VOLAJRume JOURNAL 11 NO.1 january 2011

The sixty-fifth anniversary of our journal hat would the founding prominent among them, formed the editors of AJR Information, crucial bridgehead between the Jewish W the predecessor of this journal, donor organisations overseas and the have said if they had been told in January desperate recipients in Europe. The 1946 that it would still be going strong in plight of the Jewish refugees extended 2011, 65 years after it first saw the light of beyond Europe to Shanghai, as an day? The first issue stated that the journal’s article in the journal entitled ‘How 15,000 primary aim was ‘to keep its readers refugees survived Japanese ghetto’ informed about the position of Jewries showed; Shanghai had been a refuge of on the Continent and about the work for last resort for Jews from Germany and their relief and rehabilitation’, while also Austria before its occupation by Japan dealing extensively with ‘the problems in 1941, and the destitute survivors of of refugees in this country and the legal, Japanese brutality were yet another economic and social questions and all concern for their fellow Jews in Britain the factors which add up to their status’, and the USA. and reporting on the activities of the AJR. Werner Rosenstock, General Secretary of the AJR, 1941-82, and Editor of AJR Information, But the principal focus of the journal’s The editors were Werner Rosenstock, 1946-82 concern was Germany, where the who continued in that capacity until 1982, ‘emaciated and half-starved’ remnants Herbert Freeden (Friedenthal), who left But conditions in Britain were vastly of German Jewry were eking out an for Israel in 1950, and Ernst Lowenthal, better than those obtaining in much of existence amidst the physical ruins who left for Germany in 1946 to take up a Europe, where people were often without of their cities and the moral ruin of senior appointment in the field of Jewish adequate food, clothing or heating. The Germany after Hitler. These articles were relief. cataclysm of the war had left large groups to develop into the extensive coverage The yellowing pages of the early issues of people adrift in foreign countries as of German and Austrian matters that of AJR Information transport one back ‘Displaced Persons’, homeless, stateless was such a feature of AJR Information to a world that is barely recognisable and lacking almost all amenities. The from the 1950s. If anything, the Jews today. The cheap paper and smudged very first page ofAJR Information carried in the large DP camps like Deggendorf print of those distant volumes act as a a prominent notice appealing for 12,000 and Foehrenwald in Bavaria fared better reminder that the journal was launched garments a month for the Jews of Europe, than those in the cities. Reports from the amidst the austerity of the post-war who were suffering great privation in the camps by leading Jewish figures like years, when male refugees, often highly first post-war winter, in the towns and Norman Bentwich and Miriam Warburg qualified, were reduced to seeking villages where they lived as survivors or portray a better situation than that in employment as packers, bookkeepers in DP camps. Few people now remember Berlin, where, according to a visiting or storekeepers, and female refugees that the AJR had its own clothing depot at AJR official, some Jews were still wearing offered their services as typists, cutters 1, Broadhurst Gardens, behind Finchley their concentration camp outfits and or machinists, ready, as one of the Road Tube Station, where thousands of the chairman of the Jewish community journal’s many advertisements put it, to garments were collected to be sent on to possessed one suit and no underwear. do ‘linen repairs of any kind (except shirt Jews in need on the Continent. Conditions in Vienna were as bad – ‘The collars)’. Ladies residing in Priory Road, In those days of slow communications Viennese live mostly on bread, potatoes in London’s West Hampstead, have not still recovering from wartime disruption – and peas. Sugar, fats and meat are been taking in other people’s clothes for the second issue of the journal announced not available, even for those who hold mending for a good 50 years. And the that it had again become possible to ration-cards for these foodstuffs’ – and days when elderly refugees advertised send letters not more than 1 ounce in they were exacerbated by persistent desperately for accommodation in single weight to Austria – the organisations of anti-Semitism. rooms in boarding-houses are mercifully the Jewish refugees in London, the AJR The shadow of the Holocaust fell long past. and the Council of Jews from Germany continued overleaf

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the sixty-fifth anniversary of our journal cont. from page 1 LONDON TRIP heavily over the first issues of the journal. The AJR acted to assist the integration TUESDAY 22 MARCH TO THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2011 It still comes as a shock to read ‘Baby of its members into British society. The outfits for Belsen camp urgently required’ AJR Information had a regular column The trip will include a visit to the on the front page of the March 1946 issue, called ‘Law and Life’, which gave advice on Jewish Museum; a Theatre outing; though Belsen was by then the largest problems like starting a limited company a visit to the House of Commons camp for displaced Jews in the British or eligibility for the new Family Allowance. with a talk by the Speaker, the Rt zone of occupation in Germany. It was It also had a column called ‘In Parliament’, Hon John Berkow; a Guided Tour of London Attractions; a visit to some years before the classified ads of and another that reported on events in the Olympic site; accommodation AJR Information ceased to be dominated Anglo-Jewry, later entitled ‘Anglo-Judaica’. at a London hotel; a dinner with by the ‘Missing Persons’ columns, Part of the journal’s remit was to publicise London members (see below). where lists of forlorn enquiries appeared the AJR’s own services to its members: Open to all members from relatives and friends of Jews who its Social Services Department, founded For further details, please call had been deported, uprooted or had in 1941 with Dr Adelheid Levy as its lone Susan Harrod at Head Office otherwise disappeared during the Nazi social worker, its Employment Agency, on 020 8385 3070 years. which found jobs for members until Reports of the fate of entire Jewish it was itself overtaken by redundancy communities also came in from Germany. in the 1960s, and the many meetings, LONDON DINNER They make sombre reading, like that from lectures and other events that ‘Head Wednesday 23 March 2011 Gelsenkirchen: ‘Two transports left for Office’ organised in London or that the On Wednesday 23 March there Riga, the first one in January, 1942, a few network of local groups arranged across will be a dinner at Belsize Square survivors of which eventually reached the country. Synagogue to coincide with the Sweden in April, 1945. The second As early as February 1946, the journal London Trip. A guest speaker will th transport, departed on 30 March, never reported that the AJR’s Executive was be announced shortly. arrived. Nothing was ever heard of what planning to establish a ‘Home for Aged If you live in the London area happened to these deportees.’ Or from People’, ‘a task which the AJR must try and wish to attend, please call Worms, the oldest Jewish settlement to accomplish with all their strength’; Susan Harrod at Head Office in Germany: ‘All remaining Jews were not many years later, with the help of on 020 8385 3070 sent to Piaski, near Lublin, in 1942. Until restitution money channelled through November, 1942, one of the deportees the Central British Fund for Jewish Relief managed to write to her father who for and Rehabilitation, the first of the Old Age from their native lands. some reason had been left behind. After Homes, Otto Schiff House, was opened in The first issue of the journal found that, there was complete silence …’ Netherhall Gardens. These were places space in its eight pages for a long article on It was against this background that AJR where the unique social culture of the the theatre director Fritz Wisten, entitled members sought to build new lives for German-speaking Jews from Central ‘Max Reinhardt’s successor’, which themselves and their families in post-war Europe could be preserved. The pages of combined a review of Wisten’s recent Britain, and the AJR set out to help them. AJR Information are full of reminders of production of G. E. Lessing’s celebrated Its journal provided plentiful information that rich cultural heritage and its rebirth philo-Semitic drama Nathan the Wise with about such matters as naturalisation, a in the changed conditions of post-war memories of his production of the same key concern for stateless refugees seeking Britain. The high cultural level of the play for the Jüdischer Kulturbund, the to acquire British nationality, or the journal reflects the admiration for the arts Jewish cultural organisation under the employment prospects for demobilised and sciences, culture and education that Nazis, in the very different conditions refugee members of the armed forces, the Jewish refugees brought with them of summer 1933. Books of interest to who numbered several thousand, or the readership listed in the same issue the first steps in the complex process AJR Directors included the actor Alexander Granach’s of restitution, which were detailed in Gordon Greenfield autobiography, a volume of poems by Michael Newman an article of January 1946 by Walter Carol Rossen the (non-Jewish) refugee poet Max Breslauer, a lawyer and leading figure AJR Heads of Department Hermann-Neisse and the refugee author Susie Kaufman Organiser, AJR Centre in the AJR. The AJR was instrumental Sue Kurlander Social Services Egon Jameson’s study 10, Downing Street. in establishing the United Restitution AJR Journal Soon AJR Information was to have its Organisation (which for a time shared Dr Anthony Grenville Consultant Editor own cultural commentator, the inimitable Dr Howard Spier Executive Editor the AJR’s offices at 8 Fairfax Mansions, Andrea Goodmaker Secretarial/Advertisements PEM, whose column ‘Old Acquaintances’ London NW3), the most important first appeared in January 1948, and its institution engaged in the struggle to Views expressed in the AJR Journal are not resident reviewer, the wonderfully erudite secure Wiedergutmachung for the Jews of necessarily those of the Association of Jewish Lutz Weltmann. Refugees and should not be regarded as such. Germany and Austria. Anthony Grenville

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Stones of Remembrance Robert Schon Tax Solicitor he founder of the Stones of An arrow points in the direction of Member of Solicitors for the Elderly the next stone, thus constituting Remembrance ( S t e i n e d e r I specialise in: TErinnerung) project in Vienna the Path of Remembrance (Weg der Estate Planning is my niece, Dr Elisabeth Ben David- Erinnerung). Powers of Attorney and Hindler, with whose devoted work The idea of Stones of Remembrance Deputyship applications many AJR members are familiar. has expanded from the 2nd District Living wills On International Women’s Day in to other districts of Vienna. Members Tax and non domicile issues including March last year, in of my family and helping to bring undeclared offshore r e c o g n i t i o n o f friends from Eng- funds to the attention of HMRC this unique work, land and abroad Tel 020 7267 5010 Elisabeth, known as attended last year’s Email: [email protected] Liesl, was awarded prize-giving, as did West Hill House, 6 Swains Lane, t h e h o n o u r Austrian members London N6 6QS ‘ Wo m a n o f t h e of parliament and Year 2010’ by the other institutions. Greens of Leopold­ The atmosphere stadt, Vienna’s 2nd was awe-inspiring, spring grove District, once inhabi­ with a band playing RETIREMENT HOME ted by 40 per cent appropriate music of the city’s Jews. under beautiful 214 Finchley Road Later in the year, Strass chandeliers London NW3 she was awarded and the ceremony London’s Most Luxurious the Karl-Renner- enhanced by coffee, Preis, a prize shared sandwiches and, of  Entertainment  Activities  Stress Free Living w i t h t w o o t h e r Vienna’s Councillor for Cultural Affairs Andreas course, Apfelstru- Mailath-Pokorny presents the Karl-Renner-Preis  24 House Staffing Excellent Cuisine Jews, in Vienna’s to Elisabeth Ben David-Hindler del, wine and other  Full En-Suite Facilities magnificent town drinks. Who would Call for more information or a personal tour hall. The prize is awarded every three have thought that some 70 years from years in commemoration of Austria’s the start of the Holocaust, such hon- 020 8446 2117 former president and was presented ours would be granted to a Jewess in or 020 7794 4455 by Vienna’s Councillor for Cultural Vienna at such an inspiring ceremony [email protected] Affairs Andreas Mailath-Pokorny. He and in the city’s impressive town hall? stated that the aim of the award was How proud Liesl’s parents would have to ensure that those who had been been of her achievement! forced from their homes, enduring I have attended four stone-set- one of the worst-ever experiences ting ceremonies in as many years, NEWTONS suffered by mankind, should never be beginning with the first stones for SOLICITORS forgotten. my parents, Leo and Ottilie Hindler. Liesl was inspired by her uncle A picture of these stones, as well as Our experienced team to commemorate victims of the one of my brothers and me arriving in will give you expert Holocaust at their former homes. She Britain in 1939, was shown on Austrian and personal advice undertook this mitzvah with great television. Liesl has had numerous of- 22 Fitzjohn’s Avenue zest, not expecting it would blossom fers from non-Jews to clean and look London NW3 5NB and grow to such large proportions. after the stones. Generally speaking, At first, she contacted a number of members of the younger generation Tel: 020 7435 5351 organisations seeking permission to to whom I have spoken are ashamed Fax: 020 7435 8881 place the ‘stones’ in front of people’s of what took place in those years. A [email protected] houses, their occupants having refused large plaque was placed on the wall to place them on the walls of the of a 2nd District church expressing houses themselves. It should be regret that hardly anything was done remembered that many of these by the Austrians to prevent the mas- houses had been ‘aryanised’ by the sacre of Jews. JACKMAN . present occupants or their ancestors. It is evident that Liesl’s devotion to The designation ‘stones’ derives from her chosen task has contributed to a SILVERMAN the paving stones (Pflastersteine) change in the population’s perception of COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS which abound in Vienna and are the its past. Her work can never be finished Viennese equivalents of the German as long as successive generations Stolpersteine. They are, in fact, brass remember the Holocaust victims. In the plaques, affixed to the paving stones words of a Jewish proverb: ‘It is only and bearing the names of victims and those who are really dead that nobody their birthdays, places of birth and final remembers.’ resting places, where known. Adjacent Further information may be found Telephone: 020 7209 5532 to each set of four stones is a brief at www.steinedererinnerung.net and [email protected] ­description of the bearer’s activities [email protected]. and their immediate environment. Hetty Jacoby, assisted by Fred Stern

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on’t tell anybody I’m Jewish. Was explains, ‘A shrine to Nazism. Everything is trimming a grave. And I tell Theo I’m ‘ Jewish!’, he corrects himself. connected with the movement started going to ask about the Jewish graves. D‘Why not?’ in Munich. In 1923 Hitler tried to take ‘Don’t blame me if you get a nasty ‘Just don’t – you never know!’ And he over the government. Sixteen Nazis were reply,’ he says, ‘Keep me out of it.’ fastens the seat belt ready for landing killed on those steps in a battle with the Apologising for his poor English, the at Munich airport. police. Grandma heard the noise on her man says the Jewish graves are three For over 40 years my husband, Theo, way back from the dentist.’ kilometres up the road near a little park. has talked about bringing me to Munich, ‘Perhaps she’d like us to find her I tell Theo it’s too far and our best plan the place of his birth. He wants to show grave,’ I say. is to go back to the hotel. me the fountains and buildings of this ‘There’ll be no grave – take it from ‘Oh, no,’ he says, squatting on a famous German city; he wants to eat me!’ grave and fanning himself with the sausages in a Biergarten; and he wants ‘How do you know?’ street map. ‘Let’s find the damn place. to find his grandmother’s grave. ‘Smashed up in the war. Graffiti. Why You made me come this far.’ In the taxi he’s like a child as he twists keep on about it? Why do you spoil The burning pavement is deserted as round shouting: ‘Look, look at the trams everything? What do you know about traffic speeds by out of the city. I feel – they still run down the middle of the life, in your safe little village?’ terrible. What are we doing here in this street!’ Dinner that evening in another out- heat? We should have stayed by the lake When the driver comments on his door cafe. Waiting to be served with under the trees. excellent accent, Theo explains that he something called ‘Brathuhn’, we watch At last we reach the park but there’s left Munich in 1939 at the age of 16. the culturati high-heeling up the steps no sign of a cemetery. Coming towards The driver then asks if he left with his to the Opera House, a monumental us is a woman with a dog. I ask Theo family and Theo says: ‘I left alone, mein building in the classical style with a mag- to speak to her. Herr.’ When we reach the hotel the taxi nificent gold frieze. Questions about his ‘Oh no,’ he says, ‘You’re the expert. driver opens the door, shakes Theo’s past are not always welcome so I wait till You ask her.’ hand and says: ‘Willkommen, mein Herr, the food arrives before asking ‘Did your Smiling and friendly, she walks willkommen.’ family go here, to the Opera?’ back to show us the way, the Labrador Munich’s main square is crowded ‘Of course.’ bouncing alongside. Everywhere we go with jugglers and Japanese tourists as I ‘Did you go with them?’ everyone we speak to is helpful. push through to the information centre ‘Of course.’ And I picture them there, Yew trees surround the cemetery and to enquire about the Jewish cemetery. in evening dress, standing on the steps, a wall surrounds the yew trees. One ‘No,’ Theo says angrily, ‘You are by the huge columns – mother, father, push and the tall gates swing open. not to ask, and in any case they won’t two boys. Slabbed close together are rows of know.’ ‘Why do you ask?’, he says. ancient gravestones, heavy, sombre, all I come out with a map. ‘Here it is,’ I ‘England must have been a terrible with Hebrew writing. Clipped hedges tell him, pointing to the spot marked on comedown for you.’ border the paths. At the entrance to the map. ‘She marked the place – here’s ‘England,’ he laughs, pouring the the gatekeeper’s house the tiles are cool the graveyard.’ Niersteiner. ‘England, I love it!’ and inviting. Inside, the man tells us to ‘Well, we’re not going there.’ The last day comes and in the park, help ourselves to water while he fetches ‘You said you wanted to find after the brass band and the dancing the register. grandma’s grave.’ and the chatter in the Biergarten we ‘Is he Jewish?’ I whisper and Theo ‘I’ve changed my mind,’ he snaps. stroll by the lake, hand in hand. nods. This man is always either angry or ‘You know,’ I begin, ‘The North At home I can be watching television charming – there’s no halfway. cemetery’s not far away – just one stop when perhaps a blue-eyed blonde is Lunch at an open-air cafe in the on the underground. I know exactly how speaking. He’ll glance up from reading Odeonsplatz. Waiters in white jackets, to get there.’ and say ‘Jewish.’ He always knows. Says violin player, Art Nouveau chairs. Wars ‘It’s too hot.’ it’s the best club in the world. come and go, good eating places stay. ‘The underground’s cool.’ The office is cluttered with letters and He’s joking with the waiter now and ‘You never give in, do you?’ And he cards, many with foreign stamps. On a flirting with a woman nearby. Soon other strides off angrily. table is a box of satin skullcaps in bright tables join in the fun, calling across the ‘Hey,’ I yell after him, to the surprise colours. Carrying a heavy book made of tables. I think the topic is apple strudel. of a Japanese tourist. ‘You married me! leather, the man returns and, pushing In these surroundings, he looks years She’s my grandma as well! I want to papers aside, he sets it down, dusts the younger than 74 – pink shirt, bright dark go!’ cover and opens the stiff pages. While eyes, a mensch. Perhaps people are only The graves are in endless rows, a Theo looks over his shoulder he moves truly relaxed with their own language, miniature garden beneath each carved his finger up and down the columns in their own country. Under the cloth he headstone. of faded handwriting searching for a reaches for my hand. ‘Let’s go,’ he grumbles, ‘This is not name. Please let it be there! ‘Look,’ he whispers, ‘Look over the right place – Jewish graves don’t ‘Here. Bertha. 1936.’ there!’ Across the boulevard is a flat- have crosses and flowers.’ ‘That’s her. That’s my grandma.’ roofed building. Steps lead up to three It’s the hottest time of day and the ‘You would like to see the grave?’ arches with a statue on horseback sun is relentless, no shade and my feet he asks. beneath each one. Massive stone lions sliding in thin sandals. Even the bees are ‘You mean it’s still here?’ guard the entrance. resting. Everywhere is silent, then the The man nods and gestures towards ‘That’s the famous Feldherrnhalle,’ he clip-clip of shears. An old man nearby continued opposite

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From Berlin to London: Werner M. Behr OBE

urther to the reference to him and son (the author of this article) in Anthony Grenville’s recent to London, following himself in April Farticle ‘Wilfrid Israel and the 1939 after being sheltered in the British AJR’, Werner Meyer Behr was born in embassy in Berlin due to having been Weissenfels, Germany, on New Year’s arrested and imprisoned for a while (he Eve 1902, the son of the owner of a was a British subject). small general store. As a teenager, he In London he set up as a financial caught rheumatic fever, which caused consultant and a member of the Stocks him to be bedridden for almost a and Shares Dealers’ Association. He year. Following high school he did an was also involved in the creation of apprenticeship at the Berlin branch of Zion House in Eton Avenue, north-west the Société Générale bank, where his Werner Behr with his first grandchild Dawn, ­London, of which he was chairman for a photographic memory for numbers summer 1965. Dawn is now a consultant while. According to Salka, he was there neuroradiologist with four children became apparent. Having been unable every Tuesday night for years. He was to make an account balance at work, (Werner’s wedding day was 31 January also deeply involved in the Thank-Offer- he ran the numbers through his head 1933) the consequences were very clear ing to Britain Fund, given to the British at home and found the error. to Werner and Wilfrid. On the one Academy to support a scholar each year Werner later obtained a job as a cashier hand, they maintained accounts (never ‘for the benefit of the people of Britain’. at the century-old Jewish department settled) for prominent Nazis, who were The basis of the appeal to refugees from store N. Israel. As a junior cashier, he not supposed to trade with Jews; on Europe who found haven in Britain was told the son of the owner, Wilfrid Israel, the other, they used this leverage to ‘Give now what you would have paid that the company’s cash processing was get all their Jewish employees out of then for the visa which you got for free.’ wasteful, whereupon Wilfrid suggested Germany. As late as 22 August 1939, It was for this work that he was made an he submit a reorganisation plan. In fairly Werner was in Basel helping to get OBE. Werner passed away on 22 August short order and not yet in his thirties, Jews over the border. Despite repeated 1976, the same day on which he had Werner became Prokurist (financial questioning, he kept the details of this again risked his life rescuing his fellow director of the firm). work to himself all his life. On the night Jews 37 years previously. Once Hitler became Reichskanzler of the Anschluss he sent his wife Salka Omri Behr Reminders of the N. Israel store ilfrid Israel was my employer in Berlin. I worked in his going to London. I am sure the expense of moving that trunk store, N. Israel, after leaving school. The store – a mixture plus my other luggage kept me at my first domestic job all nine Wof John Lewis and Harrods perhaps – was in the centre months before moving on to the next one. of Berlin and I worked in the import-export office. After three years in domestic service, I answered an When the Nazi louts arrived one late afternoon in 1938 and advertisement by a fashion firm seeking a window-dresser and, threw furniture, light fittings and anything they could get hold of having dressed a trial window, was offered the job and obtained from the first and second floors into the atrium, you took your life the necessary permission from the police to work for the firm. in your hands trying to avoid being hit by those missiles in order to The firm had branches all over England and soon I was sent to reach the basement where the staff cupboards were located. their various shops to do the window-dressing and teach young Shortly after Kristallnacht, emigration had to be seriously assistants, which enabled me to see many cities. pursued. I left my employment with Mr Israel’s blessing and It wasn’t until we purchased our first house (in Leeds) that the started classes in English conversation, Viennese cookery, trunk containing all the linen was finally opened and unpacked. shorthand and typing, dress-making and window-dressing, the The many table cloths, sheets, beautifully embroidered duvet last given by one of the store’s window-dressers. covers and pillowcases to match – all with my initials on – had The cookery course came in very useful when I eventually survived the various storage places during the war. I still have managed to get a permit to enter this country as a domestic plenty of linen serviettes and table cloths left. But what I also still servant, arranged for me by my student boyfriend (he later have and use daily are the innumerable tea cloths, all bearing became my husband) in London. my initials, plus, woven around the four sides in large letters in My mother had always been a good customer of N. Israel and, German, TEA TOWEL, SAUCEPAN TOWEL, CUP TOWEL, PLATE with her three daughters about to emigrate, she was determined TOWEL, KNIFE TOWEL, WIPE TOWEL. All daily reminders of the to provide each of us with a trousseau. My trunk was dispatched N. Israel store in Berlin! to Victoria Station, London, before I even knew for certain I was Lillian Heyman

Return to Munich continued from page 4 I follow, then, feeling like an intruder, kiss?’ the box of satin caps. ‘For you,’ he I wait outside on a bench in the park, On the bench he takes my hand and says. which, by now, is deserted. Time to we sit in silence for a long time. With the This is an awkward moment for Theo write postcards and time to study the back of the other hand, he brushes his as he tries to explain about not being ‘in map for a better way back. A breeze lips and stares into the distance – a dear, the faith’ any more. But the man insists: has tempered the heat of the August familiar gesture, signifying thought. ‘Please – wear it for respect.’ afternoon. At last he speaks: ‘Well, at least Wearing the hats, the two men Later, from behind, somebody taps somebody in my family has a proper set off down the path, between the my shoulder. damn grave!’ Hebrew headstones, chatting. At first ‘Excuse me, miss. Any chance of a Mary Rogers

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to emerge in Germany and be released in Europe? Does anyone have answers? Emil Landes, London N6

RETURN TO HAMBURG Sir – I was very interested to read Sue Barnett’s article (November) about her visit to Hamburg. Like her I was born in Hamburg and her description of her visit was very illuminating for me. I would like to comment on her visit to the Talmud-Thora School, which has a very distinguished history and PENSION PERSEVERANCE Sir – The experiences of refugees from which I was privileged to attend before Sir – I thought this success story might Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia are the war. In fact, in the 1970s it became encourage AJR members. often distressing but, by and large, they a library of the University of Hamburg In June 2008 I met an Austrian survivor vary only in the details. and some 12 years ago it returned to its who subsequently became a member My own experience of the Nazis dates original function as a boy’s school. It is a of the AJR. It was ascertained that this from the boycott of Jewish shops in April beautiful building, next to the wonderful lady was not in receipt of an Austrian 1933 when I was almost seven years synagogue which was tragically destroyed pension and she began a monumental old. I learned quickly enough what anti- in November 1938. effort to obtain one. This involved Semitism was all about. Herman Scott, Brentford, Middx numerous letters; a visit to the Austrian It is unlikely that younger children will embassy in London together with AJR have much of a memory as to the details Sir – It is easy enough for students in social workers; a visit to Vienna; the of what happened between then and their Hamburg to find out for themselves involvement of Austrian social workers; emigration to the UK and elsewhere. what became of the goods and chattels several applications; and many home When the last person who has actual of those deported. They just have to visits to go through the documentation, experiences of those times sheds his ask their parents or grandparents such which was in German. or her earthly coil, there will not be a simple questions as: Where did you get The situation was complicated by the ’Jewish refugee’ left anywhere and the the piano, the picture on the wall, the fact that the lady had been in hiding title and content of the AJR Journal and display cabinet, the antique furniture? for four years during the war and was organisation will become obsolete. The book Die Verfolgung und Ermordung thus unable to provide the Austrian To perpetuate this particular past by der Hamburger Juden 1933-1945 by Beate pension authorities with details of her ­enlisting a first, second and even third Meyer is on the internet. If I can find it in employment during that time. She also ­generation is absurd. The time is fast app­ seconds, so can they! All that is needed is became distressed when having to recall roaching – and is already too late in some a computer, an internet provider and an her experience. instances – when the memory of those times honest search for the truth of what was I visited her recently and she was needs to be properly safeguarded, perhaps perpetrated on their doorstep. delighted to say she had finally heard from by a section of the Wiener Library. Frank Bright, Martlesham Heath, Suffolk Austria that her pension was to be granted The bell tolls for all of us remnants of and back paid to the 1990s. For the the 10,000 who found asylum here. CHARLOTTE WOLFF first time in many years, her nightmares Ernest G. Kolman, Greenford, Middx Sir – I live in Berlin and, when visiting my have ceased. Her parting comment to aunt, a former Jewish refugee, in London, me was: ‘It was never about the money. ‘WITNESSES IN UNIFORM’ I often read your magazine. I know the The nightmare was to do with them not Sir – I was interested to read Jeremy M. visitors’ programme of the city of Berlin believing me – now my experience is Cohn’s piece ‘Witnesses in uniform’ in very well (my own brother and sister were validated!’ the December issue. I can identify with his here) and I am interested in the articles I am delighted this case has had a impression of his Berlin visit, as can any people write about their visits. positive outcome but feel sad and angry insightful Holocaust survivor and refugee, I have a question. We are a small group that the process has been so damaging as well as their progeny. of women researching the life of the to this client. I too visited Grunewald station and, on well-known doctor and psychotherapist Eileen M. Brady, AJR Social Worker my way there, passing typical suburban Charlotte Wolff, who was born in Germany (North East and Scotland) middle-class villas, I remember thinking in 1897, emigrated to England, and died that in these villas lived typical middle- in London in 1986. We would like to find CALL TO THE THIRD GENERATION class families, probably standing in their out where she was buried. Can any of your Sir – I was thrilled to read Hannah windows, watching columns of Jews readers help? Ruth Nube, Berlin Goldstone’s call (November) to the Third being marched to the station. What, I Generation to come together to ensure wondered, were they thinking? Were A TRUE TORAH PERSPECTIVE the future of Holocaust remembrance. they thinking that they should not have Sir – Henry Schragenheim (December) This is an important proposal. Many of us voted in this government, which was so writes: ‘Today’s Germans and Austrians who are members of the First Generation cruelly and openly discriminating against are like baalei teshuva (those who repent) and speak regularly at schools and their friends and trusted professionals, and deeply regret what happened in synagogues and to civic groups in the and, if so, could or would they have done their countries in the Nazi era. One must UK and on the Continent are increasingly anything about it? warmly welcome those who repent and concerned about carrying on our legacy as Could or would we in similar circum- not remind them of their former lifestyle. our numbers dwindle. May the numbers stances? Could it have happened in any Most likely the member of the Austrian of concerned members of the Third cultured and cultivated society in a similar embassy who was to have been present [at Generation ready to pick up our legacy confluence of circumstances? Was it a the AJR Tea] was not even born so many grow and grow. manifestation of the potential of evil that years ago. And he would have come to Eve Kugler, London N3 lies in the human condition, and happened express friendship.’

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It is refreshing to see this true Torah dodgers on a par with the ‘black hats’ are reach a settlement with Israel so that they perspective expressed in your pages. We the liberal left. Would he advocate that can get steady employment, develop their should eschew vindictiveness towards their vote be taken away too? environment and lead normal lives. members of nations that have persecuted Mr Philips denies any affinity to Howard Israel has to create the conditions for us – which, though understandable in the Jacobson’s ‘ashamed-Jew’ Finkler and a successful outcome: treat Palestinians circumstances, is really unfair to those who ­insists on calling himself a Zionist and not as equals, no more land grabs, no more were not even born at the time – and also anti-Israel. But in the same breath he labels uprooting of olive trees, no more harassment regret what was done in a previous genera- Israel a fundamentalist state (December); at checkpoints, no more physical assaults tion, ostensibly in their nation’s name. compares it to its Arab neighbours (Oct­ from settlers. We could have peace now. Mr Schragenheim’s letter contrasts ober); and decries Israeli laws as no differ- Then, in a few years, a thriving Palestine with the frequent anti-religious diatribes ent from Sharia. I thought Israel gave up alongside a thriving Israel would be an that we have to endure from Peter Phillips, stoning adulteresses almost two millennia example to the world of how to go about who, in his contribution in December, before England ceased burning witches! In building real security and prosperity. abuses both Mr Schragenheim and other fact, women were never stoned in ancient Yesterday’s barbarities will become history Orthodox correspondents, as he seems to Israel – it was there as a deterrent. lessons. do in almost every issue of your journal. The ‘fellow Jew’ Mr Phillips told to go Heinz Grünewald, Pinner, Middx Martin D. Stern, Salford to Israel is none other than me. How ironic – this takes me back to my boyhood in Sir – Just read Anthony Grenville’s essay ‘PRETENTIOUS INVESTMENT’ Poland where I learned to give as good as about Israel. Beautifully stated, and very Sir – I was interested to read Martha Blend’s I got, when Polish bullies would set about important! review of Howard Jacobson’s The Finkler me screaming ‘Jew to Palestine!’ Tom Freudenheim, New York Question in your November issue. I was, Rubin Katz, London NW11 however, surprised to read of ‘verbal wit’ Sir – It’s hard not to be depressed by the and ‘a rich tapestry whose threads are the Sir – In the December issue, replying to his situation in Israel. One wonders whether ever-present dilemmas of Jewish life’. many critics, Peter Phillips wrote: ‘Henry the original Zionists were naive to think I took this book on holiday as it was Schragenheim ... spoils a good letter with they could return to a country after 2,000 promoted as being humorous but I his second paragraph. What on earth years and not have trouble with the struggled as far as page 126 for some has the fact that 3,000 years ago Jewish neighbours. These days, a talented and humour – or even satire – but in vain. I kings ruled the people and that the King vibrant community seems to be in hock was bombarded with the words ‘Jew’ and (which king?) read from the Torah in the to an illiberal and fanatical minority. Will ‘a Finkler’ page after page, which became temple on the festival of Succot, got to do someone give me a reason for optimism quite irritating. I began to wonder who on with anything that is happening today? about the future of the country we all love earth would care about ‘The Question’ and Anyhow, how does he know this? Was and admire? Martha Blend, London N10 I lost interest with regard to ‘The Answer’ he there?’ – if ever there was to be one. Mr Phillips may not know that the Sir – Amnon Needham (Letters, October) Assuming that some of the Jewish American Civil War occurred or that the means well, but his arguments won’t work readership may find the book thought- Greeks as well as the Romans invaded the in practice. His one and only God gave His provoking, I cannot see why our non- Holy Land – because he was not there. people the whole of Judea and Samaria. On Jewish neighbours would be prepared But I and other readers know it because that, and on that alone, Mr Needham rests to invest the time or £18.99 on such a it is history and can be found in history his claim to modern Israel and presumably pretentious investment. books. encourages the ongoing annexation of I have every respect for Martha Blend’s I wrote about the Jewish king ruling over adjoining, non-Israeli, lands within the area judgment but I would suggest a much Jews in Jerusalem 3,000 years ago because of historic Judea and Samaria. more satisfying read would be Natasha Mr Phillips had asserted that the Jews were Sadly, the majority of the world’s Solomon’s Mr Rosenblum’s List – which intruders and settled in an Arab country. In population believe that God had a Son has a Jewish refugee as the central charac- fact, no Arab state ever existed in Palestine who claims sovereignty over all the world. ter and is unlikely to irritate the reader. – although they could have had a state He gave an abstract interpretation to Marcel Ladenheim, Surbiton, Surrey from 1948 to 1967 when the Jordanians the term ‘His People’, which excludes Mr were in occupation of the West Bank and Needham (and me). However, if Jews cease ISRAEL AND ZIONISM the Egyptians occupied Gaza. to be God’s select people, that is the end Sir – It is futile arguing with the likes of With regard to the Jewish king, this can of their claim to ‘the Holy Land’ on Mr Peter Philips (December). I find his mish- be found in Deuteronomy 17-15: it was Needham’s chosen ground. mash efforts too frustrating to comment King Solomon. And the procedure of the Judaism, Christianity, Islam – the on, so I’m giving up on him – this being king reading from the Torah is explained three faiths derived from one God – are my last attempt. The well-known adage in Talmud Sotah 41a. incompatible. Hence the reliance on faith- springs to mind: ‘The great obstacle is not Henry Schragenheim, London N15 based arguments will not suffice to ensure ignorance but the illusion of knowledge.’ Israel’s right to exist – never mind its right Israel, he says, was set up as a secular Sir – I wish to express my appreciation of to enjoy a peaceful existence. state. It was declared the re-born Jewish Anthony Grenville’s courageous article No, the only really reliable answer is State, a home for all Jews without ‘In defence of doves’ (December) on the reliance on man’s law, which in this case distinction. You cannot separate Jews from need for a peaceful resolution of the lies in the United Nations. Its binding their religion: this is what sustained them Israel-Palestine standoff. Judging by past resolution brought Israel into existence during their two millennia of wanderings correspondence in your esteemed journal, and is the guarantee of that country’s and dream of return. Mr Philips denies there will be considerable hostility towards continuing existence. Implicit in that is hating the religious yet he suggests their open-minded negotiations. that Israel exists within the borders laid vote be taken away for refusing army Palestinians have no allies. They have down by the UN and not the territory it service. It all depends on what he means been hung out to dry by their Middle has occupied or over which it has assumed by ‘religious’; the highest percentage of Eastern brothers and they know it. Unlikely extra-territorial rights. motivated soldiers and officers also hail as it may sound to your readers, the majority Francis Deutsch, Saffron Walden from these ranks. In fact, the biggest draft of Palestinians want nothing better than to continued on page 16

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tive Cossack girl cadets in fatigues and a young deaf footballer with a taut, inward expression in old sepia. Ben Wisely pre- REVIEWs sented a Rwandan street teenager, while Hadas Mualem’s portrait of the pensive A labour of love and forlorn Yasra, who moved from her ZUR ERINNERUNG UND ZUM native Moldova to Israel, reveals with GEDENKEN. DIE EINSTIGEN unting scenes by Heywood Hardy, great sensitivity the isolation of the new JUEDISCHEN GEMEINDEN Arthur Wardle or John Frederick émigré. David Knight was so captivated WESTPREUSSENS HHerring may have graced many by Catherine, his red-haired assignment (IN REMEMBRANCE AND IN an Englishman’s castle. But David model, that he stayed to render this pallid, MEMORIAM: THE FORMER JEWISH Chancellor’s portrait of a teenage hunter ­teary-eyed version of her as his entry to the COMMUNITIES IN WEST PRUSSIA) is a surprising winner of this year’s competition. Its candour says much about by Gerhard Salinger National Portrait Gallery’s Taylor the ephemeral world of modelling. Published by the author, 2009, Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize They weren’t all young. Ann paperback, 3 vols., 760 pp., – particularly with teenagers and social Widdecombe – presumably before ISBN 978-3-00-026168-8; for further awareness high among entries. the Strictly Come Dancing fiasco – is information contact Dr Rita Scheller, Huntress with Buck is bathed in russet photographed by Thomas Butler Husarenstr. 26, 30163 Hannover, tones; the girl mounted on her horse standing on a pedestal next to an awkward- Germany is an ethereal red-head, and the even looking Jon Snow. Other political portraits more beautiful fallen buck lying across include Kalpesh Lathigra’s view of Tony erhard Salinger, an elderly Jewish her saddle is the same carnelian red, a Blair with his now familiar glazed look. refugee from Nazi Germany, has Marcia Michaels’s artful black-and- Glived in the USA much of his life white study captures the light on the and has worked there as an accountant. spine of a young girl. The exhibition I am in no position to judge his worth as an accountant but, when perusing runs until 20 February 2011. his now numerous books on the Jewish The National Portrait Gallery communities of Central and Eastern also presents Thomas Lawrence: Europe – many of these communities Regency Power and Brilliance. long forgotten – I have formed the Lawrence was Regency Britain’s impression that he has missed his leading portrait painter, who made vocation. He is, without doubt, a his artistic debut at 21. The looming devoted, meticulous and unquenchable backdrop to this lavish era was the historian who is utterly determined French Revolution and the conse- that the Jewish communities that he quent Franco-British wars. After has so lovingly researched should not peace, Lawrence painted the Euro- be forgotten. Not only has he devoted pean sovereigns and generals who many years of his life to this task but helped defeat Napoleon. His graphite he has also been largely self-financed. and red-and-black chalk paintings of His studies have involved travelling women in impossible bonnets and with a driver thousands of miles by winsome girls with clear-eyed intel- car through the areas under study, ligence became lusher and bolder looking up ancient records, visiting towards the mid-eighteenth century, synagogues and cemeteries (or what is with the European aristocracy in left of them), and bringing to life the crimson velvets and small boys in names of those who lived (and died) Little Lord Fauntleroy lace-edged there, together with as much personal suits. Lawrence’s gift for detail can be information as he could uncover. This intense preoccupation is a labour of Elizabeth Farren, Later Countess of Derby by Sir seen in his 1790 full-length portrait of Thomas Lawrence, 1790. Lent by The Metropolitan the beautiful Elizabeth Farren, later love and he is to be greatly admired Museum of Art, Bequest of Edward S. Harkness, Countess of Derby, in a fur-draped, for his efforts, which will be of huge 1940 (50.135.5) crisp white satin dress with the wind importance as a resource to scholars gentle metaphor for blood against the in her hair, as she half turns towards us researching European-Jewish history. It will also enable individuals to trace background of gathering clouds. The with a simpering, yet audacious smile. their families and provide them with 14-year old hunter, aptly named Josie It took Lawrence 13 years to paint his valuable information. Salinger dislikes Slaughter, from Alabama, was on her muse, Isabella Wolff, whose classical pose modern technology and, extraordinary first hunting trip to South Africa and references Michaelangelo, in contrast as it may seem, his data are collected, Chancellor took the moment’s opportunity to the dashing, colourful portraits of his analysed and written up without the use to catch the ‘almost unreal light’. archdukes, baronets and countesses. Until of a computer. Other compelling entries include child 23 January. This book, the publication of which prisoners in Burundi with huge, hope- was greatly facilitated by Dr Rita Scheller, less eyes and three young identically Annely Juda Fine Art a practising Christian who was born clad Bangladeshi girls with their proud in Pomerania and who has made a dad. Felix Carpio was captivated by the 23 Dering Street (off New Bond Street) Tel: 020 7629 7578 Fax: 020 7491 2139 significant contribution to reconciliation ‘daring looks’ of a young Syrian girl in between Germans and Jews, appears a green headscarf, contrasting modesty CONTEMPORARY PAINTING in three parts and deals with former with female sagacity. There were attrac- AND SCULPTURE Jewish communities in what used to be

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West Prussia – an area south of Danzig school. Salinger goes on to list all those 13-year-old self. She seems confident of (Gdansk) – which has a chequered Jews who paid taxes in 1883, stating her judgment in improving the text: ‘I history. West Prussia was not established their names, occupations and places am the sharpest critic of my work.’ until 1772, after the first partition of of residence. There is also a list of tax- Francine Prose is at pains to stress Poland, when Frederick II of Prussia took payers in 1911. The names of two men that the diary as revised is the work of it over. Before then Jews had led very who lost their lives in action during a young but conscious artist. Anne’s restricted lives and were required to the First World War are given, as are father, the sole survivor of the families live in rural areas. Frederick II changed extracts from the Secret State Archives in who had hidden in the attic, became all that: poor Jews were expelled and Berlin concerning the election of Jewish convinced she had wanted it to be only those who possessed at least 1,000 officials and other matters. There is a published. Therefore he prepared a Taler were allowed to stay, although list of deaths, giving names and age, version that combined passages from they were required to live in the towns, going back to1848, and a long list of the first draft and the later versions, despite some resistance by the local deaths from 1857 until the community omitting needless details but preserving populations. Radical improvements for ceased to exist. It is striking that many the essence of the diary. Since then, the Jewish populations came about died at a relatively young age. There there have been other versions, some only after Napoleon’s victory over the is no information on where and how omitting the descriptions of Anne’s Prussians in 1807, when Frederick III had they died, but it is nonetheless an sexual development, others omitting to flee: under Karl August Hardenberg’s extraordinarily detailed survey. references to the Franks’ lukewarm chancellorship, some reforms were On his visit to the town, Salinger marriage. made and the proclamation of 1812 discovered that the synagogue is now Anne wrote the last entries a few conferred citizenship on most Jews used as a shopping centre and that days before the family were betrayed, living in the area. However, equal rights the greatly neglected cemetery has a possibly by a warehouse worker named were not achieved until 1871, when number of gravestones, many severely Willem van Maaren, who would have Bismarck established the German Reich. damaged but five still standing upright, received the bounty offered by the Following the First World War, most of with the names of Mendelsohn and Germans for revealing the whereabouts West Prussia was incorporated into the Wohlgemuth recognisable. Photographs of Jews. The arrest was made by new Poland (1920). In the introduction of the former synagogue and the SS officer Karl Silberbauer. He was to Part I, Salinger provides a scholarly cemetery are provided. traced after the war by the Nazi-hunter history of this turbulent area going back I don’t expect that many readers Wiesenthal, but Otto Frank refused to to the Middle Ages. of the Journal will want to rush to testify against him, saying he was ‘only In his Foreword, Salinger explains that purchase a copy of this book, of which doing his job’! What followed in reality he had a personal motive in selecting only a limited number has been printed. for the Frank family was much darker West Prussia for study: evidently Only someone with a very personal than the amusing entries of the diary: members of his maternal family had interest in West Prussia, or scholars of deportation to Westerbork, the transit lived there until 1830. They later moved Jewish history, would want to do that. camp for Jews en route to Auschwitz. to Pomerania (Hinterpommern), which But I intend to present my copy to the Finally, Anne and her sister Margot, by likewise became entirely Polish in 1945. Wiener Library in London, where it will then starving and sick, met their end Only the smaller part of Pomerania called be accessible to anyone wishing to look in Belsen shortly before the camp was Vorpommern remained German, and up his or her family and I hope that some liberated. Salinger has already published similar will find that helpful. Before taking the family to Gestapo studies of these two areas. He explains Gerhard Salinger is to be congratulated headquarters, Silberbauer needed a that after extensive correspondence with on single-handedly providing us with receptacle for the money and valuables the Polish authorities in many towns and such a scholarly resource. I am greatly he had been asked to collect. Seeing a villages he visited all sites in which it was indebted to Dr Rita Scheller for some holdall, he emptied it of its contents and possible to trace a Jewish past. On his factual corrections. used it for that purpose. The contents trip, which took place in 2005, he took Leslie Baruch Brent were the diary, the pages of which lay numerous photographs which enliven scattered on the floor until the Franks’ his text, and he has included many faithful helper, Miep Gies, collected detailed maps which provide the reader A treasure house of them to give to Otto in the event of with essential points of reference. information his return. So how has he set about his seemingly ANNE FRANK: THE BOOK, THE LIFE, The story of the publication is an overwhelming task? Take the town of THE AFTERLIFE intriguing one. At first, it was rejected Preussisch Stargard (now Starogard by many publishers because the subject by Francine Prose Gdanskie) as an example (see Part was too sad and who would want to I). What can the reader expect to Harper, 2009, 336 pp. hardcover read the outpourings of a teenage find here? Apart from a brief potted first heard of the diary of Anne Frank girl? history, Salinger notes that two Jews, in 1954 when a non-Jewish friend Fortunately, Judith Jones, an assistant Mendel Salomon and Alex Baruch, Idescribed it to me. I didn’t read it at Doubleday publishers, found the were permitted to settle there in 1774 myself at the time because I thought it manuscript among a pile of rejects. because they possessed more than would be too painful. Many years later Eventually the tide turned and, from 1,000 Taler. By 1812 there were 112 I discovered it wasn’t a horror story a modest print-run by Doubleday, the Jewish households, and individual but a delightful account of a unique diary became a best-seller. Eleanor names – both original and adopted experience by a lively and talented Roosevelt wrote an introduction to later – are listed. The population had writer. one version and plays and films on the grown to 597 by 1840, to 688 by 1849, In fact, there are not one but several subject of the secret annexe followed. and to its highest number (802, 13.7 versions of the diary, the published ones There were several plays, each with per cent of the population) by 1870. containing the revision by the 15-year- its own agenda. One minimised the There was a synagogue, a rabbi and a old Anne of the childish entries of her continued overleaf

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reviews continued from page 9 of the Covenant) as well as the author’s crudely physiological descriptions of Jewish element, transforming it into to go out and meet girls. But it is women in labour. The novel’s value lies an ‘everyman story’; another gave it a Gerhard Rosenblum, a fellow medical in the sense of creative optimism the sentimental twist by stressing Anne’s student and budding saxophonist, who trio represents as a counterbalance to belief in human kindness. perceives that Nathan’s true potential Austria’s darkest era. ‘In spite of everything I still believe that is as a jazz pianist. While ‘everyone in Gloria Tessler people are good at heart,’ Anne wrote, Vienna thought they were Mozart or ignoring darker comments she makes at Beethoven’, the jazz trio, whose work is times when she writes ‘I don’t believe the derided as ‘Negro music’ by the snooty A novel intended for politicians alone are guilty of the war ... Conservatory, see themselves as a link publication? the little man is just as guilty.’ between African-American jazz, rooted ANY SURVIVORS? A LOST NOVEL It is a mark of Anne Frank’s intelligence in slavery, and the growing oppression OF WORLD WAR II that she can embrace conflicting views of the Jews. With fascism on the rise, of mankind. Suffice it to say, the various many of the academics confront them by Martin Freud versions have been read, performed through the young socialist movement. edited by Helen Fry and discussed in classrooms, while the The radicalised young Nathan writes a The History Press (tel 01453 883 300; Frank Foundation arranges exhibitions scathing newspaper column under a www.thehistorypress.co.uk), 2010, of related material in many venues. pseudonym condemning the coming 240 pp. paperback, £9.99 This book is a treasure house of Nazi takeover and increasing his venom his previously unpublished novel information about an amazing project against ‘Shitler’ and his henchmen. was recently discovered in a which could have saved the lives of eight Three elements – the youthful energy Tsuitcase in the attic of one of people but for the treachery of one man. which symbolises Vienna’s putative Martin Freud’s grandchildren. It was There is an excellent index. cultural revival, the Nazi advance and typed in German and has now been Martha Blend the growing danger to the trio and their translated into English and then edited partners posed by Nathan’s subversive by Helen Fry. column – underpin the story. And the The eldest son of Sigmund Freud, Fiddling while Vienna burns story, though fictitious, offers cameo Martin Freud came to England in 1938 roles to many famous names, not least and was interned as an ‘enemy alien’ THE VIENNA JAZZ TRIO Sigmund Freud and his daughter Anna in 1940. Later, however, he joined the by Tomas Böhm plus a crop of internationally renowned Pioneer Corps for a few months, before Pitchstone Publishing, 2010, 272 pp. jazz musicians – Miles Davis, Dizzy being invalided out. From its context, it paperback, $17.95/£11.25 Gillespie, Art Tatum, Dave Brubeck, is likely the book was written in the very usicians, journalists, doctors Benny Goodman and others. Despite early stages of the Second World War. and psychoanalysts cram the the author’s disclaimer that the use The theme of the novel is that of Mpages of this dense novel of these celebrities is ‘not intended to a German refugee who is recruited about a group of young Viennese jazz change the entirely fictional character by an anti-Nazi organisation performers caught up the events leading of the work’, some of them, like Freud, ‘Geheime Macht’ (Secret Power) in up to the Anschluss. It begins with a take on pivotal roles themselves! Nathan rather dramatic circumstances. He is flashback to that time as the now ageing becomes his patient and describes the infiltrated into Germany in the role of pianist-writer Nathan Menzel tells their great man’s firm gaze, neat beard, a rich Danish Nazi with the purpose story to a Canadian journalist in San papers and books everywhere. But it is of rescuing an anti-Nazi petty officer Diego, who turns out to be the son of Freud who declares him cured when he in a German U-boat. He ends up their late bassist, Peter Gross. Nathan’s becomes a jazzman! assuming the identity of the sailor and parents had fled the pogroms in Poland This is a discursive novel in which miraculously being accepted as such and settled in Vienna. the author manages to build a head by the crew despite knowing nothing Despite anti-Semitism and the city’s of steam out of the political and moral about U-boats or the navy. He is even innate intellectual snobbism, these turbulence of the time, including details awarded the Iron Cross due to the real young intellectuals enjoy a good life: of the Gestapo’s brutality and the petty officer, and one of the rewards is music, climbing and hiking in the courage of those in their grasp. All the a meeting in Berchtesgaden with the Vienna Woods. Yet the setting is already patterns of persecution and survivor Führer. The latter turns out to be his worryingly predictive: according to guilt are laid bare: the prescient Jews uncle acting as a substitute! Nathan, ‘huge pompous houses that who left Vienna in time and those who The novel includes a variety of care nothing for what happens to did not. The Swedish-born author is a strange characters, including a people who move in and out of them, medical doctor and psychoanalyst with glamorous Gestapo agent, who falls equestrian statues, snooty head waiters, an impressive knowledge of jazz. There in love with him before his change of horse-drawn wagons, anti-Semites and is no mention of a translator, but the identity and is supposed to trail him the opera.’ There were 200,000 Jews narrative and dialogue can occasionally as a suspect in his new one. There are in Vienna at this time. But by the time be stilted and needed a good editor. The numerous unbelievable coincidences Nathan completes his bitter-sweet jazz style may lack literary elegance but the and situations. odyssey, spanning Europe and America author does manage to weave the many It seems very unlikely that the novel over the latter part of the twentieth threads of his tale into a believable and was ever intended to be a serious war century, the Nazis had murdered 60,000 moving novel of social history. story, and it would disappoint a reader of them. Call me a prude but I could have done expecting this. If indeed it was intended At 17 the rather dry and serious without the graphic details of Gerhardt’s for publication, it would have been as Nathan is accepted into Vienna’s Music priapic problems leading to an emer- a satirical spoof and as such it is quite Conservatory. Oscar, his handsome gency circumcision (his unconventional amusing. medical student brother, urges him parents had chosen to ignore this part George Vulkan

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Claims Conference scam uncovered ast November, 17 people were Holocaust survivors who were interned Conference enabling gang members to arrested in New York in connection in concentration camps and ghettos, and take a large cut of the money paid to the Lwith an alleged fraud involving the Hardship Fund, a one-off payment of applicant. thousands of bogus applications for £2,000 to survivors who fled from Eastern On discovering the fraudulent compensation made to the Claims Europe as the Nazis invaded. applications, the Claims Conference Conference and paid by the German Altogether, it is understood that some called in the FBI to investigate and make government, which had been defrauded 4,957 Hardship Fund applications and 658 arrests. The Claims Conference is now of $42.5m. Article II Fund claims from 2000 to 2009 taking steps to try to recover some of the The alleged fraud, thought to have appear to be fraudulent. money paid out. been perpetrated by an organised criminal The scam involved submitting claims The AJR would like to reassure recipi­ gang operating in Brooklyn in conjunction with forged identifications and false ents of the Article II Fund that they with Claims Conference employees, who details of persecution to meet the strict will continue to receive their regular were subsequently dismissed, involved the eligibility criteria for the funds. In some compensation payments despite recent submission of false application forms and cases, people born after the Second World events and that applicants to both the forged documents to two programmes War made applications, while others Article II and Hardship Funds will continue operated by the Claims Conference: the altered places and dates of events. to have their claims processed without Article II Fund, which pays the equivalent The bogus claims were then signed off delay. of a monthly pension of around £250 to by a senior member of staff at the Claims Michael Newman

Lifetime Achievement North, which helped 200 business start- ups before government agencies took Award for AJR member over the job. Now, Herbert Loebl is ‘bringing together r Herbert Loebl OBE has been given again elements of the corporate and the the Lifetime Achievement Award at D academic disciplines to create an academy the North East Businessman of the Year in exporting, advising North East businesses Awards in Newcastle. wishing to break in to this area,’ said Paul Born in Bamberg, Germany, the son of Williamson, Senior Partner of Deloitte, a manufacturer, Herbert fled to England Newcastle, who gave the address. with his family at the age of 16. With Robert Joyce, the son of an unemployed Jarrow shipyard worker, he created a Dr Herbert Loebl OBE (pictured right) with his group of companies: Joyce-Loebl was a award surrounded by his family: (from left) Eve Loble, Monica Stern née Loble, Miriam byword for manufacturing excellence in Grabiner née Loebl, Mona, Herbert’s friend, the North East. He also founded Britain’s Naomi Baker née Loebl, Gerald Stern, George first voluntary support agency, Enterprise Loble, his cousin (also from Bamberg)

A heartening story ARTS AND EVENTS DIARY his heartening story recently came to my Tnotice. In 2001 children in a school in the january small town of Neuenkirchen in Westphalia Mon 10 Ralph Blumenau, ‘A Brief chose to carry out research into the town’s History of Anglo-German Relations Jews. They found there had been a Jewish since the 16th Century’ Club 43 presence in the town from 1788 until 1938, when the last family had been forced to Mon 17 Dr Hanne Castein, ‘Self- leave. The children proposed that a new portraits by Women Artists (with street be named after them, to which the town council agreed. slides), Part I’ Club 43 I cherish this photograph of Familie-Hoffmann-Strasse as the only survivors Thur 27 Professor Christian Wiese were my late husband, Walter Hoffman, and his sister Hilde, who escaped on the (University of Frankfurt), ‘The Demonic Kindertransport. Their entire family was deported and killed. Face of Nationalism: Zionism in Shoshanah Hoffman Germany during the Nazi Period and the Dilemmas of Jewish Nationalism’ At University of Sussex, Arts A155, 4.00 Edited by Yvonne pm (booking not required) Cresswell, revised edition. Douglas: Manx National Thur 3 February Heinz Wolff (Emeritus Heritage, 2010 Professor of Bioengineering, Brunel SBN 978-0-901106-63-6, University), ‘The Making of a Refugee price £10.00 Scientist’ The Inaugural Martin Miller During the two World and Hannah Norbert-Miller Memorial Wars many ‘enemy aliens’ Lecture. At Chancellor’s Hall, University were interned. This well of London, Senate House, Malet Street, illustrated book helps London WC1, 6.00 pm readers understand what happened to them and Club 43 Meetings at Belsize Square how they kept themselves Synagogue, 7.45 pm. Tel Ernst Flesch occupied. It includes the WW1 Jewish camp in Douglas and WW2 Jewish refugees, including on 020 7624 7740 or Leni Ehrenberg women and children, in the Rushen Camp. on 020 7286 9698

11 AJR JOURNAL january 2011

A most convivial meeting

Manchester Prestigious meeting at Imperial War Museum North Along with visitors from Liverpool and Sheffield, we commemorated Kristallnacht with a prestigious meeting hosted by the Imperial War Museum North. A full house heard Dr Anthony Grenville deliver a most erudite address on ‘9 November 1938, Britain and the Jews of Germany and Austria’. There was lively audience Braving the Liverpool weather, we gathered at the home of Inge and Eric Goldrein for participation, with members speaking our annual Chanukah meeting. We enjoyed splendid hospitality from Inge and Eric about their experiences at the time. plus the musical talents of Tamar, daughter of our member Kay Fyne. A most convivial Werner Lachs meeting. Guido Alis Next meeting: 17 Feb. At home of Susanne ‘War Horse’: Horrors of the First World War Obama’s two years in office from a Jewish/ Some 20 of us were among a full house for ‘Childhood during the Israeli perspective. Laszlo Roman ‘War Horse’ at the New London Theatre. Third Reich’ Next meeting: 10 Jan. Manuel Morenzo, We were overwhelmed by a powerful and ‘Basque Children’ harrowing, and sometimes funny, view of A group of Year 12 and 13 students from Henrietta Barnett School attended a lecture the horrors of the First World War. Essex On the anniversary David Barnett in HGS on ‘Childhood during the Third Reich’ by the Wiener Library’s Archivist of Kristallnacht Howard Falksohn. Also, former refugees Carrie Sherman told us that following the Ealing The Jews of Ostrava German invasion of Holland in May 1940, David Lawson told us that up to the from Nazi Germany told us their stories. The chance to talk to people who she managed to get out on the last cargo invasion in March 1939, Ostrava had ship before the harbour town of Ijmuiden never encountered anti-Semitism. We have lived through such a tumultuous period of history is an experience I will capitulated to the German invasion, arriving were honoured to have many Ostravians in Liverpool 5 days later. The talk was even in the audience, especially Bertie Goldberg, never forget. As a group of school girls, we had been quite well informed on the more poignant as it was held on the 72nd who, with his wife Hannah, has created anniversary of Kristallnacht. Larry Lisner a dynasty of 101, including children, Holocaust. The lecture, however, provided greater insight into the effects of the Nazi grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Welwyn Garden City Esther Rinkoff regime both on German children who were part of Hitler’s youth club out of Memories of Kristallnacht Next meeting: 4 January Due to bad weather, a small, intimate camaraderie or social pressure, as well group had coffee at Monica’s. It being the as on the exclusion of Jewish children. Ilford An inspiring morning anniversary of Kristallnacht, we discussed Talking to survivors of the Holocaust was Due to the Tube strike, our speaker couldn’t our personal memories. A most interesting an invaluable experience: most intriguing be with us but, resourceful as ever, Myrna and enjoyable morning. Hazel Beiny was that many of them had been brought suggested we recall a person or incident Next meeting: 13 Jan. Social Get-together that had inspired us in the past. Many to England by Kindertransport not even wonderful stories emerged, some sad, knowing a word of English. Thank you Wembley Warm glow some in a happier vein. to Howard Falksohn for giving us this At a meeting hosted by Myrna Glass, we Meta Roseneil invaluable opportunity to take part in the chatted about many things, enjoying each Next meeting: 5 Jan. Postponed Chanukah event. Anna-Maria Alexandrou other’s company (not to mention the Party and Quiz refreshments). When it was time to go Pinner ‘Jewish Trades in Regency London’ home, we did so with the warm glow one Kingston CF Helen Fry and James Around 1800, David Barnett told us, often has after having had a happy time. Hamilton London was the largest city in the world Ingrid Morland Helen Fry spoke to our meeting, at the home with a population of over 1 million and Next meeting: 12 Jan. Social Get-together of Susan Zisman, about her various books about 20,000 Jews, who accounted for on refugees from Nazism. Her fascinating some 10 per cent of the traders. There was Temple Fortune ‘My Life as talk was followed by James Hamilton on his much profitable trade in clothing as well as a Social Worker’ fictional collaboration with Helen. furniture, retail stores and jewellery. Our speaker Rosette Wolf was born in Edith Jayne Paul Samet ­Antwerp shortly before the war; during Next meeting: 17 Jan. Social Get-together Next meeting: 6 Jan. John Maitlin, ‘How to the war she lived in the Belgian town of Get Rid of an American President’ Spa, where her father joined the Resist- Cardiff Israeli Embassy update ance. They returned to Antwerp in 1945. We were joined for lunch by Deputy Israeli Surrey Catching up on news and events Aged 18, she began working for the Ambassador Alon Roth Snir, Israel Consul A large, lively group once again enjoyed American ‘Joint’, rehabilitating Jewish in Wales Philip Kaye, and Israeli Embassy Edmée’s warm hospitality, ably assisted by children who had lived with non-Jewish Public Affairs Department representative Edith. It was a nice opportunity to catch up families during the war. David Lang Carly Maisel. Alon Roth Snir spoke about on news and events. Eva Gold-Young Next meeting: 20 Jan. Tu B’Shevat Seder how the Embassy wants to educate – New Year for Trees students and others on the need for HGS Mid East overview Israel’s continued existence and how Israel Rabbi Charles Emanuel gave us a most Brighton and Hove Sarid supports other states in the Middle East interesting overview of the reasons why Escape from Leipzig and Africa. the current round of peace negotiations Renée Tyzack read us extracts from her Myrna Glass may not succeed and looked at President book They Called Her Cassandra, the

12 AJR JOURNAL january 2011 story of her family’s escape from Leipzig in 1939. In the final chapter, she tells how Pinner knight in shining armour Paul Balint AJR Centre she and her brother returned to Leipzig, Looking back on the events of 21 October, I 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 where the house in which her mother was felt I had surreally taken part in an episode of The Apprentice and would get called into Tel: 020 7328 0208 born was still standing. the boardroom to be hired or fired! Shirley Huberman Fifty people had arrived at Pinner AJR LUNCHEON CLUB Next meeting: 17 Jan. ‘Churchill’s German Synagogue for a screening of ‘Churchill’s Army’ Wednesday 19 January 2011 German Army’, which stars six AJR war Café Imperial A lovely morning veterans. We were fortunate to have five of James Smith them with us that afternoon: Colin Anson, Our merry band of men met on a foggy from The Holocaust Centre, Willy Field, Bill Howard, Geoffrey Parry and morning in good spirits and discussed Harry Rossney. Nottinghamshire the recent viewing of ‘Churchill’s German Everyone was comfortably seated when Army’ in Pinner. A hearty breakfast was PLEASE NOTE THAT SPEAKERS I arrived and I was proud I had thought to START AT 12 NOON eaten by some along with non-stop chat- bring along the DVD. I knew Helen Fry, who Please be aware that members should not ter. A lovely morning. Hazel Beiny was due to introduce the film, had a copy automatically assume that they are on the Luncheon but it’s always good to have a spare. Club list. It is now necessary, on receipt of your Edgware Immigrants to Argentina But having the DVD was only half the copy of the AJR Journal, to phone the Centre on The Wiener Library’s Howard Falksohn gave problem – the main problem was I could 020 7328 0208 to book your place. us a history of immigration to Argentina in see no DVD player! the last 100 years. The good intentions of Where was the DVD player??? No, the KT-AJR Baron Hirsch, who helped Jews who had synagogue didn’t have one. Helen hadn’t Kindertransport special fled from Eastern Europe, were not fully brought one (why would she?). Vera, who interest group realised. Felix Winkler runs the group, had assumed the AJR would Next meeting: 18 Jan. Val Alliez, ‘Southwark bring one. Help! Monday 10 January 2011 and the Globe Theatre’ I ran over to the library – ‘Sorry, can’t Nicki Faith help, try the newly refurbished office block North London Escape from Denmark across the road!’ I crashed into reception: ‘Making Honey’ Blanche Benedick gave a most enlightening ‘Please do you have a room and a DVD player KINDLY NOTE THAT LUNCH account of her escape from Denmark to on which I can show a film to 50 people?’ WILL BE SERVED AT 12.30 PM ON MONDAYS Sweden. At least there was one nation in A door opened and out came a guy, who I Reservations required Europe where the population went out of could tell was of the Jewish persuasion. Like Please telephone 020 7328 0208 its way to help Jews escape the fate set out a knight in shining armour, he said ‘Yes no by the occupiers of their country. problem. We have a suite with a fixed screen Monday, Wednesday & Thursday Herbert Haberberg and a DVD player.’ 9.30 am – 3.30 pm Next meeting: 27 Jan. Ronald Channing, ‘Operation Churchill’s German Army’ ‘Holocaust Memorial Day’ began as we led all the members over to Please note that the Centre is Evans Easyspace. closed on Tuesdays Finally, 15 minutes late, the screening January Afternoon Entertainment AJR GROUP CONTACTS took place. It was like being in a real cinema. Once all were entrenched in the Mon 3 CLOSED Bradford Continental Friends Tue 4 CLOSED Lilly and Albert Waxman 01274 581189 documentary, they had forgotten the drama Wed 5 William Smith Brighton & Hove (Sussex Region) of getting to view it. Fausta Shelton 01273 734 648 Now I could breathe and thank my luck Thur 6 Robert Wright Bristol/Bath and chutzpah, the amazing team of Pinner Mon 10 KT LUNCH – Kards & Games Klub Kitty Balint-Kurti 0117 973 1150 volunteers and, of course, the AJR members Tue 11 CLOSED Cambridge Wed 12 Madeleine Whiteson Anne Bender 01223 276 999 who were so stoical and wonderful. A final mention for the man at Evans Thur 13 Margaret Opdahl Cardiff Mon 17 Kards & Games Klub Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Easyspace, who was reluctant to give me his Tue 18 CLOSED Cleve Road, AJR Centre name. I promised to plug the building so, if Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 ever you need to screen a film, it’s perfect! Wed 19 LUNCHEON CLUB Dundee Esther Rinkoff Thur 20 David Peace Agnes Isaacs 0755 1968 593 Mon 24 Kards & Games Klub East Midlands (Nottingham) continued on page 15 – Monday Movie Matinee Bob Norton 01159 212 494 Tue 25 CLOSED Edgware Norfolk (Norwich) Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3077 Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Wed 26 TOP HAT ENTERTAINMENT Edinburgh North London Thur 27 Paul Coleman Françoise Robertson 0131 337 3406 Jenny Zundel 020 8882 4033 Mon 31 Kards & Games Essex (Westcliff) Oxford Larry Lisner 01702 300812 Susie Bates 01235 526 702 Glasgow Pinner (HA Postal District) Claire Singerman 0141 649 4620 Vera Gellman 020 8866 4833 Hazel Beiny, Southern Groups Co-ordinator Harrogate Radlett Inge Little 01423 886254 Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 020 8385 3070 Hendon Sheffield Myrna Glass, London South and Midlands Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 Steve Mendelsson 0114 2630666 Groups Co-ordinator Hertfordshire South London 020 8385 3077 Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 Lore Robinson 020 8670 7926 Susanne Green, Northern Groups Co-ordinator HGS South West Midlands (Worcester area) 0151 291 5734 Gerda Torrence 020 8883 9425 Myrna Glass 020 8385 3070 Susan Harrod, Groups’ Administrator Hull Surrey 020 8385 3070 Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Edmée Barta 01372 727 412 Ilford Temple Fortune Agnes Isaacs, Scotland and Newcastle Meta Rosenell 020 8505 0063 Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 Co-ordinator 0755 1968 593 Leeds HSFA Weald of Kent Trude Silman 0113 2251628 Janet Weston 01959 564 520 Esther Rinkoff, Southern Region Co-ordinator Liverpool Wembley 020 8385 3077 Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Laura Levy 020 8904 5527 KT-AJR (Kindertransport) Manchester Wessex (Bournemouth) Andrea Goodmaker 020 8385 3070 Werner Lachs 0161 773 4091 Mark Goldfinger 01202 552 434 Child Survivors Association–AJR Newcastle West Midlands (Birmingham) Henri Obstfeld 020 8954 5298 Walter Knoblauch 0191 2855339 Fred Austin 01384 252310

13 AJR JOURNAL january 2011

family announcements Birth Holiday for Congratulations to Gaby and David Northern Members Glassman on the birth of their grandchild Mia Rebekka. Sunday 26 June to Sunday 3 July 2011 Deaths At the Inn on the Prom Goldsmith, Ruth (née Baum) Born 11/17 South Promenade, St Annes Frankfurt 08.03.1916, passed away peacefully 20.11.2010. A lady of great Tel 01253 726 726 beauty, generosity of spirit and dignity, sadly missed by her children (Ann Stanton Cost, including Dinner, Bed and Breakfast £632.50 per person and John Goldsmith), her grandchildren For booking, please contact Ruth Finestone and great-grandchildren. on direct line 020 8385 3082 Hirschhorn, Robert Born Vienna or mobile 07966 886535 24.07.1924. His family and friends are very sad to announce that Robert passed away peacefully on 18.11.2010 at his home in Reading. He was much loved and respected by all who knew him and PillarCare will be very greatly missed by his family switch on and friends. Quality support and care at home electrics  Hourly Care from 4 hours – 24 hours Rewires and all household Searching for Kinder electrical work who were pupils at the Stoatley Rough  Live-In/Night Duty/Sleepover Care School in Haslemere, Surrey 1938-1939 PHONE PAUL: 020 8200 3518 and knew Maria Mercedes.  Convalescent and Personal Health Care Mobile: 0795 614 8566 Please contact  Compassionate and Affordable Service [email protected].  Professional, Qualified, Kind Care Staff ‘DROP IN’ ADVICE SERVICE  Registered with the CQC and UKHCA Home Care Members requiring benefit advice please ColvinCare through quality and telephone Linda Kasmir on Call us on Freephone 0800 028 4645 professionalism 020 8385 3070 PILLARCARE Celebrating our 25th Anniversary to make an appointment at AJR, Jubilee House, THE BUSINESS CENTRE · 36 GLOUCESTER AVENUE · LONDON NW1 7BB 25 years of experience in providing the PHONE: 020 7482 2188 · FAX: 020 7900 2308 Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL highest standards of care in the comfort www.pillarcare.co.uk of your own home

FIRST FLOOR RETIREMENT LEO BAECK HOUSING FLAT FOR SALE in kenton ASSOCIATION First floor retirement flat with lift. CLARA NEHAB HOUSE Warden-assisted. Entryphone system RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME 1 fitted bedroom, lounge/dining room, Small caring residential home with large 1 hour to 24 hours care attractive gardens close to local shops and Registered through the National Care Standard Commission fitted kitchen, modern bathroom/WC public transport Call our 24 hour tel 020 7794 9323 Electric economy heating, residents’ 25 single rooms with full www.colvin-nursing.co.uk lounge, laundry room and games room en suite facilities 24 hour Permanent and Respite Care Communal gardens Entertainment & Activities provided New 99-year lease Ground Floor Lounge and In excellent condition Dining Room Near shops, synagogues, buses Lift access to all floors. wanted to buy and trains For further information please contact: The Manager, Clara Nehab House German and Asking price £130,000 13-19 Leeside Crescent, Please call Carol on 01923 857 822 London NW11 0DA English Books or 0794 7694 844 Telephone: 020 8455 2286 Bookdealer, AJR member, welcomes invitations to view and purchase valuable books. ADVERTISEMENT RATES FAMILY EVENTS – First 15 words free of charge, £2.00 per 5 words thereafter Robert Hornung 10 Mount View, Ealing, CLASSIFIED, SEARCH NOTICES – £2.00 per 5 words London W5 1PR BOX NUMBERS £3.00 extra Email: [email protected] DISPLAY ADVERTS – Per single column inch 65mm £12.00 Tel: 020 8998 0546 COPY DATE 5 weeks prior to publication

14 AJR JOURNAL january 2011

Obituary

Samuel (Sigi) Faith, 1928-2010

e mourn the passing of our extraordinary design ability meant that friend, colleague and inspira- the enterprise grew and, eventually, Wtional supporter of the history their 16 shops became a household and continued life of the Kindertransport name. Their son Jonathan qualified as story. Sigi was himself a Kind and a a chartered accountant and joined the ­brilliant example of the social/commer- management of the company in 1978. cial achievements of many of those whose Further expansion meant more and more lives were saved by that extraordinary shops nationwide and several hundred act of rescue in 1938-39, when the storm outlets existed until no shopping centre clouds gathered over Europe in antici­ in the country was without a branch pation of what became total nightfall of Faith Shoes. The further expansion for our brothers and sisters, the Jewish was treated, on the head’s instructions, meant that the company employed 2,500 population of the Continent. in exactly the same manner as every people, with Sigi its managing director at Sigi was one of those rare people other pupil. This was one of the happiest head office in Park Royal, west London. who fully appreciated what transpired periods of his life. He swiftly learned This tremendous success changed in our times of tragedy and survival. He English, was numbered among the elite neither Sigi’s modesty nor his dignity. understood how people felt. He spoke pupils, and had a good and comfortable It was on the fiftieth anniversary of the with great respect, dignity and clarity home. At holiday times he was invited to Kindertransport in 1988 that his attention and not with anger or confrontation; he stay at the homes of school friends. was drawn to his early refugee status and always had the bearing of a gentleman. Sigi stayed at the school for six years, our survival during those tragic years. His actions were in the same vein. He was becoming the captain of the cricket team, When the Kindertransport movement, enormously generous both in spirit and president of the aero-modelling club and, initiated by Bertha Leverton with such materially and always modest and hum- in his final year, head boy. courage, prospered and joined up with ble, often acting without the recipient’s In 1945, at the age of 17, he was trans- the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), knowledge in accordance with the Jewish ferred to a refugee hostel in Handsworth, Sigi was closely involved and continued principle that the highest form of charity Birmingham. He studied part time and this work until his final days. is that donated anonymously. attended evening classes at Birmingham In 1996 he suffered a serious stroke. Sigi was a member for nearly nine University while simultaneously starting The leadership of the business was taken years of the Kindertransport/AJR Special work. He became an audit clerk and quali- on by his son and Sigi devoted many Planning Group, where he unstintingly fied as a certified accountant. months to getting back to health. In this gave help and advice. His contributions Meantime, his father had managed to struggle, the practical and devoted Terry were those of a mature and cultured mind; escape from a concentration camp in showed great strength and determination. his regular attendance and punctuality Germany in June 1940 and, in that year, Sigi, characteristically, was equally set a welcome example. with Sigi’s mother, had somehow left Ger- determined and courageous. Sigi was born in Hamburg in 1928, an many and found asylum in Shanghai. In Sigi contributed massively to the work only child. His father, a businessman who 1948 Sigi’s parents came to England and of the Kindertransport Committee, in dealt in fabrics and cloth materials, was there was a happy reunion at Southamp- which he was a tower of strength. For the of Polish nationality, as was Sigi when ton docks after ten years of separation. past three years, up to his untimely depar- he came to England in December 1938 His father died in 1960; his mother lived ture, he regularly organised a speaker for with one of the first Kindertransports. to be 100. the monthly Kindertransport lunch. He was taken to Butlins Holiday Camp Sigi met his future wife, Terry, and Like many who have great at Lowestoft. There he contracted scarlet they married in 1951 at the New West accomplishments to their name, Sigi’s fever and had to spend several weeks in End Synagogue in St Petersburgh Place, method was not self-aggrandisement – it Colchester Isolation Hospital. He was Bayswater. They had two children and was not so much words as actions and subsequently billeted at Barham House, were blessed with six grandchildren and deeds. He was a shining example – one Claydon, near Ipswich. one great-grandchild. impossible to replace. Our memory of In September 1939 Sigi had the The marriage brought out the Sigi will remain that of a great friend. good fortune to be introduced to the entrepreneurial talent in Sigi and the Hermann Hirschberger head teacher of Oswestry School in artistic talent in Terry. They bought Hermann Hirschberger is the former chair- Shropshire. He was given a free place a shop and created a shoe business. man of the AJR’s Kindertransport Special at this prestigious school, where he Sigi’s business acumen and Terry’s Interest Group.

inside the ajr continued from page 13 Radlett The ‘Kastner affair’ Hendon Helen and Harriet Cleve Road Fourth anniversary – a Rudolf Kastner rescued almost 1,700 Helen Fry discussed three of her recent warm, friendly atmosphere Hungarian Jews from the Nazis by sending books, in particular her biography of the On a cold snowy day, we celebrated them by train to Switzerland. Among the pianist Harriet Cohen. We look forward to our fourth anniversary. Entertained by passengers was Ladislaus Löb, who, 66 the film coming out in the next couple of the lovely singing of Jane Rosenberg, years later, spoke to us about the ‘Kastner years. A very pleasant afternoon, as always we enjoyed the delicious birthday cake affair’. I suspect few who were present will in Helen’s company. baked by Cassie and the warm friendly ever forget this talk. Fritz Starer Hazel Beiny atmosphere. Next meeting: 19 Jan. Bruno Mueller, Next meeting: 31 Jan. Tashia Scott, ‘Refugee Myrna Glass ‘Poland in 2010’ Nurses’ Next meeting: 25 January

15 AJR JOURNAL january 2011

of events here, is making a perfectly Letter from legitimate choice, although I personally take issue with that choice. I have chosen Israel to implement my Zionist ideology, despite having benefited from the excellent education system that existed in England when I was of school and university age Plus ça change . . . and which, I gather, is no longer the case. never know whether to laugh or cry horror! – capitalism rearing its ugly head. I also understand that the British health when I read those perennial complaints The sad fact is that even in Israel there is system is far from perfect and, as I can Ithat things are getting worse, the change – some of it for the better, some see for myself on my occasional forays to country (no matter which) is going to the for the worse – and money made the world England, the decline of the British media, dogs and ‘Fings ain’t wot they used to be.’ go round long before Israel was founded with their reality-show nonentity-celebrity The trouble is that change happens, it is on socialist principles, which have since culture, is tantamount to a national tragedy inevitable, we are all changing all the time become somewhat diluted. (Israel’s media are not much better, but and have been since time immemorial. I suppose it is futile to point out that that’s a different story). Archaeologists have discovered clay tablets every Jew who criticises Israel from afar While no one expects each and every from ancient Babylon complaining about has it in his or her power to try to influence English person to be fully in accord with the behaviour of the younger generation. the course of events by going to live there. the course their government takes, for ‘Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells’ and other Israel is a democracy and the Law of Return, some unaccountable reason this is not old codgers have been moaning about the one of the first laws passed by the Knesset, assumed to be the case for Israelis. It decline of standards ever since I first saw gives any Jew who chooses to live in Israel seems to escape notice that those of us the light of day in Hampstead’s New End full civil rights. About one million Jews who do not agree with our government are Hospital in October 1942 (which makes me from the former Soviet Union have taken fully entitled to voice our criticism and take a bit of an old codger myself). advantage of that privilege and immigrated action of various kinds to try and change I also don’t know whether to laugh or to Israel. Their views have had a definite the situation. However, we do not simply cry when presumably well-meaning Jews impact on the composition of the Knesset leave the country because we aren’t happy point an accusing finger at Israel from and the government. Many Orthodox with the political scene, though somehow wherever they happen to live in order to and right-wing Jews from the US, albeit that seems to be what is expected. rant and rave about the way everything in smaller numbers, have made the same So, to all the old codgers out there who there was once fine and dandy and now choice, further strengthening the forces on complain about change, all I can say is that it is unspeakably awful, with a rabidly the right of the political stratum. it’s still not too late to start accepting the right-wing government, Orthodox Jews Any Jew who opts not to live in Israel, facts of life. controlling every facet of life and – oh and thereby not to influence the course Dorothea Shefer-Vanson

letters to the editor continued from page 7 Sir – Amnon Needham asserts that Health ‘panel patient’, nor does he show now follow through by offering us an we should ‘not give a monkey’s what the slightest compassion for those millions explanation of the failure of Conservative [our] gentile friends think … we can who even now cannot afford private governments, in power for long periods do without their Holocaust memorials, medicine. at a time, to put matters right? their sympathy’ etc. As from time to time To quote the editor of the current Alan S. Kaye, Mr Needham visits the UK he probably number of Clinical Medicine, the journal Marlow, Bucks knows that we have here a Holocaust of the Royal College of Physicians – an Day and other events too. Shall we organisation not exactly noted for its ‘ASIATISCHE STEPPENHENGSTE’ ignore them because they are organised leftwing sympathies: ‘A toast was raised to Sir – During his arrest on Kristallnacht by ‘gentiles’? the NHS in last year’s December issue ... to in Vienna, my late father recalled being Nicholas Marton, Bromley salute a service where everyone, regardless deposited by his guards in a disused school of income, can obtain medical care free building in the Kenyongasse. There was ‘VOTE, VOTE, VOTE FOR at the point of entry – a remarkable much shouting, pushing and cursing and CLEMENT ATTLEE?’ achievement for any healthcare system.’ one of the guard’s favourite expressions Sir – I must reply briefly to Edgar Ring’s I rest my case. was ‘Asiatische Steppenhengste’ – ‘Asiatic outrageous (and outraged) letter in the Leslie Baruch Brent, London N19 steppe-stallions’. December issue, in response to mine, in My father could never find out what which he sets down his opposition to the Sir – Edgar Ring offers sweeping – indeed, this expression meant in relation to the creation of the welfare state. He makes it breathtaking – assertions about Britain’s prisoners. Does anyone know? very clear where he comes from politically! political and economic history during Robert Fraser, Perth Clearly he has never been a pre-National two-thirds of the last 100 years. Will he Western Australia

Published by the Association of Jewish Refugees in Great Britain, Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL Telephone 020 8385 3070 Fax 020 8385 3080 e-mail [email protected] For the latest AJR news, including details of forthcoming events and information about our services, visit www.ajr.org.uk Printed by FBprinters llp, 26 St Albans Lane, London NW11 7QB Tel: 020 8458 3220 Email: [email protected]

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