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When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given e.g. AUTHOR (year of submission) "Full thesis title", University of Southampton, name of the University School or Department, PhD Thesis, pagination http://eprints.soton.ac.uk UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON FACULTY OF HUMANITIES History British Jewish Youth Movements and Identity, 1945-1960 by Thomas Mark Plant Thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy February 2013 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON ABSTRACT FACULTY OF HUMANITIES History Thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy BRITISH JEWISH YOUTH MOVEMENTS AND IDENTITY, 1945-1960 Thomas Mark Plant This thesis analyses British Jewish identity between 1945 and 1960 through the medium of Jewish youth movements. It argues that youth movements are key sites for the formation and transmission of communal identities into subsequent generations. It entails institutional studies of three Jewish youth organisations: the Jewish Lads’ Brigade, the Victoria Boys’ and Girls’ Club, and the Maccabi Union and is divided accordingly, with chapters devoted to each. The thesis examines the preferred identities that each club sought to impose on their members, using these identities as case studies for the wider British Jewish community. Each chapter addresses issues of national identity, gender, sexuality, faith, ethnicity, Jewish heritage and culture, Zionism, popular music and youth behaviour in order to construct an image of the manner in which various sections of British Jewry perceived their sense of identity. The results of the thesis demonstrate that British Jewish identity was fragmented and heterogeneous, with various sections of the community interpreting the over-arching communal identity in a number of different and at times contested ways. These interpretations were liminal in nature, existing at the boundaries of a variety of sub-identities, and drew on themes that were specific to both British Jews and to wider non-Jewish society, demonstrating that British Jews saw no distinction between the ‘British’ and ‘Jewish’ aspects of their identities. Such interpretations were highly dynamic and continued to evolve in the face of developing circumstances, both within and outside of British Jewry. In exploring the differing communal identities on offer within British Jewry, the thesis also charts the emergence and priorities of a new communal elite and suggests that it is more precise to speak of multiple British Jewish identities and communities than of a single communal bloc. i Contents ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... i Contents ................................................................................................................... iii List of tables .............................................................................................................. v DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP ............................................................................... vii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. ix Abbreviations ........................................................................................................... xi 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1 2. The Jewish Lads’ Brigade ................................................................................... 57 3. The Victoria Boys’ and Girls’ Club .................................................................... 135 4. The Maccabi Union ......................................................................................... 179 5. Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 247 Glossary of Key Figures .......................................................................................... 253 Bibliography .......................................................................................................... 261 iii List of tables Table 1: Summary of David Mellows' survey of provincial Jewish youth movements 185 v DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP I, Thomas Mark Plant declare that the thesis entitled British Jewish Youth Movements and Identity, 1945-1960 and the work presented in the thesis are both my own, and have been generated by me as the result of my own original research. I confirm that: • this work was done wholly or mainly while in candidature for a research degree at this University; • where any part of this thesis has previously been submitted for a degree or any other qualification at this University or any other institution, this has been clearly stated; • where I have consulted the published work of others, this is always clearly attributed; • where I have quoted from the work of others, the source is always given. With the exception of such quotations, this thesis is entirely my own work; • I have acknowledged all main sources of help; • where the thesis is based on work done by myself jointly with others, I have made clear exactly what was done by others and what I have contributed myself; • none of this work has been published before submission. Signed: ……………………………………………………………………….. Date:…………………………………………………………………………… vii Acknowledgements I would like to thank the outstanding archivists, librarians, curators and specialists who have helped me with my enquiries. The staff at the London Metropolitan Archive were extremely helpful, as was Alexandra Grime, curator of the Manchester Jewish Museum. A special mention must go to the staff and archivists of the Parkes and Hartley Libraries at the University of Southampton, and the members of the University’s Special Collections Division, particularly Professor Chris Woolgar, Karen Robson and Sarah Maspero. I owe very special thanks and an enormous debt to my Supervisor, Professor Tony Kushner. From our first meeting in my second year as an undergraduate he has been a quiet inspiration and guide. Without his encouragement and dedication this thesis would not exist. I would also like to thank my Academic Advisor, Professor Joachim Schloer, whose advice and wisdom has been very much appreciated. I have also benefitted from the kind words and support of Doctor Joan Tumblety, whose comments on early drafts of this thesis were immensely helpful. Doctor James Jordan has offered much advice and encouragement, which was gratefully received. Thanks also go to the friends and colleagues who have offered so much support during my studies. Kellie Hopley, Josie and Bob Francis, Emma Savage, Fiona Bailey and Sam Godbold all deserve a special mention. At the University of Southampton, Doctor Adam Chapman, Doctor Hannah Ewence, Doctor Julie Gammon and Professor Neil Gregor have all proved an inspiration. I have also benefitted from the suggestions of Professor Suzanne Rutland and Doctor Avril Alba at the University of Sydney. My greatest personal thanks go to Sarah Shawyer, whose warmth, kindness, generosity, companionship and support have been the highlight of the past three years. Finally, my parents have provided me with constant encouragement, and without them none of this would have been possible. ix Abbreviations AJA – Anglo-Jewish Association AJY – Association for Jewish Youth ASGB – Association of Synagogues of Great Britain BJRE – Board of Jewish Religious Education CLB – Church Lads’ Brigade CMC – Club Members Committee of the Victoria Boys’ and Girls’ Club JC – Jewish Chronicle JF – Jewish Fellowship JLB – Jewish Lads’ Brigade JYC – Jewish Youth Council JYF – Jewish Youth Fund LMA – London Metropolitan Archives MAL – Maccabi Association London MJLB – Manchester Jewish Lads’ Brigade MU – Union of Maccabi Associations in Great Britain and Northern Ireland MWU – Maccabi World Union NAAFI – Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes ODNB – Oxford Dictionary of National Biography PT – Physical training VC – Victoria Boys’ and Girls’ Club USA – University of Southampton Archives xi Introduction 1. Introduction Introduction Through its examination of the postwar identities offered by three Jewish youth movements – the Jewish Lads’ Brigade (JLB), the Victoria Boys’ and Girls’ Club (VC), and the Maccabi Union (MU) – this thesis is intended to be a significant contribution to several areas of study. First and foremost it will contribute to the field of British Jewish studies which, as will be outlined below, has tended to have as its end point 1945, despite the fact that there were significant communal developments beyond the Second World War.1 Second, existing accounts of all periods of the Jewish presence in Britain all but ignores the issue of British Jewish identity (Cooper and Morrison’s A Sense of Belonging being a noteworthy exception), and does not acknowledge the complex interactions inherent in the multi-layered nature of British Jewishness.2 Third, by using