VOLUME 2 No. 3 MARCH 2002 journal ^ Association of Jewish Refugees A sense of deja vu

Jt seems only a little while ago that we Pinter-Self trinity demonises America as But the supreme dejd vu is the way in celebrated the onset of a new century (and the global terrorist after the US has which Islam, which has existed for about ''^llennium) and already the sensation of interdicted the terrorist machinations of 1,300 years, replicates thirteenth-century ^^a vu is overwhelming. On recent Gaddafi, Saddam Hussain, Milosevic and Christianity's virulent animosity towards "londays and Tuesdays the deserted bin Laden. - the progenitor of both faiths. station concourse at Waterloo has evoked The perverted logic summed up in The thirteenth Christian century saw the '^e Winter of Discontent, and the sight of Franz Werfel's title Not the Murderer, but introduction of the yellow badge, the rise yellow-armletted RMT pickets on TV the Victim is Guilty takes one back to 1930s of the ritual murder myth. Crusader stirred memories of Scargill. The other Austria. At the time, Chancellor pogroms in the Rhineland, and the Friday night the BBC Symphony Schuschnigg was corralling Nazi terrorist expulsion firomEngland . '-'rchestra performed John Adam's The Currently, the Muslim world demonises ^^ath of Klinghoffer. an opera about PLO not only , but as such. The very "•^rrorists' hijack of the cruise liner Achille same Muslim Society of Great Britain '^uro in 1985. This work, in the words of which complains about Islamophobia in ^"e New Statesman, 'refuses to the UK charges the Jewish State, in which ^^humanise the hijackers who present a million live and hundreds attend "themselves as idealists and not vandals'. university, with genocide. Malaysian In point of fact, Palestinian terrorists Prime Minister Mahathir cites George "^•^e as httle humanity as the Vehme Soros as proof that the Jews manipulate 'nurderers of interwar Germany. Suicide the world's money markets to their benefit "'^nibers who targeted a teenage hop on and to the detriment of developing *^1 Aviv seafront and a batmitzvah party at countries. Hamas, the clergy-led Madera rank no higher on the moral scale Palestinian terror group, has incorporated '^an Rudolf Hoess or Martin Bormann. the tsarist forgery The Protocols of the ^^n Jeanette Winterson, injecting the Elders of Zion into its charter. '^our of sanctity mto BBC's Question One day after the atrocity of 11 ^^e, condemns the US detention of al- suspects at the Wollersdorf detention September the Saudi Ministry of ^aeda fighters at Guantanamo Bay as centre. The kidglove treatment meted out Information dubbed it a Mossad operation ^Venge and counsels mercy and Christian to the detainees gave rise to the spoof and compounded this Goebbels-style "^•"giveness, she has as little purchase on news item 'The Wollersdorf inmates have perversion of the truth by alleging that not .^I'ty as did her confrere Aldous Huxley at last stopped beating up their guards.' a single Jew had been in the twin towers 1937. At that time, Gennany had been At Mazar-i-Sharif Taliban prisoners had, when the hijacked planes struck them. ^•arming for years, and had already after surrendering, gone on to kill some of Saudi Arabia is the guardian of the Muslim °nibed Guernica, yet the eminent their captors, while at Kandahar Hospital a holy places and protector of the purity of "^^^elist called on his 70,000-strong ward was, until very recently, still the faith enforced by a religious police. It ^oience in Trafalgar Square to pledge controlled by wounded, but heavily armed, was also the spiritual and financial source ^mselves never to take up arms. al-Qa'eda fighters. It was to prevent ofthe Islamic fanaticism which took root in , ^ 1967 Charles de Gaulle visited further incidents of this sort that the US Afghanistan in the form of the Taliban. In "^ntreal and urged the Qu6becois to transferred potential mega-murderers to other words, it is to Islam what Rome was ^ak away from Anglophone, US- its facility off Cuba. The widespread to medieval Christendom - seat of the Mu,ence d Canada. It was his way of expressions of concern about their welfare Popes, headquarters of the Inquisition, gett,'n g even with the Anglo-Americans put one in mind of the character in FN initiator of the Crusades. What makes the for ha VIin g put him in their debt by Simpson's absurdist play A Resounding sensation oideja vu absolutely complete is •ibe•ratin: g France from the Nazis in 1944. Tinkle who knits anti-glare goggles for that the Royal House of Saudi is no whit In ^ sunilar marmer, the unholy Pilger- swooping birds of prey less corrupt than the medieval Papacy! AJR JOURNAL MARCH 2002

Leftwing - 'Resistance and Rescue' theme for an idea whose time University's Holocaust Memorial Day has come Ronald Channing Richard Grunberger For the second year in succession, the support of the AJR enabled the Centre for Pierre Joseph Proudhon was a German-Jewish Studies at the University of nineteenth-century French socialist Sussex and its director, Professor Edward (with anarchist leanings) best Timms, to promote a specially devised remembered for coining the slogan programme of survivor testimony, lectures 'Property is theft!' In reality, he did not and film with which to mark Holocaust want atl property abolished, drawing Memorial Day. This year's theme was the line at peasants' small holdings 'Resistance and Rescue, then and now'. and artisans' workrooms. The property Students and members of staff participated owners he had in his sights were the from Sussex and the neighbouring campus of the University of Brighton, as well as sbrth- entrepreneurs who set up factories formers and teachers from the city. staffed by ill-paid proletarians. Keynote addresses were delivered by The advent of no-holds-barred Professor Aiasdair Smith, Vice Chancellor of Trude Levi capitalism was an upheaval behind Sussex University, and Sir David Watson, which Proudhon discerned Jews as the Director of Brighton University. Chana Auschwitz-Monowitz, resulted from lu* main driving force and beneficiaries. Moshenska, Director of Educational compassion to an older fellow Jewish (In a similar vein, the Jewish- Programmes at the Centre, introduced the prisoner. descended Karl Marx alleged that eight-hour programme which she had Discussion group topics covered spiritual devised with her colleague John Jacobs. A resistance, photography, anti-racist and Judaism embodied the spirit of particularly warm welcome was extended by Holocaust education, and present-day capitalism.) Another ideologue of that Prof Timms to Mrs Hilde Kochmann, widow resistance and rescue. The Power of persuasion was the Russian anarchist of Max Kochmann, who, in his capacity as Humanity, a new film on the impromptu Mikhail Bakunin, who fought chairman of fundraising for the Centre, did so rescue of 689 mainly Jewish Czech children alongside Richard Wagner in the much to secure its foundation and enhance on Kindertransport, was shown. Nicholas Dresden 'Revolution' of 1849. its reputation. Winton, with limited but dedicated support But just as the Slavophile Bakunin In a session devoted to survivor firom Eleanor Rathbone and others, managed could not long collaborate with the testimony, Trude Levi, one of very few to bring these children to Britain, but the outbreak of war brought the immediate Teutomaniac Wagner, so socialism and Hungarians who survived Auschwitz- Birkenau, gave a graphic description of the cessation of further Kindertransports and antisemitism were incompatible. Over dehumanising brutality and extermination the consequent loss of children's lives. a century ago the leader of German inflicted on her family and the eventual sheer A lunchtime concert was held on the social democracy, August Bebel, luck of her own emancipation when, on a campus of Imperial College, London fof pithily dubbed antisemitism 'the death march, even her exceptional strength students and staff, in association with the socialism of idiots'. to continue living had finally deserted her. AJR, to mark Holocaust Memorial Day fof However, today one is tempted to Freddie Knoller, who quit annexed Austria the second year. The concert was preceded for Belgium and France, was the main rephrase that as 'anti- is the by a short exposition of the day's significance speaker in the session on political and the role of the AJR by Theo Marx, a antisemitism of media hacks'. On 10 resistance. His own improbable survival, former AJR chairman and an alumnus o' January the New Statesman revealed heaving heavy sacks in a rubber factory at the college. the behind-the-scenes manipulations

of wealthy Zionists like the arms trader Mayor of Camden Cllr Roger Robinso" Shlomo Zabludowicz and Lord recites the Kaddish memorial prayC' Weidenfeld - manipulators whom the by Memorial '" journal, truthfully, adjudged rather Camden Town Hall, to the memory "' the victims who include Dutc'' ineffectual. But the weekly - over members of his own family, during which the pro-Zionist Richard the Council ceremony marking Grossman once presided - also Holocaust Memorial Da/' launched the concept of 'Big Jewry, Kindertransport President Berth* thus conjuring up the image of a Leverton delivered a short address o'' the arrival of the Kinder in Britain "" closely knit group of moneybags 1938 and 1939.

influencing Western policy in favour of PHOTO: RONALD CHANNING Israel. What, one asks, is talk of 'Big Jewry other than a leftwing rehash of AJR Journal the tsarist-inspired Protocols of the Richard Grunberger Editor-in-Chief Ronald Channing Executive Editor Howard Spier Editorial and Production AJR Journal, 1 Hampstead Gate, la Frognal, London NW3 6At Elders of Zion? Tel; 020 7431 6161 Fax: 020 7431 8454 e-mail: [email protected] www.ajr.org.uk AJR JOURNAL MARCH 2002

NEWTONS Leading Hampstead Solicitors 22 Fitzjohn's Avenue, London NW3 5NB "C live in an age where anyone wanting her oeuvre. The first of them was the * All English legal work •^0 publicise something new - whether it ailing Prague-born ethnographer Franz undertaken be a mobile phone, a cookery book or an Barmann Steiner, whose prematiure • Assistance given with German, im ^s event - is well advised to envelop it death affected her deeply. Steiner was Swiss & Austrian matters •n a sexual ambience. Bikini-clad succeeded in her affections by the writer • German spoken loveUes draped over shiny new cars at (and subsequent Nobel Prize wdnner) * Home visits arranged Uie Motor Show are one example of this; Elias Canetti, to whom she dedicated her Tel: 020 7435 5351 another was the publicity for the launch second novel, The Flight from the Fax: 020 7435 8881 °i Amanda Foreman's biography of Enchanter. The married Canetti was Georgina, Duchess of Devonshire. something of a 'daemon lover', whom Iris "osters showed the apparently naked Murdoch's husband, and eventually young author standing behind a chest- biographer, John Bailey so disliked that PARTNER "igh pillar formed by stacked-up copies he dubbed him the 'Hampstead in long established English °f her book. monster'. (Another refugee with Solicitors (bi-lingual German) When we consider means of drawing monstrous tendencies was Arthur would be happy to assist clients Attention to the forthcoming AJR 60th Koestler - but the less said about him the with English, German and anniversary exhibition 'Continental better.) Austrian problems. Tritons', such eye-catching gimmicks Jan Struther was a typical Contact Henry Ebner ^^^ obviously out. But although Establishment figure. Daughter of a Myers Ebner & Deaner Considerations of good taste preclude Scots Liberal MP a bohemian blue­ 103 Shepherds Bush Road '•"c visual presentation of erotically stocking with husband, children and a London W6 7LP ''nged material, we need not eschew the rose-strewn country cottage, she wrote Telephone 020 7602 4631 uterary approach. Why should we be a chronicle of English middle class ALL LEGAL WORK "ihibited about stating in print that, just existence in and war, which, UNDERTAKEN 3s Some refugees were great scientists - adapted for the screen as Mrs Miniver, °'' art historians, or publishers - other helped to hasten America's entry into ^^re great lovers. the Second World War. In those troubled A few even aspired to the status of sex times she met and fell in love with the ! AUSTRIAN and GERMAN Symbols. Foreign-accented screen refugee architect Adolf Placzek, who * PENSIONS ^^roes like Anton Walbrook (Dangerous post-war became second husband to Moonlight) and Paul Henried 'Mrs Miniver', legendary symbol of PROPERTY ^^ablanca) stirred female romantic English womanhood. RESTITUTION CLAIMS yearnings, while the sight of Lily Palmer Another English - actually Anglo-Irish EAST GERMANY - BERLIN "^ The Rake's Progress triggered surges - woman writer-cum-journalist who On instructions our office will | ^^testosterone. chose a refugee husband was Lady assist to deal with your ] ^ut to return to the above-mentioned Caroline Blackwood. Being the daughter applications and pursue the matter i 'terary approach: I wonder how many of the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava, she with the authorities. People know that three recently famous was socially even a notch above Jan For further information "^tish women writers - of admittedly Struther. But then she married none and appointment ^ing degrees of fame - had refugee other than Lucian Freud, scion of Jewry's please contact: ^sbands or lovers. Outstanding among leading dynasty founded by his eminent "^m was, of course. Iris Murdoch. Her grandfather. And with Sigmund Freud - ICS CLAIMS 146-154 Kilburn High Road aka der Lustlumml (lascivious lout) von ^'isecutive emotional involvement London NW6 4JD ^th two refugee intellectuals early on der Berggasse - who placed Eros at the her career surely accounts for the fact centre of human existence, we are back Tel: 020 7328 7251 (Ext. 107) I SAL ^t Jewish gimis figure prominently in at the starting point of this piece. Fax: 020 7624 5002 AJRJOURNAL MARCH 2002 Combating the 'big silence': Hitler and the man-in-the-street

'How was it possible for Hitler and the communication vrith 'second-generation' German schools. The project's findings Nazi movement to win the "hearts" of members? In an attempt to answer these will be applied in both schools and in work millions of ordinary Germans?' This questions, members of the research with senior citizens. The aim is to improve fundamental question remains project are presently interviewing communication between the generations unanswered despite the enormous individuals who committed themselves to so as to overcome what has been volume of research on the Nazi era, the cause of National Socialism as described as the 'big silence' of German Stephan Marks told a well attended members of the NSDAP the SS or other society regarding its Nazi past. I international conference on genocide Nazi organisations. While research on the History and organised by the Wiener Library on The research project emanates from Memory project remains ongoing, Dr Holocaust Memorial Day. the current increase in neo-Nazi Marks singled out a major element in Dr Marks is the director and founder in activities in Germany and the seeming ordinary Germans' acceptance of Hitler: 1998 of the Freiburg-based research ineffectiveness of prohibiting far-right the shame many citizens felt at Germany's project History and Memory. Among organisations. Furthermore, educating perceived humihation in the wake of the questions the project is seeking to answer people about the Holocaust appears to First Worid War. Hitler, Dr Marks said, are: to what extent do members of the have reached its limits: many young offered them 'redemption' - relief from 'first generation' remain influenced by the people have little knowledge about their shame through the possibility of experience of the Nazi years, and how do Hitler's persecution of the Jews, even inflicting humiliation on others. they express this experience in though this topic is widely taught in HS

A sister's will Pension for that Nietzsche's works would in any case to power have reached the attention of the pubhc. Holocaust-related 'She ought to have stayed in Paraguay', Dr health damage 'Nietzsche's sister EHsabeth would have Diethe concluded wrily. been better advised to stay in Paraguay HS rather than return to Germany to promote The AJR now has the services of one of her brother's reputation', Carol Diethe Basic care shortfall URO'S (United Restitution Organisation) told Club 43 in its current lecture series. lawyers in Germany who will represent Dr Diethe, who has published a number for the elderly clients on a modest 'success only' fee of books on the German philosopher, was basis. highly critical of the manipulative maimer Failure to obtain basic care and support at URO may be able to assist: in which Elisabeth promoted the home and a shortage of residential care (a) People who are currently in receipt of places are endangering the welfare and "Nietzsche industry'. Having returned to a health pension where there has been a longevity of a million elderly people in Germany from Paraguay in the 1890s deterioration of the health damage and Britain. A report on social policy and following the death of her husband, an who may now be entitled to an increase. ageing from Help the Aged revealed that avowed antisemite, Elisabeth devoted (b) People who made a claim in the only the most desperate sought help from herself uncompromisingly to advancing 1950s and 1960s and were rejected local authority social services, but under- her brother's reputation. In 1901, a year because the health damage was not funding and lack of availability often left after Friedrich's death, she pubHshed his considered sufiiciently serious at the many of them without any support at all. so-called master work The Will to Power, a time. A case can be reopened where a Of the million people who were compilation she had made of his vmtings. deterioration of the health damage can receiving some form of social care, most now be shown. Ehsabeth Foerster-Nietzsche outlived were over 80 and many were physically or For further information, please contact her brother by 35 years. An exceptionally mentally disabled, though half were still in Hilde Ambrose at the AJR on tel no. strong-willed woman, she surrounded their own homes and half in residential 02074316161. herself by acolytes. At the same time, she homes. A shortage of suitable care homes allowed herself to be used by Hitler for elderly people posed a problem for regime propagandists. She thus those about to be discharged firomhospita l JACKMAN • effectively alienated many potential as they could no longer be expected to UB followers in both Germany and the cope in their own homes. It also meant the SILVERMAN English-speaking world. continued blocking of 700,000 beds in COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSUtTANTS The balance sheet was firmly against NHS hospitals urgently needed for other Ehsabeth, Dr Diethe concluded. Her patients. Additional govenunent funding single-minded devotion to the cause other has yet to bring about any significant brother's writings ultimately proved improvement. counter-productive: there was Uttle doubt RDC 26 Conduit Street, London WIR 9TA Telephone: 020 7409 0771 Fax: 020 7493 8017 AJR JOURNAL MARCH 2002 European A child refugee in England heritage visits? Martha Blend Ronald Channing

kitchen was small and poorly equipped by modern standards and all it housed was a sink with a cold tap, a table and chairs, a large 'easiwork' cupboard and a cooker islanded behind the door with never a work surface near. In a passage outside the kitchen was a safe where perishable foods were kept, and for most of the year the temperature in that spot would have given points to a refrigerator. In summer a tiled well in Daniel Libeskind's Jewish Museum, Berlin the cellar provided some additional The AJR is considering the organisation coolness. There was also a living room, of occasional group visits to European '^any who came to England on the but this was a misnomer. Its solid cities of special historical and personal interest, to take place over an '"Hdertransport have horror stories to mahogany table and hide three-piece extended weekend, beginning in the tell of winters spent in cold chalets or of suite were only pressed into service autumn. oeing treated as servants by the host when we had visitors. The kitchen was The project is aimed primarily at the aiiiily. Theirs are not emotions the place where we lived and had our children of refugee and survivor recollected in tranquillity' but are of a being. members, although more active senior members may also wish to participate if 'tterness which seems to include all I associate coming home from school they can manage the necessary walking '^'^tish Jews who fostered children. I on Friday with steamy windows and the and are accompanied by sons or ^on't doubt the reality of their stories, smell of chicken soup, its flavour daughters who will accept responsibility ^^ I feel it's only fair to explain that my mingling with the carrot and onion and a for their travel and welfare. ^'^Periences were rather different. leafy vegetable called 'soup greens'. My Among the destinations that have already been suggested are Berlin - with ^f course, like most of the others, I job was to sew up the neck of the its recently opened Jewish Museum - Suffered the tramnas of separation (at chicken, which had been stuffed with , Prague, Warsaw, Crakow and ^'^e years old) from my parents, whom I flour, pepper and fat to give a gritty Budapest. All tours would leave and ever saw again, having to learn a new texture. At other times there would be return to London by air It is intended that a coach would be available throughout at '^nguage fast, and adapting to the total blood-red borsht with a few potatoes to the destination, accommodation would Grangers who had come into my life, as take the edge off a sharp appetite. be in city-centre superior quality hotels, ^11 as the impact of a long war. But what Another familiar sight was a basin and tour guides would be included in the ^d have was the comforting presence covered with a cloth which would be itinerary chosen specifically to satisfy the '^he childless Jewish couple who had removed reverently from time to time particular interests of the AJR. Charges for each visit would be based on the ®"eed to foster me. They were not ideal and the contents inspected. Inside the prevailing costs and would be published P^ents. Though a poorly educated basin was the dough for one of auntie's on the opening of booking. °Uple with a restricted knowledge of renowned yeast cakes, left to double its If you or your children would favour ^^ World, they had a shrewd eye for the bulk in a warm corner There were also joining a like-minded group returning to ^^ics and a kindness which enabled things preserved and pickled such as places of our former European heritage, and can meet the conditions applied, ^ni to see me through school and cucumbers, sour and garlicky, an please write a note to Ronald ^'Versity without any financialrewar d excellent foil to fresh rye bread and a Channing at head office, or email ^er than the share of my scholarship good spread of butter (we hadn't heard of him on [email protected] ^nt which I gave them for my board cholesterol then), elderberry wine and expressing your interest and suggesting the venues you would wish to visit. (At ^^^ lodging. cherry brandy. Outside, the world was this early stage, your communication ^y strongest memories of my foster tearing itself apart, but in auntie's will be regarded as purely advisory, ^'^her - I called her 'auntie' - are kitchen were sweet and savoury foods giving an indication of the possible level ^hnected with her cooking. Her to tempt the palate and lift the spirits. of support.) AJR JOURNAL MARCH 2002

be rewarded with the intifada. Jews too have a right to defend themselves. Self- , LET The Editor reserves the right hating Jews will always find a reason to to shorten correspondence hate themselves. I TO THE ) submitted for publication Shmuel Gelle ^ EDITOR/ Hendon

Sir -1 had hoped that my letter (January The war changed nothing, RIGA MEMORIAL issue) would provoke some rational presumably because oil flowed in Arab Sir - On 29 November three Kinder discussion of the complex issues veins. Postwar, survivors had to stew in travelled to Riga. We did not know one underlying the Israeli-Palestinian displaced persons' camps for up to five another except via telephone. We met conflict. Alas, I fear that nothing much years. For longer if the Jews hadn't at Gatwick; an hour after meeting, we has been added to the sum of human taken their future into their own hands, felt as if we had known one another all wisdom and knowledge, except to fought all comers and given them a our lives. This turned out to be one of confirm my fears that some fellow Jews bloody nose. the very few blessings on a dreadful are so deeply committed to Israel that four days. they can no longer see the wood for the Frank Bright A thousand people stood on solid ice trees. Ipswich, Suffolk watching representatives from all the I am writing this on Holocaust different towns whence men, women Memorial Day, having lit a candle in Sir -1 see the anti-Afghan war lobby as and children had been sent to Riga to memoryof my family. I wonder what my expressing diffuse and, often, die. Looking about me, I could not see parents, had they survived, would have exaggerated apprehensions but, if the one person weeping; the pain was too made of the present debate. I would Nk^ Taliban really are defeated, the war is great for tears. I had hoped after 62 to think that their innate humanity now a purely American construct, years to bury my family and put an end would have made them share my motivated by the desire for revenge to the pain of mourning alone. This did feelings of revulsion at what is being and apparently regardless of the cost not happen. We walked on mass graves done by the Sharon government. never knowing if this was the grave on the ground and of any other I am deeply concerned about HE that held our loved ones. I have never opinions, including those of the interim Reiner's comments. Whilst he doesn't experienced such pain; after more than government and its sponsors. accuse me of antisemitism he does a month, I still cannot cry. I have this Is there any hope that, at the end of it accuse me of something that is rather block of ice inside me that will not melt. all, with or without 'Daisy-cutters', the worse - propagating "the elimination ot Despite the pain and agony of the USA will not, once again, turn away the Jews living in Israel as an answer to event, there is no way I could or would from the long-term problem of the world's problems". Did I really write have missed this, a belated burial. reconstruction? Will it, as present talk that? Such gross misrepresentation i* threatens, treat the war as a practical To all the people who elected me as probably actionable, but in writing such exercise for similar action elsewhere? their representative to obtain some arrant nonsense he is providing Above all, will the USA really care information, I apologise. I have done su bstance for my case. whether or not democracy is my best and will write to each one as established in Kabul? History suggests soon as I am able. With many thanks to L B Brent that, unless and until its 'interests' Erich Herzl, without whose hard work LondonNl^ (George W Bush's template) are seen to this memorial would never have been be threatened, it will not give a damn. erected. A journey never to be Sir - The February issue gave me the — -— •— — J ^ I forgotten and never to be repeated! Alan S Kaye unfortunate impression that the journa had turned into an official and obedient Ellen K Davis Chalfont St Giles tool of the Israeli government, and was West Glamorgan now being edited in ! I take grea* Sir - One admires the journalistic exception to this one-sidedness, whic proficiency of the editors of the AJR PURIFICATION BY FIRE is the barrier to peace. Sir - In the 1930s Britain caved in to Journal, which merits a much wider Arab demands and restricted audience than just the immigrant RS. Since you write such a lot in the immigration to a trickle at a time when community. Professor Baruch Brent journal these days, I should ha^ the need was greatest. Those who were seems unable to comprehend the thought that it would gain in richness denied access perished. As history later concept of Zionism, and thinks one has and variety if you allowed y"^ oWn proved, there would have been room to live there in order to voice an contributors to retain their for hundreds of thousands of German opinion. Surely he realises that the writing style. and Austrian Jews. Thus, the Government of Israel could not have Peter Zander Palestinians are responsible for their done more for the 'peace process' than London W^ deaths. agreeing to all Arafat's whims, only to AJR JOURNAL MARCH 2002

Sir - Thank you for your articles in the repatriated in 1945?' (December ^R Journal clarifying the situation in 2001, p.5). ARE YOU ON A LOW Israel and identifying our enemies, INCOMEANDINNEED K Ostberg 'ncluding our own co-religionists. Barnet OF HOMECARE HELP? God protect us from our friends. From AJR might be able to offer oiJr enemies we can protect ourselves. HITLER'S LOSS financial assistance. Sir - There can never be a conclusive Ella and Alfons Silverman answer to the question whether Members who might not Stanmore otherwise be able to afford continental refugees have done better homecare please contact: in Britain than they would have done ENGLISH-SPEAKING (DIS)UNION in their countries of origin. Anecdotal Estelle Brookner, Secretary Sir - You do yourself no favours by evidence suggests that most of us 'fell AJR Social Services Dept 'fixing a few reasonable arguments upstairs'. Why? Because escape was Tel: 020 7431 6161 ^ith a large dose of personal abuse itself a grisly form of natural selection; (Will Self, Ken Clark, Diane Abbott, because emigration sharpens one's •^eter Main, Ben Bradshaw) and by competitive edge (just think of having •"eferring to suicide bombing as 'the to master a second language and a Companions lowest level of bestiality". non-decimal system); and because we of London I have always recognised your merit were competing in an uncompetitive Incorporating "1 rnaking the AJR Journal come alive Hampstead Home Care environment. English non-Jews ^"d I was pleased to witness the tended to ignore us; English Jews A long established company ''ecognition of this when Lord (Claus) were, for the most part, not up to providing care in your home looser made a well-deserved much. This allowed some of us to Assistance with personal care P''esentation to you on the occasion become effective contributors over General household duties °^ this journal's 60th anniversary. But here who might have found it harder Respite care P'ease, Sir, may we have fewer Medical appointment service to hack it in Berlin, Vienna and ^'^Pressions of personal bias and places east. •OUR CARE IS YOUR CARE' ^specially of the kind of bile as 020 7483 0212/0213 ^'^pressed in the above article. You are Victor Ross Entitled to such views in your private Ashford ''6, but in print they would be more <% SPRING ^^ited to the tabloid press than to our ON WINGS OF SONG GROVE wnd your) journal, which caters so Sir - I greatly enjoyed the medley 214 Finchiey Road ^^11 for a broad spectrum of mostly 'Songs my mother taught me' at the London NW3 "^^tional and reasonably informed Day Centre. Mr Ernest Kaye is a superb London's Most Luxurious readers. pianist and, as I expected, I knew every RETIREMENT HOME melody and, strangely enough, Ken Ambrose • Entertainment-Activities remembered all the German words London SE3 • Stress Free Living that went with them. ' 24 Hour Staffing • Excellent Cuisine After 63 years in England, when • Full En-Suite Facilities OUTRAGEOUS FORMULATION most of the time I cannot remember Call for more information """ Given the 'Kindertransport' which what day it is, or what I had to eat for or a personal tour "•Ought thousands of Jewish children lunch, how is it that I remember not 020 8446 2117 3nd teenagers to this country, and only the songs but also the words? It or 020 7794 4455 S'Ven the 'Kitchener camp' for Jewish was a wonderful experience and well [email protected] ^^n from German-occupied territory, worth the trip from Birmingham and y^any of them artisans with no back again. Two of us at my table sang '^'lowledge of English, I find it or hummed everything he played and I Simon R Rhodes M.Ch.S. '^•"^sponsible of AJR Journal to print STATE REGISTERED CHIROPODIST do hope that I did not annoy any of the °uise London's outrageous Surgeries at: other members by putting my heart ^'•rnulation ("one more chapter in 67 Kilburn High Road, NW6 (opp M&S) and soul into singing along. I do hope Telephone 020 7624 1576 'iciai British inhumanity and you invite Mr Kaye again. 3 Queens Close (off Green Lane) ^"ousness towards asylum seekers"), Edgware, Middx HA87PU ^ quoted in Anthony Grenville's Henny Rednall Telephone 020 8905 3264 ^icle 'Were the refugees to be Birmingham Visiting chiropody sen^ice available AJR JOURNAL MARCH 2002

solidity and impassiveness of their stance, illuminated by the flames and RG'S INTGRFACG debris of the flying books. Yet he captures the flames differently in the Centenary. Berlin-born Marlene burning synagogues, where the vivid Dietrich would have been 100 years Gloria Tessler red light delivers a most potent spiritual old in December 2001. Subjected to Hans Jackson's exhibition at the warning. neo-Nazi abuse on an infrequent visit Jewish Museum which marked to her home town, she has now been National Holocaust Memorial Day is a posthumously rehabilitated. moving testimony to talent, courage and President Johannes Rau laid a wreath memory. Jackson's eye is astute, at her grave and hailed her as 'an delivering without sentimentality a extraordinary artist who worked graphic account of the horrors leading actively for democracy and freedom'. up to the Holocaust, from the burning of Echoes of the past. A new edition of the books to the daily tortures and 11 CDs resurrects music recorded by humiliations Jews experienced under artists of the Judische Kulturbund in the Nazi jackboot. It is all based on 1933-38. The overall title, Vorbei, personal memoirs and experience, derives from the waltz tune sung by both in Berlin and as a refugee to Dora Gerson, a hugely versatile Britain in 1939. actress, cabaret artist and chanteuse. These most eloquent and compulsive She made that recording in 1935, paintings were commissioned by the shortly before her divorce from Veit Beth Shalom Holocaust Memorial Harlan - the subsequent director of Centre and pubUshed in 1999 in the book Boycott 30th April Jud Siiss - and died in Auschwitz. Our Lonely Journey. Particularly moving is Jackson's odyssey of kindertransport Perhaps it was Jackson's successful Birthday. Georg Stefan TroUer, the arrivals and departures. A child clasping printing business in Glasgow that Vienna-born, Paris-resident director a doll has a plaque around her neck helped him imprint on our minds these of German TV films and bearing her name. There are piles of indelible scenes: the angry teacher documentaries, is 80. Over ten years suitcases as children are shown leaving outside a school bearing the SS insignia, ago Troller turned his own youthful Berlin en route for England in menacing a small Jewish boy; Hitler experiences as a refugee and GI into November 1938. One man is shown Youth hooligans threatening a couple the film trilogy The Emigrants (An choking back tears, and a small boy with their young daughter. Some uns glaubt Gott nicht mehr), Santa Fe saying goodbye to his mother seems to paintings recall his own life as a refugee and Welcome to Vienna, which was turn into an old man as we watch, his in the Kitchener Camp in Kent. In shown at the NFT. To honour the face suffused with years. Most others you can feel the intensity with octogenarian, German TV has interesting is Jackson's use of light. All which he and other refugees monitored recently transmitted his more the figures are in black; the only colour German radio stations for the British comprehensive, but also 'arty' is the incandescent light from the government. With snapshot precision autobiography on celluloid entitled waiting train which catches the guards we feel the cold outside the Nissan hut, Selbstbeschreiburg. and hints not at piuity but evil. even the way people, red-nosed, walk Anna O. The patient Bertha The paintings evoke the more slowly against a wintry wind. The Pappenheim, whom Freud disguised Constructionist style of the period and exhibition continues until 12 May 2002. by that pseudonym and who convey a social history in a flash: 1933, London artist Nicholas Archer won triggered his interest in the year of Hitler's accession to power, the £12,000 First Prize in the Hunting psychoanalysis, had a more potent when Nazi paramilitary and Nazi Youth Art Prizes 2002 for his self-explanatory claim to fame. Founder of the members embarked on the wilful painting Flying Dumbo. The blue Judische Frauenbund and an early destruction of Jewish homes and elephant flying through a cloudless blue feminist, she was a lifelong businesses, is indelibly engraved in sky is precisely executed but seems an campaigner against the White Slave Jackson's memory. Jackson illustrates infantile and pointless winner. More Trade. Her biography by Marianne the ferocity of these thuggish attacks by impressive is Yoimg Artist of the Year Brentzel (author of a study of Else depicting the fleeting quality ofthe fixed Tomoyo Matsuzaki's haimting Under Ury, alias Nesthdkchen) has evil moment. When he paints the Nazis Sedation, in which a blurry comer appeared under the imprint of the burning books, it is the menacing backs building seems almost to float between Wallstein Verlag. of the SS which we remember - the earth and sky.

8 AJRJOURNAL MARCH 2002

The ultimate conspiracy to stomach was Heydrich's assertion of control. THE VILLA, THE LAKE, THE Julia Neuberger MEETING: WANNSEE AND THE Chief Executive, King's Fund FINAL SOLUTION REVIEWS Mark Roseman Penguin, £9.99 murder of the Jews. Hitler was not Ordeal transmuted by This short volume tries to explain why there and the men present were too stagecraft the infamous Wannsee conference, junior Roseman suggests that, in the I WILL BEAR WITNESS on 20 January 1942, happened at all haphazard and chaotic chain of Karen Malpede (director) when hundreds of thousands of Jews command, the act of murder of the New End Theatre, London Were already being gassed at Jews begat the idea of genocide, Chelmno or shot by death squads in rather than the other way around. An elderly, careworn man in a dark Russia. Wannsee has always been Jews were being murdered. It could overcoat stumbles into a room, seen as the meeting which put the happen, therefore it should happen. hugging a briefcase close to his chest. seal on the 'Final Solution', the Thus far those murders happened As he puts the briefcase down, the fnurder of all Europe's Jews. Yet, without an overall plan. Was audience sees, with a start, the 9iven that the slaughter was already Wannsee to fix the overall plan, to yellow star sewn on his coat at chest happening, why on earth did this turn the murder of hundreds of height. Then, when he hangs up the fleeting, short and to the point as it thousands into that of millions? coat, we glimpse another yellow star Was, need to take place? Recent research suggests that on his jacket - as if a branding iron Mark Roseman tells the story of the various lower ranking officers had had been thrust through every layer Meeting in quiet, sober language, slipped mindlessly from brutality into- of his clothes down to the skin. He with the emotional horror kept well killings, with murders well underway opens a briefcase from which he fcielow the surface. The staff of the by the time of the Wannsee gingerly extracts a bottle of milk and ^nierican prosecutor at the conference. Certainly too, the a bread roll. 'Nuremberg trials find the only declaration by Hitler to evacuate Though so far not a word has been surviving copy of the minutes of the German Jews to the east led to spoken, all the elements ofthe drama ^annsee meeting and are filled with intolerable strains on the receiving are in place. The yellow badge worn horror. It details a presentation by the territories. But there was no clear on the inner as well as the outer Notorious Reinhard Heydrich, head of instruction of genocide, no overall garment indicates the relentless the Nazi security service and chief of plan. Hitler had created the climate of pressure bearing down on Viktor the German security police, surveying vicious antisemitism and he Klemperer. He, a rabbi's son who had 'Measures taken against the Jews up overruled the army's humanitarian converted to Protestantism, a Great to the end of 1941, lists the numbers concerns in the Polish campaign, War volunteer and husband of an of Jews remaining in Axis, occupied, suggesting that he was ready for 'Aryan' wife, tried, against all the •Neutral and enemy Europe, and the horrors. odds, to cling to his German identity, Outlines a plan to 'evacuate' them to Perhaps Wannsee was not about a which - he kept reiterating to the east. plan for genocide, suggests himself - was culturally and not There is no doubt that this Roseman. De facto, that already genetically derived. Though often ^^acuation was a euphemism for existed. It was to stamp Heydrich's close to despairing of his Senocide, but it is formulated, as own department's authority and compatriots, he eagerly seized on '^oseman describes it, "in sober, responsibility over everything and to spasmodic expressions of "ureaucratic language, deliberated assert Heydrich's pre-eminence. It dissatisfaction with the regime as ^i^ in civilised surroundings in a once "cleared the way for genocide", but proof that there was another, better cosmopolitan suburb of Berlin." The did not formally decide upon it. It did Germany. The briefcase, which 'Minutes also show that there was a signal that genocide had become sometimes doubled as a shopping ^"^gthy discussion about what to do official policy. bag for the collection of insufficient ^'th the half- and quarter-Jews, the Roseman's scholarly account leaves rations, was also used to convey the ^ar-decorated Jews, the Jews the reader understanding what diary entries he made throughout "Carried to non-Jews. Wannsee was really about. The policy the 12 Nazi years to safe-keeping. In 't is impossible that the Wannsee was genocide, no longer news for the writing the diary Klemperer knew Conference decided upon the Nazi meeting's participants. All they had that he was risking his life, but the AJR JOURNAL MARCH 2002

task of bearing witness for the torrents of words, atmospheric enlightenment of future generations silences and unfailingly appropriate 'Continental Britons' also provided him with the incentive body language. Jewish refugees from Nazi Europe to carry on, at no matter what RG psychic cost. ^^^^^^B^^v" -jJk The time span covered by the play is Large, but not perfectly J^M three years - from January 1942, formed when the deportations of the BRUNO WALTER: Fabrikjuden started, to February A WORLD ELSEWHERE 1945 and the Anglo-American air Erik Ryding and raid on Dresden. Although his mixed Rebecca Pechefsky marriage exempted Klemperer from Yale University Press, £25 immediate deportation, the noose tightened inexorably around his neck For all that he was overshadowed by as time went on. He was herded into Wilhelm Furtwangler, Erich Kleiber, a Judenhaus, made to shovel snow Otto Klemperer and Karl Bohm, Cosmo Restaurant, Finchley Road and perform forced labour, subjected Bruno Walter deserves better than to This exhibition opens at the Jewish to brutal house searches and insults have a detailed biography in English Museum in Camden Town in May in the street, barred from owning only appear four decades after his and relates the history and shared pets and using libraries and so forth. death. This huge volume comprises experiences of AJR members who arrived in Britain as refugees from And yet in the interstices of time 506 pages, yet contains no complete Nazi-dominated countries. between all the greater and lesser works' list and no discography. horrors there could occur a Walter came from a middle-class semblance of normality. On one Jewish background and soon occasion the Klemperers got attracted the attention of Gustav Annely Juda together with some of their Mahler. He became one of Mahler's Fine Art neighbours in the Judenhaus and, most passionate advocates, giving over coffee and cake, discussed not the first performances of Das Lied 23 Dering Street only the pros and cons of Zionism - von der Erde and the Ninth (off New Bond Street) which was of overriding significance Symphony. He also gave superb Tel: 020 7629 7578 Fax: 020 7491 2139 to them - but also the merits of performances of Mahler's massive Hindemith as a composer. Resurrection Symphony. In addition, CONTEMPORARY PAINTING Meanwhile the machinery of death he fostered the music of Hans AND SCULPTURE ground on, and ever fewer Pfitzner, and premiered his music neighbours remained. Finally, in drama Patestrina in Munich during February 1945 the last Jews of the First World War. While in charge GERMAIN and Dresden faced deportation. At that of the Munich opera house between EIVGLISH BOOKIE moment Bomber Harris intervened. 1913 and 1922, Walter presided over Among the buildings the RAF and important premieres by Richard BOUGHT USAF reduced to cinders was the Strauss, Schrecker and Korngold. He Antiquarian, secondhand and local Gestapo office. Viktor also conducted the symphonies of modern books of quality Klemperer tore off his yellow star and Shostakovich and Weill, and, in always wanted. became a human being again. America (where he went into We're long-standing advertisers He - and his wife - had shown permanent exile from Germany in here and leading buyers of superhuman endurance by not only 1933), the works of Samuel Barber. books from AJR members. surviving and remaining sane but The book hardly deals with Walter's We pay good prices and also by counselling others against own compositions, but goes into come to collect despair, and choosing suicide as the much detail about his career in For immediate response, way out. It may sound overblown to America. It really needs another please contact: use the same term - superhuman - definitive biography to bring this Robert Hornung MA(Oxon) about an actor but for close on two great Austro-German conductor 2 Mount View, Ealing, London W5 IPR and a half hours George Bartenieff to life. Email: [email protected] filled the stage to the brim with his Gerald Holm Tel: 020 8998 0546 (Spm to 9pm is best)

10 AJR JOURNAL MARCH 2002

knowledge of English and French. Central Office For Her parents left for Japanese-occupied PROFILE Holocaust Claims Howard Spier Shanghai. The culture shock was severe. Her Michael Newman education - particularly her musical training - was cut short, and she Austrian General Settlement Fund Annette Saville In addition to the individual awards of experienced a certain hostility on the $7,000 made to Holocaust victims who part of the English people with whom lived in Austria before the war, the General she came into contact. After she had Settlement Fund (GSF) provides payments been sent on a domestic training course 'to acknowledge the moral responsibility in Tunbridge Wells, her first position for losses and damages inflicted ... and to settle comprehensively unanswered lasted only three weeks, adding to questions of restitution and feelings of rejection and loneliness. To compensation'. make ends meet, Annette took on a As well as compensation for bank number of jobs - secretarial, nursing, accounts, stocks, bonds and mortgages, working for a firm of solicitors, among the GSF has been endowed with $210 others. While cycling, she was struck by million to recompense survivors as well as heirs for liquidated businesses, real a car and seriously injured, which property and unredeemed insurance presaged a period of illnesses, and the policies. Compensation for personal first of two marriages ended unhappily. valuables and household possessions Annette's musical progress was covered in the scheme introduced last year by the National Fund. continued, however. Aiming at being a Under the rules of the GSF there will be Annette Saville was bom Annie Bankier piano teacher, rather than a concert two processes for claiming: claims-based in 1923 in Vienna's 'Matzot District' - a pianist, in 1960 she was awarded the and equity-based ones. A Claims nickname occasioned by the area's high prestigious Royal College of Music's Committee will investigate each Jewish population. Her Polish father ARCM diploma, though she remains application under relaxed standards of 'became a naturalised Austrian and, disappointed that British Jewry gave her proof and an award will be made on a pro­ rata basis once all applications have been although the family ran a shoe shop, no assistance with her musical career. submitted. In all cases, compensation will ^ey had a struggle to make a living. In retirement, Annette joined the not exceed $2 million per individual. From an early age, Annette learned Kindertransport movement where, for Equity-based payments will be made in 'Russian, Polish and music - her many years, her dependability ensured circumstances where claims cannot be father had played the mandolin in the regular dispatch of their newsletter, verified under the claims-based procedure. As well as the above " and her mother sang Schubert songs and for the Kinder's reunion concert in categories, claims can be filed for and played the piano. When Annette was 1989 she played the piano. Annette also occupational and educational losses. nine it was clear she possessed discovered the AJR and the Holocaust Claims must be submitted before 27 exceptional musical talent so her Survivor Centre in Hendon. Her warts- May 2003. Parents arranged piano lessons and in and-all autobiography Only a Claims can also be filed in respect of 1936 she duly attained diploma Kindertransportee, to be published later land and buildings which on 17 January standard. Following the , this year, is punctuated with hilarious 2001 were owned by the Federal Government or the City of Vienna. despite not being permitted to have insights. All applicants to the Austrian National dealings with Jews, Annette's piano Playing the piano and piano accordion Fund will automatically receive further teacher insisted on continuing her remains at the centre of Annette's information on how to proceed with 'essons, a courageous act which activities and she is still taking lessons. making a claim. The GSF is administered by the National Fund, which can be Annette has never forgotten. Every week she accompanies the Wizo contacted by writing to The Padiament, The Bankiers were under no illusions Choir at practice, as well as at their 1017 Vienna, Austria, by telephone on about the need to leave Austria. Having performances. She also plays with the 0043 1 408 12 63/4, or by visiting decided to go her own way, Annette first Sobel Choir, for Jewish Care day centres the National Fund website at Prepared to emigrate to Palestine, but and for many other appreciative www.nationalfonds.org. 'nimediately after Kristallnacht she audiences, both Christian and Jewish. Further help 'ound a place on the Kindertransport, a When the opportunity arises she plays Written enquiries should be sent to decision she admits in retrospect to the organ, for which exceptional musical Central Office for Holocaust Claims (UK), •"egretting. In December 1938, aged 15, abilities are required, all of which 1 Hampstead Gate, la Frognal, London ^he arrived at Dovercourt, near contributes to maintaining music as the NW3 6AL. For assistance with the completion of application forms please mainstay other life. Harwich, bringing an excellent telephone 020 7431 6161 for an appointment.

11 AJR JOURNAL MARCH 2002

it was a relaxing occasion. Vice Chairman David Rothenberg INSIDE reminded everyone that the Association Herbert Haberberg had been established in 1941 as a 'friendly' Next meeting: Thursday 21 March society and that it remained "a friend to theAJR 10.30 am (NB not 28 March). Group hundreds". Volunteer Services Co­ members will speak on 'Members' ordinator Amanda Shaw emphasised that Contributions to This Country the party was one way in which the AJR could show its appreciation to all those who Brighton and Hove Sarid: Essex group plans new gave their time and compassion to the members. Their commitment as From Vienna to London programme Professor T Scarlett Epstein gave a well- befrienders, readers and drivers, as well as attended meeting a fascinating account of Through the efforts of the enthusiastic those working at the day centre and at head her life in the Social Democratic Republic of Myrna Glass, some 20 members met for office, was quite invaluable. Guests Austria in the late 1920s and her emigration the first time for over a year to discuss the expressed their thanks for the warm to England. Her family had lived in a well- group's future. It was decided that the welcome, relaxed atmosphere, the brunch appointed flat in Vienna, in the first publicly group would meet every month at the and the entertaiiunent. owned housing in Europe. Following the Orthodox Synagogue on Finchley Road, Anschluss, she obtained tickets for her Westcliff-on-Sea. The programme would family for Yugoslavia but, when these consist of talks and social gatherings; a Leeds HSFA expands expired, the only country that would take number of volunteers agreed to act as a membership and activities them was Albania. Through her elder planning committee. brother, they managed to obtain visas for Julie Franks Trude Silman, Chairperson of Leeds the UK. But when Air France refused to Holocaust Survivors Friendship take them - they had no transit visa for Next meeting: Tuesday 12 March 11.00 am. Social get-together Association (HSFA), which has been in France - they had to travel to Naples and existence for five years and is affiliated to then by KLM to London via Frankfurt and Forthcoming meetings the AJR, reported expanding membership Cologne. Despite these unpleasant stops, Wessex and activities at their AGM. Four main they finally got to this country, where her Wednesday 6 March. For details phone guests - Lilian Black, Ronald Channing, mother worked as a domestic and she as a Mark Goldfinger on 01202 552434 Bill Williams and Jon Silverman - were machinist in the rag trade. between 6.30 and 8.30 pm. augmented by a summer luncheon with Dr F Goldberg South London Stephen Smith of Beth Shalom, with Thursday 14 March. Tony Hills, 'British Michael Newman of the Central Office for Next meeting: Monday 18 March Evacuee Children in Wodd War M' 10.45 am. Desert Island Discs with Holocaust Claims bringing sound advice members on restitution and compensation claims, while the group provided speakers and From Greenland to Pinner Volunteers' 'thank you' party artefacts for an exhibition on the Our speaker was Bill Smith, a professional Kindertransport in Dewsbury Childrens photographer who likes the cold. He had Museum. recently been to Greenland and treated us Twenty-seven members have to a stunning selection of his photographs of completed recording their stories for the the trip. We saw multi-coloured wooden group's Life Experiences Project, initiated houses, isolated communities that depend two years ago. Recorded on disk, their entirely on fishing in the short summer with testimonies have been placed in Leeds the fish-processing taking up the entire University's Brotherton Library as more winter. The modem world seemed far away, information continues to be collected for yet there were supermarkets and mobile the University's archives. Members also phones - even TV At the end of this fascinating talk, we felt we had learned just volunteer to address students in schools, colleges and universities on Holocaust a little. Even so, I for one would not like to Befriender volunteers Meta Roseneil, go there - Firmer in the ice is excitement Camilla Topping and Luise Harding taking Memorial Day and at other times. enough! tea at the volunteers' thank you party Two of HSFA's younger members, Rachel Feldberg and Sam Paechter, wrote Paul Samet Seventy-five AJR volunteers fromal l parts an opera, The Landau Papers, the story of a Next meeting: Thursday 7 March 2 pm. of Greater London accepted an invitation Jewish family in Berlin froml933 to 1939- Update on current events in Middle East to enjoy the annual thank you brunch which was performed in Leeds to grea party, held this year in the easily acclaim. A 'Younger Generation' sub­ North London: accessible and stylish setting of the Hotel committee was formed, under the Music despite the gremlins Russell in central London. A light leadership of Erika Harris, to whom At our post-Chanucah event Walter Woyda sandwich lunch, with tea, coffee and cakes, information on the lives of refugees an presented a Musical Nostalgia Quiz which, was enjoyed to the accompaniment of the survivors who came to live in Yorkshire despite the gremlins in the sound music of Anna-May Silver and Jerry Hunt. can be passed. department, was enjoyed by all present. In welcoming the guests and thanking The doughnuts too were excellent. In all, them for their efforts in the past year, AJR

12 AJR JOURNAL MARCH 2002

Lord Moser - 'Utility British' AJR SEDER NIGHT Join us for a backstage tour of Second Night Seder Service THE GLOBE THEATRE on To be conducted by Rev. Fine Monday 11 March 2002 Thursday 28 March 2002

The Paul Balint AJR Centre £18.00 per person including coach fare, entrance and lunch at the 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 Day Centre at 12 noon Please phone 020 7328 0208 for reservations SOME WALKING INVOLVED £22.50 per person Limited space - Please apply by 11 February to Limited space available for wheelchairs Carol Rossen or Joan Altman Lord Moser, left, in conversation with Ken 6 pm for 6.30 pm prompt start Tel: 020 7431 6161 Ambrose, Chairman of South London AJR Characterising Jewish refugees as 'Utility "ritish', Lord Moser revealed his thoughts 3nd attitudes to a large audience of fellow FIFTH GREAT SEASON! AJR 'Drop in' refugees at South London AJR with whose Advice Centre at the chairman. Ken Ambrose, he shared an AJR-KT Paul Balint AJR Day Centre RAF and LSE background. "I stUl feel in LUNCHEON CLUB considerable measure a Jewish refugee", 15 Cleve Road, ne confided, recalling the support he Wednesday 20 March 2002 London NW6 3RL received from the AJR in the early years 15 Cleve Road NW6 3RL between 10 am and 12 noon ^d mentioning that he was still an avid 11.45 am for 12.15 pm on the following dates: ^^deToiAJR Joumal. Guest speaker: Thursday 7 March Now aged 79, Lord Moser remembered Rabbi Tony Bayfield, Director Tuesday 12 March "is happy, early years in Berlin and Sternberg Centre for Judaism concerts and music at home. In common 'Pesach - It's a Jewish Festival' Thursday 21 March *ith most other German Jews his family Reservations No appointment is necessary, but *ere "Germans, good Germans" but, after £7.50 for everyone! please bring along all relevant Suffering daily humiUation at school, the From Sylvia & Susie documents, such as Benefit Books, ^ily left for Britain in 1936. Although Tel: 020 7328 0208 letters, bills, etc. Some 70,000 refugees had been admitted ^0 Britain (of whom 50,000 were to stay), ^,(X)0 had applied for entry; though Paul Balint AJR Day Centre 15 Cleve Road, West Hampstead, NW6 | others found refuge elsewhere, many '3iled to survive. Even intemment in 1940 Tel: 020 7328 0208 *^3nie as "a terrific blow". His parents Monday - Thursday 9.30 am - 3.30 pm, Sunday 2 pm - 5.30 pm Particularly resented being called enemy aliens'. MARCH Afternoon Entertainment Sun 3 DAY CENTRE OPEN - No Entertainment Of the many high offices Claus Moser Mon 4 KT LUNCH & Kards & Games Klub "ad held, he referred particularly to his ten Tue 5 Valerie Hewitt - Piano and Voice years as Director of the Central Statistical Wed 6 Daphne Lewis & Jack Coleman Office, advising Prime Ministers Wilson, Thur 7 Mike Marandi - A Trip Around the Wodd 'leath and Callaghan. "I've had a wonderful Sun 10 DAY CENTRE OPEN - No Entertainment '•fe in this country", he said, but "I feel at 'east halfa middle European Jew". It could Mon 11 Kard & Games Klub •^ot be denied that "being a refugee Tue 12 Alf Kieles - Jewish Influence on Jazz ''^es us different from what we would Wed 13 Jenny Kossew - Accordionist "ave been". Thur 14 Geoffrey Whitworth at the Piano Sun 17 DAY CENTRE OPEN - No Entertainment RDC Mon 18 Kard & Games Klub KT-AJR LUNCHEON Tue 19 Amanda Palmer Wed 20 LUNCHEON CLUB Monday 4 March Thur 21 Katinka Seiner & Laszio Easton B A Cowan, Sun 24 DAY CENTRE OPEN - No Entertainment 'They Shall Not Pass: Mon 25 Kard & Games Klub The Storj of the Battle of Tue 26 Cable Street' Eddie Simmons with Bill Bradley at Piano Wed 27 DAY CENTRE CLOSED - PESACH For reservations please telephone: Thur 28 020 7328 0208 DAY CENTRE CLOSED - PESACH

13 AJRJOURNAL March 2002

Announcements ACACIA LODGE SOPHIE'S NURSES Thankyou Mrs Pringsheim, S.R.N. MATRON For Elderly, Retired and Convalescent 4 Station Offices, Station Road Katia Gould would like to express her (Licensed by Borough of Bamet) Willesden Junction, warmest thanks to the many kind friends • Single and Double Rooms. London NWIO 4XA who have sent cards, flowers and offers of • H/C Basins and CH in all rooms. • Gardens, TV and reading rooms. Telephone 020 8961 4401 help during her recent hospital stay and • Nurse on duty 24 hours. Fax 020 8961 0875 continuing forced inactivity. • Long and short term and respite, including trial period if required. email: [email protected] www. sophiesrecruitment.co.uk Deaths From £300 per week Engel. George Engel. We mourn the 020 8445 1244/020 8446 2820 office hours Sophies (SRS) Healthcare at home passing of a brave volunteer for the Israeli 020 8455 1335 other times 37-39 Torrington Park, North Finchley, will enable people to live full and War of Independence. His valuable military London N12 9TB independent lives within their own expertise compliments Ben-Gurion's homes and continue to enjoy declaration that "Machal was the single most comfort and security important contribution to winning the war." Leo Baeck Housing Association Ltd May his soul rest in peace and may his dear Clara Nehab House Ilka be comforted. Residential Care Home Glaser. Edgar Glaser, born 18.5.1923, All single rooms with en suite bath/shower BELSIZE SQUARE died suddenly 13.12.2001 aged 78 years. Short stays/Respite and 24 hour Permanent Care Large attractive gardens SYNAGOGUE He came to this country in June 1939. We Ground Floor Lounge and Dining rooms 51 Belsize Square, NW3 4HX loved him dearly. How we shall miss him. Lift access to all floors Jean and Jessica. Easy access to local shops and public transport We offer a traditional style of religious service with Cantor Choir and organ Enquiries and further information Kahn. Emest Kahn, bom in Cologne, died please contact: The Manager Further details can be obtained from 24.12.01 in London. Buried Sanhedria, Clara Nehab House the synagogue secretary , near his parents. A devoted 13-19 Leeside Crescent Telephone 020 7794 3949 London NW11 ODA caring husband, a modest kind gentleman Phone: 020 8455 2286 Minister: Rabbi Rodney J Mariner loved by all who knew him. He will be deeply Cantor: Rev Lawrence H Fine missed by his devoted wife Livia, brother Regular Services and sister-in-law Walter and Grace Kahn, Friday evenings at 6.45 pm Saturday mornings at 10 am family and friends, as well as brothers and BELSIZE SQUARE APARTMENTS 24 BELSIZE SQUARE, NWS School: Sundays at 10 am to 1 pm sisters ofthe BB Lodge. Tel: 020 7794 4307 or 020 7435 2557 Nursery School: 9.15 am to 12.15 pm Belsize under 3's: 9.30 am to 11.30 am Kent. Dora Kent. Beloved widow of Ernst, Modern Self-catering Holiday Rooms, Resident Housekeeper, Moderate Terms Space donated by Pafra Limited taken so suddenly on 11 December 2001 Near Swiss Cottage Station following her 86th birthday. A most loving, elegant and dignified lady, respected and greatly missed by all who knew her. We miss SWITCH ON ELECTRICS BELSIZE SQUARE SYNAGOGUE her so much and will love her forever. Lilian Rewires and all household 51 Belsize Square, London NW3 and George. electrical work Our communal hall is available for In Memoriam PHONE PAUL: 020 8200 3518 cultural and social functions 3-4 March 1943, Martin and Lotte Tel: 020 7794 3949 Reichenbach and the other 281 Dresden ALTERATIONS Jews deported from Hellerberg camp and murdered in Auschwitz that very night. OF ANY KIND TO LADIES' FASHIONS THE BRITISH AND EUROPEAN MACHAL I also design and make children's clothes ASSOCIATION 1948 ISRAEL VETERANS Miscellaneous Services A group Is visiting Israel 14-24 April 2002 Manicure & Pedicure in the comfort of West Hampstead area 020 7328 6571 your own home. Telephone 020 8343 0976. Machalnlklm and all other Interested parties are welcome to Join in commemorating fallen Day Centre veterans at a service to be held at the Shirley Lever at the Paul Balint AJR Day AJR MEALS ON WHEELS Machal Memorial on the Burma Road at Centre. Clothes sale, separates etc. A wide variety of high quality kosher frozen Sha'ar Hagal on Yom Hazikaron. Thursday 21 March 9.30 am -11.45 am. food is available, ready-made and For further details Immediately contact Stanley delivered to your door via the Medlcks, Co-ordlnator Tel: 020 8348 8695 Pamela Bloch at the Paul Balint AJR AJR Meals on Wheels service. Day Centre. Clothes sale, separates etc. The food is cooked in our own kitchens in Thursday 21 March 2002 9.30 am -11.45 am. Cleve Road, NW6 by our experienced staff. ADVERTISEMENT RATES PHONE Susie Kaufman on FAMILY EVENTS First 15 words free of charge, DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 020 7328 0208 for details and £2.00 per 5 words thereafter. assessment interview 24 June 2002 CUSSIFIED, SEARCH NOTICES Lunch at Day Centre then £2.00 per 5 words. Tea at Sopwell House BOX NUMBERS - £3.00 extra The AJR does not accept DISPLAY ADVERTS 29 July 2002 responsibility for the standard of per single column inch 65mm £12.00 Trip to Althorp with picnic lunch services offered by advertisers COPY DATE - 5 weeks prior to publication

14 AJRJOURNAL MARCH 2002

honorary member ofthe 45 Aid Society. Obituary A member of the Jewish Chronicle Arts and Events Diary editorial staff from 1946 to 1989, Joe March Joe Finkelstone Finkelstone covered every position One of the longest-serving Jewish except that of editor. He made Until April 2002 Programme of journalists, Joe Finklestone OBE, has died international headlines with his surprise lectures and events in Leeds in at the age of 77. He arrived in Britain in interview of Egypt's President Anwar commemoration of one-time inmates, 1937 as a 13-year-old from Chelm, Poland, Sadat in 1979, which resulted in the book victims and survivors of concentration and his Chassidic rebbe fether was wise Sadat: Visionary Who Dared. His other camps and their families, under the enough to take up a job as shomer book, Dangers, Tests and Miracles, was aegis of Arbeitskreis der NS- (religious inspector) at Bonn's matzah based on the tortuous relations of Gedenkstatten in Nordrhein- Westfalen. John Chillag 01937 factory in the north of England. Romanian Moses Rosen with 844353 (evenings) Educated in the religious backgroimd of the communist regime and the secret Gateshead, Joe was determined to be a exodus of Jews from to Israel. 3 February to 31 March 2002 Special film season at Everyman Cinema, Writer School essays on display at the Always interested in the possibility of Hampstead: 'Refugees and Exiles'. Tel peace, Joe interviewed Christian and town hall led to his being taken on as cub Spiro Ark 020 8958 6272 reporter by the Carlisle Joumal, which Muslim Arab leaders as well as the Pope. sent him to cover the arrival of the first His Middle East reporting was honoured 22 February to 30 March IHeinrich von Kleist, The Prince of Homburg', planeload of teenage survivors from the with the David Holden British Press RSC, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith Nazi death camps on 14 August 1945. The Award in 1981. He was active in the Guild Scoop was a powerful emotional of Joiu-naUsts and was a member of the Mon 4 Prof Leon Yudkin (University experience as he was barely older than 'the Middle East Group of the Royal Institute College London), 'Literature in Response to History: Changing Modes Soys' and spoke their language, Yiddish, of International Affairs (Chatham House). in Changing Circumstances' keeping in touch and becoming an Ruth Rothenberg (discussion of Prof Yudkin's new book). Club 43.7.45 pm Tues 5 Dr Michael Schulz (BeHin), Searching for friends and family on AJR's website 'German-Jewish Exiles in Britain and the Public Sphere', Centre for German- ^ince it was launched last year, AJR's which then appear on the AJR website, Jewish Studies, Sussex Website wvwv.ajrorq.uk has seen a but restrictions of space can often lead to 'Continual growth in the number of visits the buildup of a backlog. Overcoming Mon 11 Dr David Williamson (Oxford '^ade, and more than 1,000 internet any delay, by placing more urgent and London), The Paradox of Walter ^sers are currently logging on to the requests directly onto the AJR website, is Rathenau'. Club 43.7.45 pm Website every month from some 40 now possible. Consequently, the AJR will Tues 12 Franz Solms-Laubach •countries. be pleased to place your search notice on (Sussex), 'The Nietzsche Reception of The website's 'Search and Research' our website free to AJR members and Georg Simmel and Rosa Mayreder", Page offers help to those attempting to subscribers to AJR Journal, with a small Centre for German-Jewish Studies, trace missing relatives or friends and to administrative charge being made to Sussex non-members and other organisations. those seeking information about Wed 13 Dr Ada Rapoport-Albert, Entries will remain on the website for a •"efugees and survivors who reached all 'Jacob Frank and the Female Messiah minimum of six months unless their Parts of the world. In the short time this in Judaism, Christianity and Islam', withdrawal is requested. 'acility has been available, it has quickly School of Oriental and African Studies, "ecome a global asset. Please email search(5)ajr.ora.uk and we 1.00 pm. Room G60 will do the rest. AJR Journal continues to publish a Mon 18 Dr F W Rosner, The Life and fiumber of search notices each month, Gordon Greenfield Work of Fritz Kortner: Actor and Producer'. Club 43.7.45 pm Mon 25 Chades Dreyfus MA, 'Her YOM HASHOAH COAAMEMORATIONS Majesty: Some Ancestors'. Club 43. 7.45 pm Central Commemoration Pinner Synagogue Logan Hall, 1 Cecil Park, Pinner, Middlesex ORGANISATION CONTACTS Institute of Education, (5 minutes from Pinner Station) Centre for German-Jewish Studies, University of London Monday 8 April 8-10 pm University of Sussex Diana Franklin 020 83814721 Sunday 14 April 11 am Special guest Nicholas Winton Club 43 Belsize Square Synagogue. (booking essential) with Muriel Emanuel and Hans Seelig 01442 254360 Vera Gissing, For further information, co-authors of a book School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Centre for Jewish please telephone the Board on his role in the rescue Studies, Thornhaugh Street, of Deputies, Yad Vashem of 669 Czech children on the London WCIH OXG. Dalia Manor, Kindertransport (no charge) Committee 020 7543 5400 020 78984350

15 AJR JOURNAL MARCH 2002

Pesach - a festival encrusted with history Newsround Bernd Koschland Haider's apology to Jewish leader for whatever disasters and happenings Jorg Haider has apologised for remarks we have survived, then and now. he made critical of Ariel Muzicant, the Yet, as we sit in freedom around the leader of Austria's Jewish community. In a Seder table, the Haggadah brings to mind speech last year, Haider alleged that subsequent events which have made Muzicant had used his political sombre this period ofthe year. This time connections to further his business of the year saw the decimation of interests. communities in the Rhineland by the Oberammergau cleans up its act crusading mobs in 1096. Just days before The Oberammergau Passion play no Pesach in 1190, the tragedy of York longer condemns the Jews for crucifying unfolded. In April 1648 the insurrection Christ. The changes represent the fruits of against Polish magnates began, a 30-year campaign by the American culminating in the deaths of some Jewish Committee and the Anti- 100,000 Jews - the Chmielnicki Defamation League to bring the play massacres - which left East European more into line with improvements in Jewry devastated. The blood libel, Catholic-Jewish relations since the 1960s. which first raised its head in Norwich in Racism on the internet Celebrating the Pesach Seder service 1144, has recurred frequently in the German Jewish leader Paul Spiegel has centuries that have followed, right up to warned that right-wing extremism on the The first observance of a basic Pesach our own days. The first day of internet is as much a threat to democracy took place in Egypt. Annually, Pesach in 1943 saw the outbreak of the as other forms of terrorism. He said that throughout the ages since, we have Warsaw ghetto revolt. law-enforcement officials should crack down hard. recalled - and still do - this experience, From the second day of Pesach we which was the prelude to the Exodus, the count the Omer for seven weeks, also a Budapest demonstration against escape from slavery to freedom and the sad period. It marks the deaths of the antisemitism beginning of Israel's becoming a people. pupils of Rabbi Akiva. Many modem A ceremony commemorating the Through the millennia, sad events in our scholars have understood this to be a liberation of the Budapest ghetto was history - and some happy ones - have reference to the Bar Cochba Revolt transformed into a rally against antisemitism when some 10,000 Jews come to surround it, making it the most against Rome (132-135 CE), during and non-Jews gathered in front of the 'historical' of all our major festivals. which many Jewish soldiers - the 'pupils' parliament building carrying posters Thus the Seder is the catalyst for past, - lost their lives in defence of a homeland condemning the rise of antisemitism in present and future. We recall the events of their own, mirrored by the Hungary. of the first Pesach with the Matzot and establishment of Medinat Israel during with some ofthe items on the Seder dish. the Omer, shortly after Pesach. US seeks deportation of alleged war criminal The Haggadah relates the As we celebrate once against the The US is seeking to deport an Illinois man 'commemoration', events from Festival of our Freedom, vrith the Seder for allegedly participating in the Patriarchal times, the Exodus, the dish before us and the recitation of the persecution and murder of Jews in the manner of celebration in the past (e.g. Haggadah, we recall the past firomwhic h Second Wodd War According to a the shank-bone recalling the paschal we should derive some lesson. complaint the Justice Department has lamb, the egg representing the festival Hopefully, by opening the door to admit filed, Peter John Bernes, alias Petras sacrifice), events of later history and the Elijah, we shall be opening the door to a Bernotavicius, 79, helped remove hope for future redemption - the concept future suffused with light, security and condemned prisoners from jail so they of Elijah at Pesach and the return to happiness for Jews everywhere, could be taken to nearby killing sites. Jerusalem. Finally, in the Haggadah we especially for peace in Israel, as well as Richard Fry 1900-2002 give thanks and praise to the Almighty for all humanity. The Berlin-born Manchester Guardian financial editor for 26 years, Richard Fry CBE, has died at the age of 101. London AJR AGM TheAJR correspondent for a German paper from 1926, in 1933 as a Jew he was sacked but 3 pm Sunday wishes all its members 16 June 2002 stayed, using his impeccable English to a Happy Pesach continue influencing Britain's financial 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 policy until the end ofthe century.

PUBUSHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH REFUGEES IN GREAT BRITAIN, 1 HAMPSTEAD GATE, 1A FROGNAL. LONDON NW3 SAL TEL 020 7431 6161 FAX: 020 7431 8454

16