offering the opportunity for in May and Dipti Kapadia joined the administrative support teams for the contribution members in Scotland, Newcastle and Accounts team. they made in enabling this increase to be the Midlands to create a unique life delivered. Increases in the cost of social service story book. After considerable preparation of and administration are a reflection of the policies and collating permissions, additional work this has engendered as well Our volunteers also help out at regional new data protection legislation went as normal inflationary cost increases. To some group meetings, support us at national live and AJR has updated many extent we receive funding from the German events, provide an audio version of the systems and processes, with help Government through the Claims Conference AJR Journal, help at Head Office and from the Privacy Partnership. towards our costs in administering their sit on advisory committees. We offer schemes. We also once again extend heartfelt a bespoke training programme for our Finally, due to reaching the end of congratulations and gratitude to the Claims volunteers as well as regular support contract, Croners were replaced by Conference for their successful negotiation with and supervision. We held thank you a smaller organisation Wirehouse the German government and for providing a events for our fantastic volunteers at Employer Services. record £2.1m of grant income to the AJR, an the German Embassy in London, The increase of £670,000, to fund these services. Jewish Museum in Manchester and at On behalf of all the AJR members the Chanukah tea in Glasgow. and my fellow trustees I would like In 2017 a build up from earlier year contingent to thank all staff members of the liabilities to support educational and COMMUNICATIONS AJR team, so ably led by Michael commemorative projects crystallised. This did AJR continues to increase its public Newman, for all their efforts and not recur in 2018 so that our expenditure in this profile. Our website registered 61,863 achievements during the year. important field was reduced to its previous level. page views during 2018 and we gained 283 new Twitter followers and 142 new Andrew Kaufman While legacy income fell back in 2018, it is once Facebook subscribers. Press coverage Chairman again my great privilege to express my gratitude

11 AJR Journal | May 2019 2018 AJR ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS TREASURER’S FINANCE REPORT

REPORT (CONT.) The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) Summary Income and Expenditure Accounts to our former members whose Year ended 31st December 2018 legacies in 2017 supported the organisation and I respectfully repeat my encouragement to Income: 2018 2017 our members to remember that £ £ £ £ legacies provide a vital income Claims Conference, Six Point & Other Grants 2,165,959 1,548,423 source which enables our critical Subscriptions/Donations 73,177 101,184 services to be enhanced in the Investment income 696,175 721,241 way that we have been able to achieve in recent years. Other Income 7,013 5,292 2,942,324 2,376,140 The charity was not immune to Legacies 842,350 1,942,224 the difficult year faced by financial Total Income 3,784,674 4,318,364 markets which fell some 14% over the year. During the year Less outgoings: the Investment committee took defensive action to liquidate Self-Aid, Homecare and Emergency Grants 2,605,891 1,770,102 assets and this together with the Social Services and other member services 1,283,131 1,224,065 work of investment managers AJR Journal 84,012 93,687 mitigated the impact of general Other organisations 226,283 968,550 market forces; our losses were Internal Educational Initiatives 43,765 35,016 limited to 7.5% of opening asset values. Administration/Depreciation 1,356,336 1,270,640 5,599,418 5,362,060 The overall result therefore consumed £3.7m of resources Net operating deficit for the year -1,814,744 -1,043,696 of which £1.8m was related to Surplus/-Deficiency on realised operating, activities (including and unrealised investments -1,927,586 2,246,218 legacies). Nevertheless the charity remains well placed to incur such Net movement in funds -3,742,330 1,202,522 costs to deliver the activities highlighted here as well as the The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) outreach, special interest, and Summary Balance Sheet testimonial projects highlighted in Year ended 31st December 2018 the Chairman’s report.

Once again I offer my thanks 2018 2017 to the finance team and its £ £ £ £ Director, David Kaye. They Fixed Assets and Investments 19,473,144 26,610,077 have had to manage yet further complexity in administering Current assets 8,382,026 5,380,077 the welfare programmes of Current liabilities 1,951,202 2,343,855 the Claims Conference, while continuing to provide accounting and management information Net current assets 6,430,824 3,036,222 and financial guidance to assist the Trustees in running the Net assets 25,903,968 29,646,299 charity. Our robust balance sheet has enabled us to deal with Reserves brought forward 29,646,298 28443776 a challenging year and move forward into 2019 from a position Net movement in funds for the year -3,742,330 1,202,522 of continued financial strength.

Reserves Carried Forward 25,903,968 29,646,298 David Rothenberg Treasurer

12 AJR Journal | May 2019

Essinger LOOKING pupils FOR? The AJR regularly receives messages from our members and others looking for people or for help in particular subjects. Here are some of the most recent requests – please get in touch directly with the person concerned if you can help.

ARTHUR NEISSER Prof. Lidia Maggioli is looking for information about Arthur Neisser, ESSINGER’S PUPILS During the 1950s Margarete lived in musicologist and writer. Born 6 April According to the Wiener Library, the Cholmley Gardens in London. 1875 in Berlin, he was interned in Italy above photograph may show a group [email protected] during WW2, and subsequently killed in of Anna Essinger’s pupils from the Auschwitz in October 1944. Landschulheim Herrlingen, on their way [email protected] to Bunce Court School in Kent. Please ST. CHRISTOPHER’S COLLEGE, contact the Library if you recognise any TUNBRIDGE WELLS of the people shown. Esther Weiner stayed at this WILSON BUTCHER [email protected] institution in 1939/40 and currently Yisrael Geffen is researching Mr and seeks information about it. During Mrs C R Wilson of Broad Walk, London her stay her name was Ellen Esther N21 who employed his mother (Lilli HENRY ROXBURGH (FORMERLY Renkazischock or Esther Ellen, and her Markowitz) when she arrived in 1938 HEINZ ROSENBERG) surname was later shortened to Renka. and helped make arrangements for her Dr Joachim Rott is researching the [email protected] marriage to refugee Benno Gottfried, a Cologne Company, Rosenberg & Hertz. worker in Mr Wilson’s butcher’s shop. Heinz Rosenberg (born 1902 in Cologne), The photo below shows Mrs Wilson one of its owners, immigrated to England SPANISH JOURNALIST with Lili on her left. in the 1930s, changing his name to Henry María Navarro is working on a final [email protected] Roxburgh. He lived for many years at 23 project for her Journalism degree, Collingham Road, London SW5. reporting about migration of Jewish [email protected] people to Israel during or after WW2. Maria hopes to analyse the subject from the perspective and experience of SWISS CHILD TRANPORT several different people. Lisa Bechner is looking for child [email protected] transport contemporary witnesses from Switzerland. If anybody has contacts to still living “children” in Switzerland KINDER TRANSPORT WOMEN please contact her. Lesley Urbach is trying to make contact [email protected] with women or their families who came on the Kinder transport and lived at Wyberley Ladies Convalescent Home MARGERETE WENDER in Burgess Hill between January 1939 Natalie Verstandig is interested in and early 1941. A commemorative receiving information about any living information Board is being put up descendants of Margarete Wender (née in early June near where the House Moses) who was born in Breslau in the stood. Mrs Wilson and Lilli 1880/90s and later moved to England. [email protected]

13 AJR Journal | May 2019 The Endless Night in the Killing Fields

The AJR’s Northern Volunteers is as though I have journeyed through one Germans as they retreated in defeat. Our endless night, without any warmth or light group processed in silence along the route and Community Coordinator, Fran from the sun to ameliorate the experience. taken by 900,000 Jews on their way to Horwich, recently visited Poland It will take time for me to find the right the gas chamber. A huge stone monument words to express this journey, but in the stands at the site of the chamber doors. as part of a group of people under crucible of time, often the detail evaporates, As we turned to look behind us in the the auspices of Bury Council. and what is left is the pure, distilled gloom, we could see the land strewn with emotion. I need to put down in the limited hundreds and hundreds of jagged stones, Amongst them were civic leaders, words I have, my earliest response. each a testament to an entire community councillors, police, NHS leaders, that perished here. Some bear the name I thought that I knew a lot about the of the town represented, some are too religious ministers, and so on, Holocaust. I have read and studied and small for that. The stones reach the horizon listened. To know in your mind, though, and seem to go on beyond that. A myriad collectively representing many is not the same as to know in your bones. of Jewish histories, erased in the fifteen different faiths. This is Fran’s very When you experience with all your senses, months of the camp’s existence. you know that you have known nothing, moving account of the trip, which and never will. Standing in the early grey of the morning makes particularly sombre reading at Majdanek Extermination Camp, I am Over three million Polish Jews perished struck by two things. Firstly, the camp sits as Jewish people around the in the Holocaust; over 90% of the Jewish on a busy highway, surrounded by a large population. One third of Warsaw’s residents residential area. It is openly placed; brazenly world mark Yom HaShoah. in 1939, for example, was Jewish. There is visible. Secondly, the cold is inescapable. A no corner of Poland saved from the horror, wind rips through the camp, clawing at any Last night I returned in the inky blackness no acre that did not witness the massacre. skin exposed to it. I am wrapped in thermal of the hour before midnight. My journey layers, with hat and scarf and gloves; and had begun three days before, in the cold We arrived at Treblinka as the evening drew yet my eyes stream at the perishing cold. darkness of the hours before dawn. I have near. There is nothing left of the original I am almost unable to concentrate on been to the killing fields of Poland, and it Death Camp, it was destroyed by the my surroundings in the biting wind. This is late March, on the cusp of spring. The temperature is many degrees higher than that of a Polish winter. I cannot imagine how a starved body in thin pyjamas would live, even for one day. The majority of those arriving at Majdanek were murdered immediately in the gas chamber, but those who were saved at the initial Selection, lived out the few weeks of their life expectancy in the direst conditions of cruelty.

On our second night in Poland, we walk to the Buczyna Forest, outside the city of Tarnow. It is known as the Children’s Forest. There we gather around an area fenced with a sky blue railing. We learn that, within, are the remains of 800 small Jewish children. The children had been dragged from their screaming parents, brought to the forest, shot in batches and thrown into The monument the pit. Infants who were too small to be at the site of the able to walk were tied into sacks. When the doors to Treblinka pit was full of the corpses of the children, grenades were tossed in. It must have

14 AJR Journal | May 2019

The Bury Council group in the Temple Synagogue in Krakow taken many hours to complete the killing, learning? What are you taking home from • The numbers don’t add up – it was the screams of the children reverberating this? never as many as six million around the surrounding town. • There must be a reason why everybody Last night when I arrived home, I was hates them The children were murdered here, because compelled to get into a hot bath and scrub • The Jews killed Christ the Germans had found that taking them and scrub and scrub. • The Jews were behind the Twin to the extermination camps slowed the Towers; the Wall Street Crash, the First process down. This morning, waking to a steel grey World War, the Black Death, the rise Manchester dawn, I know the question that of Communism, the rise of Fascism, Each of us there had a small piece of paper will be repeated – What have you learned American Foreign Policy, British Foreign bearing the details of a child with a name from this? How do we learn the lessons of Policy, slavery … similar to our own. We read aloud their history? How do we stop this happening • Israel is an apartheid state name, their parents’ names and the place again? • Zio pigs of their death. Each child murdered under • There is no Antisemitism now the age of ten years old. I felt a silent howl There is only one lesson to learn from the rise up within my being that encompassed Killing Fields, and that is that man has an And the lesson? Do we have the means me entirely. I want to sing them a lullaby; I infinite capacity for evil, and once the evil to stop it? As Jews stand up now to want to rock each child in my arms. Tears is given free reign, it is impossible to turn Antisemitism they are shouted down; told mix with the snow and run in rivers down it back. It takes the slightest touch of the that they are exaggerating, embellishing my cheeks. Not because I am a woman, not blade to the vein, and the hate rushes out and lying. We are forbidden from calling because I am a mother, not because I am a and soaks all in its path. out the abuse against us. Perhaps our only Jew. Because I am still human. hope is that those around us shout the truth The lesson we really need to address is with us. Our friends and neighbours; our By the time we reach Auschwitz I feel how does the process begin? What are the work colleagues and our civic leaders need as though I can no longer feel. I have first tentative steps that lead the way to to stand beside us in the face of a process unconsciously anaesthetised myself, in an this bitter end? The seeds of Antisemitism attempting to repeat itself – that will always attempt to stop the pain. We experience are small and almost hard to perceive, but attempt to repeat itself. We must engage the devastating size of the place; this when they are scattered onto fertile land, with them and take them on the long road destruction-line death factory. We see and nurtured and watered, they grow like with us. By helping each other learn, we the inhumane living conditions, the piles weeds unchecked. Those tiny seeds are can lead the way together. Together we are of children’s shoes and hairbrushes and words like these: stronger. suitcases. We pass by the block where the human experiments took place on twins, on • Will the Jews ever stop moaning about Maybe this is the lesson I have learned. dwarves, on pregnant women. the Holocaust? • They run the media, you know I will need to ask myself the question again I look around though, at the people there • Well, you got your own land out of it tomorrow. on guided tours. Schoolchildren and didn’t you? pensioners on a day trip. What are you • Rothschild. Rothschild. Rothschild Fran Horwich

15 AJR Journal | May 2019 REVIEWS

THE CUT OUT GIRL: A Story of War she is more a housemaid than a daughter Galerie collection the self-portraiture and Family, Lost and Found for people who are hard to please varies widely: Egon Schiele, perhaps by Bart van Es although brave to take in a hideaway and more than any of his contemporaries, Penguin Books decent in their way. created raw – even shocking – self- ISBN 978-0-241-97872-6 portraits. Max Beckmann’s portraits Winner of the 2018 Costa Book of the Following the unsuccessful British possess an expressive power that Year Operation Market Garden in September reaches back to the Old Masters. 1944 – which would have meant liberation In Felix Nussbaum’s harrowing self- Who can ever know how life will turn – the village is evacuated. They set off portraits we see reflected the misery out? When Lien de Jong was growing on foot, with what possessions they can of his life as a persecuted Jew and his up in The Hague nobody could have manage, to the fortress town of Ede. But resolve to record faithfully the threat to foreseen her traumatic and complicated black days follow when she is repeatedly his life (which ended in a concentration life as a hidden child after Germany raped by a family relative. After the war camp). invaded Holland. she chooses to return to the van Es family where old patterns are resumed but all is Some of the most outstanding self- But as she tells the author: “Without not plain sailing especially as time goes on. portraits are by women, though very few families you don’t get stories.” Hers succeeded in pursuing careers of their is told by the grandson of her foster Throughout this highly acclaimed own. One of Paula Modersohn-Becker’s family Bart van Es, Professor of English book the bilingual author describes his self-portraits highlighted her pregnancy Literature at Oxford University and a meetings with Lien and visits places while Kaethe Kollwitz cast an unsparing Fellow of St Catherine’s College. Born which coloured her childhood. It is eye on her own tragedy-riven face. In in the Netherlands he always knew his particularly interesting hearing about this handsome book vibrant reproductions grandparents sheltered Jewish children hideouts and his work is meticulously of works by these and other artists are during the war and wanted to find researched, exploring archives and accompanied by essays that explore out more about a girl who had broken museums telling of a sometimes grim how many of them were classified as contact. chapter in Dutch history. Yet the tireless “degenerate” by the Nazi party. courage of resistance workers and valiant Kathy Cohen Lien was sent into hiding by her parents individuals who saved strangers shines who along with most of her relatives through in this disturbing but fascinating she never saw again. But at first she account. After the war he brings us up- still heard from them with poignant to-date describing Lien’s full and varied NORTH WEST LONDON letters on her ninth birthday. These life still with twists and turns. This brilliant LUNCH & TALK are kept together with an album with book quickly becomes a page turner handwritten poems and messages, along the route of lightness and dark and old family photos in happier days and above all survival. pictures of people who helped her Janet Weston during the war.

She was sent via a go-between to THE SELF-PORTRAIT FROM SCHIELE a family in Dordrecht with a loving TO BECKMANN mother. Here she stayed for several Ed: Tobias G. Natter Wednesday 25th June 2019 months, being brought up with their ISBN 978-3-7913-5859-8 Alyth Gardens Synagogue children, until policemen at the door 12:30pm meant time to move on. Life becomes Anyone fortunate enough to be in New more dangerous as bribes are offered York in the near future should make it We are delighted to welcome RABBI JONATHAN WITTENBERG and officials become ever-more zealous a priority to visit Ronald Lauder’s Neue Highly respected Rabbi in tracking down Jews. There follows a Galerie, where an exhibition entitled The of New North London Synagogue, quick succession of rooms at different Self-Portrait from Schiele to Beckmann is President of the Council of Christians & Jews, addresses until she is sent to a dyke on display until 24 June. Member of the Council of Imams and Rabbis, cottage in a “safer” area, never going and co-founder of Eco-Synagogue, as well as best-selling author of nine books, a dog lover, out. The Gallery specialises in German and hiker, devoted family man and an all-round Austrian art and has produced a beautiful really good guy who is articulate, funny and endearing. On the move after another knock on “coffee table” book to accompany the A delicious deli lunch will be served first. the door she is taken to the dirtiest place current exhibition. During the first four she has ever known. Finally in late 1943 decades of the 20th century the self- £8.00 per person. Booking is essential. she ends up in another household in portrait reached new heights in Austria Call Ros Hart on 07966 969 951 Bennekom in the central region. Here and Germany. Among artists in the Neue or email [email protected]

16 AJR Journal | May 2019

OBITUARIES FRANCIS STEINER (Franz) Born: 2 October 1922 Vienna Died: 24 February 2019 Oxfordshire

In the last years of his life Franz banned from the bench and the family Steiner lost the ability to move experienced the other side of the famous Viennese “heart of gold”. Franzi was sent on around unaided. Yet his head a Kindertransport in December 1938 where worked perfectly to the last he was reunited with his brother who had prejudice and hatred. For 50 years he was minute, amazing his audiences travelled as a refugee earlier in the year. They a reporter for the newswire service of the never saw their parents again. Austrian Catholic Church and for many with his sheer inexhaustible years he chaired the Parliamentary and knowledge and his fine, self- Franz graduated from Belmont Abbey School in Public Affairs Committee of the Catholic Hereford, but was then interned on the Isle of Union of Great Britain. In 2005 the Vatican deprecating sense of humour. He Man. In 1942 he was finally allowed to join the awarded him the most prestigious lay- could even keep teenagers away war effort and never looked back. He became honour: the Knighthood of St Gregory. from their mobiles. a faithful adherent of everything British. He claimed that he was the first foreigner to join Meanwhile in 1963 Franz met and married Franz was born into a well-established the civil service, he worked in the private sector Rosemary Oldham, daughter of an old family in the heart of Vienna. The family and then as a stock broker until his retirement in established dynasty of South Warwickshire had converted from Judaism to Catholicism 1987. In his own words: “As the scum floats to farmers. They had two children, Rob and and his father was a high court judge with the top of a lake, so did I rise with the growth Claire, and lived in Highgate until 1986 when connections throughout the Habsburg of the firm without being specially gifted for they moved to Deddington, although sadly empire. Franzi and his older brother Willi trade. But I was good at languages and there Rosemary passed away in 1990, before any were educated at a prestigious Catholic was a need to get into the continent to look for of their seven grandchildren were born. school where they learned several clients – I developed quite a following.” Franz continued to hold his family together in languages and instruments and to become many ways and remained professionally and loyal Austrian citizens. Having been raised as a Catholic with a intellectually active until the end. Jewish heritage Franz became a voice for However in March 1938 their father was international co-operation against adversity, Axel Reiserer & Susan Lisa Toch

PETER HOWARD WAYNE Born: 8 May 1920 Berlin Died: 9 February 2019 London

Peter, originally known as Dieter, When war ended, Peter was posted to Military was born Hans-Dietrich Wolff in Government in Germany as an interpreter at a Berlin-Wilmersdorf. denazification Court. To his great satisfaction, his duties also included the rehousing of Peter’s father Kurt served in WW1. On his displaced prisoners released from labour Peter was gregarious; he had a great return he built up a successful photography camps. He also organised urgently needed sense of humour, loved telling stories and business. In 1919 Kurt married Lilli Wallerstein food supplies for surviving family and friends. was generous to a fault. In addition to who died in London aged 107. his wide ranging cultural interests was a After demobilisation Peter returned to London, love of good food. He enjoyed meeting In 1935 Peter was obliged to leave the completed his studies and joined a firm of old comrades and his masonic brothers in Goethe Gymnasium, continuing his schooling Chartered Accountants, eventually forming his Dieppe where “Bouillabaisse” was always in Switzerland and finishing his education own tax and financial consultancy. on the menu. in a Quaker School in the north of England. After school, Peter was articled to a firm In 1968 Peter married Trudy, a nurse from Last year, Peter was interviewed by a of Chartered Accountants. In 1940 he was Germany They had two children Alex and German television company documenting interned, first on the Isle of Man and later Nicola. Sadly, Trudy died of Parkinson’s in his life. Another highlight was the award in Canada. Returning to England he joined 2013. Fortunately she lived long enough to of the Légion d’Honneur, presented by the the Pioneer Corps. Shortly after D-Day he enjoy the company of her four grandchildren. French Military Attaché at a ceremony in was posted to France. Pioneering was not The loss of Trudy was a great blow for Peter Peter’s home. Peter’s “forte” but his fluent French and but the loving care of his family allowed him a organisational skills became more useful assets. happy and active life until the end. Walter Wolff

17 AJR Journal | May 2019

BRISTOL NORTH LONDON On a sunny Monday in March Trevor Bedeman attracted David Barnett’s comprehensive Around a good crowd for his lunchtime talk. Trevor has made talk on ‘Joe Lyons, and the two trips to Belarus to the village his family originated History of Tea Shops and from, where he was made very welcome by members Corner Houses’ was very well the AJR of the Jewish community, who apparently live very attended, and followed by These are just two of the many recent AJR modestly and are rewarded with accolades, not cash. delicious refreshments. events around the country. Hazel Rank-Broadley Gordon Spencer MARCH GROUP EVENTS CONTACTS

All AJR members are welcome at any of these events; you do not have to be affiliated Susan Harrod to that particular group. Please contact the relevant regional contact for full details. Events and Outreach Manager 020 8385 3070 Ilford 1 May Rabbi Jeff Berger – Jewish Refugee Experience in [email protected] Kobe during WWII Wendy Bott Pinner 2 May Dr David Barnett – Joe Lyons Corner Houses and Northern Outreach Co-ordinator 07908 156 365 Tea Shops [email protected] Leeds 2 May Ex Policeman Paul Leach – The funny parts of Agnes Isaacs being a Policeman Northern Outreach Co-ordinator 07908 156 361 Ealing 7 May Rabbi Celia Surget – The Marathon Running rabbi [email protected] Hull 8 May Paperclips – DVD Ros Hart KT LUNCH 8 May Don Newman – Japanese Prisoner of War Southern Outreach Co-ordinator 07966 969 951 Film Club 20 May A Walk in the Woods [email protected]

Prestwich 20 May Social get-together Karen Diamond Southern Outreach Co-ordinator Bradford 21 May Salt’s Mill, Saltaire 07966 631 778 [email protected] Edgware 21 May Rabbi Celia Surget – The Marathon Running Rabbi KT-AJR (Kindertransport) Kingston 22 May Rosalynde Lewis – Holocaust Education Susan Harrod 020 8385 3070 Kensington 28 May Israeli themed lunch at Peter & Ruth Kraus [email protected] Book Club 29 May Book Club Child Survivors’ Association-AJR Muswell Hill 30 May Neil Taylor – History of Maccabi Henri Obstfeld 020 8954 5298 North London 30 May Maurice Kanerek – Palestine Police [email protected]

PESACH CALLED service, said “This was the first year we have done this and it was clear that most members In the run up to Pesach several AJR really welcomed our calls. As a result of volunteers came to our London office the conversations, many of them are now specifically to telephone over 300 considering taking part in our regional meetings of the most elderly of our members, and activities, and we have also been able to wishing them a very happy Pesach and put a few of our less physically able members in Volunteers Loretta Cohn, Cynthia asking how they are getting along. direct contact with our social work team.” Zneimer and Thea Valman helped to call over 300 of AJR’s eldest members in the Ros Collin, who co-ordinates our A huge thank you to all the volunteers who run up to Pesach Telephone Befriending ongoing took part.

18 AJR Journal | May 2019

JOSEPH PEREIRA KindertransportThe Association of Jewish Refugees (ex-AJR caretaker over 22 years) A special interest group of is now available for DIY repairs AJR FILM CLUB and general maintenance. LUNCH No job too small, on MONDAY 20 May 2019 very reasonable rates. on Wednesday 8 May 2019 at 12.30pm Please telephone 07966 887 485. at 12.30pm Sha’arei Tsedek North London Reform at Alyth Gardens Synagogue Synagogue, 120 Oakleigh Road North, Whetstone, N20 9EZ We are delighted to welcome Lunch of Sandwiches, Bridge Rolls, Danish professional speaker pastries and tea or coffee will be served first DON NEWMAN Outstanding live-in and hourly care in My story as a Japanese A WALK IN THE WOODS your home at flexible, affordable rates. Prisoner of War In this new comedy adventure £7.00 per person incl. lunch celebrated travel writer Bill Bryson, BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL instead of retiring to enjoy his loving and beautiful wife and large and happy Call Susan Harrod on family, challenges himself to hike the 020 8385 3070 or email Appalachian Trail – 2,200 miles of [email protected] America’s most unspoiled, spectacular and rugged countryside from Georgia 020 7482 2188 pillarcare.co.uk to Maine. However, the peace and tranquility he is seeking is elusive WHY NOT CONVERT once he finds the only person willing YOUR OLD CINE to join him on the trek – his long lost and former friend Katz, a down-on- switch on electrics FILMS his-luck serial philanderer, who, after Rewires and all household AND PUT THEM a lifetime of relying on his charm and ON DVDS wits to keep one step ahead of the law, electrical work sees the trip as a way to sneak out of PHONE PAUL: 020 8200 3518 FREE OF CHARGE? paying some debts and have one last adventure. The trouble is the two have Mobile: 0795 614 8566 Contact Alf Buechler at [email protected] a completely different definition of the or tel 020 8554 5635 or 07488 774 414 word “adventure”. £8.00 per person incl. lunch JACKMAN . spring grove BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL London’s Most Luxurious Please either call Ros Hart on SILVERMAN 07966 969951 or email RETIREMENT HOME [email protected] COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS 214 Finchley Road London NW3

 Entertainment  Activities www.fishburnbooks.com  Stress Free Living Jonathan Fishburn  24 House Staffing Excellent Cuisine buys and sells Jewish and Hebrew books,  Full En-Suite Facilities ephemera and items of Call for more information or a personal tour Jewish interest. Telephone: 020 7209 5532 020 8446 2117 or 020 7794 4455 He is a member of the Antiquarian [email protected] [email protected] Booksellers Association. Contact Jonathan on 020 8455 9139 or 07813 803 889 AJR CARD AND GAMES CLUB for more information Monday 17 June 2019 at 1.00pm at North Western Reform Synagogue, Alyth Gardens, Temple Fortune, London NW11 7EN Books Bought Bridge, card games, backgammon, scrabble. You decide. Modern and Old £8.00 per person, inc lunch Eric Levene

Booking is essential – when you book please let us know your choice of game. 020 8364 3554 / 07855387574 [email protected] Please RSVP to Ros Hart on 07966 969 951 or email [email protected]

19 AJR Journal | May 2019

Events and Exhibitions

YOM HASHOAH Encounters in Art Jewish Women Composers This year’s theme is ‘Remember A series of lectures looking at the experiences Austrian musicians will perform works and Together – We Are One’. The of the émigré artists like John Heartfield, Kurt celebrate the musical heritage of brave UK national event takes place Schwitters, Oscar Kokoschka, Ludwig Meidner Jewish female composers, some of whom in Hyde Park on Sunday 5 and Marie-Louise von Motesiczky who came to actually composed their music in the May and there are smaller Britain after Hitler’s accession, examining not only concentration camps. events happening nationwide their achievements and influence, 7.30pm Wednesday 10 July throughout the week. but also the challenges they JW3 London www.yomhashoah.org.uk faced on arrival. www.jw3.org.uk Tuesday evenings until 28 May SPARKO LAUNCH Courtauld Institute of Art Weimar Cinema season Join AJR for the launch of an www.courtauld.ac.uk BFI Southbank is marking the 100th exciting new project set to anniversary of the founding of the Weimar transform the lives of many of our “Ben, a bar and a bit of weight” Republic with a two-month season members via a special TV channel A showing of the family’s documentary about looking at Weimar Cinema from 1919- that allows them to connect easily Holocaust survivor and Olympic weightlifter Sir 1933, including must-see classics, rare and freely with local activities, Ben Helfgott will be followed by a Q&A with its discoveries, and special events with live services, family and friends. director and producer and one of Ben’s sons. musical accompaniment. 1.00pm, 13 May 7.30pm, Tuesday 21 May May/June JW3 London JW3 London BFI Southbank www.jw3.org.uk www.jw3.org.uk www.bfi.org.uk

Please join us for an outing to AUDLEY END HOUSE Thursday 20 June 2019 HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESLIE This month we wish a very happy 90th birthday to Leslie Kleinman BEM.

Born in a small Romanian village into an Orthodox Jewish family, Leslie had three brothers and three sisters. With the exception of one sister, his entire family was murdered in Auschwitz. Leslie himself, although only 14, was selected for railway construction work. He survived two death marches, being liberated on the way to Dachau. He spent several months recuperating, during which time he learnt that his Coach pick-ups in sister, who had been transferred from Auschwitz to Bergen Belsen had died soon after Edgware and Finchley Road liberation. Explore this decadent Jacobean mansion house and meet the staff in the Victorian Leslie came to the UK as one of ‘The Boys’. He married a Canadian lady and they raised Service Wing. Enjoy stunning views their family here, moving briefly to Canada after Leslie retired. After his wife died he across the unspoilt Essex countryside and wander the tranquil gardens created by returned to the UK and has been very active in Holocaust education ever since, regularly ‘Capability’ Brown. speaking at events and escorting groups to Poland. In 2009 he married Miriam and in December 2017 he was awarded the BEM. He will spend his 90th birthday at a For full details and a booking form Buckingham Palace garden party, having turned down his invitation in 2018 due to a please contact Susan Harrod on 020 8385 3070 prior commitment to speak at a school about the Holocaust. or email [email protected]

Published by The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), a company limited by guarantee. Registered office: Winston House, 2 Dollis Park, Finchley, London N3 1HF Registered in England and Wales with charity number: 1149882 and company number: 8220991 Telephone 020 8385 3070 e-mail [email protected] AssociationofJewishRefugees @TheAJR_ For the latest AJR news, including details of forthcoming events and information about our services, visit www.ajr.org.uk Printed by FBprinters, Unit 5, St Albans House, St Albans Lane, London NW11 7QB Tel: 020 8458 3220 Email: [email protected] The AJR Journal is printed on 100% recycled material and posted out in fully recyclable plastic mailing envelopes.

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