VOLumeAJR JOURNAL 11 NO.9 septemberseptember 2011

A history of the

he appearance of a history of the But the inclusion of the post-1945 plainly insufficient for a study of the Kindertransports is an event of transports makes possible a broadening settlement of the Kindertransportees T considerable interest to the many of focus and a comparative dimension over a period of some 65 post-war years, AJR members who were themselves that Turner’s study lacks. The post-war and it leaves much of their later lives in Kindertransportees and to the wider transports may only have numbered Britain and their interaction with the wider community of Jewish refugees in general. hundreds, but they should not be wholly community of the refugees from Hitler in Surprisingly, no proper academic history overshadowed by their now famous pre- Britain uncovered. Indeed, Fast hardly of the Kindertransports in English war predecessors. seems aware of the existence of the large, exists. The last comprehensive book However, by adding the later active and vibrant community of refugees on the subject, Barry Turner’s … transports, Fast is forced to reduce from Germany and that developed And the Policeman Smiled: 10,000 the amount of space devoted to the in the post-war decades in areas like north- Children Escape from Nazi Europe, was Kindertransports of 1938/39, which must west . published by Bloomsbury in 1990. As As if to prove that point, the AJR does its sometimes breathlessly urgent style not appear in the book’s index, rating a and its sentimental title indicate,­ it was mention only in the list of abbreviations written by a journalist, not a historian. (!) and in a couple of footnotes. While Though it remains a serviceable study, Bertha Leverton features prominently, it is now showing its age. Nor does the the organisation that more recent study in German by ­Rebekka she founded, now affiliated to the AJR Göpfert fill the gap. as AJR-KT, does not. The now adult Children’s Exodus: A History of Kindertransportees appear, in Fast’s the Kindertransport by Vera K. Fast, account, as atomised individuals left to published in London and New York cope largely on their own in a foreign by I. B. Tauris in 2011, promises to be land – ‘separated from their heritage a welcome addition to the field. Fast, and history’, as the blurb on the book’s a retired archivist and historian from A party of refugee girls at an English recep- inside cover puts it. This is hard to square tion camp PHOTO: WIENER LIBRARY , conducted much of her research with the avowed intention of the AJR, a at the University of , thanks form the main focus of any study of this body that numbered thousands of former to a visiting fellowship for study at the subject. Whereas Turner devoted all 281 refugees as its members, to preserve the Hartley Library. Her discovery of the pages of his book, packed with detail precious cultural heritage of German papers of Rabbi Dr Solomon Schonfeld, from the files of the Refugee Children’s Jewry. deposited at the library, led to one of the Movement, the main body responsible Fast says nothing about any refugee or- most striking features of her book, the for supporting the children in Britain, to ganisations, social networks, publications inclusion of the transports of children those who came in 1938/39, Fast devotes or activities in which the former Kinder- brought over after the war as a final only 168 of her 198 pages to them. The transportees might have participated – the chapter in the Kindertransport story. For result is, inevitably, a sketchier picture; Hyphen, for example, founded in 1948 though Rabbi Dr Schonfeld had already Fast’s tendency to concentrate on such precisely to cater for that in-between gen- distinguished himself by his efforts on admittedly interesting minorities as eration of refugees who had not reached behalf of the pre-war Kindertransports, Orthodox Jewish children and the adulthood in Germany, but who were too his post-war exploits, in the absence Christian children designated as old on arrival in Britain to integrate seam- of the government backing that had under the (‘non-Aryan lessly into British society. Fast’s lack underpinned the earlier rescue scheme, Christians’) further reduces the amount of familiarity with the post-war refugee were arguably his finest hour. of space devoted to the children of community also leads her to reach some Historical purists may contend that assimilated German- and Austrian-Jewish very questionable conclusions, such the later transports composed of children families, who were the large majority. as that it was ‘very unusual’ for former who survived the camps or in hiding were Given the amount of published Kindertransportees to marry non-Jews; not properly part of the Kindertransport research on the Jewish refugees from I would estimate that at least one in five initiative that sprang into being after the Hitler in Britain that has been carried did so. This book is a useful addition to ’s decision in November out since Turner’s study appeared in its field, but a truly authoritative study of 1938 to allow 10,000 endangered children 1990, it is disappointing that Fast gives the subject remains to be written. from Germany into Britain without the the post-war period only some 20 pages, Anthony Grenville usual formalities of visas and passports. in her chapter ‘In Later Years’. This is continued overleaf

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Cultural intermediaries AJR’s 70th Anniversary Celebrations: Reception at On Sunday, 24 July 2011, a recital Austrian Ambassador’s Residence was held at the reception at the Austrian numerous areas of life, including art, Royal Academy Ambassador’s Residence in politics, science and medicine as well as of Music in Lon- A London’s Belgrave Square in law, cinematography, architecture and don in memory of July ­provided literature. They a wonderful had also brought Hannah Horovitz opportunity to their ‘distinctive (1936-2010), well reflect on the 70 cultural identity’, known in musi- years’ existence perhaps best cal circles as a Hannah Horovitz of the AJR and represented by remarkably en- the remarkable the -born ergetic and innovative music promoter contribution the ­Rudolf Bing, who who ­introduced a large number of young refugees have could take credit and previously unknown foreign artists to made to Britain. for establishing British audiences. One of these was the Dr Emil Brix, the both the Glynde- famous Hungarian pianist András Schiff, Austrian Ambas- bourne Festival who generously offered to give the recital sador, said that Opera and the Ed- (From left) HE Dr Emil Brix, Austrian Ambassador; as a tribute to Hannah Horovitz, as she the AJR had ‘great inburgh ­Festival. achievements’ to unknown person; Martin Reichard, Counsellor (Press While ‘our shared had organised his first concerts in Britain & Information), Austrian Embassy; AJR Chairman its credit since its history is seared in the 1970s. Andrew Kaufman PHOTO: AUsTRIAN EMBASSY founding days, into our con- The musical scene in Britain was having helped tens of thousands of sciousness’, Andrew said, in all the transformed by the arrival of the Jewish refugees from Austria newly arrived events the AJR had organised to mark its refugees fleeing from Germany and Aus- in Britain. Yet it was important, he 70th anniversary, it had emphasised that tria after 1933. One need only mention stressed, for Austria to face its past and these were opportunities ‘to celebrate such names as the singer Richard Tauber, it was doing that. Jewish life, he said, the seminal achievements and remark- the composers Berthold Goldschmidt was thriving again in Austria, Jewish able contributions’ the Jewish refugees and Franz Reizenstein, the violinist Max cemeteries were being restored, and had made to this country. Rostal, the three refugee members of the many were ‘going Edward Timms, Research Professor in Amadeus Quartet, and the musicologist into Austria’s schools to tell tomorrow’s History at the University of Sussex Centre and broadcaster Hans Keller; and both generation of that dark chapter in Aus- for German-Jewish Studies, gave a brief the opera at Glyndebourne and the first trian history.’ He congratulated the AJR introduction to his book Taking Up the Torch: English Institutions, German Dia- Edinburgh International Festival of 1947, on ‘70 years of impressive, unflinching and tireless work’. lectics and Multi-Cultural Commitments, then largely a musical event, were heavily AJR Chairman Andrew Kaufman whose publication coincided with the dependent for their foundation on refugee noted that the refugees excelled in AJR’s anniversary. expertise, in particular that of Rudolf Bing. The outstanding quality of the musical tradition that the refugees from Germany tions of children have enjoyed Horovitz’s Britain of Refugees from Nazism (London: and Austria brought with them to Britain humorous cantata Captain Noah and His Chatto & Windus, 2002). Movingly, was underlined by the programme chosen Floating Zoo, as TV viewers have enjoyed Snowman played extracts from an by Schiff for his recital: Bach, Mozart, his musical accompaniments to series like interview with Hannah Horovitz, in which Beethoven and Schubert, with a piece by Rumpole of the Bailey. she spoke of herself as a bridge between the Hungarian-Jewish composer György The most famous of the refugee two cultures, a cultural intermediary Kurtág, written in memory of the pianist’s dynasties is the Freud family, as the who interpreted the nuances of Central own mother. recent death of the artist Lucian Freud European culture to the British and, in The entire event was imbued with has reminded us; the achievements of her role as Deputy Director of the British the spirit of the cultural riches that the the Horovitz family show that the Freuds Council’s Visiting Arts Unit, forged links refugees from Hitler brought to Britain. are by no means a unique phenomenon. between Britain and the international The guests were welcomed by Hannah Fittingly, the opening tribute to Hannah cultural community, in the hope of Horovitz’s sister, Elly Miller, the elder Horovitz was delivered by the leading reducing British insularity. daughter of the celebrated publisher Bela historian of refugee cultural networks in The Jewish refugees from Hitler in Horovitz, founder of the world-famous Britain, Daniel Snowman, author of The Britain have every reason to be proud of publishing house Phaidon Press, who Hitler Émigrés: The Cultural Impact on the contribution that they have made to with her husband Harvey Miller helped the cultural life of Britain. Even among to run the press after her father’s sudden AJR Directors refugees who became civil servants, a Gordon Greenfield death in 1955. Also present was Joseph Michael Newman pronounced strain of commitment to Horovitz, Bela Horovitz’s son, a highly Carol Rossen ­culture made itself felt. Claus Moser, head distinguished composer and arranger and AJR Heads of Department of the Central Statistical Office, the for many years a professor at the Royal Susie Kaufman Organiser, AJR Centre ­predecessor of today’s Office for National Sue Kurlander Social Services College of Music. His Fifth String Quartet, Statistics, served as Chairman of the Royal AJR Journal originally composed for the sixtieth birth- Dr Anthony Grenville Consultant Editor Opera House, Covent Garden, while John day of the eminent refugee art historian Dr Howard Spier Executive Editor Burgh became Director-General of the Ernst Gombrich, was played in London in Andrea Goodmaker Secretarial/Advertisements British Council. Hannah Horovitz acted as 1988, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of mediator between two cultural traditions the , the annexation of ­Austria Views expressed in the AJR Journal are not and thereby also enriched her adopted necessarily those of the Association of Jewish by Hitler which caused the Horovitz Refugees and should not be regarded as such. homeland. family to flee Vienna for London. Genera- Anthony Grenville

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a tale of three cities NEWTONS SOLICITORS y brother tells me he was at the and Sydney, my husband and I finally Westbahnhof on 6 September settled in London in January 1952. And Our experienced team M1938 when I fled from Vienna. that’s when my love affair with London will give you expert My parents must have been there. Anyone began. It wasn’t the coup de foudre I had else? I don’t know. My mind has chosen experienced for Paris. London grew on me. and personal advice to blot out the moments of leave-taking. The other day my true-blue friend 22 Fitzjohn’s Avenue I’m on a train, on my way to Paris, Dorothy (some of my best friends vote London NW3 5NB where I am to spend three days on my Conservative) complained: ‘My dear, Tel: 020 7435 5351 way to . I share the compartment London isn’t what it used to be when I was Fax: 020 7435 8881 with a pleasant young woman who offers a gal!’ I know what she meant. When she [email protected] me sweets. So I’m going to Paris? Yes. To was a ‘gal’ London was English, London learn French? Yes. She gets off the train, was white. Nowadays, anywhere in the with many good wishes for my stay in city, one finds every shade from the palest Paris. I’m alone. white to the darkest black and hears a The journey takes 23 hours. I try to multitude of languages. True, London in sleep but can’t. We are close to the French 1952 was different – but not necessarily spring grove border and I can feel my heart knocking better. Some folk would let rooms to RETIREMENT HOME against my ribs. Stories ‘Gentiles only’; others 214 Finchley Road have been circulating discouraged dogs and London NW3 in Vienna about Jews the Irish from applying I know I’ll never be London’s Most Luxurious being taken off trains, for accommodation. searched, interrogated. English and have no Nevertheless, even  Entertainment  Activities A conductor enters the then, there was much problems with that.  Stress Free Living compartment, wants to to appreciate about  24 House Staffing Excellent Cuisine see my passport (still But, after almost 60 London. And I don’t  Full En-Suite Facilities Austrian without just mean such obvious­ Call for more information or a personal tour the tell-tale J) and years of continuous tourist attractions as my ticket. I have residence, I’d feel Westminster Abbey 020 8446 2117 taken off my shoes and the Tower. Then, as or 020 7794 4455 and put them on the honoured if I were now, you could escape [email protected] luggage rack and allowed to call myself the hustle of a busy point this out to him road and find refuge in sheepishly. He smiles a Londoner. a tranquil square, just broadly: ‘Quite right a few steps way. Or too. Off with them if you could visit any of JACKMAN . they pinch!’ London’s great art galleries and museums And that’s it. There are French voices. for free! SILVERMAN There is France. There is freedom. And what about Kenwood on COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS For three days I stayed in Paris with Hampstead Heath? Only six kilometres relatives who were waiting for their from Trafalgar Square, it offers you Australian visa, and it took me by storm. not only magnificent views of the city I was to live and work there from 1947 to but allows you to combine admiring 1949, and each day the city charmed me Rembrandt’s self-portrait in an elegant with its beauty. 18th century house with rambling, On 10 September 1938 I left Paris with swimming, fishing and flying kites. a heavy heart for a new life in England. There are three cities, then, vying for my Telephone: 020 7209 5532 London, after Paris, was something of affection. There is Vienna, the city of my [email protected] a disappointment. It seemed somewhat birth, where I spent my formative years; staid, lacking excitement. True, there were there is Paris; and there is London. things that impressed me. In ­Vienna’s neat Vienna will always be part of me. I go little parks you were ­sternly told that ‘Das there occasionally and what had once Betreten des Rasens ist verboten.’ In Lon- seemed the centre of the universe now don’s magnificent public gardens no one strikes me as rather provincial. Yet the The Chairman, kept off the grass. People walked across it, street names evoke memories, both good children played games on it, lovers loved and bad, and I try to hold on to the good Management each other on it. I also admired the picture­ ones and keep the ghosts at bay. Committee and Staff houses, which seemed to me more like Paris, which I visit frequently, will never palaces than cinemas. cease to seduce me. wish all I actually didn’t spend much time in But there is no doubt in my mind where London between 1938 and 1945. There I wish to spend whatever is left of my life. AJR members a were three short-lived domestic jobs I know I’ll never be English and have no before the war and I was there during the problems with that. But, after almost 60 Happy, Healthy and Blitz. The rest of the time I spent in various years of continuous residence, I’d feel parts of England. honoured if I were allowed to call myself Peaceful New Year In July 1945 I left Britain to work for the a Londoner. US army in Germany and, after intervals in Edith Argy

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A Kindertransport memoir

Daisy Roessler-Rubin sadly passed away in shilling note. It was a lot of money in those help the laundry women fold the washing. March this year in Ra’anana, Israel, shortly days – about a fifth of a working man’s Inside the house there were three floors after she had completed this article (Ed.). weekly wage. with four bedrooms on each. The biggest, n 5 June 1939 I left on a We then boarded another train at on the first floor, had been converted into Kindertransport. Only two adults King’s Cross Station, which, I was later a bathroom with four washbasins and Owere allowed to see us off and told, was the renowned Flying Scotsman. three bath cubicles. we had to say our goodbyes in a special We were put under the charge of the We were mostly six girls to a room with waiting room. The scene remains in my guard, who sat us down in the dining car. each girl having separate cupboard space. memory to this very day. When he explained who we were to the The beds, bed linen and towels were all Everyone in tears, little children grasping other passengers it was the first time I had brand new. their mothers’ skirts not understanding heard the word ‘refugee’. On the next floor, two rooms were what was going on, older ones trying to bedrooms for the girls, a third was fitted keep a stiff upper lip and to be brave. out as a sick bay, and the fourth was I was 12 years old and was asked Matron’s room. The rooms above were to look after a little girl called Lisa. The for the cook, the maids and bathrooms. volunteers who were to accompany us to Downstairs, the largest room was our England asked most of us ‘older ones’ to play and sitting room. As usual in those assist with the younger travellers, some of old houses, there was just one small coal whom were only four years old! fireplace. It was always cold – even in the When the time came to leave, we summer. Next door was our dining room, all trooped outside and waiting on the with matron’s office opposite. Anyone platform were police and SA men. They who has seen the television programme actually helped us on to the train and a Upstairs, Downstairs would be able to few policemen called out ‘Gute Reise!’ visualise our new home. We had identification cards around At first, all but the youngest girls went our necks with our name and destination to the local schools, but left after two and we were allowed one medium-sized weeks as the committee decided that the suitcase and a small bag. Daisy Roessler-Rubin priority should be English lessons. The train started to move and there They hired a most wonderful, delightful we sat, hugging our treasures – dolls, The two girls soon nodded off, leaning and kind retired teacher – Miss Robinson, teddy bears, photos, etc. Now and then on my shoulders. Everyone smiled at us who came each day. The older girls learned policemen entered the compartment to and ordered food and drink for us. I knew in the mornings and the rest in the after- search us and our luggage. no English, so all I could do was smile back. noons. She looked and dressed like Mary This happened three or four times Our destination turned out to be Poppins, as traditional British nannies used until we reached the Dutch border. There Newcastle, where we were met by two to dress. She really cared for us. Every girl the train stopped and we were searched ladies. We were driven to Sunderland and received a photo album for her birthday for the last time. We crossed the border, reached what was to be our new home: with a loving greeting on the front page. stopped again and we were free! No. 2 Kensington Esplanade, a four- The postman’s arrival was an eagerly There were lots of people waiting there. storey, double-fronted upper-middle-class awaited event. He would arrive waving a They shouted ‘Welcome’ and handed us Victorian mansion. handful of letters from afar. food and drinks as well as toys for the Miss Schlüssel the matron, Miss The summer of 1939 was hot and younger children. Then on to Hoek van Rosenberg the cook, Rose and Maud the ­sunny. We went to the beach crocodile Holland for the next phase of our long, maids waited to receive us and show us fashion – two by two. People would stop long journey. to our rooms. After we had had a bath us with good wishes, money for ice cream Most of us had never seen the sea and a snack, they sent us straight to bed. and even cinema tickets. I remember before, so our misery was somewhat Next morning, Regina, the oldest, seeing The Great Dictator with Charlie alleviated by the view. We boarded the showed us round the house. We were Chaplin. ferry, were assigned our berths, served a divided into three groups: little ones, Sunderland had two synagogues – warm meal, and off we went to sleep after middle ones and big ones – 27 in all. Rabbi Rabinowitz was the minister of a long, sad and eventful day. The house had three large reception the Federation and Rabbi Toporoff of On the morning of 6 June we rooms, a butler’s pantry and the house- the United. On Shabbat we alternated disembarked and stepped on to British keeper’s sitting-room with a coal-fired between the two and small groups of soil. It was a lovely day. While our luggage Aga oven and pulleys overhead to dry the girls would be invited for tea by some of was taken into a large hangar and laundry and dressers along one wall for the congregants. Rabbi Toporoff always assembled in alphabetical order, we sat plates, cups, bowls, etc. Next door there conducted the seder for us. outside on the lush green grass. Once our was a kitchen with sinks, gas cooker, a long We were looked after by the Jewish cases were identified, we boarded a train wooden table and saucepans, frying pans doctors and dentists, received clothes and which took us to Street Station. and other utensils hanging on one wall. shoes from the local shopkeepers, and Our volunteers took us across the road into Then there was a back door that led on were treated well by all. a large hall and sorted us out with regard to a yard with two low buildings. One had But then came the big change! It was at to where and to whom we would be sent. once been a stable but now housed a fire 12 midday, Sunday 3 September 1939 that A new identification card with name engine, while the other was a laundry room matron asked us to assemble in the play- and destination was placed around my with a low, coal-fired oven, on top of which room, sit quietly on the floor, and listen. neck. I was put in charge of two smaller was a huge cauldron for boiling soiled I remember Mr Chamberlain declaring girls, and we were each handed a ten- clothes, a table and a mangle. We would continued opposite

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An eventful journey

lmost every year for the last 20 drove us via Pilsen, where we stopped response to the mayor’s address, among years, my wife and I have spent at the well maintained Jewish cemetery others, I recalled the lives of my parents A a couple of weeks on holiday containing the graves of my maternal and sister in the town and their fate in in the Czech Republic. We went there grandparents. On our arrival in Stribro, , spoke about my life and again in June this year – but there was we were met by the lady in charge of the family, and linked my Central European a difference. A few weeks before leaving town’s chronicle and, after a brief rest, background with the town’s history. Newcastle, I received a letter from the were taken to the local Jewish cemetery. A couple of days after our return mayor of Stribro, the town where I was With a few exceptions, the remaining from Stribro, we were driven by the born, inviting us for a two-day visit Jewish population of the town perished head of the office of the Jewish and bearing the news that I had been in the Holocaust. Thus there is a large community in charge of the preservation awarded Honorary Citizenship of the of Jewish monuments to Hostomice, town, which we had visited once before. another small town in western Bohemia Stribro is a pretty town in western and about 40 km from Prague. My Bohemia lying on a rocky promontory father was born there and, as a boy, above the River Mze (Mies in German, I spent many good holidays with my also the German name of the town) grandparents there. I was pleased to and with a 900-year history. In the see that the small house in which my Middle Ages, it was famous for its silver grandfather had had a draper’s shop mines (silver in Czech is stribro) and has (now a pharmacy) and the house in always been an important link on the which my grandparents had lived route from Nuremberg to Prague. The (now the home of the local Protestant town declined in the 17th century due clergyman and a prayer hall in the to the ravages of the Thirty Years’ War former barn) were well maintained. and pestilence, but had a revival 100 The nearby 300-year-old Jewish years later with the re-opening of the Pavel Novak cemetery (see also AJR Journal, December mines, this time for mining lead. This empty space in the cemetery – a mov- 2007), which used to serve the whole period also coincides with the influx of ing sight. district, lies on a small hill hidden by German miners and the town became The next stop was the town museum, tall trees and shrubs; several years ago predominantly German-speaking. Being which is housed in a former monastery it was declared a protected monument. in after Munich, from 1938 and is undergoing an extensive We found the graves, including those to 1945 it became part of Germany. reconstruction. Following a tour of the of my paternal great-grandparents and My parents and sister lived in the new premises, we inspected one of the grandparents, and the whole space well town in 1913-23 and I was born there (damaged) Torah scrolls. For dinner we looked after. A construction of a new, in 1918. My father was deputy station invited the mayor, deputy mayor and stone white-washed surrounding wall is master and my sister started her early the chronicler to a restaurant situated more than half-finished. school years there. At that time, there in the house in which I had lived during After a brief visit to old friends (who was in Stribro a Jewish community of the first five years of my life. used to look after the cemetery and about 150, forming around 3 per cent The next day we attended a festive who remembered my grandparents), of the town’s population. Today the meeting of the town council, where, and the inevitable coffee and cake, only remaining elements of the Jewish in the presence of the local MP, a we adjourned back to Hostomice community are the Jewish cemetery, a member of the Senate, the director of town square for lunch in a pub (now gate in the ruins of the town walls called the research institute in Prague where quite a respectable restaurant), which the ‘Jewish gate’, and three damaged I had worked in 1945–67 and other I remember well from my childhood Torah scrolls in the town museum. dignitaries, I was presented with a holidays. And then back to our holiday Our journey to Stribro began about certificate of Honorary Citizenship and near Prague and meetings with the few 25 km from Prague, where we were stay- a DVD of the remaining text of the Torah remaining old friends. ing for our holiday, with a friend who scroll from the town museum. In my Pavel Novak

A Kindertransport memoir continued wardens came to check on us. Our building injured. The beaches were closed off with war without understanding most of his was at the entrance of an underground barbed wire and many of the local children speech. Immediately afterwards, the air railway tunnel and was always one of the were evacuated to safer locations. raid siren wailed for the first time. We took main targets. The Refugee Hostel for Girls in our gas masks off our numbered towel Gradually everything changed. At first, Sunderland was one of the best in the hooks and, together with our most valued letters would still arrive, but then they got . We were never short of possessions, proceeded down into the less and less until they stopped altogether. anything, but food and clothes became cellar, which served as an air raid shelter. Most of the girls never saw their families scarcer as the war carried on. The cellar consisted of three parts – again. I was one of the lucky ones. A few of us ‘girls’, now scattered world- coal, general storage and wine. We sat Windows were blacked out, food and wide, are still regularly in contact, and on the side of the empty wine shelves clothing coupons were introduced, and we always remember the kindness and care clutching our bags. After the ‘all clear’ we had to go to the shelter after night. we received from the Sunderland Jewish climbed out again. After each air raid houses were Community. As the war progressed, the air raid destroyed and people were killed and Daisy Roessler-Rubin

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Assuming Mr Kohn has quoted Lord Sacks correctly, I should point out that, although Lord Sacks is a brilliant broadcaster, he is hardly someone likely to bring unity to our very divided religion: I remind you of his behaviour at the funeral of his friend Rabbi Gryn and his fatuous letter to Rabbi Padwa. Lastly, surely Mr Kohn can do better than quote a 19th-century rabbi who said that Reform Jews ‘have permitted that which God has forbidden us.’ RELOCATION OF THE AJR CENTRE Penitence offer the Walther Kohns in Does he not believe in progress? He Sir – As Chairman of the AJR, I was shocked our society the chance to seek out the obviously does not believe in ‘Progressive’ to read the intolerant and, I have to commonalities of all their fellow Jews and Judaism. Belsize Square was founded say, ignorant letter from Walther Kohn. together enjoy a year of understanding, as a synagogue for German-speaking Factually, the AJR is using the premises peace and harmony. refugees. I cannot think of a better venue of Belsize Square Synagogue as a tenant Jack Lynes, Pinner, Middx for the Paul Balint Centre. for its Day Centre. We could just as well Peter Phillips, Loudwater, Herts have gone to a United Synagogue. We Sir – I and my Holocaust survivor parents chose, however, to go to our close friends have long been associated with the AJR PAYING LAST RESPECTS at Belsize Square, back to our roots and and moved from and to all its premises. Sir – I have recently returned from Maly back to where we started our Day Centre Many members of the AJR have been, Trostinec, where my dear parents and over 25 years ago. and still are, members of Belsize Square sister were taken from Vienna on 10 May Perhaps Mr Kohn should come and Synagogue. The threats quoted by Mr 1942 and shot on arrival. sample what the AJR Centre has to offer, Kohn are completely offensive. Some 1,500 Jews from Vienna, Cologne either now at Cleve Road or from January As a Jew, I was brought up in the United and East Prussia suffered likewise. Though in Belsize Square, and maybe then he will Synagogue before transferring to Ger- I knew my parents and sister had perished, see the error of his ways. man Liberale services and congregations I have known the terrible details only since I can do no better than to end with cit- familiar to my background, which is a 2002, when I visited the Austrian State ing a measured and suitable response from joy. ­Belsize Square Synagogue welcomes Archive in Vienna. This was confirmed by our friend Paul Burger, Chairman of Belsize all Jews. Yad Vashem. Since then, I made up my Square Synagogue (see his letter below). The venue chosen by the AJR’s Trustees mind that I wanted to go there, to pay my Andrew Kaufman, Chairman, would have been discussed and approved. last respects and say Kaddish. Association of Jewish Refugees Hermolis would have been contacted How I was to go about it, I had no idea. and other venues sourced. Walther Kohn I didn’t have the confidence to make this Sir – As Chairman of Belsize Square hoped it would not be too late to find a journey on my own. The answer came Synagogue, Walther Kohn’s letter in different venue, but we look forward to when, at an informal meeting at the Aus- your last edition has been drawn to welcoming the AJR to our Kehila and its trian Embassy, the Ambassador told me my attention by several of our ‘shared’ pleasant, practical premises. about a lady in Vienna who was organis- members. We at Belsize Square have Helen Grunberg, London NW10 ing a trip to Minsk and Maly Trostinec. always valued the relationship we have This seemed the perfect answer. So it was with the AJR and it is not for me to Sir – I am a member of the United that I joined this small group and, with the comment on the content of this letter. Synagogue and I find Mr Walther Kohn’s help of a local guide, we were taken to the I would, however, like to correct ­letter rather narrow-minded. Members of forest where our people perished. I said the factual errors. Belsize Square is an the Paul Balint Centre go there for their Kaddish and was able to dedicate a plaque Independent Synagogue, which over the entertainment and to meet and mix with on one of the trees to the memory of my last 70 years has prided itself on opening friends. As it is now being relocated to loved ones. There was a memorial service our doors to all Jews of any denomination Belsize Square Synagogue, people will be at the Jewish cemetery and an extensive in our community. I would like to assure going to the AJR club and not to pray in tour of the former ghetto. your readers that Orthodox, Masorti, the Synagogue. I came back mentally and physically Reform and Liberal Jews frequently attend Dorli Neale, Edgware, Middx exhausted, but pleased that I was able our services and are most welcome. to say my last goodbye, which I was not We look forward to continuing and Sir – Does Walther Kohn really believe able to do as a child when I left Vienna. extending our excellent relationship with that the religiously observant would not All this just two weeks before my second members of the AJR. go to Belsize Square Synagogue because barmitzvah. Paul Burger, Chairman, it is a Liberal synagogue? What appalling Otto Deutsch, Southend-on-Sea Belsize Square Synagogue bigotry – particularly since Belsize Square does not even belong to ‘Liberal Judaism’. ‘THE ENGLISH GERMAN GIRL’: Sir – Shame. Sadness. Sorrow. Just three It was founded by German Jews as a place FACT AND FICTION of the sentiments Walther Kohn evoked to worship when they fled their homeland Sir – Regarding the review in your July in me when I read his observations about and settled in England. issue of the novel The English German the relocating of the Paul Balint Centre to Also, when Mr Kohn refers to the Chief Girl by Jake Wallis Simons: three of our Belsize Square. Rabbi, may I point out that Lord Sacks is KTA members in the US read the advance What is so sad is that he has still to only Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew copy of this book, which was sent to us. learn the lesson Hitler taught so well – Congregations and not of all British Jewry. I immediately pointed out errors to the that ‘A Jew is a Jew is a Jew’ and that I would also like to know where and when author, but was told it was too late to specific allegiance, or indeed intensity of Lord Sacks called ‘them’ destroyers of the change anything. Here are some of the observance, is of no consequence. faith. Is he referring to ‘Progressive’ Jews major mistakes all three of us found: May our New Year and Days of or the congregants of Belsize Square? 1. Until leaving Berlin in June 1939, I and

6 AJR JOURNAL september 2011 one of the persons who also came from arsonists, bomb-throwers and looters, ‘OBSESSION WITH ’ Berlin clearly recall that Jews were not grabbing anything they can find behind Sir – I find the title of Margarete Stern’s required to wear the Jewish star then. the broken glass. The use of truncheons letter (June) rather inaccurate. The word 2. Jews were able to buy groceries at seems forbidden, as are water cannons, obsession usually means a fetish or ma- that time, the same as the rest of the because the law-makers fear the culprits nia and I don’t think her sister’s feelings population. Only after the war began were would claim compensation under the about Czechoslovakia were a mania. I Jews restricted to shopping late in the day. ‘Human Rights Act’! believe her sister had an admiration for 3. After the war began, there was no The world is seeing in disbelief the utter a genuine democratic state before the longer any possibility of writing letters ineptness and sheer incompetence of the Second World War, a feeling I could share directly to England. British establishment’s leaders. Assuming with her. I was born and bred in that 4. Cutlery was not taken away from Jews the Olympics will not be cancelled, will country and loved it. Most of us would then – only valuables like gold, jewellery, foreign ticket-holders trust our police not believe what happened later. and some real silver. to provide their security? This country, Hana Nermut, Harrow 5. It seems very unlikely that the father like several others, is in financial turmoil, would have insulted the policeman, who created by the banks, whom of necessity Sir – I am very grateful to Susanne Medas was only trying to be helpful. My own we trust. The three pillars of the estab- and Heinz Vogel (July) for pointing out my father was grateful to a policeman friend lishment – parliament, police and press error regarding the late President Masaryk. who warned that action against Jews – have tumbled. No wonder one can hear It was definitely Tomas Mazaryk whom I would be taken in a few days. the outcry ‘There is something rotten in had in mind, whom my sister so much 6. The word ‘pfui’ was not constantly the state.’ admired and whose picture is still in this used by educated people: it only would Fred Stern, Wembley, Middx flat. What I do not understand is that my have been used when things were really sister adored him to such an extent even disgusting or dirty. DOZENT LEDERER after his death but she doesn’t seem to The other doubtful part is about the Sir – I have just read the letter by Maria remember all the facts clearly either! Kremer family, who were supposedly Hull (née Lederer) about her father, Dr I am learning such a lot through your very orthodox. Since abortions are not Richard Lederer. I too lived in Baghdad, correspondence pages. permitted in the Jewish religion, it is from 1935 to 1942, and met her father on (Mrs) Margarete Stern, London NW3 very unlikely that such a family would many occasions as a number of refugees or have opted for this so-called procedure. escapees from Hitler’s regime lived there, ‘DE-JUDAISATION’ OF THE HOLOCAUST It is shocking that any family, orthodox sometimes passing through to settle in the Sir – Kitty Hart-Moxon’s harsh criticism of or not, would have done this without at Far East. We got to know almost all the Peter Simpson (May, Letters) is unjustified. least talking to the girl about it. Of course, German-speaking Jewish refugees, who If Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) was we realise this is a novel, but it is based also became firm friends. instituted with the aim of including other on history and should therefore not have European cultural activities in Baghdad mass killings, it should have been called distorted the facts. were practically nil, so we often invited Genocide Day from the word go. Margaret Goldberger, each other to parties, where we held The Europeans initiated HMD to Corresponding Secretary, mock trials, debates and poetry readings assuage their conscience – they had much Kindertransport Association, or listened to recorded classical music. We to atone for – with Tony Blair coming on Hicksville, New York formed a private club and called it ‘The board later. We must never forget that Enemies of Baghdad Life’, these evenings Britain shut the gates of Palestine, thereby LONDON’S BURNING often turning into drinks parties with sealing the fate of countless escapees in Sir – I am writing on the fourth night of home-made food. I still have some of the their greatest hour of need. The Christian rioting and we are now witnessing arson doggerel I wrote and read out at these world always felt more comfortable on a grand scale. Nobody could have events. I also met the young baby Prince with Jews as the eternal victims, but, guessed this, but it should not come as a Feisal and was invited by his father, King since they began to hit back, Israelis, surprise. The growing disenchantment of Ghazi, to print a kiss on his forehand on and by extension Jews, are portrayed sections of society has been in evidence for a visit to lunch at the palace. as cruel oppressors by the liberal-left a long time. The psyche of the perpetrators (Mrs) Reni Chapman (née Schüler), and ‘Jews for Hire’. This victimhood has of the crime is well known. How is it that Leicester been transferred to the Palestinians, with their actions were not anticipated? The Israelis grotesquely portrayed as the new answer lies in the incompetence of the OPPORTUNITY PASSED Nazis. The Palestinians too are trying to establishment. Sir – A few weeks ago, I was catching up jump on the HMD bandwagon with their Watching the TV channels induces on the latest world events on Sky News. ‘Holocaust’ and what may seem unfitting despair, particularly when hearing the As many readers will know, each night today becomes the norm tomorrow. platitudes of the leaders of our society they invite two guests to review the next I rarely attend HMD as I always come instead of a logical dissertation of the day’s papers. On this occasion, the guests away dismayed. However, I did make the state of affairs, leading to a satisfactory were Eve Pollard and Sir Robert Winston. effort this year. The MC sounded like an conclusion and correct actions. A propos They discussed the death of Lucian Freud actor with splendid diction, but the words society, Mrs Thatcher pronounced that and it occurred to me that all three of were clearly not his. There were readings, ‘there is no such thing as Society’, only to these people were second-generation poems and citations, but no mention of be contradicted by our PM, proclaiming a Jewish refugees. How incredible! My the six million. If Mrs Hart-Moxon was ‘Big Society’. We don’t hear much about friend Eve Pollard, ex-editor of the there, I wonder if it registered with her that now. Now we shall hear even less Sunday Mirror and Sunday Express, that Jews were only mentioned once, about it! has spoken at a number of AJR group included in the tally of victims. Never mind Meanwhile, the hacking scandal is meetings but, despite our best efforts, the enormity of the Holocaust and that relegated to the back burner, but buckets Sir Robert Winston has declined. Sadly, the ‘’ was about Jews. The of whitewash are ready on standby, our opportunity to invite Lucian Freud uninitiated would hardly learn that the while gallons of printing ink ensure a has now passed. Nazis were out to murder every Jewish large readership. We see the police being Hazel Beiny, AJR Southern Region man, woman and child. attacked as they watch immobile the Outreach Co-Ordinator continued on page 16

7 AJR JOURNAL september 2011

These Hungarians were rootless, long- ing for self-expression. They were treated REVIEWs like enemy aliens in the USA and even had their cameras confiscated. Colin Ford, co- Theatre curator with Peter Baki of this exhibition, Enfant terrible suggests that their photographic genius THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK may be attributed to an inability to express ou don’t have to be Jewish to themselves in a foreign language. Know- Upstairs at the Gatehouse, be a Hungarian photographer, ing my own highly voluble Hungarian Highgate, London directed by Thom Sutherland; but it certainly helps. The Royal family, I am a little sceptical. Y produced by Nick Robinson Academy of Arts’ current exhibition, For André Kertész, life as a Eyewitness: Hungarian Photography photographer began when he was given orget everything you have read about Anne Frank. Forget the shining in the 20th Century (until 2 October), a camera as a barmitzvah present. Moving Foptimism, the youthful grace, the features, among others, Brassaï, Capa, to Paris in 1925, he portrayed Parisian life, sheer wonder of the Dutch girl who Kertész, Moholy-Nagy and Munkácsi, often featuring dancers. László Moholy- became the emblem of the Nazi tragedy. many of whom were forced out of Hitler’s Nagy was a Bauhaus teacher in 1922 and Here is an Anne you have never seen Europe and went on to influence the pioneer of photomontage, in which he before – an awkward, unattractive, course of modern urban photography. explored the importance of light in his bolshie teenager, a girl on the brink of self-discovery but so loud and loutish you All were Jewish, but not all admitted it. experimental images. Martin Munkácsi want to hit her. This is not the sensitive, Their influence on European art ranged took up fashion photography with Harper’s endearing face with the mischievous eyes from fashion photography to eye-witness Bazaar in the USA in 1934, moving fashion peeping out of the cover of the famous outdoors, liberating it from diary. This is an enfant terrible, confined the confines of the studio and not by walls alone but by the enforced adding his own dynamic touch. silencing of her own spirit. One of the bleaker aspects of the story One of the most moving of the girl hidden in an Amsterdam attic photographs in the show is with two squabbling families, a cat and a Capa’s Collaborator Woman Who pompous dentist is the point made by her Had a German Soldier’s Child. sister Margot: they don’t need the Nazis This narrative masterpiece to destroy them – they are destroying sends shudders through your themselves. Director Thom Sutherland seems to stress spine as the young woman is this point by making Anne less of a hero marched through the streets and more of a human being. In portraying of Chartres by a jeering crowd, her, Helen Phillips presents the preco- trying to remember that she fell cious, obtrusive energy of the teenager in love, not with a Nazi officer everyone tries, but fails, to understand. but with a man. Could the beloved Anne of the diary also be this obstrepe­ rous monster? Perhaps – The annual BP Portrait and indeed why not? – but somehow it Award, at the National Portrait challenges every myth about the young Gallery, maintains its high writer that we have nourished in over half standard this year. In the past, a century of idealised romanticism. the judges have flirted with In the play, this sullen Anne holds the super-realism, a technique by tension between her own loving family and the bickering van Pels couple – which the painting so resembles Petronella, played with whingeing self-pity André Kertész, Satiric Dancer, Paris 1926, silver gelatine a photograph that you can barely by Jean Perkins, and her weak husband, print 252 x 203 mm, Hungarian Museum of Photography see the difference. This year, Ian © Estate of André Kertész/Higher Pictures Herman (James Bartholomew), who – like Cumberland’s photo-realistic the cat – is accused of taking what little accounts of war, from glamour to social portrait of an unshaven, smirking man food they have from the mouths of the democracy, and in some cases abstraction. with a blonde quiff, Just to Feel Normal, children, including his own son, Peter (Ross Hatt). Anne, as we know, develops wins third prize. The judges chose Wim Their camera work is immediate and a deep friendship with Peter, a gentle soul vibrant; their sense of alienation gives Heldens’s portrait of a ponderous young buffeted by his coarse parents, and it is it edge. man in a black jumper as first prize- through this inevitable longing for each Hungarian photography is the winner. His Distracted recalls the subtle other in the midst of an alien, imprisoned acknowledged root of all photo-journalism, play of light and shade of the Dutch community that her self-awareness spawning the growth of picture agencies Masters, while in the second prize-winner, grows and she moves gradually into an understanding of her plight, briefly such as Keystone Press. There are Louis Smith’s full-length painting in a touching the adult she will never become. controversial war images, for instance rococo gilded frame, Holly, an artfully Sutherland’s direction manages to Robert Capa’s Death of a Loyalist draped nude, handcuffed to a rock, like isolate each character within his or her Militiaman, which some believe to be Prometheus, gazes beatifically to heaven. walled-up space and successfully integrate a fake. Yet Capa is often considered the Another nod to the Old Masters, it is a them into the whole. There is Edith Frank greatest war photographer, recording cynical reference to Renaissance artists (Doris Zajer), hurt and mystified by Anne’s rejection of her, seeking comfort in the the Spanish Civil War and the D-Day such as Guido Reni, who painted San love and anxiety of her older daughter, landings. Sebastian pierced with arrows. Margot (Rachel Lee Kolis), the finicky, self-

8 AJR JOURNAL september 2011 indulgent dentist, Fritz Pfeffer (Stephen The author­ thinks that the gravity of the McGlynn), and the noble, refined influence situation and its repercussions might have Nuremberg Library of Anne’s father, Otto Frank (Anthony been impressed on the boy. In any case, we restitution Wise), destined to be the sole survivor of know the father had intended to smuggle he Nuremberg Municipal Library is this tragic family saga. him away during the carnival season. searching for the previous owners, This is only half the story, but it has When the Nazis storm in through respectively the legal successors, the secret door, the families, bitter and appalling consequences – for Simon’s T of books in their collection, the so- truculent, know their fate but will never family and others on whom suspicion falls. called ‘Sammlung IKG’ (previously the know their betrayer. Anne’s prescience Marie Vachenauer, a German, Roman ‘Streicher-Library’). through her diary senses what is to come Catholic and herself born in Prague, came This collection is a permanent loan despite the purity of her faith in the future. across the Simon Abeles story, became of the Jewish Community of ­Nuremberg As Otto is left to reminisce, we can intrigued by it, and spent the next 15 years to the City of Nuremberg, which states also ponder the fact that there are neither carrying out meticulous research. The that it has been able to restitute quite children nor adults in this story: all are book is indeed a work of thoroughgoing a number of books to the families of ageless victims of the reign of terror. scholarship. But it is more than that. It is their previous owners in different parts Does it work? Perhaps it does take not a gripping and tragic story that fascinates of the world. an angel but an angry child to tell this the general reader too. One hopes for an The Library has now compiled, and story. The characters are faithful to the English translation. published on its homepage, an additional book and Otto’s bond with Anne stands search list naming 390 persons from out from the rest. But Anne succeeds 107 towns in former German-speaking only partly in her struggle to leave her parts of Europe. In its holdings are boisterous nature behind as she emerges ‘German-speaking Exiles 2,154 books whose previous owners into the chrysalis of maturity. in the Performing Arts are known. Further search lists will be Gloria Tessler published in the near future. in Britain’ The search list is available at he Research Centre for German and www.stadtbibliothek.nuernberg.de/ A gripping and tragic story Austrian Exile Studies will hold a spezialbibliothek/sammlung_ikg.html conference on ‘German-speaking DER FALL SIMON ABELES: EINE T Lithuanian property compensation Exiles in the Performing Arts in Britain’ Lithuania’s parliament, the Seimas, has KRITISCHE ANFRAGE AN DIE from 14 to 16 September 2011 at the ZUGÄNGLICHEN QUELLEN announced it will pay US$ 52 million over Institute of Germanic and Romance ten years in compensation for private (The Case of Simon Abeles: A Critical Studies, 32 Russell Square, London WC1. property confiscated from Jews during Investigation of Accessible Sources) The conference will include papers the Nazi occupation as a demonstration by Marie Vachenauer on prominent émigrés, ranging from of goodwill and ‘understanding of the Berlin: Frank & Timme (tel +49 (0) 30 88 the actors Anton Walbrook and Martin tragedy the Jewish community suffered 66 79 11; email [email protected]), Miller to the journalist and film-maker during the Holocaust’. The properties in question are 270 pp., € 29.80 Edmund Wolf, the artist Margarete Berger-Hamerschlag, the choreographer currently in the hands of the Lithuanian t is 1694, Prague – a time and place Hilde Holger, and the photographer and government, which intends to begin still firmly lodged in the Middle Ages. paying into a special compensation fund cameraman Wolf Suschitzky. It is an age of religious intolerance. The next year. Part of the funds will be used I There will be contributions by the Protestants were already exiled in 1620 or to restore Jewish heritage sites, while an forced to convert to Catholicism. The Jews theatre specialist Günther Rühle on the additional $1.25 m will be paid next year live in the narrow streets of the ghetto, director Peter Zadek, by Bernard Keefe directly to Holocaust survivors. are locked up at night, and are obliged on ‘German as a Language of Music’, Reacting to the announcement, the to wear distinctive dress during the day. and by Anthony Grenville on ‘Lutz World Jewish Restitution Organisation Some indeed manage to become rich Weltmann and AJR Information’. said: ‘While the amount which will be and they do have their commercial and There will also be a presentation of Bea paid over the next decade represents economic use. Yet they have to buy favours Lewkowicz’s film ‘Continental Britons’. only a small fraction of the value of the and are looked at with superstition, fear To view the full conference pro- communal and religious property which and distaste by their Gentile neighbours. gramme, go to the website of the was owned by the Jewish community This is the setting of the story of ­Simon Institute of Germanic and Romance Stud- prior to World War II, the passage of the law is historic, reflecting the Lithuanian Abeles. Having quarrelled with his father, ies ([email protected]) and follow the link to government’s recognition of its moral the ten-year-old Jewish boy flees to the ‘Events’. To register for the conference, Jesuits (the author points out that they obligation to return or provide com- please contact Jane Lewin (tel 020 7862 pensation for stolen Jewish property.’ have no relation to the Jesuits of today) 8966) by Friday, 2 September 2011. Michael Newman and declares he wishes to be baptised. The Jesuits, unprepared, place him in the charge of an already converted Jew for a few days. ARTS AND EVENTS DIARY SEPTEMBER Simon’s father manages to get him back Sun 11 Joel Finler (author of The Holly­ Past (a Photo Tour of the Adriatic and and hides him at home for over half a year wood Story), ‘I Didn’t Know He Was Aegean)’ Club 43 while giving out that Simon has been sent Jewish! Behind the Scenes of British away. The child dies of an epileptic fit and Cinema’ An illustrated lecture including Wed 14 B’nai B’rith Jerusalem Lodge. is given a Jewish funeral in as inconspicuous many brilliant Jewish immigrants and Geoffrey Ben-Nathan, ‘Defending Israel a manner as possible. But the Jesuits get refugees: writers Emeric Pressburger and in the Media’ 2.30 pm at the Harts. Tel to hear of it and are convinced Simon has Ruth Prawer, directors Zoltan Korda and 020 8954 6502 been murdered by his father. Karel Reisz, production designers Ken Mon 19 Dr Marian Malet, ’Litz Pisk: Nowadays, social workers rather than Adam and Alfred Junge, cameramen Otto Dancer, Graphic Artist and Theatre Jesuits might have pointed an accusing Heller and Max Green, and many, many Practitioner’ Club 43 finger at the father. However, from the more … At Jewish Museum, Camden Club 43 Meetings at Belsize Square Synagogue,­ testimony of those around him, it does Town, 3.00 pm, tel 020 7284 7384 not seem that Simon had been force- 7.45 pm. Tel Ernst Flesch on 020 7624 7740 or fully imprisoned in his father’s house. Mon 12 Jim Burtles, ‘Glimpses of the Leni Ehrenberg on 020 7286 9698

9 AJR JOURNAL september 2011

The wrong Munich?

BBC report about Munich’s new Next, the model of Munich’s centre, least the bookshop. The Museum Jewish Museum started a train created so that the visually impaired can should just be this bookshop. Look, a A of thought. Maybe it’s time to physically feel the city with their hands – historical guidebook detailing 52 places visit the city where it all started. Where Germany always did respect its disabled. in Munich with Nazi connections. It’s Hitler settled as an unknown, where Next, the imposing Frauenkirche. But surely a banned publication. I look Nazism was born and grew, where we are told nothing of its history and around – luckily no one has seen me. the Putsch was attempted, where architecture – just in and out. I lose the I buy it and am grateful the assistant the SA was formed, where Germans will, apologise and leave. It must be the has furtively handed it over. But there’s voted for the Party in greater a man coming towards me. numbers than elsewhere, I avert my eyes – phew, he’s where the main synagogue walked by. was destroyed months even The square outside before , and is empty. I take out my where the Nazis’ first camp guidebook. The new building was opened … where my opposite is a synagogue. The father was imprisoned. facades seem modelled on After all, Berlin seems the Western Wall – with no to give the impression of windows. And there is a new acknowledging its past: the Jewish community centre vast memorial to Europe’s – with restaurant, crèche, murdered Jews, the impressive meeting rooms, and armed Jewish Museum with its guard. Are the three buildings moving Holocaust annex, a new ghetto? (‘You Jews the carefully reconstructed go there, while we live here. Oranienburgerstrasse What do you mean that’s not Synagogue, the Topography right? Our city has paid for it, of Terror, the Stolpersteine. New Jewish Museum, Munich so stop complaining!’) I go online. But the official Secret book in hand, I tourist website is puzzling and troubling. wrong Munich. return to the city centre and see it anew. I can see no references to the city’s Nazi But no – look at the map! There’s Here is the site of the destroyed main past. Or to Hitler. Or the Holocaust. the Jewish Museum – not far away, synagogue, there is the road where the The Jewish Museum is not among the down a side street. In Berlin, the Jewish Nazi salute had to be given. Hitler lived pictured museums – I cannot locate it Museum was signposted everywhere. in this house, Eva Braun lived in that anywhere on the website. Have I missed Here, it’s secret, tucked away. It’s a one. Here is the Hofbräuhaus, where something? strange square building. Windows only Hitler first stood up to proclaim his But I’ve found a reference to the downstairs. Lots of brickwork and no beliefs. And there was the gallery of memorial to Sophie Scholl. She was the windows for the floors above. I feel the ‘Degenerate Art’ exhibition. Here student, who, together with her brother uncomfortable. the Luftwaffe had its headquarters. Hans and some friends, printed leaflets I go upstairs to see the exhibits. Hitler frequented the Café Heck there, urging Germans to rise up against the There’s the usual collection of objects and this is the Torbräu Hotel, where 22 Nazi regime. They secretly distributed relating to Jewish ritual and customs. men swore allegiance to Hitler, marking the leaflets at Munich University. But the And a long timeline, but just with the birth of the SA. Shall I inform the caretaker saw them. They were arrested, single sentences to cover the events. hotel’s guests? Here was the shop tortured and guillotined. They deserve I hear taped voices of elderly Munich where Hitler first met Eva Braun, and their memorial. But there do not appear residents coming out of the wall. Is that was the Osteria, Hitler’s favourite to be many other memorials relating to that all? Hundreds of years of Jewish restaurant. that time. life represented by just this? Maybe the I locate the Palace of Justice where In Munich, I visit the tourist office. I second floor is better. But I find only a Sophie Scholl and her brother were buy a map and transport guide. There temporary exhibition of – well, I don’t taken and executed. I read that the main are 25 tourist sites listed – but nothing know – it’s all very trendy and modern, station had been due for reconstruction I wish to see. And no Jewish Museum? but what does it all mean? as the vast terminus for new super- Is this the right Munich? Are there two There is hardly anyone else in the fast trains to take travellers across the Munichs in Germany? Have I come to whole museum – not surprising really. ‘Greater Germanic Reich’. Here is the the wrong one? I ask if there are any Maybe those visitors walked in by central police station, formerly home Stolpersteine, but am politely informed mistake. Or it was too cold outside. to interrogated and tortured prisoners that the city does not permit these. The lady in the café is delighted to before they were sent to camps. I learn I join a guided walking tour. We have a customer at last. Near the exit that the mayor had been driven out of are led to the Michael Jackson shrine there is a bookshop – and it’s excellent. the New Town Hall in the Marienplatz outside the hotel where he once stayed. I must remember to recommend at continued opposite

10 AJR JOURNAL september 2011

Intern Lena leaves, Northern Second hook of having made a Generation Meeting ‘tremendous impression’ holland in North Manchester ena Mangold, an intern from the Sunday 16 October 2011 You are cordially invited to the L German organisation Action Recon- ciliation Service for Peace, has left the 10. 00 am – 4 .00 pm festive unveiling of the sculpture AJR at the end of her 12-month stay. There will be plenty of time for ‘Channel Crossing to Life’ Lena regularly visited five AJR members, discussions on subjects on 30 November 2011 helped out at the members choose AJR Centre, and at 3.00 pm spent the rest of All Second and Third Generation at Queen Emmaboulevard the time working members living in the North Please confirm your participation to at the AJR office welcome in Stanmore. Lisa Bechner on ‘Over the last For further information, tel + 49 3060401021 year I’ve learned please contact or at [email protected] Lena with ‘befriendee’ a lot about Jew- Johanna Waller, who Barbara Dresner Dorrity celebrated her 105th on 0161 368 5088 or at Please send recollections of your ish history, culture birthday in August and traditions. It’s [email protected] transit through the Hook of Holland been a great privilege to hear the mem- for documentation purposes bers’ narrations first hand and to spend time with these amazing­ people. Alto- Lisa Bechner (previously Schaefer), gether, my time with the AJR has been her to all the AJR members she has Sir Erich Reich and enriching and my expectations have been befriended as well as the staff she has sculptor Frank Meisler exceeded by far,’ Lena said. worked with.’ are members of the Lena ‘has made a tremendous impres- From October, Lena will be studying Initiative Berliner Kinderdenkmal sion at the AJR,’ said Carol Hart, the AJR’s Maths at the University of Sussex, a new Head of Volunteer Services. ‘Her smiling period in her life to which she is looking www.kindertransporte-1938-39.eu face and caring nature have endeared forward very much.

The wrong Munich? continued An execution site in a corner. The area halted. The mention of the one German for refusing to hoist the swastika. Yes, for the ashes. A museum with detailed police officer seems odd in context – but it’s the right Munich. And the book also displays and information – lots of his death must be acknowledged too. A indicates Dachau. numbers and dates and lists and photos German dying in his effort to save Jews, On the Munich transport map, and testimonies, which would take after all. Like Sophie Scholl. Looks good Dachau is a suburban town, not a camp. hours. A Carmelite convent, a Jewish for the city. Why didn’t they ever want to rename memorial, a Catholic sanctuary and a I return to the shops and the bustle. the town? People are clearly prepared Protestant chapel. Groups of visitors The most affluent part of Germany. to live in Dachau. The book states that being shown around. Individuals Wonderful cakes and coffee. Expensive the camp was established just two listening on audio-guides. jewellery shops. Department stores months after the Nazis won power – I visit the archives office. I give the heaving. My secret book is hidden. I they certainly wasted no time. official my father’s details, and he got away with it. I am now a normal At Dachau Station, I notice a leaflet informs me: my father had arrived from tourist. No one here knows why I have inviting me to stay at the ‘Youth Flossenbürg and was liberated on 29 come. I am safe. Guesthouse Dachau’. It apparently April. I had never known these details, On the flight back I wonder why, has 4-bed and 2-bed rooms, each with as my father had kept silent. Had he when so many cities’ airports have shower/toilet, and there is TV, table arrived on a death march? The official named their airports after their famous tennis and billiards. Where I’m heading will research this and let me know. I sons – John Lennon, George Best, JFK, had different facilities. leave my details, look around and leave. Charles de Gaulle – Munich has not A bus stop is signposted ‘KZ- Can he be normal to work here every named its airport after its own Sophie Denkmal’. So convenient – the actual day, and then go home to his family? Scholl. But then people will ask about words ‘concentration’ and ‘camp’ don’t But they always said that about the SS. her and discover what was happening appear. Of course, it’s not actually a My head is full. So I take the train then. camp – it’s a ‘Denkmal’ – a memorial to the Olympic site. The Games were Clearly Munich cannot erect the – like a plaque or statue. (‘It’s a camp, held here in 1972 (really so soon after equivalent of blue plaques onto its stupid! Just say it, it won’t hurt!’) the war?) and World Cup finals twice buildings of Nazi and Holocaust Coachloads of tourists and subsequently. The hills were rubble from interest. But it could acknowledge its schoolchildren. I see Germany’s the war. I see the spider’s web design past role a little bit more. Maybe like first-ever ‘Arbeit macht frei’ sign. that is such a feature. A very successful Berlin. Permit Stolpersteine. And add An enormous site with vast, open Games, I recall – except for just one other sites onto its tourist website and spaces. Empty barracks and prisons. thing. Here is the memorial to the 11 into its guide books. Just to reassure Dachau had its own gas chamber Israeli athletes and the one German tourists like me that they’re in the and crematorium, but they’re tiny police officer who died in 1972 when right city. compared with those at Auschwitz. the terrorists struck and the Games were David Wirth

11 AJR JOURNAL september 2011

Newcastle The story of a HGS Court life ‘behind the scenes’ ‘Righteous Gentile’ We were educated and entertained by the It was a full house for a showing of the anecdotes of Roger Sanders, who spent DVD ‘In the Name of Their Mothers’, a his life as a and judge. Court documentary on Irena Sendler, a Polish life ‘behind the scenes’ and interactions Catholic social worker instrumental in between the accused and barrister all saving the lives of 2,500 children from spoke of the fundamental humanity of Glasgow afternoon of the . Irena was recognised the English justice system. ‘togetherness’ by Yad Vashem as a ‘Righteous Gentile’. Laszlo Roman A dozen of us clambered onto a minibus Agnes Isaacs Next meeting: 12 Sept. Darren Welstead, and set off for the Clyde coastal resort of ‘The Bank of England: The Story Behind Largs, intent on spending an afternoon Welwyn GC Hospitality and the Credit Crunch’ of ‘togetherness’ over cakes, tea and/or conversation enjoyed ice cream at the famous Nardini’s. The We enjoyed Monica Rosenbaum’s Enthralling afternoon in Edgware bonding excursion was a great success due hospitality. Subjects we discussed included Rob Lowe gave us a most entertaining to the meticulous organisation by Agnes reminiscences of recipes from members’ programme singing and quoting from Isaacs and Anthea Berg. Halina Moss pasts, medication and its effectiveness, pieces by Gilbert and Sullivan. We also religion, and future AJR events. It was learned about the personal history of these Cardiff ‘Children of the Third Reich’ lovely to visit a group I set up six years ago. two men. An enthralling afternoon. A well illustrated and highly informative Myrna Glass Hazel Beiny talk by the Wiener Library’s Howard Next meeting: 15 Sept. Social Get-together Next meeting: 20 Sept. Joy Hooper, Falksohn, given both to refugees and ‘Tickets to All Parts of the World – The pupils from Monkton House School and Story of Mr Thomas Cook’ followed by much thought-provoking A most enjoyable holiday dialogue between them and us. The July trip to Eastbourne, my first ALSO MEETING IN SEPTEMBER Kingston upon Thames CF 1 Sept. Marian Lane experience of AJR travel, turned out Darren Welstead from the Bank of to be a most enjoyable holiday. From Ealing ‘21 Aldgate’ England and lunch at home of Susan The story of a young Jewish woman, the moment we deposited our luggage Zisman Clara, who, to her husband’s dismay, takes outside 15 Cleve Road to being taken Norfolk 5 Sept. Lunchtime Get- a job as assistant to French artist Paul back home by taxi, everything was together Maze, friend and art teacher of Winston arranged so efficiently that we could Wessex 12 Sept. Lunch and Alan Churchill. Marianne Black just sit back and relax. Cohen, ‘Women of the Bible’ Next meeting: 6 Sept. ‘Mitzvah Day After a short coach ride, we Charities’ were welcomed by the staff of the Essex double bill Lansdowne, a large traditional hotel, We enjoyed a Powerpoint presentation by Northern Region Groups where accommodation and food were Bridget McGing on ‘My Father’s Roses’ and gathering, Leeds more than adequate. celebrated the birthday of Otto Deutsch, A few steps through the gardens in who has been chairman of the group since front of the hotel allowed immediate its inception 9 years ago. access to the promenades and strolls in Myrna Glass the bracing sea air. Next meeting: 13 Sept. Tim Pike, Bank of We were free to join outings, such England as to Brighton, Herstmonceux Castle Café Imperial A jolly good morning and the theatre (on an especially wet We debated whether Anthony Grenville’s afternoon). We were even invited to article in the July issue was accurate in the local shul. Every effort was made relation to the sinking of the Arandora to entertain us in the evening with Star. Members seemed to think it was a programme ranging from quizzes, in 1940, not later – clearly a typo. A jolly card games and a musical performance good morning enjoyed by all. to discussions. Many members of the Hazel Beiny Happy 70th Birthday to the AJR: group already knew each other, but (From left) Rear Hannah Goldstone newcomers were made to feel very (Third Generation), Tania Nelson (Second Documentary on legendary Generation) Front Iby Knill, Ann Cohen welcome. What struck me most about my fellow holiday-makers was their joie Hakoah swimmers Watermarks, an affectionate documen­ Ilford ‘The CST: Why, When and How?’ de vivre and sense of humour. We had an interesting, illustrated talk by And for me, there was an encounter tary directed by Yaron Zilberman, Mark Gardner, Director of Communications with one of the ladies, Rita Brent née reunites the female swimmers of the of the Community Security Trust, on the Heller, who recognised my name and legendary Hakoah sports club of Vienna, amount of work that goes on behind the told me she had been employed by my founded to counter the ‘Aryans only’ scenes. Rolf Penzias mother to look after my cousin and me policy adopted by many Austrian clubs Next meeting: 7 Sept. Bernard Ecker, ‘Do in Berlin in the dark days of 1938. She in the 1930s. The really memorable You Believe in Coincidences?’ had clear memories of my immediate event of the afternoon was the arrival family. Her entry in my childhood of Ann Marie Pisker, one of the original Pinner A Jack the Ripper theory autograph album, which I brought with Hakoah team and a sprightly lady in Myra Sampson told us a grandson of me to England, still exists. her nineties. She was only too happy to Queen Victoria had an affair with a Above all, everyone appreciated the ­answer the many questions. Also pres­ prostitute and had some politically dangerous friends. So action was taken wonderful care of Carol, Andrea and ent were Claire Blendford, her son Jeff to remove his contacts and the grandson Annie, who worked untiringly and and her daughter Marion, who showed was sent to . As good a theory as any! cheerfully for us and were always there us medals and a cup won by her late Paul Samet to lend a helping hand when needed. ­father, also an active member of Hakoah. Next meeting: 1 Sept. Ros Adams, Gabriele Weil Ernest Simon ‘Cartoons and How to Read Them’

12 AJR JOURNAL september 2011

Brighton & Hove Sarid ‘21 Aldgate’ An insight into family members at the Rumbustious production Paul Balint AJR Centre address in question from the book’s Rumbustious, uproarious and wildly 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 author Patricia Friedberg. Clara had a energetic – this was a brilliantly staged Tel: 020 7328 0208 remarkable life, working for Paul Maze, production of ‘The Beggar’s Opera’ an artist and friend of . at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. AJR LUNCHEON CLUB Shirley Huberman The excellent cast put heart, soul and Wednesday 21 September 2011 Next meeting: 19 Sept. Rob Lowe, ‘A Musical liver into depicting the sleazy low- Presentation on Gilbert and Sullivan’ life of 18th century London. A most Mike Blond enjoyable outing on a perfect summer’s Manchester Important work (Community Security Trust) afternoon. Thank you, organisers! ‘Safety in the Home‘ on the Holocaust Hanne R. Freedman Caroline Slifkin, a freelance Holocaust PLEASE NOTE THAT SPEAKERS educator who uses visual art in her work START AT 12 NOON with schools, treated us to a magnificent North London A wonderful morning Please be aware that members should not show of pieces produced by youngsters. We must have hit a lucky streak – two automatically assume that they are on the Luncheon We wish Caroline every success with her excellent speakers in succession! Maurice Club list. It is now necessary, on receipt of your copy of the AJR Journal, to phone the Centre on important work. Werner Lachs Collins showed us part of his collection of artefacts from around the beginning 020 7328 0208 to book your place. Radlett From story to film? of the 20th century. Maurice’s manner Patricia Friedberg related the history of a of presentation made this a wonderful KT-AJR Jewish family in London’s East End between morning. Kindertransport special the wars as told in her book ‘21 A­ ldgate’, Herbert Haberberg interest group concentrating on one of the younger Next meeting: 22 (not 29) Sept. David Monday 5 September 2011 Wass, ‘Shoplifting – The Story Behind It’ members, Clara. Hopefully this story Jake Wallis Simons will be turned into a film. Fritz Starer Temple Fortune talk on Alzheimer’s Next meeting: 21 Sept. Karen Goodman, Author, The English AJR Trustee and Head of Norwood disease German Girl Children’s Services Julie Brutnell of the Alzheimer’s Society gave us a very informative talk on the KINDLY NOTE THAT LUNCH WILL BE SERVED AT 12.30 PM ON MONDAYS Enjoyable afternoon in Wembley various forms of dementia, of which We gathered at our comfortable venue for Alzheimer’s is the most common. The Reservations required a most enjoyable afternoon. Society produces many useful booklets Please telephone 020 7328 0208 and provides advice. Ruth Pearson Monday, Wednesday & Thursday Next meeting: 14 Sept. Social Get-together Harriet Hodes Next meeting: 15 Sept. Separated Child 9.30 am – 3.30 pm Foundation Please note that the Centre is AJR GROUP CONTACTS West Midlands (Birmingham) closed on Tuesdays Continental Friends Lilly and Albert Waxman 01274 581189 Annual Garden Party September Entertainment Brighton & Hove (Sussex Region) We held our Annual Garden Party at the Thur 1 Mike Marandi Fausta Shelton 01273 734 648 home of Eileen and Ernst Aris in Streetly. Mon 5 KT LUNCH – Kards & Games Klub Bristol/Bath Tue 6 CLOSED Kitty Balint-Kurti 0117 973 1150 It was most enjoyable to be able to sit outside for once and eat the delicacies Wed 7 Barry Leigh Cambridge Thur 8 Guyathrie Peiris & Bill Patrick Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 prepared for us. Many thanks to Eileen Mon 12 Kards & Games Klub Cardiff and Ernst for being such excellent hosts. Tue 13 CLOSED Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Fred Austin Cleve Road, AJR Centre Wed 14 Jackie Waltz Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Next meeting: 13 Sept. Howard Falksohn, Thur 15 Simon Gilbert Dundee ‘Children of the Third Reich’ Mon 19 Kards & Games Klub – Monday Agnes Isaacs 0755 1968 593 Movie Matinee Ealing continued on page 15 Tue 20 CLOSED Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 Wed 21 LUNCHEON CLUB East Midlands (Nottingham) Thur 22 Michael Heaton & Lynn Bob Norton 01159 212 494 Radnedge Edgware Norfolk (Norwich) Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3077 Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Mon 26 Kards & Games Klub Tue 27 CLOSED Edinburgh North London Françoise Robertson 0131 337 3406 Ruth Jacobs 020 8445 3366 Wed 28 William Smith Essex (Westcliff) Oxford Thur 29 CLOSED – Rosh Hashanah Larry Lisner 01702 300812 Susie Bates 01235 526 702 Glasgow Pinner (HA Postal District) Claire Singerman 0141 649 4620 Vera Gellman 020 8866 4833 Hazel Beiny, Southern Groups Co-ordinator Harrogate Radlett 020 8385 3070 Inge Little 01423 886254 Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 Hendon Sheffield Myrna Glass, London South and Midlands Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 Steve Mendelsson 0114 2630666 Groups Co-ordinator Hertfordshire South London 020 8385 3077 Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 Lore Robinson 020 8670 7926 Susanne Green, Northern Groups Co-ordinator HGS South West Midlands (Worcester area) 0151 291 5734 Gerda Torrence 020 8883 9425 Myrna Glass 020 8385 3070 Susan Harrod, Groups’ Administrator Hull 020 8385 3070 Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Edmée Barta 01372 727 412 Ilford Temple Fortune Agnes Isaacs, Scotland and Newcastle Meta Rosenell 020 8505 0063 Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 Co-ordinator 0755 1968 593 Leeds HSFA Weald of Kent Trude Silman 0113 237 1872 Janet Weston 01959 564 520 Esther Rinkoff, Southern Region Co-ordinator Liverpool Wembley 020 8385 3077 Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Laura Levy 020 8904 5527 KT-AJR (Kindertransport) Manchester Wessex (Bournemouth) Andrea Goodmaker 020 8385 3070 Werner Lachs 0161 773 4091 Mark Goldfinger 01202 552 434 Child Survivors Association–AJR Newcastle West Midlands (Birmingham) Henri Obstfeld 020 8954 5298 Walter Knoblauch 0191 2855339 Fred Austin 01384 252310

13 AJR JOURNAL september 2011

family announcements Regional Death AJR Holm, Gerald (Hans Gerhard) Passed Get-Together TH away on 27 July 2011 after a short illness, 70 ANNIVERSARY at aged 82. Sadly missed by his sister Hanna NEW NORTH LONDON and all his family and friends. CELEBRATION SYNAGOGUE, FINCHLEY Thursday 8 September 2011 LUNCH All-day event including WITH SONG lunch and transport CREAM TEA Our guest speaker, Jonathan Wittenberg, Rabbi of the New North London at AJR Centre, Cleve Road Sunday 18 September 2011 Synagogue, was born in Glasgow into 12.30 to 4.30 pm a family of German-Jewish origins. Sunday 11 September Hilton Hotel, Rabbi Wittenberg will talk about his 2.30 – 5.00 pm epic walk from Frankfurt to Finchley. Watford On the centenary celebrations of the Cost £5.00 Westend Synagogue in Frankfurt, where Please see his grandfather was the Rabbi, he lit To book please contact the Centre ticket booking form a torch from the Eternal Light at the on 020 7328 0208 synagogue and walked, accompanied by insert in this issue his dog, through Germany and Holland of the Journal to rekindle the Eternal Light at NNL’s new building. TRIP TO ISRAEL Places limited – be sure to book early! We are hoping to arrange a trip to Israel If you would like to from 29 November to 8 December 2011 £25.00 per person staying half-board at the King Solomon advertise in our brochure For further details, please Hotel in Netanya. call Susan Harrod on 020 8385 3070 £1,300 pp in twin/double room, £200 please contact supplement for single room Carol or Lorna Price includes El Al flights from Heathrow, transfers to and from hotel, sightseeing on 020 8385 3070 most days, entrance fees where necessary. Home Care We have been able to book the excellent ColvinCare through quality and guide we had on our last trip. professionalism For further details, please contact Celebrating our 25th Anniversary Carol Rossen or 25 years of experience in providing the Lorna Moss on 020 8385 3070. highest standards of care in the comfort This will be a fairly full itinerary of your own home which will involve some walking. AJR CENTRE AT BELSIZE SQUARE Robert Schon SYNAGOGUE 1 hour to 24 hours care Tax Solicitor From January 2012, the Registered through the National Care Standard Commission Member of Solicitors for the Elderly AJR Centre at Belsize Square Call our 24 hour tel 020 7794 9323 I specialise in: www.colvin-nursing.co.uk Estate Planning Synagogue will be open on Powers of Attorney and Tuesdays and Thursdays Deputyship applications wanted to buy Living wills (and not Mondays and Thursdays Tax and non domicile issues including as previously announced) German and helping to bring undeclared offshore funds to the attention of HMRC English Books Bookdealer, AJR member, Tel 020 7267 5010 welcomes invitations to view Email: [email protected] and purchase valuable books. West Hill House, 6 Swains Lane, PillarCare Robert Hornung London N6 6QS Quality support and care at home 10 Mount View, Ealing, London W5 1PR Email: [email protected] LEO BAECK HOUSING  Hourly Care from 4 hours – 24 hours Tel: 020 8998 0546 ASSOCIATION  Live-In/Night Duty/Sleepover Care CLARA NEHAB HOUSE  Convalescent and Personal Health Care switch on electrics RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME Rewires and all household electrical work Small caring residential home with large attractive  Compassionate and Affordable Service gardens close to local shops and public transport PHONE PAUL: 020 8200 3518 25 single rooms with full en suite facilities  Professional, Qualified, Kind Care Staff Mobile: 0795 614 8566 24 hour Permanent and Respite Care Entertainment & Activities provided  Registered with the CQC and UKHCA Ground Floor Lounge and Dining Room Lift access to all floors. Annely Juda Fine Art Call us on Freephone 0800 028 4645 23 Dering Street (off New Bond Street) For further information please contact: PILLARCARE Tel: 020 7629 7578 Fax: 020 7491 2139 The Manager, Clara Nehab House THE BUSINESS CENTRE · 36 GLOUCESTER AVENUE · LONDON NW1 7BB 13-19 Leeside Crescent, London NW11 0DA PHONE: 020 7482 2188 · FAX: 020 7900 2308 CONTEMPORARY PAINTING Telephone: 020 8455 2286 www.pillarcare.co.uk AND SCULPTURE

14 AJR JOURNAL september 2011

Obituary

Alfred Huberman, date of birth not recorded, died 28 May 2011

orn in Pulawy, , the only he was reunited with his oldest sister, boy with five sisters, Alfred had Idesa, who had survived Auschwitz. He Bthe most wonderful family life. At described this as his personal miracle. Her the age of 13, however, he was thrust into legacy provided him with two wonderful the centre of the Holocaust. nieces and their families. He married Alfred’s war was spent in the horrific Shirley, whom he adored. He worked world of five slave labour and concentration tirelessly and built up a very successful camps. The war started for him when, on tailoring business. Having arrived in this 1 September 1939, his family home was country as an orphaned refugee, he built destroyed by German bombs. The family a wonderful family, with three children was ordered into the ghetto, where he whom he encouraged to achieve so much, With great-grandniece Elisa was separated, first from his mother and along with six grandchildren and a warm sisters and then from his father. was sent to Buchenwald and then to extended family. His first concentration camp was its subsidiary, Rehmsdorf. Since the Alfred was a loving, caring, thoughtful Skarzysko-Kamienna, where he was put barracks were not completed, they were and, above all, extremely sensible man, to work in the ammunition section. The forced to spend the night sleeping on with a marvellous sense of humour and Polish staff worked four-hour shifts with the ground in a snow-covered field. an intelligence way beyond his meagre meal breaks and, because of the toxicity They were then loaded on to a cattle schooling. He cycled, played chess, tennis in the atmosphere, were given milk to train. During the journey, the US air and football and won medals for table drink. Alfred worked twelve-hour shifts, force bombed the train and the surviving tennis in the county league. He had an night or day, on ersatz coffee, a so-called prisoners began a death march. Alfred exceptional talent for languages and the soup and one piece of bread. The average was among the few prisoners who arrived written word. He was also a member of life expectancy for prisoners was three in Theresienstadt. the AJR’s Brighton Group, which he very months. Alfred survived for 18 months in Malnourished and suffering from TB, much enjoyed attending. these conditions, where the TNT powder he was liberated and given sanctuary Despite his early experiences, Alfred ate into the skin and internal organs. He by the British government, who agreed was never bitter and made many friends, put his survival down to a woman who that 1,000 Jewish orphans could come seeing only the best in people. He would sometimes secretly pass him the to England. He was one of only 732 who overcame many serious illnesses and burnt scrapings from the milk pan. could be found. This group are known as maintained his zest for life. Loved and From there he was selected to work ‘The Boys’. admired by everyone who met him, in Czestochowianka, where he unloaded Alfred then began the search for his Alfred made an immediate and lasting railway wagons containing iron ore or family, and discovered they had all been impression and will be missed by many. quicklime. Conditions were horrific. He murdered. This was his perception until Caroline Spencer

inside the ajr continued from page 13

Edinburgh A very royal year Cleve Road A book with a twist families. As a result, their loss persists. As In keeping with a very royal year, we in the tail has been said before, there are so many visited the Dürer exhibition at the Queen’s Pat Fielding led us through two world stories and each one is different. Gallery at Holyroodhouse Palace. On a wars and from the East End to Chelsea Rose Abrahamson glorious day, we enjoyed pleasant chat, and the south coast. We found out much Next meeting (provisional): 23 Oct. At tea and cakes in the courtyard café under about Winston Churchill and his life as home of Olive Rosner the parasols. an artist, including his close association Jonathan Kish with war artist Paul Maze, who both feature in 21 Aldgate, a book with a Sheffield CF Revisiting our place of Hendon A filming family twist in the tail. birth Howard Lanning’s father, his four sons Esther Rinkoff About 15 of us, meeting at the home of and now the third generation have been Next meeting: 27 Sept ‘The CST: Why, Steve and Hilary Mendelsson, discussed working in the UK film industry for 80 When and How?’ our feelings when revisiting the place years. He showed clips from films he and where we had lived before coming to this his family have helped to make, such country. Most of us had had a very happy as Gandhi, Batman, Tomb Raider and Hull Haunted by memories experience. The afternoon was completed Gulliver’s Travels. Memories continue to haunt us. We with a delicious tea and lots of friendly Shirley Rodwell discussed family roots. Some members, chatter! Renee Martin Next meeting: 26 Sept. Bridget McGing, ­having come over with the Kindertrans- Next meeting: 6 Nov. Suzanne Bardgett ‘My Father’s Roses’ port, knew next to nothing of their from the Imperial War Museum, London

15 AJR JOURNAL september 2011

demands while mentioning the fragility of Letter from the national economy more or less in the Israel same breath. The global financial crisis, which is still fresh in people’s memories and continues to have repercussions in countries and banking systems all over From grumblers to demonstrators the world, together with the political brinkmanship involved in the recent US sraelis are accustomed to grumbling different cast. Perhaps they are politically vote on the budget, all cast a long shadow about everything – the government, motivated, but to all intents and purposes over any economic measures taken in Ithe cost of living and, above all, they appear to focus entirely on the issues Israel. It would seem that the average the weather. They are not – or at least that affect the average man or woman in demonstrator is either unaware of these have not been in the past – accustomed the street – the cost of living, the price of considerations or declines to take them to doing anything much about any of housing, the wages of professionals and into account. them. This is in contrast to the French, the level of taxes. The question that remains to for example, who are habitual habitués One cannot help but sympathise with be answered is what will cause the of demonstrations and turn out onto the demonstrators, many of whom are demonstrators to go home and the tent- the streets in large numbers almost young people struggling to make their dwellers to strike camp. In Spain, the at the drop of a hat. The Arabs of the way in life. But the protests extend to encampments were disbanded only after surrounding countries have caught on all generations and classes (except the new elections were called. In Egypt, at to the idea and are demonstrating in wealthy, of course). And there’s the rub: least initially, only Mubarak’s resignation impressive numbers, in many cases it’s all about economics and the need to appeased the masses, but other displaying admirable courage in doing so. keep the country on an even economic considerations then assumed greater Of course, there have been exceptions keel. importance. The Tunisian president to the apathy of the average Israeli, and I Netanyahu, as a consummate politician had the prescience to flee while he still still remember the lengthy and vociferous and free-market adherent, is trying to could, and neither Bashar al-Assad nor demonstrations that followed the Yom hold the stick at both ends, appeasing the Muammar Gaddafi has given up yet. Kippur War, when ‘the people’ managed masses while not rocking the financial Although the so-called Arab Spring may to dislodge the incumbent government boat, which is a bit of a tall order (forgive have helped to inspire the demonstrations and force an election. But that was purely the mixing of metaphors!). He may throw to some extent, since Israel is a democracy political, and incidentally proved to be the a couple of sops to the general public in even the political opposition will be heard beginning of the end for the Labour Party the form of concessions here and there, if there are enough marchers and their in Israel, a trend that eventually emerged possibly even the reduction of a tax of demands resonate. At least there is no in many other Western countries. some kind, but cannot risk incurring the likelihood of demonstrators being gunned The demonstrations evident at present displeasure of the markets. The main down indiscriminately. The worst that in Israel (or perhaps recently by the time solution he seems to be proposing is to can happen is that a new election will be this article appears), despite the stifling set up a commission. Stanley Fischer, the held – which might not be such a bad heat and obvious discomfort of many widely-esteemed Governor of the Bank of thing, after all. of the demonstrators, seem to be of a Israel, has spoken of the justice of some Dorothea Shefer-Vanson

letters to the editor continued from page 7 HMD is the cause of the steady de- ‘Liebestod’ is translated as ‘Love of Death’. course closed. Going next door to find Judaisation of the Holocaust and the day Though somewhat irritating, these someone to show us the synagogue, we turned into an all-embracing event, where errors do not detract from the overall were met by a young woman – the lady Jews by name hardly feature. enjoyment of this memoir. who had given the talk in London. In a Rubin Katz, London NW11 Shoshanah Hoffman, London NW4 few days she was leaving for Washington to try to raise the much-needed money THE BOOK WITH ‘INCORRECT TOURING IN TRANSYLVANIA to continue the restoration. Part of QUOTATIONS‘ Sir – Two years ago my wife and I attended the ground floor is beautiful and in Sir – Although I fully agree with Thea Val- a talk at the Romanian embassy in London reasonable condition; upstairs is a sorry man’s excellent review of The Hare with on the restoration of the synagogue in sight, with hundreds of prayer books – Amber Eyes in your June issue, I was sur- Medias, Transylvania. The talk was given some from the eighteenth century – piled prised to find that in this book almost every by a young German woman. high. The aim is to turn the building into quotation or translation from the German Recently, while touring in Transylvania, a cultural centre, while saving much of is incorrect. Two examples among many: we decided to look up the synagogue in the original. There’s not a single Jew left Thomas Mann’s ‘Gedanken im Kriege’ this picturesque town. We easily found in Medias. is here rendered as ‘Thanks be for War’; the magnificent building, which was of Janos Fisher, Bushey Heath

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

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