AJR ormation Volume LV No. 1 January 2000 ±3 (to non-members)

Don't miss... Some refleaions on the word on everybody's lips Land of promise Ronald Channing p5 Glimpses of Austria jussy Brainin pl3 Three meanings of millennium

Both pen and iven that the word millennium is currently resemble the First more than the Second. (To read­ sword bandied about randomly it may not be amiss ers who jib at taking such a long-term view we say to try and tease out the different meanings he death, G that the history of the Jews is arguably longer than that attach to the term. within the anybody else's). same week, The first is obviously the spiritual Judeo-Christian And as we look at the Jewish situation a thousand T connotation. In this reading, millennium signifies years ago we find that all the worst horrors - the of Joseph Heller and Alexander the thousand year period of Messianic rule which is Crusades, the expulsions, the yellow badge, the Baron was a to precede the Last Judgement and the world to blood libel, the Inquisition, etc. were yet to come. truly symbolic come. One would have to be an inspissated pessimist to coincidence. Both The second is 'chronological': a metric subdivision fear that, with neady half the world's Jews currently men were of of time, as the next order of magnitude following in their own state and the rest largely resident in the humble immigrant on from year, decade and century. enlightened West, the upcoming millennium will in origin and served The third is (narrowly) historical. Hitler dubbed any way resemble the one we have just survived D in the war about his state the tausendjdhrige Reich. By ^hich they this he not only meant that the Nazi subsequently wrote empire would last till all eternity but outstanding novels. that it was also the fulfilment of the The East Ender spiritual aspirations of the German Baron's From the people. In Hitler's monstrous perversion City, From the of 'salvation theology' Jews were devils Plough (1948) incarnate and their extermination was ^as sometimes the victory of Good over Evil. hailed as a WW2 The evil that men do, wrote Shake­ counterpart to All speare, lives after them. Many of today's Quiet on the Germans, vociferously represented by "Western Front - the writer Martin Walser, want a ^hile Brooklyn- Schlusstrich (final line) drawn under born Hellers their country's guilt. Catcb-22 (\96l) actually entered But guilt has to be expiated - and that the language. has not been done in the true meaning Both books of the term. Many of the companies, disproved the which employed' slave labour, deny le­ lingering Nazi gal culpability with the mendacious plea jibe that Jews had that they acted under Nazi duress. They r»o first hand squeezed an estimated £40 billion profit Old comrades on parade experience of out of their wartime slaves, but half a Warfare. They century later it was left to the Schroder Proudly parading past the Cenotaph in London's Whitehall ^ko demonstrated government (i.e. the reluctant German to a military band, with medals gleaming and banners held the wealth of taxpayer) to cleanse the Bundesrepublik high, were 2,000 members of the Association of Jewish talent generated of a stain that continued to overshadow Ex-Servicemen and Women at their annual remembrance Within immigrant its postwar achievements. But, standing reunion. Also taking part were veterans from France, Israel Communities even on the cusp of a new epoch, it ill be­ and the USA. Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and the force's before university hoves us merely to look back at the Jewish chaplain the Rev. Malcolm Wiseman conducted a education became grisly past. There is reasonable ground memorial service for comrades who lost their lives in Widely accessible D to hope that the Third Millennium will defence of civilised values and the Jewish people. (See p4)0 AJR INFORMATION JANUARY 2000

language books outside of the Nether­ Profile lands. Anna wrote numerous articles and sev­ eral books on Dutch bibliographical and Anna Harvey historical subjects, often concentrating on nna Harvey was born in Leipzig Anglo-Dutch interaction, such as: Publish in 1916 as Anneliese Simoni. and be free, Catalogue of Books from the A She was educated at the Rudolf- Low Country' 1601-1602 and Printing as Hildebrand-Oberschule from 1935 but Resistance. as soon as studying became impossible Officially retired in 1981, Anna has not she went to Italy, where she read at stopped working; she still travels to Lon­ the Universities of Turin and Genoa. don once a week from her home in Due to Mussolini's adoption of Hitler's Dorset - where she lives with husband. anti-Semitic policies, Anna had to flee William - to continue her research at the to Britain in 1938, where she was able British Library and she regularly reviews to continue her studies and reunite books and translates articles. with her parents. Anna gained a first In 1999 her colleagues - at home and class honours degree in Latin and abroad - honoured her with a volume ot Italian in 1941 at Glasgow University essays dedicated to her, published by the and remained there as a post-graduate British Library and entitled. Across the to read Greek. ^:/^ Narrow Seas. By 1943, due to the relaxing of the In the last 18 months Anna has re­ enemy alien policy, Anna was able to ceived the Order of the Nederlandse join the WAAF. She first served as a Leeuw (Dutch Lion) from Queen Beatrix Flight Mechanic with Training Com­ \ for her services to Dutch scholarship and mand and then as a language teacher at Anna Hanvy for improving Anglo-Dutch relations; last various RAF stations. She was demobi­ April the city of Genoa awarded her the lised in May 1946. absorbed into the British Library). Soon Mayor's Medal at a ceremony commemo­ In 1949, after a brief unsatisfactory after Anna was put in charge of the rating the persecution of Jews in Italy period as a teacher, Anna applied for Dutch language section, she was able to under Mussolini; and in 2000 she is ex­ one of the Reconstruction positions at raise its profile - partly through her re­ pected to receive an honorary doctorate the British Library where she began her search into books printed illegally during from Genoa University in recognition 01 career as an Assistant Keeper in the De­ Nazi occupation - building for the British the injustice she suffered during the partment of Printed Books (later to be Library the largest collection of Dutch war D

with horns, i.e. devilish characteristics. the Jew who had hidden it underground Clerical errors In the thirteenth century the Spaniard in Jerusalem is threatened with death W t is a wellknown fact that the year Jacobus de Veragine wrote the Golden drowning on the orders of St Helena, Zero, the designated starting point of Legend. Also known as 7??^ Legend of the mother of Emperor Constantine. I the Christian millennia, should really True Cross, it purported to provide a A Jewish malefactor again appears ii^ have occurred four years earlier. As a prequel as well as a sequel to the story the (personal) writings of the mid-twent'' repository of knowledge the Christian of Jesus' life. Due to its publication' prior eth century Pope Pius XII who, ^^ Church clearly did not have very to the invention of printing Veragine's Cardinal Pacelli, had been Papal Nuncio auspicious beginnings. work did not have a very wide circula­ in Munich during the 1919 Bavarian So­ In the fourth century Saint Jerome com­ tion - but it was disseminated via the viet Republic. In the aftermath of th*^ mitted another egregious error with the medium of painting (most notably Piero Great War Rome felt acutely threatened most far-reaching consequences. While de la Francesca's frescoes in the church by atheistic Bolshevism and in Pacelli s translating the Bible from Hebrew and at Arezzo). paranoid imaginings Jews becam^ Greek into Latin, the Church father - Already the first "frame" of the fresco conflated with Bolsheviks. He described always depicted as deeply studious on cycle is overtly antisemitic. In it two stern the Munich Soviet leader Max Levien 'i^ medieval paintings - made a slip that Jewish Elders bar Jesus' grandfather an "unkempt frenetic Jew' (see Decembef reverberated down the ages. He mistrans­ Joachim from entering the synagogue. issue p4). lated the rays emanating from Moses' They do so because they consider In fact Levien was a non-Jew who, li'"'^ forehead on Sinai as horns, or cornatu. Joachim accursed of God on the grounds many Baltic Germans - such as the Na^J This clearly influenced Michelangelo that his twenty-year old marriage has not ideologist Alfred Rosenberg, or the 19^0* when he sculpted his famous and awe­ been blessed with issue. screen actor Albert Lieven - bore a Je^' some statue of Moses at the church of St The antisemitic motif recurs in the final ish-sounding surname. Peter in Chains - but what mattered more sequence of the cycle. Here the location To err, as they say, is human - but ' was that the broad public ever after asso­ of the True Cross - i.e. the instrument of can have deeply inhuman consequences- ciated the founder of he Mosaic faith the crucifixion - is only discovered when n Richard Grunberge' AJR INFORMATION JANUARY 2000

The art or the life biopic screen plays. (a) Maya Angelou (teenage hooker, vaude­ PARTNER oon after Ted Hughes' death it was ville dancer, author, academic, orator at announced that Elaine Feinstein had presidential inauguration) in long established English Solicitors Sembarked on his biography. This is (b) Gabriele D'Annunzio (decadent drama­ (bi-lingual German) would be happy hound to be a bestseller even if more tist, bombastic philanderer, captor of to assist clients with English, German Punters purchase it out of interest in Fiume, rival to Mussolini) and Austrian problems. Contact "ughes' marital tragedy than in his poetry. (c) Robert Graves, the British contender. Henry Ebner Hughes successor as Poet Laureate, In the Great War he saw his own Andrew Motion, is less noted for his death reported in the newspapers. Myers Ebner & Deaner ^^rse than for his biographies of the po- Afterwards, living in a marriage a 103 Shepherds Bush Road ^ts John Keats and Philip Larkin. The last quatre he noticed his Jewish mistress London W6 7LP lanied is also commemorated in a cur- Laura Riding leap from a window and Telephone 0171 602 4631 '^^nt play about his complicated love life promptly followed her. In the 19SOs ALL LEGAL WORK 'for which Larkin About would have he wrote the White Goddess which UNDERTAKEN been an apposite tide.) deity, he claimed, decreed that a In fact the British stage has long been succession of young women act as his ^^ash with dramatised biographies, from muse to enable him to be creative. ^hadowlands (C S Lewis and Joy David­ And now, having written this I am off son) and Taking Sides (Furtwaengler and to see a show about the troubled mar­ hitler) to Feasting with Panthers (Oscar riage of Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya. I AUSTRIAN and GERMAN ^ilde and Bosie). wonder if it will recreate the scene of PENSIONS Apropos of that amourfou, by now the their meedng at Georg Kaiser's lakeside t^Umber of people conversant with it villa where Kurt had gone to discuss the Probably exceeds the number of playgo- music for Der Silbersee while Lotte had PROPERTY RESTITUTION ^••s familiar with An Ideal Husband and turned up to audition for a part. When CLAIMS ^^ Importance of Being Earnest. their separate transactions had been com­ EAST GERMANY- BERLIN Of course, in the case of some writers pleted Kurt chivalrously offered to row Exposure to their work is much less Lotte back across the lake. But the can­ On Instructions our office will ^^joyable than reading about their lives. tor's son was such a clumsy oarsman that assist to deal with your his emphatically does not apply to he dropped his glasses in the water. applications and pursue the Oscar Wilde - but it does to Virginia Then, with his vision drastically impaired, matter with the authorities. "'oolf. Just compare the terminally boring he proposed marriage to his passenger. 'he Waves with the drama of her life: the URG For further Information and 8'ooniy father, the sexually precocious appointment please '''tep-brother, the Jewish mother-in-law contact: ^emed unfit to attend the marriage cer- ICS CLAIMS t^ony, fame, depression, insanity and 146-154 Kilburn High Road suicide. London NW6 4JD T^en there was her sister 'Vanessa Bell ,^ho, thanks to her pivotal position in Tel: 0171-328 7251 (Ext. 107) 'Bl oomsbury", is somehow perceived as BELSIZE SQUARE Fax:0171-624 5002 ^c most important British woman pain- SYNAGOGUE ^'"- This cachet is belied by portraits that "^^nietimes look unfinished and other 51 BELSIZE SQUARE, NW3 ^•"k painted in insipidly muted colours. anessa bore a daughter by the bisexual We offer a traditional style of NEWTONS "^ncan Grant, whose male lover subse­ religious service with Cantor, quently married the girl. She also had a Choir and organ Leading Hampstead Solicitors Poetically gifted son who was killed in ^•^e Spanish Civil War. Further details can be obtained 22 Fitzjohn's Avenue, '^^en so I doubt if a film will be made from our synagogue secretary London NW3 SNB her life, because the work will simply ^ All English legal work %t sustain it visually. In total contrast I undertaken and German, hav Telephone 0171-794 3949 •'e seen Michaelangelo, Caravaggio, Swiss & Austrian claims ^"Jguin, Van Gogh, Dora Carrington Minister: Rabbi Rodney J. Mariner '^d Francis Bacon on screen and Stanley Cantor: Rev Lawrence H. Fine * German spoken P^ncer on stage. Regular services: Friday evenings at 6.45 pm, * Home visits arranged ainters are, by definition, more colour- Saturday mornings at 10 am , characters than writers. Nonetheless I Religion school: Sundays at 10 am to 1 pm Tel: 0171 435 5351 Fax: 0171 435 8881 . ^"^ewith offer the following literary sub- Space donated by Pafra Limited ^ts to anv would-be confectioners of AJR INFORMATION JANUARY 2000

erto unavailable archives. Another good story, not in this book, Review The book is not just about the Great however, is of Capt.P., written-up in and the Good. Stories of highly deco­ Peter Perry's An Extraordinary Commis­ The refugee rated officers in both Army and Royal Air sion (T.J. Gillard, Bristol 1997), who after Force are mixed with those of very ordi­ fighting with the Royal Fusiliers across contribution to victory nary and mundane ex-soldiers like Europe ended up as Food and Transport myself. Officer for the military government dis­ Peter Leighton-Langer, X STEHT FUER It is difficult to pick out the most inter­ trict of his native Berlin-Charlottenburg. UNBEKANNT, Deutsche und Oestereicher in esting ones. There was the story of the All of us, in the ex-refugee community, den Britischen Streitkrdfien im Zweiten ex-Austrian army ski instructor, who as can be proud of our contribution during Weltl<.rieg, Berlin Verlag. Arno Spitz Sgt. P. helped train the first British moun­ the Second World War. Little is known tain warfare troops. Or the friend I today - either in Germany or here - t was probably a coincidence that the trained with in 1942, Sgt.J.R., who about the almost 10,000 men and above book reached me roundabout jumped with his Colonel as No.2 at women refugees, of whom over 90°/" I the time of last year's Remembrance Arnheim and was killed before he hit the were Jewish. Sunday and the AJEX Parade at the ground. Or another friend of later days, I have a criticism, but it is a minor one- Cenotaph. S/Sgt.R.B.W., who found himself kitted- I would challenge some of the author's The author has written a wide-ranging out with a glengarry cap when he joined assertions in the last chapter. However, 3 story, starting with the early days of the a famous Scottish infantry regiment and British domiciled reader needs 'to make so-called Auxilary Military Pioneer Corps, whose wife, Ilse, was one of the first 'al­ allowances for a writer who looks at it all now the Royal Pioneer Corps and ending ien' ATS girls. There was the alien from the perspective of someone who with the problems of peacetime resettle­ Pioneer back in 1940 who, when posing has apparently settled back well into the ment as well as of assimilation. He draws for a photograph, displayed the Iron new Germany. extensively on the books of Prof. Nor­ Cross gained in the First World War. My All in all, it is a book which should be man Bentwich (/ Understand the own late father-in-law, Pte.S.H., went to on the shelf for all of us, as well as for Risks,VictoT Gollancz 1950) and Peter France with 69 Coy, in 1940, leaving our children and grandchildren. Is it too Masters (Striking Back, Presido, USA behind a wife and two small daughters, much to hope that some retired aca­ 1997) and provides a very clear picture, to find that on returning to the U.K. the demic will find the time to translate the backed by numerous quotes from letters, company was once again disarmed on book into English as a labour of love? interviews and new material from hith­ arrival. D Henry L Morlan

Slave labour compensation agreement GERMAN and egotiations between represen­ period but who had not agreed to con­ tatives of German industry and tribute towards the joint compensation ENGLISH BOOKJ^ N and lawyers representing both fund, which included Deutsche Bahn, BOUGHT Jewish and non-Jewish surviving slave MAN AG, Philipp Holzmann and Deut­ labourers who worked for the Third sche Shell. Antiquarian, secondhand and Reich during World War II, are reported With an estimated 900,000 surviving modern books of quality to have reached agreement on the slave labourers - among whom the Jews' always wanted. payment of an amount of compensation treatment alone was genocidal - the level for their unpaid toil. They worked in of compensation offered to each 'slave We're long-standing advertisers inhuman conditions in an extensive net­ worker' would be some ±5,000, with a here and leading buyers of books work of camps, mines and factories lesser sum for 'forced labourers'. The fund from AJR members. supporting Germany's war economy. is expected to start paying compensation Immediate response to your letter Half the offer of £32 billion is to be by the middle of the year. The present or phone call. contributed by the German Government. German Government was anxious to Fifty German companies had already conclude an agreement before the end of We pay good prices and agreed to contribute to the compensation last year and the German President, come to collect. fund, motivated in part by their need to Johannes Rau is reportedly prepared to Please contact: retain untrammelled export markets in make a public apology. Robert Hornung MA(Oxon) the USA whose Government has been D Ronald Channing 2 Mount View, Ealing, extremely firm in supporting compen­ London WS IPR sation claims. They include leading names Telephone 0181-998 0546 such as Siemens, Volkswagen, Bosch, AjR Informa^on regrets (Spin to 9pni is best) Deutsche Bank, Thyssen and Krupp. To increase leverage at the negotiations, the any delay in the distribution American Jewish Committee published a of this issue due to the list of a further 255 firms, said to have millennium holidays AJR employed slave labour during the Nazi Tel: 0171-431 6161 AJR INFORMATION JANUARY 2000

Panorama of the Old City of Jerusalem from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, left, to the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock. Land of promise fter a six-year absence, arrival at At whatever level of income, everyone state to the dead and the living. Ben Gurion Airport revealed few seemed to own a car, most being newish Viewed from King David's Tower, the A changes. Downtown Tel Aviv had and of Japanese manufacture. Israelis Old City of Jerusalem, the centre of the '°st it,s sparkle; Rehov Allenby was drive far and fast and enjoy the freedom world's great monotheistic faiths, is a ^'rtually dead by the early evening and only this mode of transport brings very small land-area already divided into ^^en Dizengoff seemed empty. Most because, in the Jewish tradition, visits to its historic quarters. It was possible to People preferred to go home after work family and friends are the foundation of avoid the rough and tumble of the Arab and watch television. Paradoxically, social life. Israeli buses are efficient, quarter by skirting the walls of the Arme­ ^^spite access to 50 channels, Israeli comfortable and cheap, though often nian quarter then passing through the ^'evision is poor; six main political crowded, taxis generally good value and Jewish quarter and making for the maj­ Pundits dominate comment and proffer taxi drivers good company - with esty of the Western Wall of Solomon's "^terminable interviews after all-too-short daughters in LA and sons-in-law in Temple. •lews bulletins. The only fun evident in Edgware. Following Secretary of State Madeleine •^e streets was the weekend gathering of If the number of mobile phones is any­ Albright's visit to Syria to obtain assur­ youngsters in the cafes and bars on the thing to go by, Israel's future as a hi-tech ances from President Assad, negotiations ^ea front. centre is assured, confirmed by the 'sili­ between Syria and Israel were resumed Whether on Tel Aviv's main thorough- con valley' development of Herzlia with under US patronage. Israel, already com­ ^''^s, or walking the length of Rehov its many new factory/offices designing mitted to quitting its security zone in Jaffa from the bus station to the Old City and marketing the latest electronic com­ Lebanon this summer, is seeking cast-iron '" Jerusalem, the multitude of little shops puterised gizmos for a waiting world. agreements on security and full diplo­ ^uh their poor displays and limited stock Electronics now surpasses agriculture in matic relations before placing the ^re more reminiscent of prewar Euro­ its importance to Israel's economy. prospect of leaving the Golan Heights to pean than vibrant modern retailing. This The slaying of Prime Minister Rabin at a national referendum. Prime Minister /^ntrasted with several massively high of- the hand of a Jewish religious fanatic, fol­ Barak, by imposing a moratorium on '^e blocks which towered over the lowing his powerful and unequivocal call further building on the West Bank, is ^ntre and outskirts of Tel Aviv, possibly for a peace settlement with the Palestin­ attempting to hasten completion of the triumph of optimism over economics, ians at a huge rally in Tel Aviv in 1995, final status talks with the Palestinians '^^ building work was desultory and still hangs over the people as the young without alienating the entire body of set­ ^^eral of those completed appeared un- state's nadir. Both the memorial at the re­ tlers. "-<^>Jpied. Large strikingly-designed named Rabin Square in Tel Aviv and the To sum up: the Promised Land today Partment blocks have marched on to the imagery of his black and white marble remains a land of unfulfilled promises, ^^d abutting ever\- town, no doubt in tombstone on Mount Herzl provide the majority of whose citizens still anti­ ^sponse to the huge increase in popula- poignant reminders of the vulnerability of cipate early delivery of peace, with its ^^ from Russia and elsewhere which all peacemakers, even in this country corollary of prosperity and normality ""ael has, by some miracle, managed to which has never known peace. Close by which are considered birthrights in other •^"i^ommodate. Rather isolated, with little is Yad Vashem, the state memorial to all western-oriented representative demo­ , 'dence of communal centres or meet- victims of the Holocaust, now turning to cracies. All sections of the population 8 points, they are served by new educate yet another generation on the are now anxious to see progress being I °Pping malls clearly preferred to the consequences of racial hatred and the made. ^ tity centres. particular responsibilities of the Jewish D Ronald Channing AJR INFORMATION JANUARY 2000

The statement must be disputed, because, while the earth's northern hemi­ sphere has summer, the southern has winter; and yet the distances of both hemispheres to the sun, however they change, are always practically equal. Surely, the seasons are due to the dif­ RESCUED FROM OBLIVION sickened by such hypocrisy? ference (between summer and winter) of Sir - Reading Prof. Spiro's Science The most recent arrivals here in any the rise above the horizon of the sun at Notebook (Nov issue) prompts this number (apart from the very temporary noon. reminiscence: In 1937 Elizabeth Hertz, a Kosovans) are Romanies, whose ances­ Harrow Rudolf jaray widow in her early seventies, fled tors suffered alongside ours and who Germany and settled in Girton, near to-day are battered, assaulted and Cambridge. When she died in 1941 she discriminated against in most Balkan BOUQUET was buried in an unmarked grave at St countries, as well as Poland. Sir - As editor of the Leo Baeck Year Andrews churchyard, Girton. Legislating for a memorial day must not Book, I know how much work goes into Fifty years later the local church war­ be allowed to be a fig-leaf hiding racist your excellent publication. We all appreci­ den, Stanley Briggs, examined old legislation and practices. ate your dedication. records and discovered that the deceased London NW4 Francis Deutsch Sutton Coldfield Prof John.Grenville had been the widow of Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (1857-1894), the first physicist to Sir - Your piece on an official Holocaust confirm the existence of electro-magnetic EURO COMPLAINT Day (December issue) makes for interest­ Sir - Many of your members must be radiation predicted by James Maxwell in ing reading and raises some points for 1864. His work, which provided the basis receiving a pension from Germany. What comment. Not the least of these is that puzzles me is that ever since this pension for modern radio, wireless, telegraphy apart from a debatable observance by the and television, ranks with that of Einstein has been converted from DMark to Euro, majority - but, regrettably, by no means the monthly payment is decreasing quite and is immortalised in the terms kilo- and all of the Jewish community - the day megahertz. Mr Briggs enlisted a retired noticeably. will have the same impact as St. George's On whose authority is the pension paid Cambridge University librarian and to­ Day has now for the English public. gether they researched Elizabeth's past. out in Euros? Does anybody benefit? We None! certainly do not. Is there a solution to They then approached the German Gov­ We already remember and mourn the ernment which provided money for a this problem? victims of the Holocaust in every London NWl I Mrs Anneli K/rsen memorial stone. In 1992 I saw a notice Diaspora synagogue on Yom HaShoah about a service of dedication in The (2"'' May 2000) and the majority of non- Times and felt drawn to go back to Jews are just not interested. Unfortunate A NEWTWIST Girton where I myself had spent the early but true. Sir - Watching Robert Lindsay's portrayal forties as a landgirl at a research centre. Enfield, Middlesex Gerald Granston of Fagin in Oliver Twist raised a dormant Doing a bit of research myself I found question in my mind. Am I the only that Dr Hertz had made his important dis­ person who has noticed that 'Fagin' is an coveries in Karlsruhe, my home town. TAY-SACHS SYNDROME anagram of 'Ganif? Several (well-read) During the Nazi period a street in Sir - With reference to your Profile of people to whom I have pointed this out Karlsruhe named after him was changed Eva Trent in the December issue, I would have expressed eye-popping surprise- to Roentgen Strasse on account of his like to challenge your assertion that Tay- Does anyone out there know something Jewish ancestry, but subsequently re­ Sachs Syndrome is a condition confined about Dickens that has not been men­ verted to its old name. to Jews. tioned before? Essex Ruth Sellers I happen to know that this also occurs London NW2 Jacqueline Goymout in Mediterranean people. A friend of mine whose father was Italian, carried it PROFANE AND SACRED and his daughter inherited it. She was LOOKING BACK ON 1999 Sir - The purpose of Holocaust Memorial quite unwell and investigations resulted Sir - whilst entirely agreeing with youf Day would be to act as a warning and in the diagnosis. Only after it was found excellent editorial I cannot share youf deterrent. Can we co-operate or support her father was tested and diagnosed as sentiment on the 'last relatively benigt^ it coming from a government which has Tay-Sachs, although he showed no symp­ decade of this horrible century'. This was just pushed through an Asylum and toms. after all the decade when nearly a million Immigration Act which deliberately - Northv/ood, Middx Marianne Herz Tutsis were murdered in cold blood allow me to emphasise: deliberately - during the Spring of April 1994. This provides for the public humiliation of deliberate attempt to exterminate a whol^ asylum-seekers; whose press offices run PRE-MILLENNIUM MUSINGS ethnic group - and with the nearly misleading publicity campaigns Sir - Prof. M Spiro (December issue) says unanimous active participation of th^ describing all asylum-seekers as that the seasons on earth are caused by Hutus is, apart from the Holocaust, the "economic migrants" thus exposing them the variation of the distance of the earth most momentous crime of the centurv • to public hostility, or should we be from the sun throughout the year. London N6 HerbertTretf^ AJR INFORMATION JANUARY 2000

QUERY SWITZERLAND COMES TO TERMS Sir - At the bottom of Readers' Letters in AfR Information, I noticed that domicile WITH ITS PAST takes precedence over the writer's name ~ an obvious case of putting the cart COMPLICITY ON THE SWISS-GERMAN BORDER before the horse. Why? Green/brd, Middlesex Ernest Kolman n independent inquiry into the Swiss request for the Germans to ' om simply continuing my predecessors' Switzerland's response to many stamp 'J' on passports to differentiate the practice. Ed. A Jews who sought refuge from Jews was motivated by pressure or fear Nazi persecution from 1938 onwards, has of invasion from Germany. It would MISNOMER concluded that Swiss officials "helped the have been clear to the Swiss authorities Nazi regime to achieve its goals" by at an early stage, from exile and diplo­ Sir - You printed a letter (December closing the country's borders to thou­ matic evidence, that systematic issue) above my present name on the sands of Jewish refugees, sending them deportations and mass murder were be­ assumption of being known to many back to a near certain death. ing carried out. People before leaving Germany. I stated The hard-hitting report was produced In accepting the report's findings, the tfy former name as well, hoping that by a multi-national Commission headed Government admitted to failing to live Somebody would contact me! by Swiss historian Jean-Frangois Bergier up to its own "humanitarian tradition", Unfortunately, instead of nee Oppen­ and took three years to research. While but ruled out any further compensation. heim it appeared as nee Oppenheimer. I some 300,000 Jews did manage to secure Swiss President Ruth Dreifuss, who is am very upset about it, after all, a name refuge in Switzerland, the Commission Jewish, having perforce to take into ac­ 's as important as it was in the time of found proof that at least a further 24,500 count right-wing reluctance to make a Old Egypt! (and in probability far more) were denied formal apology, nevertheless expressed ^9 Chester's Croft Park Eva E Gillatt access, or were even returned to Ger­ her "immense sadness" at how, at the ^^eadle Hulme (nee Oppenheim) many having already crossed the border. time, people were able to accept that ^^^eshire It expressed the opinion that latent Swiss others were being sent to their deaths. antisemitism helped to fuel this response, The Commission found no evidence to '^NDERTRANSPORT but also noted American and European support the claim that trains carrying de­ 't - As many of your readers know, hypocrisy in similarly failing to offer un­ portees from Italy were granted passage ^iane Samuel's play Kindertransport is a restricted asylum to Jewish refugees. through Switzerland on their way to the 'ctionalised account of reality. Of course The Commission refuted claims that concentration camps. ^°t all the events depicted happened to I" IIII r in-iMMMmujju^———•—WJIB ^tie child and the intricate strands ollowing little Eva as she grew up to REPORT IDENTIFIES HIDDEN BANK ACCOUNTS ^come Evelyn, not only anglicised but aptized as well, make powerful drama. he report of the independent Swiss claimants. weaving back and forth in time and Banking Commission, set up in The Swiss banks long denied the P'ace, with no change of props or T 1996 under the chairmanship of existence of any such outstanding Costume, characters must be convincing Paul Volker, former head of the US accounts and, in the main, refused to ^^ to who they are. Federal Reserve Bank, has revealed the respond to requests from the children of ^he play was described by the New existence of some 54,000 dormant Holocaust victims, either protesting (^rker as "a powerful contribution to accounts. At least 10,000 of them almost ignorance of account records or by *^olocaust literature", but this is not the certainly belonged to Jewish victims of making impossible demands for the hole story. It is also generational con- the Holocaust or their heirs. Back in non-existent death certificates of those '^t, exacerbated by separation and a 1997 the Swiss banks claimed to have lost in the camps. The Commission con­ Consequent refusal to deal with past knowledge of fewer than 5,200 accounts firmed the banks' duplicitous behaviour, ents, which applies not only to Holo- of foreign clients of the period. commenting that there was evidence of ^tist survivors but paradoxically, to The names of 25,000 account holders, "questionable and deceitful actions by s^andchildren of Nazi officials, especially who at the time believed that they were some individual banks in the handling Otiose who fled from East to West Ger- fully protecting their finances in a neut­ of accounts of victims, including with­ ^•^y in di\'ided families. Heaven knows ral country, are being published on the holding of information from Holocaust tiat traumas the children of Kosovo will Internet to enable heirs to claim their victims or their heirs about their facing in five years' time. rightful inheritances. It is probable that accounts". """^onN/ Pat Grosse compensation payments will be made at However, the report neither supported 'y'^dertransport" will play at the Tower Theatre, a sum ten times the nominal 1945 value the allegation that the Swiss banks °J>onbury Place, Islington, London Nl from 12- of the original holding or asset and sought to profit from the genocidal ^^^bruaryiOni 226 3633). drawn from the $1.2 billion award made activities of the Nazi regime, nor that by the Swiss banks in last year's settle­ they had set out systematically to de­ ^o^'respondence about Rebranding ment with the Worid Jewish Congress, stroy account records. "6 Journal will appear in next still to be apportioned among possible D Ronald Channing i!?pnth's issue. AJR INFORMATION JANL/ARV 2000

AjR INFORMATION ON TAPE latkes and doughnuts to finish. D WalterY/eg At the next meeting on January 6"", Keith Simons will reveal all on what it's really like going 'inside' K i as a prison visitor. Pinner Synagogue, 2pm ^^^^B^^^^^^R^I^^^K^^^V^^^^^^^M^^^^H Surrey ^^^^^mt:^' his month, the group decided to draw on the experiences of T members, who were invited to talk '.^^V fl^^^i about subjects of interest, autobio­ ^^^^^HukL 1^ graphical or otherwise. Eva Gold, Tony Freud and Robert Miller gave highly ^^Bfc^^BKfvi^^^ illuminating talks and their anecdotes and the discussions they engendered were declared a great success. D Ernest H. Simot^

Amanda Clark, right, with volunteers, Klaus \ i (iiul Hilde Davis, at a recording session Brighton and Hove he latest move towards the 21" within this short space of time and the t the last Sarid meeting, the century sees great changes at volunteers are very keen that this group was kept spellbound by T Audio and Braille Resources at process should continue to be used, A AJR member, Madelaine Joyce. Jewish Care. With the help of Jon Kaye, especially since feedback from listeners She was a Jewish farmer's daughter, who Head of Resources, and a technical has been very positive. managed to outwit the Nazis in 1940's engineer, it now only takes three hours If you know of any AJR member who France and was inducted into the to produce AfR Information on tape. might benefit from receiving AfR Resistance movement after fleeing to Paris. What caught our imagination were Rita Rosenbaum and the volunteer Information on tape - or if you have a her continuous efforts to avoid detection- readers, who have had the opportunity clear reading voice and would like to join The account, which ended with to record at this venue in Lordship Road our team of volunteers (German/English Madeleine's capture by French Security Nl6, have been very impressed by the speakers preferable) then please contact: Police - left everyone in anticipation of technology. The recordings are edited, Amanda Clark, Volunteer Services Coordi­ the sequel to this fascinating story. dubbed and copied at the studio all nator, on 0171 431 6161. n Frank Goldberg Doris Levinson, editor of the Sussex Jewish Nev/s, South London under way, the annual concerts were to will be speaking at the next meeting on Monday embers of South London AJR, the be continued and further outreach 17'^ January at 10.45. Contaa Fausta Shelton first of our very successful groups would be established where there on 01273 688 226 groups, were joined by Ronald was a sufficient demand. A lively discus­ M sion followed consideration for the Leeds Channing, Head of Media, Development ecil Bloom gave a genera' and Communal Relations, to celebrate the proposed Holocaust Remembrance Day introduction to composers who group's fifth birthday. in the UK. D Ruth Leggett wrote what is considered to be Invited to speak about the current work At SLAJR's next meeting Rabbi Neil Kraft will C Jewish music, illustrated his talk with of the organisation and to discuss how it talk about Jewish folklore, magic and super­ twelve excerpts from well-known con^' could continue to serve in the future, stition, Thursday H'^january at Prentis Road positions and discussed each in brief- I^ Ronald referred to the ever-increasing Synagogue, 2pm. included a song from Gershwin's Poi'g}' calls being made on the social services and Bess, Klezmer folk music played by department, the importance of the day Pinner Giora Feidman and Itzhak Perlman, and centre and meals-on-wheels, the value of t the December Chanukah meet­ Joseph Achron's Hebrew Melody. The tal^ volunteers and befrienders and the con­ ing Robert Lowe, with his fine, was followed by questions and discussion- tinuing role of AfR Information. Pointing rich baritone voice, sang for the A D Trudy Silmof out that while the future of the organisa­ members, accompanied at the piano by tion was in the hands of its membership, Robert Marks. The two performed a The Leeds AGM is being held on Sunday I ^ he hoped that the magazine could both wonderful selection from Gilbert and January Contaa Heinz Skyte on 0113 268 753'^ maintain its moral authority and encour­ Sullivan, Mozart, Flanders and Swan and age younger readers and contributors. a German drinking song. AJR member The next meeting of Wessex AjR will be Tuesdof Plans for the building of new sheltered Annette Saville entertained us also on 18"" jan 2.30-4.30. Contaa Mr or Mrs Robert accommodation and a day centre were piano. Maoz Tsur followed this with tea, Grant on 01202 765 040.

8 wmm AJR INFORMATION JANUARY 2000

FUN HAD BY ALL IN BOURNEMOUTH • • • Viewpcint • • • he recent AJR holiday in The Englishnnan abroad Bournemouth has been hailed as a lthough told from an early age package holidays to Spanish costas by T great success not least because of that An Englishman's home is cheap charter air travel to standard ho­ the entertainment arranged by Sylvia and his castle', even if that truism still tels in the '50s and '60s which brought Renee. The Bingo went down very well, A holds good, it has never prevented sun, sand, sea and companionship as did Judi Dench in the screening of the those with the necessary funds at their within reach of all classes of the popu­ Rlrn, Mrs Broivn. The group also toured disposal from lowering the drawbridge lation. So much more desirable for the surrounding Dorset area by coach at least once a year and sallying forth to both families and singles, they rapidly and took in Poole and its picturesque spend vacations in foreign climes. The dumped the traditional two-week fac­ harbour. This expedition was enhanced grand tour was on every aristocrat's and tory closure period spent in the seaside t>y the driver's droll commentary. Music aspiring gentleman's itinerary, while a rain waiting to get back into a regi­ Night was hilarious, the pianist and little plunder of the under-appreciated mented boarding house. ^'nger were excellent and the quiz night artefacts of former Mediterranean civili­ Though France and Spain remain Proved how clever the group members sations was accepted as de rigueur and Britons' most popular holiday destina­ ate. Margot Leighton U many are still to be viewed with due tions, today's choice is becoming ever reverence in the stately homes of more sophisticated for the 32 million England (now themselves open to the who go abroad annually. With a strong generality) as well as in the British pound, competitive airfares to all parts Museum. of the globe and a TV-cultivated sense It naturally follows that it was an Eng­ of adventure, two weeks in Central or lishman, Thomas Cook, who pioneered South America, South Africa or, would the organised holiday by revolutionising you believe, Yugoslavia (all figures are the ordering of travel arrangements and for 1994-98) are the destinations grow­ AJR LUNCHEON CLUB taking full advantage of the improve­ ing fa.stest in popularity, not to mention ments in transportation by rail and ship. Iceland, Belgium (the Eurostar effect), on Wednesday 19th January 2000 He introduced the middle classes to the Sweden, Japan, Australia, the Irish at l5CleveRoad.NW6 3RL improving delights of cultures ancient Republic and Iceland! With the stabi­ I 1.45 for 12.1 Spm and modern offering accompanied tours lisation of the number of those visiting sur le Continent at affordable prices. Britain, shall we be able to afford our Guest speaker: Jeffrey Segal World Wars' involuntary excursions ex­ jaunts in the future? 'What sort of job is that?' cepting, it was the breakthrough of n Ronald Channing Reservations £7.50 for everyone! from Sylvia, Renee and Susie Tel:OI7l 328 0208 PAUL BALINT AJR DAY CENTRE

15 Cleve Road.West Hampstead, NW6 Mon. & Weds. 9.30am-3.30pm.Tues. & Thurs. 9.30am-5.30pm. Suns. 2pm-6.30pm Afternoon entertainment programme - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2000 AJR'Drop in'Advice Centre Mon 17 KARD & GAMES KLUB Sun 2 CLOSED Tue 18 Caroline Medland, soprano, at the Mon 3 CLOSED accompanied by Julian Barber, Paul Balint AJR Day Centre Tue 4 Noemie de-Gilles, soprano, piano IS Cleve Road.London NW6 3RL accompanied by Warwick Wed 19 LUNCHEON CLUB Hewson, piano Thur 20 Angela Arratoon accompanied between I Oam and 12 noon on the Wed 5 Tricia Dibb, soprano, & Wayland by Anthea Weale, piano following dates: Holford, baritone, accompanied Sun 23 DAY CENTRE OPEN - NO by Michael Hecton, piano ENTERTAINMENT Thursday 6 January Thur 6 Jenny Kossew entertains on Mon 24 KARD & GAMES KLUB Tuesday II January accordion Tue 25 Jack & Daphne Thursday 20 January Sun 9 DAY CENTRE OPEN - NO Wed 26 Tlie Music Makers Wednesday 26 January ENTERTAINMENT Thur 27 Christine Fisher, soprano, Tuesday 1 February Mon 10 KARD & GAMES KLUB accompanied by Geoffrey and every Thursday from Tue 11 Robin Brightman, violin, Mary Whitworth, piano I Oam to 12 noon ac Bergin, cello accompanied by Sun 30 DAY CENTRE OPEN - NO Lewis Lev, piano ENTERTAINMENT **JR, I Hampstead Gate, la Frognal, Wed 12 Ronnie Goldberg on guitar Mon 31 KARD & GAMES KLUB London NW3 6AL Thur 13 Alison Wheeler, soprano, Tue 1 Rachel Taite, soprano, & John accompanied by Angus Taylor, baritone, accompanied ''O oppointment is necessary, but please bring Cunningham, piano by Charlotte Ellis along all relevant documents, such as Benefit Sun 16 DAY CENTRE OPEN - NO Wed 2 The Sing-a-Longers Books, letters, bills, etc. ENTERTAINMENT Thur 3 The- Gc(iffrc\ \\1iit\Mirlli duo AJR INFORMATION JANUARY 2000

FAMILY TORRINGTON HOMES FORTHCOMING EVENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS O^^^ Mrs Pringsheim, S.R.N. DECEMBER 1999 s^'- MATRON Birthdays Sen/or Learn For Elderly, Retired and Convalescent Mon 10 Dr Charmain Brinson: Rothenberg. The AJR would (Licensed by Borough ot Barnet) 1)1 thepolilical no-man's Join the computer generation! • Single and Double Rooms. like to extend their best wishes land of the homeless, Training on your own computer • H/C Basins and CH in all rooms. stateless, denomination- to Helmut Rothenberg on the Easy-to-follow lessons • Gardens, TV and reading rooms. less", penniless', Otto occasion of his 85"' birthday. Stress-free learning • Nurse on duty 24 hours. Lehmann-Ru.ssbueldt in *Explore the Internet • Long and short term, including British Exile (early Schuster. Margarete (Grete) *E-mail trial period if required. member of Club '43) Schuster. Congratulations and *Word processing From £300 per week Club -43, 7.30pm all good wishes on your 90'*' Telephone Sheryl 0181-445 1171 Office hours Tue 11 Three Faiths Forum birthday from your friends at On 01895 822 502 0181-455 1335 other times Programme: Sarajevo- Training for the NORTH FINCHLEY the AJR. Jeru.salem and Edith Northwood and Harrow area Stein: Yehezkiel Landau. Sternberg Centre, Spm, Deaths BELSIZE SQUARE 42.50/3.50. Doctor. Dora Doctor died SWITCH ON ELECTRICS Fri 14 Aime Frank - Reflections APARTMENTS on the Holocaust: peacefully and with dignity on Rewires and all household 5 December at the Middlesex 24 BELSIZE SQUARE, NWS exhibition of oil on electrical work. canvas by Michael Hospital, after a long and Tel: 0171-794 4307 or PHONE PAUL: 0181-200 3518 Manas Beeby, until 28"' courageous battle against heart 0171-435 2557 Jan. Sternberg Centre disease. She will be sadly Mon 17 Martin Birken: Fanny MODERN SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY Holtzmann and the UN missed, for her friendship, her ALTERATIONS ROOMS, RESIDENT HOUSEKEEPER kindness and her unstinting MODERATETERMS vote on Lsrael, 1947. OF ANY KIND TO NEAR SWISS COTTAGE STATION Club '43, 7.30pm help to those in need, by her LADIES' FASHIONS Tue 18 John Wells-Thorpe, family and her many friends. I also design and make Symbolism and Syntax: May God Bless her. Berlin's Jewish Museum. children's clothes Residential Home West Hampstead area University of Sussex, The funeral was at Golders Clara Nehab House 5.15pm Green Crematorium on Thurs­ 0171-328 6571 (L«o Baeck Housing Associaton Ltd.) 13-19 Lseside Crescent NWII Sun 23 The Jewish Dickens: day 9 December. Donations to Dr Nadia Valman: Anglo- UCLH Intensive Care Fund c/o All rooms with Shov/er W.C. and Jewish Literature in late H/C Basins en-suite The Middlesex Hospital, Morti­ Victorian England. Optician Spacious Garden - Lounge & 2.30pm, The Jewi.sh mer Street, London WIN 8AA. Dr Howard Solomons BSc FBCO Dining Room - Lift Museum, Camden Town, Near Shops and PublicTransport £3/4 CLASSIFIED Dental Surgeon 24 Hour Care - Physiotherapy Mon 24 Laurie Milner, Imperial Long & short Term - Respite Care - Ursula and Hugo Hutton are War Museum historian: Dr H Alan Shields Trial Periods Operation Market thanking Mrs Reichenstein and & Enquiries: Josephine Woolf Garden: The Battle for her devoted ladies for the most Otto Scliiff Housing Association Arnhem,1944. Club 43. excellent Chanukah party and Chiropodist The Bishops Avenue N2 OBG Phone:0181-209 0022 7.30pm all the good work at the Trevor Goldman SRC Tue 25 Deniz Gokturk, Daleham Centre. Strangers in Disguise. by appointment at Performing Ethnicity in The Paul Balint AjR Day Centre Transnational Comedy. Miscellaneous Services OSMOND HOUSE 15 Cleve Road.West Hompstead, NW6 Volunteers are needed to man the Univerity of Sussex, Manicure & Pedicure in the 5.15pm Please make appointments with reception desk in our newly refurbished comfort of your own home. Sun 30 Launch of 'A Voice fof Sylvia Matus. Tel: 0171 328 0208 Home in The Bishop's Avenue. the Child' by Janusz Telephone 0181 343 0976. If you have a morning or afternoon free Korczak. Sternberg to work in lovely surroundings please Centre, 7.30pm. contactjudy Marks on 0181 731 7360 Societies ADVERTISEMENT RATES Admission free. Association of Jewish Ex- who will be pleased to give you more Mon 31 AJR's Ronald Channing FAMILY EVENTS information and have an informal chat. Berliners and Ex Breslauers. discusses AJR in the neW First 15 words free of charge, century. Club '43, Please contact Peter Sinclair £2.00 per 5 words thereafter. 7.30pm 0181 882 1638 for information CLASSIFIED, SEARCH AJR GROUP CONTACTS Tue 1 Feb Ernst M. Stein. The NOTICES - £2.00 per five words. Development of Leeds HSFA: Heinz Skyte Jewish Communities in AJR MEALS ON WHEELS BOX NUMBERS - £3 00 extra. 0113 268 5739 Germany, 1945-2000. DISPLAY ADVERTS West Midlands: Edgar Glaser Sussex Univerisiry, Variety of high quality kosher frozen per single column inch (Birmingham) 0121 777 6537 5.15pm food is available, ready made and 65 mm (3 column page) £12.00 North: Werner Lachs Current: delivered to your door via the AJR 48mm (4 column page) £10.00 (Manchester) 0161 773 4091 Until The Jewish Dickens: Meals on Wheels service. COPYDATE 5 weeks prior to East Midlands Bob Norton March exhibition at the Jewish (Nottingham) 01159 212 494 Service available to members in publication 2000: Museum, Camden £3/4 North and North West London. Pinner: Vera Gellman (HA Postal District) 0181 866 4833 ORGANISATION CONTACTS 3-course meals cost £4.50 each S. London: Ken Ambrose Club '43, Belsize Square plus £1 per delivery. WHY NOT 0181 852 0262 Synagogue.Hans Selig. Tel: 01442 ADVERTISE IN 254 360 Phone Susie Kaufman Surrey: Ernest Simon on 0171-328 0208 AJR INFORMATION? 01737 643 900 The Jewish Museum, Camden for details and assessment interview. Brighton & Hove Fausta Shelton Town, 129-131 Albert Street, NWl Please telephone (Sussex Region) 01273 688 226 7BN. Tel: 020 7284 1997 or 80 Meals can also be collected from 15 the Advertisement Dept Wessex: Ralph Dale East End Road, Finchley N3 2SY. Cleve Road. Mondays-Thursdays. 0171-431 6161 (Bournemouth) 01202 762 270 Tel: 0181 349 1143/381 4721

10 AJR INFORMATION J/ANUARy 2000

catalogue does she quite connect with the grave and emotive issues that en­ raptured Kollwitz, resulting in her persecution by the Nazis. There is deli­ cacy and translucency in Walter Nessler's watercolours, great serenity deriving from his geometric approach. There are also hat is - or isn't - art? The shades of Gauguin in Hans Feibush's annual controversy over the wonderful colours, particularly the W Turner Prize is well behind us, gouache. Cottage Garden, painted in ^ut its impact on contemporary 1955. He adopts a completely different perceptions will intensify in the new style in his Rite of Spring lithographs, 'Millennium. After London's fin de siecle with their dancing woodland nymphs. Nourish of classical exhibitions, it was left Martin Bloch's Wintry Park and his pastel 'o the adventurous Tate Gallery, where and ink Vase of Flowers, are stark and ^he Turner contenders were exhibited, to stunning. 'legotiate the minefield of art without n Gloria Tessler boundaries. Safe it isn't. The principals of classical ^•"t - interpreted as form, perspective, SB's Column 'Colour, expression, elegance, mysticism ^•id completeness - are challenged by rofessional turned amateur. In 1934, ^he dynamic vision of conceptual artists barred from the German stage as a Apposed to the arch mannerism of much PJew, actor Leo Reuss emigrated to °f their heritage. These artists open their llciiis Fcihii^b c'.xhihik'i/ at Ihv Dciilniiii (,cillery. West Austria. Here, disguising himself as a Portfolio of personal chaos to the world, Hampstead bearded Tyrolean peasant, he was taken ^^ Francis Bacon did, permitting us a on by the Josefstadt Theatre and became "^^vastating view of private emotion. photographic view from a washing a minor sensation. Then his cover was Tracey Emin's work goes beyond Ba­ machine particularly grabbed me. blown and after the Anschluss he fled to ton's allusiveness to reveal an ocean of • The Ben Url's exhibition and sale of the States where, comparatively young, childish defiance, blatant courage, tragic the work of Jewish stage and film design­ he died in 1946. Now Felix Mitterer, the ^RUalor and a touching, naked intent. Al- ers, selected by Charles Spencer, Daily Austrian playwright, has dramatised the ^ough her notorious bed failed to win Telegraph art critic, was a comprehensive Reuss saga for performance at Vienna's ^^ Turner Prize, her role as the enfant and fascinating display of designs ranging "Volkstheatre before audiences who had ^rrible of the art world is confirmed by from costumes for Don Quixote, by never heard of the affair. ^r very spirit - as an ingenue in the Luzzati Emanuel for the London Festival German TV visited an old lady. Re­ ^^rnal process of art. Many would agree of Ballet, to a Mark Negin gouache of searching facts about pre-war stars, the ^^t this is the purest way to be an artist: Grandma Zeital for Miriam Karlin in the elderly son of Liane Haid brought the ~~ ^s an ingenue. The purulence of Emin's Scottish Opera's production of Fiddler on film diva of the 1930s to the small screen. ^d, her wall scribblings, the troubled the Roof, The world of costume design Now, aged 104 and wheelchair-bound, "lonodrama of her life, reveal a despair has an inevitable fairy-tale appeal as you she appeared lively and full of memories ornmon to her na'ive watercolour mini- can imagine the deceptively simple lines of the past. Elderly movie buffs may re­ ^res, (which passed largely unnoticed conveying full richness of the costume member Liane Haid as a beautiful actress y the critics) with some of the worldlier on stage. You could easily lose yourself in such films as, Opernredoute and Mad­ ^ork on display at the Mall Galleries' wandering past the exhibits which ame sucht Anschluss, opposite such ^cernlng Eye exhibition, Emin's work included a limited edition of Chagall's leading men as Hermann Thimig and had a raw and memorable freshness, lithograph of David playing the Harp, Gustav Froehlich. Turne r prizewinner. Steve MacQueen's from the Bible Series, Negin's Aysbet Linz. Austria's third largest city tries to lister Keaton style trompe I'oeil film of a Chayil impressive watercolour and Leon compete with other 'cities of culture' by ^'"1 falling yet not landing on him clev- Bakst's hand coloured plates of designs staging long-neglected authors' works l^'y blends the robust muscularity of for the Ballets Russes. The Rhodesian- such as Zuchmmyer's Frohlicher Wein­ ^ssical art with contemporary issues of born artist Yolanda Sonnabend's signed berg and Kastner's Puttktchen und Anton. P^ce both mental and physical. gouaches of three costumes for Schnitz­ It is also serving up musical threats like 'he Wilson twins, Jane and Louise, ler's Intermezzo, at the Greenwich Theatre Anatevka (Fiddler on the Roof and Paul lll^^sented a minutely observed video of were impressive. Abraham's almost forgotten operetta, ^ Hoover Dam and Las "Vegas gambling The work of eight artists at the John Blume von Haivai. oms with an eerie precision. It was a Denham Gallery in 'West Hampstead, Weill and Lenya. The lives of com­ '"iant son et lumiere show, a virtual continues through this month. Else poser Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya, who ^'ity of sound and presence, less Meidner's often powerful charcoal draw­ were married, divorced and re-married *^ritimental than Emin's work, less chal- ings betray the influence of her main will be restaged at London's New Thea­ '^ging than McQueen's. I can't say that mentor, Kathe Kollwitz, although neither tre in Hampstead until 30''' January ^^n Pippin's complicated looking in the work on show nor her extensive 2000 D

II AJR INFORMATION jANUARy 2000

HOUSE DOCTOR HOMECARE SERVICE The AJR is pleased to offer members the benefit of a Breast awareness Homecare Service scheme I have seen a lady in my surgery with a much less aggressive than that under­ The service is intended to help members breast lump which had been present for taken some ten years ago. Complete remain in their own homes many years. Sadly, at the stage at which removal of the breast is now relatively she came to see me, it was much more uncommon and the use of chemo­ Financial assistance is available where needed. difficult to help her than it might have therapy and radiotherapy is much more been had she come when the lump first frequent. Once again these treatments For further Information please apply to the occurred. have been improved so that the severe Social Services team on Breast lumps in women of any age side effects seen in previous years, such 0171 431 6161 or write to AJR Social Services, I Hampstead Gate, occur not infrequently and they are cer­ as severe nausea, weakness and hair I a Frognal, London NW3 6AL tainly not always a sign of cancer. As loss, are less common. people get older the incidence of can­ Access to specialist doctors trained to cer in breast lumps does increase, but deal with cancers has improved and even then the diagnosis of cancer is not waiting times, even on the National /f ^ the only one. Furthermore, after about Health Service, are now much shorter Companions the age of 70 years even when breast than they were before. Many factors lumps are being diagnosed as cancer­ have led to significant improvements in of London Incorporating ous, non-surgical treatment by tablets life expectancy for patients with breast Hampstead Home Care alone frequently has good results with cancer. Advances in treatment may dis­ :^ patients living their normal life expect­ courage women from hiding their lumps A long established company ancy. to a point at which treatment is much providing care in your home When cancer is diagnosed, even in more difficult * Assistance with personal care younger patients, modern treatment is D Dr Max Bayer * General household duties * Respite care Regretfully, personal correspondence cannot be entered into * Medical appointment service 'OUR CARE IS YOUR CARE' 0171 483 0212/0213 SEARCH NOTICES Mr Rymanowski, possible London resi­ Dr Herbert Lawton (Leubuscher until dent and sole heir of property must be 1947) worked in Berlin 1937-39 before found quickly. Buyer Interested in Cracow coming to England via the Pioneer Corps. SPRING property left by sister, Maria Ryman- Also member of the student fraternity, owska. Contact:Teresa Kielar @ Realnosc, K.C. Information sought by daughter, Irene GROVE Radcaprawny, Kr. 675; fax 0048-12-632-37- Peters: I 19, Friern Barnet Lane, London, 214 Finchley Road 96 or email: [email protected] N20 0XZ.Tel:OI8l 445 8365 London NW3 London's Most Luxurious Margot Steinweg left Muenster for Eng­ Wilhelm Levinger, born Munich in 1877, RETIREMENT HOME land, just before the outbreak of war and practised as a lawyer until his immigration moved to Holland. In 1942, she was de­ •k Entertainment-Activities to England, October 1937. Died in New * Stress Free Living ported from Westerbork to Auschwitz York, 1958. Information sought by his­ where she died. Why did she leave * 24 Hour Staffing * Excellent Cuisine torian, Dr Dirk Walter, Ulmenstr.24, * Full En-Suite Facilities England? Information sought by researcher 82256 Fijrstenfeldbruck, Germany. Email: Call for more information - also Interested in Dr Walter Ostwald , dwdirk(5)hotmail.de lawyer and his wife, also from Muenster. or a personal tour Contact E.A. Kaufman, I Kenington Place, Do you have personal experience of the 0181-446 2117 Middlesex, HA3 ODW. Tel:0!81 907 0505 work of British Consular officials? Were or 0171-794 4455 Martin Striem, born 1906, emigrated to you a refugee between 1933 and 1940? To England 13/6/39, lived in Kopenickerstr. 71, what extent did the officials facilitate the Berlin and Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg - safe departure of Jewish refugees, especially when immigration became in­ Simon P. Rhodes M.Ch.S. Danziger Str. 40 post-1934. Relatives/de­ STATE REGISTERED CHIROPODIST scendants contact: Jennifer Langer (nee creasingly difficult? Contact: student researcher Andrew Roberts, 164 Pentre Surgeries at: Striem), 31 Hallswelle Rd, London, NWl I 67 Kilburn High Road, NW6 (opp M&S) Jane Morgan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, ODH.Tel:OI8l 458 1910. Telephone 0171-624 1576 SY23 3DY.Tel: 01970 617 133 3 Queens Close (off Green Lane) Selma Schiratzki and Paula FiJrst, Edgware, Middx HAB 7PU both heads of Jewish schools in the 1930s. Helga nee Achtentuch, believed to be Telephone 0181-905 3264 Biographer seeks information. Contact AJR living in Stanmore, please contact Peter Visiting chiropody service available Box Number 1255 Berger on 0171 723 5434 0

12 AJR INFORMATION JANUARy 2000

Loot nearby tables. Oddly enough, this aspi­ Glimpses of Austria The Nazis stole them; now sixty years ration is extended to perfect strangers, later, the Austrian Government has finally to people they never spoke to, never decided to return the Rothschild art treas­ met and will never see again, or wish to Vox Populi ures to its rightful owners. Together with do so. he other night, the Austrian plunder from all over Europe, they sur­ The village issues a quarterly journal, equivalent of the BBC, presented a vived the war in various Austrian salt which reviews past events and previews T look at Viennese using public mines. After the war, they enriched Vien­ future ones. The mayor's report occu­ transport. All interviewees were dis­ nese museums where the descendants of pies a full page. Additional space is satisfied with the service. No one had a the looters have enjoyed them. devoted to road improvements, noise good word for an urban transportation The official reason, or rather the pre­ control, the request for donations to system which is the envy of many other text used for hanging on to the pillage meet the additional expenses caused by cities. was the Export Prohibition law dating the unusually high snowfall of the previ­ Many of the old were frail, most of the back to the First Republic. It was de­ ous winter, the blueprint for the new young boorish. All seemed poor. The signed, as it is in most countries, to home of the voluntary fire brigade, the elderly women were dressed in much prevent the loss of a nation's heritage to cultural events calendar, the latest from ^orn but painstakingly maintained out­ foreign buyers. local clubs, birthdays, births, weddings fits, their rounded beige hats almost Soon after 1945, some of the stolen and deaths, news about local celebrities, identical. They were either on their way riches were gradually returned to bona- sport results, etc. etc. to a medical appointment or returning fide resident claimants. But survivors and The shortest item, all of two lines, from one. successors of Holocaust victims who de­ stashed away at the bottom of an inside A retired civil service type, immacu- clined to return to the land which page, concerns a local woman who was '^tely dressed in a dark suit shiny from persecuted them - the Austrian branch of awarded the title of 'Righteous Gentile' ^ear was furious at the driver of the bus the Rothschild family among them - did by Israel's Yad Vashem. f'e just missed. According to him, the not qualify. door of the bus closed as he was about For years negotiations, i.e. bargaining, * * * ^o board. Merely "to spite me" he went on. Yes, the Rothschilds could have shouted. Enraged, he announced for some of their possessions back, subject Having noticed the absence of the everyone to hear, that he would take his to the minor proviso that certain specific restaurant owner the previous Friday, I protest to the highest authority, if neces- items would have to be donated to the enquired about the reason for his ab­ ^3ry to the burgomaster himself. museum in which they were exhibited. sence. Trying not to act like a snooping Only latterly, when Austria joined the A coarse youth in a sweaty T-shirt and customer, I concealed my inquisitive- European Union and perhaps because of hlue jeans, generously peppering his ness by stressing that his wife did a increased sensitivity to adverse interna­ discourse with four letter words, good job standing in for him. A well tional publicity, an embarrassed coalition ^''agged about his talent for avoiding groomed man, forever dressed in shiny administration dug up another long ne­ Paying fares. A drunk who, abetted by Lederhosen, he stooped down, his glected law, concerning Raubkunst (art ^^ equally soused pal, chanted popular mouth close to my ear and in a con­ robbery). This provided an escape route Viennese melodies with outstretched spiratorial tone of voice informed me for the belated release of all the hands, much to the embarrassment of that, being a Jehovah's Witness, he Rothschild treasures stolen by the Third ^t^e nearby upright citizenry. Another in­ joins them every Friday evening for Reich of which Austria was then a com­ terviewee used his moment of their weekly service in a nearby village. pliant part. *Jnexpected media exposure to voice his Stooping down even more, still closer dislike of Tschuschen", the collective According to an editorial in Die Presse, to my ear and lowering his voice, he ^oun for Slavic and Turkish immigrants. Austria's leading centre-right daily, the re­ whispered: "Sabbath, just like in your A prim looking woman well past her turn of the Rothschild treasures was a religion, is holy to us". Prime pontificated how she managed to "praiseworthy act of generosity". The D jussy &ra'\nin ^void sitting next to nasty-smelling guest writer expresses surprise as well as Workers. disappointment at the failure of the worid An elderly gent, dating back to a at large to appreciate this act of munifi­ feneration who should know better, cence. Instead, he argues that the victors ^tressed, apropos of nothing, that the of the last war should learn a moral les­ JACKMAN• Proper name of Austria should be son from Austria and return the ill-gotten eutsch-Osterreich. However, speaking gains which (according to him) they still £ SILVERMAN hold, while Austria "gives away untold '^ thick Viennese dialect (as did most of COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS "^e others), incomprehensible to out- riches". In subsequent weeks not a single 'ders, he unwittingly undermined his reader wrote to Die Presse to query those ^n argument. For one who vaguely little words "give away", or to ask; whose ''emembers the Vienna of old, it riches? ^onfirms that little has changed. What ^^ changed, however, is that the mo- ViUage idyU 26 Conduit Street, London WIR 9TA "-•^e side of inhabitants is no longer when leaving the restaurant, all diners Telephone: 0171 409 0771 Fax: 0171 493 8017 Concealed. say aloud "auf Wiedersehen" to those at

13 AJR INFORMATION JANUARY 2000

However, during the Babylonian exile the which clays were divided into 10 hours Science Notebook Jews adopted Babylonian names for their each consisting of 100 minutes, with months and decided to start the year in­ every minute containing 100 seconds. stead with 1 Tishri, the day of Rosh The year itself was made up of 12 uni­ Post-millennium Hashanah. We can also go back to the Bi­ form months of 30 days split into 3 ble, to the account of the Creation, for weeks each 10 days long. The remaining musings the next subdivision of time - the week. 5 days a year (6 in a leap year) were ell, the excitement is now over! A similar concept of a week of 7 days in­ added at the end and devoted to festi­ We will just have to remember cluding a day of recreation formed part vals. Although this republican calendar Wto write 2000 instead of 1999 of the ancient Sumerian and Babylonian had much merit, it only lasted for l4 on cheques, but the year has started with cultures and it was adopted throughout years because in 1806 Napoleon rein­ January as usual and will end with the Roman empire by the first century stated the Gregorian calendar. In contrast, December as the 12"' month. But hold BCE. The Babylonians named the days of the ten-based metric system for weights on, isn't the word December based on the week after the sun, moon and 5 other and measures, developed in France dur­ the Latin for 10? And November for 9? planetary bodies. In English and in Ger­ ing the same period, is now accepted October for 8? September for 7? Surely all man, Sunday retains this linguistic origin everywhere (except in U.S.A.). of these numbers are two short of their though elsewhere, through the introduc­ In this century timekeeping has been calendar positions. The reason for this tion of Christianity into Rome and its turned on its head by major technological goes back to 752 BCE and the founding fusion with sun-worhsip, the name of this developments. No longer is the primary of Rome. Its first ruler, Romulus, was day is derived from dies dominicus (the time unit the stately solar year but the such a great advcKate of the number 10 Lord's day). Monday, curiously, has kept lowly second as expressed in terms of that he inaugurated a ten-month its moon origin throughout western Eu­ the unvarying properties of atoms. This is calendar. It started with March (after the rope. The next 4 days are named after because we can now measure with ex­ god Mars), then three months Roman gods/planets (Mars, Mercury, Ju­ treme precision the oscillation frequency representing minor deities and ended piter, Venus) in Latin-based tongues and between specified energy levels in a with months named numerically. But this after gods of Anglo-Saxon or Teutonic given atom, analogous to tuning a radio ten-month year (of 304 days) was totally mythology (Tiw, Wioden or Odin, Thor to a particular frequency. As a result, in unsuited to the agricultural community or Donar, Frija) in English, German and 1967 the second was redefined as the du­ and the next ruler, Numa Pompilius, Scandinavian languages. In English Satur­ ration of 9, 192, 631, 770 vibrations of promptly added two more months, day is also called after a planet/god atoms of caesium, a silvery metal. This Januarius (Janus was the Roman god of whereas in several European languages forms the basis of the so-called atomic gates and beginnings) and Februarius. its name (e.g., Sabato, Samedi, Samstag) clock, which is exact enough for scien­ The names of the other months were is derived via the Greek from the Hebrew tists to prove that the earth's rotation is simply left as they were and have Shabbat. gradually slowing down, by just 0.016 remained misnomers from September While the week has no astronomical seconds in 1000 years. Though this effect onwards. basis, day and night certainly have. Most (caused by tidal friction) appears trivial it Talking of February, why is it that in a early western and middle eastern civiliza­ does mount up: fossil evidence has con­ normal year it only has 28 days? The tions divided each period of daylight into firmed that 600 million years ago the original Julian calendar in 45 BCE had 12 hours which made a daylight hour Earth day was only 21 hours long. months alternating between 30 and 31 much longer in summer than in winter. More about the remarkable story o" days, with February alone having 29 days The reverse was true for an hour of dark­ time and the way we measure it can in a normal year and 30 in a leap year. ness since the night was similarly divided now be seen in a new exhibition at the February's present plight actually goes into 12 parts. (The choice of twelve has Queen's House, Greenwich. It runs until back much further, to Romulus's ten- been ascribed to the Egyptians as well September 2000. month year in which the 5'*' and 6"' as to the Babylonians: the latter were U Prof M'tchael Spiro months had been called Quintilis and keen astrologers and may have been Sextilis. Centuries later the Roman senate influenced by the 12 signs of the zodiac.) renamed the former Julius (July) in hon­ Not until the advent of mechanical our of Julius Caesar and subsequently clocks in the 14'*' century CE could day Annely Juda Fine Art Sextilis became Augustus (August) to and night be divided into 24 hours of 23 Dering Street (off New Bond Street) Tel: 0171-629 7578 Fax:0171-491 2139 honour the new emperor. But Augustus uniform length throughout the year, a resented his own month having only 30 great advance in timekeeping. The ancient CONTEMPORARY PAINTING days compared with Julius's 31 days, so a Babylonians, with their preference for AND SCULPTURE day was stolen from poor old February. the number 60, are also believed The lengths of the following months then responsible for our division of each had to be rearranged as well to avoid hour into 60 minutes and each minute having three months of 31 days in a row. into 60 seconds. BELSIZE SQUARE SYNAGOGUE What price political interference! During the French Revolution a brave 51 Belsize Square, London N.W.3 In early biblical times the Jews also attempt was made to sweep away the Our communal hall is available for named months numerically, the first various arbitrary historical traditions in cultural and social functions. month being the one containing Pesach reckoning time. In 1792 a new ten-based Tel: 0171-794 3949 as commanded in Exodus, chapter 12. Calendar of Reform was introduced in

14 AJR INFORMATION JANUARY 2000

man tax system throughout Germany. Loot - the bond between leader and led In 1948 a law was passed by the then German Government that the funds from ast year I visited the Diisseldorf phanages and synagogues were sold at Aktion 3 were not to be divulged or pub­ exliibition Betrifft: Aktion 3 Deutsche cut prices to other municipal organisa­ lished for 30 years. This period was L vertverten judische Nachbarn. It tions. Thus the furniture of the Jewish extended in 1978 for a further 30 years. consisted essentially of photocopies of Orphanage in Cologne ended up for a Unfortunately, it will be 2008 before this original documents going back to 1938. fraction of its worth in a municipal one. is likely to become known - assuming The starting point was the property lists Party officials became beneficiaries of ex­ anyone is then interested. Jewish subjects had compiled listing in pensive paintings and objets d'art at a The literature provided illustrates the every detail their goods and chattels, fraction of their real value. way the German authorities acted to­

Great Hall of the University of Vienna. At voiced satisfaction at the University's at­ A healing process the same time four of the surviving doc­ tempts to overcome this shameful of sorts tors who had been given the shabby episode in its history and expressed ap­ diplomas were handed unblemished preciation of the welcome received. mmediately after the Anschluss in ones. The ages of the recipients ranged The ceremony which was conducted March 1938 all Jev^ish medical students from 85 to 88. with all the dignity appropriate to such I in Austria were barred from university Before presenting the doctors with their an occasion left a deep impression on Premises. Thus none of the final year diplomas the Dean of the medical faculty everyone present. D Dr 0 Fleming students were admitted to their final gave a brief account of each of their life ^laminations and were in due course histories. They had all overcome tremen­ ^'"eed to leave the country without dous difficulties, one even surviving Dispute over Hitler's bunker Auschwitz! He reminded the audience ^tialification. A group of historians is lobbying the that, after the Anschluss, 67% of the A handful of students from the previ- German Government to preserve Hitler's medical faculty had been dismissed, most '-'s year were eventually permitted to bunker, which was recently uncovered, of them because of their Jewish descent. Complete their interrupted Finals, pro- so that it can pass to an independent 'ded they could do so within six weeks, In his speech the Rector apologized on international authority to serve as a war hey were then handed their doctor di- behalf of the University for the injustice memorial. Jewish organisations and the P omas in a humiliating fashion; the done to these former students. He said German Government fear far-right how glad he was that this ceremony 'Ploma carried an endorsement prohibit- movements would embrace the dictator's could take place today "since this may be 8 them from practising in German headquarters as a shrine. territories. a unique window of opportunity and In October 1999 two ex-students barred who could tell when one would be open Hip fracture prevention °ni taking their finals in Vienna but again". All those present took this to Plastic shields built into the sides of ^o had subsequently qualified abroad, allude to the results of the Austrian elec­ shock absorbing underwear are being t^amely Dr Zvi Shamir (Hermann Finkel- tions which had taken place on the developed to reduce the 60,000 hip ^'n), a retired paediatrician from previous day. fractures which affect pensioners each •"^••usalem and Dr Otto Fleming (Fleisch- In his response, Dr Fleming reflected year. The muscle rather than the hipbone '•^' a retired general practitioner from on how the summarily expelled students would absorb the impact of a fall. The prkshire, were awarded their doctor di- had felt at being suddenly ostracized and National Lottery is funding the Safehip Plomaa s in an Ehretipromotion in the deprived of their future prospects. He trials.

15 AJR INFORMATION JANUARY 2000

decision as demonstrating Jewish anti- NEWSROUND Clash of three faiths Christian feeling. The local Muslims were erhaps the greatest paradox in pleased, but others, such as the Palestin­ Pork Wars history is that the three peoples of ian Authority and Saudi Arabia sought to Fuelled by recent reports that 53% of the Book, Jews, Christians and buy off the local Muslims to demonstrate Israeli-Russian immigrants are not halachi­ P Muslims, have done more damage to the misjudgement of the State of Israel. cally Jewish, the Orthodox community in each other than was done to any one of In the pre-modern era when religious Israel has begun a campaign to ban the the three by non-Jews, non-Christians grievances were often causes of war, the sale of pork in several towns. Israeli- and non-Muslims. All claim to be Nazareth incident might have sparked off Russian community leaders believe the descendants of Abraham who have a war. Today it is nothing more than a feud will make it difficult to teach the inherited the Promise: 'In you will all the storm in a teacup. Modern man, rather immigrants to adopt Israeli identities and families of the earth be blessed'. like Abraham, has parted from the clutch Jewish values. Brothers in Abraham though they may of the old gods - in his case extreme po­ be, Jews, Christians and Muslims become sitions of his inherited religion - and is Papon stripped of honour less brotherly the more they emphasize, looking for a new way ahead based on a Maurice Papon, the former Vichy official their distinctive identities. The orthodox respect for basic human rights. who was given a 10-year sentence in Jew is so absorbed in maintaining the The Christians of Nazareth may feel ag­ 1998 for Nazi war crimes against Jews, fences of his cloistered world that he grieved but the Church of the has been stripped of the Legion hardly has a thought about Christians and Annunciation is not the centre of their d'Honneur. The 89-year-old has been Muslims. The religious Christian is so ab­ lives. The Muslims of Nazareth may feel forbidden to wear the medal, which he sorbed by the figure of Jesus Christ the pleased but the mosque, although an im­ was awarded in 1962. Saviour that he can only think of Jews portant part of their lives, is not the and Muslims as not having seen the light. centre. For the State of Israel, the irrita­ Legal fees for Holocaust survivors The orthodox Muslim will pay Up service tion of the Vatican is not the biggest of its Holocaust victims have accused American to the concept of the peoples of the headaches. lawyers, who are charging $13.5 million Book but is more likely to remember the The Church of the Annunciation will for negotiating a settlement of $1.25 clashes with Christians and Jews. remain in Nazareth, although it is by no billion with Swiss banks, of cashing in on The synagogue, church and mosque means certain that there was a Nazareth their grief. One lawyer asked for $2,369 are the outer symbols of the differences in Jesus' day. Jesus was certainly a for the 8.6 hours spent reading Tom between Jews, Christians and Muslims Nazarene but that had nothing to do with Bower's Nazi Gold. World Jewish Con­ and although over 70% of the prayers a geographical location. The new gress lawyers worked on the case free of contain similar sentiments and aspira­ mosque will emerge in honour of the charge. tions, few Jews feel at home in a church Saladin family although the Crusaders, his or mosque, few Christians feel at home in enemies, have long left the Holy Land. Nazis exposed a synagogue or mosque and few Muslims The Pope, who wanted to follow the Sweden s four main newspapers pub­ , feel at home in a synagogue or church. footsteps of Abraham on a millennial tour lished a joint story naming 62 members Yet all three share similar beliefs in the of the Middle East, remains free to ex­ of Nazi groups, who, the newspapers said, were threatening journalists, One God, in the morality of the Ten ecute his wish if he can overcome the politicians and law enforcement officials. Commandments and in Abraham as excessive diplomatic sensitivities of the Photographs of those named were also founding father. Vatican bureaucracy. The modern people published in a bid to curtail their illegal It is surely vital to understand this of Nazareth will welcome him. activities. longstanding paradox if we wish to un­ n Jonathan Solomon derstand the feelings roused by the Compensation for Mussolini's Jews recent events in Nazareth when local Financial assets seized from Jews under Muslims wished to build a mosque close 50 YEARS AGO Mussolini's racial laws will be repaid by to the Church of the Annunciation. The twenty-four of Italy's largest banks in a Christians and Muslims of Nazareth could ACCLAIM FOR KORTNER'S i328 million settlement. Over 7,000 not agree and referred the matter to the FILM PREVIEW State of Israel. Applying modern, non-re­ claims were made to a parliamentary Crowds of spectators and members of the press commission that is now investigating ligious democratic criteria, the State waited in front of Franl

Published by the Association of Jewish Refugees in Great BriQin, I Hampstead Gate. IA Frognal. London NW3 6AL Tel: 0171-431 6161 Fax; 0171-431 8454 Printed in Great Britain by Freedman Brothers (Printers) Ltd. London NW I I 7QB. Tel; 0181 -458 3220 Fax; 0181 -455 6860