AJR Information

Volume XLV No. 2 February 1990

£3 (to non-members)

^on't miss . . . Implications of recent momentous events

"^he banality of good and evil p. 3 The Walls come down Strauss - ostrich "•• genius p. S e observe events in Europe with one dry knew where we stood. Now the maelstrom of and one moist and tearful eye. As the ongoing developments brings forces to the surface Con cern and care Berlin Wall collapses, we half - but only which, through sheer unpredictability, pose all sorts p. 8 W half - empathise with the joyous crowds, of dangers. Crowds in Leipzig and Dresden chant remembering as we do another Wall (the one that deinands for 'One Germany' - a slogan with shut off the Warsaw Ghetto). We see Germans intimidatiiig xenophobic and antisemitic disarming and humiliating the Stasi and cannot undertones. What makes the fluid situation even recall them doing anything remotely similar, even more fraught is that (for different reasons) neither after VE Day, to the Gestapo. Expressions on East nor West Germans underwent genuine, i.e. ordinary citizens' faces bespeak outrage at the spiritual, de-Nazification after the war. It seems lifestyle of deposed Bonzen; in 1945/6 revelations apposite - but also risky - that two of the key East about the 'deathstyle' of the deposed FUhrer met German personalities attempting to stern the with blank indifference. reunification tide are Jews: the new Party leader So much for our tears - what about their Gregor Gysi and the renowned author Stefan Heym. opposite? Joy is the appropriate response to the fall Fevered nationalisin is likewise on the march of any tyranny; how much more so in the case of elsewhere in Eastern Europe - from Yugoslavia to Erich Honecker, refuser of restitution and armourer the Soviet Union. In Ceausescu's fiefdom, however, of the enemies of Israel. Yet, when Soviet satraps where the bloodstained conducatore sought to held sway from East Berlin to Sofia, at least we buttress his rule by playing off Romanians against minority Hungarians, both made common cause against him. Romania has, of course, been bucking the trend for forty years - by, for instance, permitting Jewish emigration to Israel. (Its Jewish leadership, too, seems sui generis, with Chief Rabbi Rosen dismissing democracy on the grounds that 'Weimar led to Hitler'.) The Russian situation is also fluid to a dangerous degree. The recent murderous violence between Armenians and Azeris indicates how lethally dangerous ethnic tensions can be. The largest ethnic group in the Soviet Union are the so-called Great Russians, and the second largest, the Ukrainians. Among both populations xenophobic as well as reform-minded pressure groups are currently active. One can only hope and pray — though Western governments can take appropriate measures — that the difficulties of perestroika do not allow present- day bigots in either Union Republic to enter into the inheritance of the pogromniks and Petljuras of The 9th November 19S9, day of yesteryear. Sakharov, thou shouldst be living at this the Wall's 'collapse', obscuring the memory of Crystal Night hour - Russia, Jewry, and mankind have need of fifty-one years earlier. thee! AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990 f David Maier And then the book turns to a presentation of the author's personal The single-minded pursuit opinion on a variety of issues. In chapters with such titles as 'Jews and Poles', 'Jews Simon Wiesenthal. JUSTICE, NOT VENGEANCE. Translated from the and Ukrainians', he examines the peculiar relationship between the ethnic groups German by Ewald Osers. 1989. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. London. concerned, and the phenomenon of the 372 pp. incl. index and illustrations. Hardback £16.95 endemic anti-Semitism of Central and Eastern Europe. He looks at 'Jews and t feels vaguely uncomfortable to hiding of a genuinely wanted Nazi, and to Palestinians' and at the prospect for peace propose in these columns anything but the exposure of a clandestine escape in the Middle East. And he discusses 'Jews I wholehearted praise for all that Simon organisation; for Forsyth authenticity and Jews' in order to denounce acts of Wiesenthal has said and done in the 45 enhanced the success of the book and its internal betrayal which are unhappily on years since he, a frail survivor of the film version. record. ghettos and the camps, addressed a letter Justice, not Vengeance also deals with a The last four chapters are arguably the in Polish to U.S. Col. Richard Seibel, in number of other encounters, Wiesenthal's most memorable. In 'The Test Case' we which he named 91 Nazi war criminals meetings with other well-known are told how the discovery, in the ranks of whom he wanted to be found and tried in personalities: writers, like Leon Uris; the Austrian police, of the S.S. officer who the name of justice. politicians, like Franz-Josef Strauss; heads had arrested Anne Frank convinced a However, it is difficult not to have some of government, like Ronald Reagan and doubting schoolboy of the reality of the reservations about his latest book. For Helmut Kohl; distinguished fighters for Holocaust. The two penultimate chapters one thing, it is not, in spite of the claim human rights like Andrei Sakharov. There deal with neo-Nazism - in general, and on the dust cover, an autobiography. is a forceful account of his long-term feud with reference to the several attempts on Would that it were. There is, admittedly, with Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky, Wiesenthal's life. The final chapter is a brief resume of his life in an whose repeated attacks upon him went addressed 'To My Young Readers', and it introductory chapter. But this is by beyond all decency and reason. He also is sensitive and moving and timely in its another's pen, and the reader is still talks of meetings with more humble folk warning that the combination of hatred without an insight into the real Simon who, as often as not, came forward to and technology represents a serious threat Wiesenthal, the person as distinct from help him with remembered facts and to mankind. the symbol, Cyla's husband, Paulinka's information vital to his task. One of the failings of this book is that father, the grandfather of her children, the it ranges far too widely. Some topics engineering graduate, the Jew, the man. could, with advantage, have been omitted. Perhaps one reason for this is that, as this It would, on the other hand, have first chapter 'in Heu of a pen portrait' increased its impact if the author had points out, 'he does not process "cases" elected to provide argument and answer or "files", but he experiences those life to the difficult questions which it stories as he works on them'. Because, in inevitably raises, including, surely, that other words, he has made the suffering of suggested by the title itself. Does Simon others his own? Wiesenthal indeed spend his days in the 'No doubt I myself pursue my activities contemplation of justice, with not a hint because of a particular psychological BELSIZE SQUARE SYNAGOGUE of vengeance? And if the latter, would structure', he observes, and the book that be so terrible, since, after all, full 51 BELSIZE SQUARE, NW3 reflects this particularity. Thus the greater justice has not yet been done, and never part of the book is given over to a review will be? We offer a traditional style of of his single-minded pursuit as he reopens Any book by Simon Wiensenthal must religious service with Cantor, his files and looks again, at times with be taken seriously, especially this one if, Choir and Organ harrowing detail, at Nazi bestiality and as he surmises in his Preface, it turns out his own efforts to track down the to be his last. To express regret at some of perpetrators in order to bring them to Further details can be obtained its shortcoinings does not imply criticism trial, or at least to prevent 'Austrian and from our synagogue secretary of its author, and even less so of his work. German authorities from allowing the prosecution of Nazi criminals to be Telephone 794-3949 shelved'. Minister: Rabbi Rodney J. Mariner These recollections make compulsive New Year Honours reading. Some are particularly fascinating. Cantor: Rev Lawrence H. Fine Among these must be rnentioned Regular services: Friday evenings at 6,30 pm, Professor Eric Ash, rector of Imperial Wiesenthal's collaboration with the Saturday mornings at 10 am College, London, a former child refugee thriller writer Frederick Forsyth in Religion school: Sundays at 10 am to 1 pm from Germany, received a Knighthood. connection with the novel The Odessa Berlin-born Paul Oppenheimer, a Belsen File to their mutual satisfaction: for Space donated by Pafra Limited survivor, who is standards manager of Wiesenthal the portrayal of the main Lucas Automotive Limited, received the character led to the flushing out of his MBE. AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990

^Qv/d f^aJQ^ /•lita U quest for justice. In this respect she held that it had failed because due process of law had not been observed, not least because the judges had not allowed any The banality of good and evil witnesses for the defence to be called and heard. Moreover, there was no legally he trial in Jerusalem of Adolf Eichmann himself was no more than an recognised definition of 'crime against the Eichmann was not after all, 'the last ordinary career civil servant conditioned Jewish people' and, most significantly, no Toi the numerous successor trials to giving unquestioning obedience to convincing proof of relevant criminal ;^hich followed the Nuremberg Trials'. superior orders - 'what was done was not intent on the part of the accused who wenty years after its sentence was my doing', he maintained - earned (unlike the major figures convicted at '-arried out, another Israeli court delivered widespread disapproval, not least among Nuremberg) was only one of many ^similar verdict on a defendant accused American Jews. Her most articulate involved in the 'practical' aspects of the ? '^'ni'lar crimes which were no less opponent in this matter was the highly Final Solution; indeed, the part he played ^orrendous for having been committed at acclaimed historian Barbara Tuchman, was relatively mundane and any number ower level of administrative authority. who attacked Arendt in uncompromising of others, equally ordinary, could have ^ 's, however, unlikely that the terms in her 1966 Neiv York Times book taken his place. emianjuk dossier will command quite review of Gideon Hauser's Justice in Barbara Tuchman was the daughter of ^ same academic interest as the earlier Jerusalem. an American-Jewish banker. She studied ^ase. For the Eichmann trial was, it will history at Radcliffe College and became a VoT'^"^'^' '^"^^'•'^'^ "" ''^half of the New Fundamentals of the Arendt-Tuchman professional historian. She was the gifted oj-Rer magazine by no less a reporter controversy author of many books on a variety of ^an the distinguished philosopher Hannah Arendt was born in Hanover, historical subjects and a double Pulitzer annah Arendt, whose observations and Germany, in 1906. She studied philosophy Prize Winner. She took her stand against ^onclusions were later assembled into and became interested in politics. In 1933 Hannah Arendt by accusing her of -^chniann in Jerusalem. A Report on the she took refuge in France and became an accepting, at face value, Eichmann's 2^altty of Evil. First published in 1963, ardent Zionist. After the German invasion version of hiinself as just a routine civil ^^e Work is a closely argued analysis of in 1940 she went to the United States and servant obeying orders. No historian, she , ..'"""'^'^ss and its jurisprudential and worked for some years as a journalist. In declared, should be taken in by 3j^j'''''Phical implications. Both the book due course, she was able to resume her 'concealment, distortion or the outright Its author were at once plunged into academic career. She attended the trial in lie', the camouflage, as the Israeli writer ontroversy. What incensed many of her Jerusalem 'to pay a debt to the past' and Amos Oz has put it, into which the mass I "'^as Arendt's opinion of the part she reported it accordingly. She had no murderer had shrewdly crept. It had, luH ^ ^^^ apparently compliant doubt that it had to take place when it therefore, to be assumed that, in the FinaTc''? '" '*'' 'mplementation of the did, and where; but she considered it absence of such a naive approach on the ' Solution and, more generally, her flawed in the way it sought to pursue part of 'the formidable Miss Arendt', agic view of history', which saw Jews as several extraneous objectives rather than there was something else. And that could omplices in their own destruction. the only one proper for a criminal trial, only be a 'conscious desire' to support the '^' together with the thesis that namely the single-minded, undeviating pose adopted by Eichmann in the dock.

Shifting the guilt Furthermore, those who believed that Jews should not have met their horrible fate with so little resistance, were in reality Anything else is just a poclcet icnife shifting the guilt froin the perpetrators to the victims. Arendt's rebuttal is contained The VIctorlnox Swiss Army Knife Is THE ORIGlNAL-the most versatile pocket knife in in the Postscript to the revised and ttie world. enlarged edition of her book. She With over 40 models-from under £2-to choose from we guarantee to please all of the maintains that the question of whether the people all of the time. Jews could or should have defended , The "keyring" CLASSIC model with six tools is the perfect inexpensive incentive. themselves should be treated with ; The "toolbox" CHAMPION model with contempt as 'silly and cruel'. She points • twenty-four tools is ideal for that extra special business gift. out the fallacy of mindlessly construing \ Screen printing, metal inlay and hot foil the behaviour of some of the Jewish blocking details available on request. leadership as that of the people as a Brochure Hotline whole. She makes it clear that her report Phone Clive Hastings on 01-209 0123 was neither a history of the Holocaust, nor Swiss Cutlery (Gifts) Ltd.. one of the Third Reich, and emphatically VICTORIIMOX not a treatise on the nature of evil. Her ORIGINALS FOR YOUR NEXT INCENTIVE account was, she asserts, wholly and exclusively concerned with the question of the accused man's guilt or innocence of continued on page 4 AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990 continued from page 3 the crime with which he was charged; and objectives the wish to help Jews to sustain significance of acts of rescue any more she repeats her opinion that Eichmann life, to avoid imprisonment, to maintain than the notion of banality of evil lacked any motives beyond his desire for an underground existence within the diminishes the enormity of the crimes here enhanced career prospects. '.... when I country or to flee to safety abroad. Help under consideration. The fact remains that speak of the banality of evil, 1 do so on came in various manifestations: approval of, and active participation in, the strictly factual level, pointing to a counselling, the provision of food, the implementation of the Final Solution, phenomenon which stared one in the face safekeeping of personal property, ' •• together with acquiescence out of at the trial'. procuring some sort of livelihood for a indifference or fear, were widespread, These, then, are the 'pleas' in the person on the run, penetrating ghetto while acts of rescue were relatively rare, notional case of 'Tuchman v. Arendt'. walls or the barbed wire fences of and even then seldom selfless. Doing good Ever since the controversy started, it has concentration camps to carry food, for neither material benefit nor been possible to side intellectually with medicine and messages, providing clothes, psychological satisfaction is, it seems, by the one and emotionally with the other of papers, money and bribing guards to no means commonplace even among those the two protagonists. But, if evil is one facilitate escape attempts. Some officials whose personality predisposes them side of the coin, is goodness the other? used their influence to delay or abort an towards altruistic behaviour. Sadly, pure What of those who rescued Jews at the execution. 90 per cent of the rescuers in righteousness becomes banal only in a risk of their own lives? Does their the sample gave shelter in their own perfect world. But, in the meantime, let us behaviour follow a motivational pattern, homes in spite of the fact that, as often as be thankful that it does exist. so that a case exists either for or against not, 'the people from the village could be "• Samuel P. Oliner and Pearl M. Oliner. the idea of a banality of good? The nature trusted not to inform about the [hidden] THE ALTRUISTIC PERSONALITY. of altruism in the context of Holocaust Allied soldiers, but they could not be RESCUERS OF JEWS IN NAZI rescues has been the subject of an relied on to support a Jew'. EUROPE. London. Collier Macmillan American research programme, the results What manner of people were they, who 1989. £19.95 D of which have recently been published. rescued Jews in such circumstances, not in the expectation of a reward, or in the Rising above the norm hope of chalking up a conversion to The project was carried out by the Christianity, or as an act of bravado or Department of Sociology of Humboldt showmanship? While no doubt 'hatred of Tucholsky centenary State University, California, in order to the Nazis, religion and patriotism evaluate the 'psychological, political, influenced them, most rescuers explain Kurt Tucholsky, born at Berlin in January social and situational factors' which their actions as responses to a challenge to 1890, is currently being commemorated motivated a small number of non-Jews, their fundamental ethical principles by newspaper articles, lectures and an Germans as well as citizens of countries derived, as a rule, from parental values exhibition in the Federal Republic. His under Nazi occupation, to rise above the absorbed into adult life. Moreover, those meiTiory, unlike that of some of his 'norm' and, courting unimaginable who rescued for what can be described as contemporaries, has always been kept dangers, help Jews to escape death. In The genuinely altruistic reasons did not wait green in postwar Germany. Since 1949 a Altruistic Personality,* Professor Samuel to be asked, but 'actively created, sought million hardback, and nearly four million Oliner, himself one of these survivors, and or recognised' opportunities to do so. paperback, copies of his work have been his wife and co-author, set out their They were not heroes or saints, nor sold. The Deutsche Bibliothek organised findings in scholarly detail. They estimate intellectual giants towering above the rest. an exhibition about him at Frankfurt in (as does the Director of the Yad Vashem 1979; 1985 - the 50th anniversary of the Department of the Righteous) that only Affirmation of humanity great satirist's suicide - saw the exhibition some 50,000 persons, a minute fraction of They thought of themselves as ordinary Kurt Tucholsky in der Emigration at the total relevant population, could be human beings. But, unlike most others, Berlin's Akademie der Kunste. described as 'rescuers' in terms of the they did not consider themselves as criteria adopted — essentially those applied entirely helpless in the face of repression; by Yad Vashem - namely that the act in and they affirmed their own humanity by question was done without remuneration acknowledging the humanity of those of any kind, at grave personal risk and for from whom it had been taken by official purely humanitarian reasons. The survey decree. The 'good' they did was not an sample consisted of 682 case studies, of automatic reflex action, a Pavlovian which 406 were 'rescuers' thus defined; response, but a deliberate choice made in associates the 126 'non-rescuers' were divided into the full knowledge and understanding of 53 'actives', those who had made a stand the possible consequences. Chartered surveyors, of some kind - and 73 'bystanders', an So, where do we stand? In his Foreword valuers and estate agents obviously self-explanatory description. to The Altruistic Personality, Rabbi 150 survivors made up the balance. The Schulweis notes that 'paradoxically, 26 Conduit Street London Wl R 9TA interviews established that over 70 per confronting got)dness may be more cent of the rescuers began their action in painfully challenging than confronting Telephone 01-409 0771 Telex 8814861 or before 1942 and more than one-half of evil'. If there is indeed, as he believes, 'an We buy sell let value survey and manage them maintained their help over a period a priori bias against good acts and good commercial property for Clients of two to five years. They listed as their people', this does not reduce the AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990

^- W. Freyhan '"' '• '^ Hitler. As a result, Goebbels forced Strauss to resign from his public office. Strauss requested an audience with Hitler, Strauss - ostrich or genius? but was refused. He expressed his disgust in private memoranda which became ^^n Wilhelm (transl. Mary Whittall). RICHARD STRAUSS. AN known after 1945. Strauss' refusal to accept bombed-out ^^TIMATE PORTRAIT. Thames & Hudson. 1989. evacuees in his Garmisch home and his unwise remark that he had not wanted the t the beginning of our century, proved by letters which Kurt Wilhelm has war and that no soldier had to die Richard Strauss was generally included. because of him, provoked the local NS Aregarded as the leading composer Strauss helped found the Genossenschaft official to hint at the possible 2 "'s time. The operas, which followed Deutscher Tonsetzer, a kind of consequences of such remarks ('Other ^ symphonic poems, increased his fame, composers' trade union, which aimed at heads than yours have already rolled, "f after the first world war, his further protecting their interests vis-a-vis Herr Dr. Strauss'), and led to the Nazi ^"tput met with a diminished response. publishers and opera directors. This leaders' boycott of Strauss' 80th birthday, ose who regarded him as a spent force matter was very close to his heart, and although special performances of his )J'"e proved wrong by the amazing here lies the reason why, as he confessed works were permitted. Strauss enjoyed the "dian summer' of his old age which to Stefan Zweig, he did not refuse protection of Baldur von Schirach, whose Vj'mmated in works like Capriccio, father was a composer, to whom Strauss ^,^tamorphosen, the Obe Concerto and had been helpful. One of the photos in the "s tarewell, the Four Last Songs. Today's volume shows Strauss and Gerhart jantgardists may still not have time for Hauptmann at the 1943 Vienna premiere jm, but his place on the concert of the playwright's Iphigenie in Aulus. w^M r** ^nd in the opera houses of the Between the two great German geniuses Ot d hg^ ^^^^ steadily maintained since sits Schirach, in full Nazi uniform ... a ^'^ death in 1949. painful sight! Even more ominously lav' h under review benefits from its Strauss' protectors included Hans Frank, the' ^"''^'^ "^ pictures as much as from the murderous Governor-General of sur ^^^'^'^'^"'^^ 8'ven to the author by the Poland (later executed at Nuremberg). To famT'"^ "^'^mbers of the composer's find Alice describe him as 'fair, friendly W I' f P^'^'ally from Alice, Strauss' and helpful to Strauss' makes the blood Polir ?'"8hter-in-law, whom the run cold. In the final stage of the war. Hitler succeSV""'''''''''^"'^^™^^^^^ Third R^ protected throughout the refused Strauss permission to go to half 1 '^' ^^ '^"'^h as he guarded his Switzerland. Before that a well-meaning Courtesy Thames & Hudson Ltd local official had put the deportation illecif- ^^'^'^ father, Franz Strauss, was an Goebbels' appointment of himself as order for Alice at the bottom of the file. in ^j ""ate child who had to struggle hard President of the Reichsmusikkammer. To She relates one episode from that period plav^ ^""^'^ '^"'^ became the leading horn ingratiate himself with the new regime he when several members of her family had Ultra' '" ^^^ Munich opera orchestra, also conducted a concert at Berlin in place been sent to Theresienstadt. 'During the he lorK^f ""^^^'^^ '" ^'s musical outlook, of Bruno Walter; he also conducted war. Papa travelled from Vienna to to see h ^'^^"'''' ''"'^ ^"low, but lived Parsifal at Bayreuth when Toscanini Dresden. He stopped in Theresienstadt W-ien '^ "^^'ented son become an ardent refused to come to Germany. and wanted to visit grandmother. He work.'"''^" ^""^ departing, in his own He evidently failed to realise the true went to the camp-gate and said "My 'deals R^t' '''"^''^"'' ^'"'" ^'' ^^'^^'•'^ nature of Nazi rule, and naively wrote to name is Richard Strauss, I want to see Pscho ^^'"'^'^ rnother came from the Furtwiingler that he saw no reason why a Frau Neumann. ..." The SS guards brewers ^^"^''^'^'^^'^•^y Munich Mahler Symphony should not be included thought he was a lunatic and sent him fin.n ,^h"o ensured aa life without in a concert programme. After the death packing'. Alice lost 26 of her relations. St"::'"-"-for thle youn,„...g, musician-^ . of the non-Aryan Hofmannsthal, who had After the war Strauss and his wife were GeneraTd ^^u ^'"""'' """"^hter of been his ideal librettist, he began to allowed to move to Switzerland. His ^ho sano^ D '*' ^^^ ^ gifted soprano, collaborate with Stefan Zweig in the financial situation was precarious: he had an inri... '" ^ayreuth and also excelled as opera Die schiveigsame Frau (The Silent to pay expensive hotel bills, yet his a person T' "^ ^'"' husband's songs. As Woman). To the fanatics of the party it royalties in the Allied countries were seemed an outrage. Yet Strauss was able blocked. To ease his predicament, friends ^"niineerir "r^''" '"'"'"'^ '^"''^^^ ^^"'^ the SDoi ^^ serious quarrel between to obtain consent from Hitler and in London, who included Sir Thomas Goebbels, and when he discovered that Beecham, organised a Strauss festival. So •"i^tanders?: 'X'''"^ ^"'"'^ "" "^^""'^^^ the oner , "'^'"8' ^as immortalised in Zweig's name had been suppressed on the in 1947, the 83 year-old master conducted himself "'^"'"^^^o ^r which Richard bills and programmes, he had it restored. the Philharmonia Orchestra in the Royal An angry letter in which he expressed ^^idence tn"'!""" '"""'""• '" ^^P'^^ °^ ^" Albert Hall. I was fortunate enough to hasicallv "'"trary theirs was contempt for all racist ideas was opened attend this event and was deeply moved y a very happy marriage, as by the Gestapo and a copy forwarded to when he started with Don Juan, the continued on page 12 AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990

country is far more humane than Germany. Germany now is far more democratic and open than ever, and many of us who regained their business interests should have gone back. Here, only | SEEKING THE TRUTH It must be obvious to every fairminded Anglo-Saxons belong to the top echelon. reader that the editor's CRISIS OF Vincent Court E. J. Freyhan Sir — May I endorse the letter of Hanna FAITH(S) was intended to highlight a London NW4 Goldsmith in your November issue. disturbing tendency of certain present-day If any of the present generations of religionists to exploit their position for ANTISEMITIC BACH? Germans want to find out what their political ends. Controversial and thought- Mums and Dads and Grandparents did, Sir - In the Protestant religious Service the provoking, the article also showed a high or did not, do - by looking the other way Passion music is accepted as equivalent I degree of objectivity by basing its criticism — let them come here. There is plenty of and compleiTientary to the Sermon which, on a balanced choice of facts, referring to evidence in Yad Vashem for them, much more often than not, deals with general Terry Waite, the Archbishop of better than any one could explain. human frailty, even wickedness, with the Canterbury and the Pope. Any German that comes here whom I need for continuous personal struggle Lambourne Road F. W. Rosner happen to meet gets my welcome. against it and with hope - or certainty - Chigwell Mohl Netanya Ernest J. Sicher of divine sustenance in this struggle. Israel The Gospel story symbolises and REUNIFICATION AND externalises frailty, struggle and REMIGRATION LE MOT JUSTE sustenance. Chorus and singers have the Sir - I enjoyed John Dunston's Sir - Reunification is now considered by ancient triple role of drainatic actors, 'Rembrandt's Friends' immensely. Still, 1 all as a fact of life. Neither Russia nor the interpreters of feelings, and do have a quibble. Outwardly converted U.S. has objections, nor do most people in commentators. Everything is directed at Jews from and in Spain were called this country. Saxony is the cradle of the the listener in the stalls or pews, involving conversos. Marranos, which means pigs, English race; hence the meaning of him as a human being, admonishing and was a term of abuse used by their ANGLO-SAXON. praising as a preacher or prophet would enemies. I've often wondered why it is still I myself worked in Gennany 28 years do, sometimes accentuating horrors of current among Jews. ago, and found great understanding and persecution and suffering in order to enlist Aberdare Gardens Ezra Jurman kindness, but always believed that this strong empathy. London NW6 When in the Matthew Passion each separate disciple asks anxiously 'am I the FAR-OFF HAPPY DAYS one (who will betray)?', the full chorus at Israel's once loudly intervenes with '1 am he, I Sir - The article on Mahler in your should do penance . . .' leaving no doubt September issue mentions that during the Very finest Wines that the 'I' is meant to include the entire period of the Austrian Empire, a coiTimunity of audience, performers and converted Jew, named Kohn, was composer, that each of them, each of us, SHIPPED BY Archbishop of Olmiitz. is always in danger of fallibly betraying The story goes that, when Kaiser Franz where we should love, of looking away Joseph had to approve the nomination, he where concern should find voice, as is asked Ist er ivenigstens getauftf (Is he at HOUSE OF shown in the Evangelist's story. least baptised?) This reminder is hard to accept and we Ramat Gan Mordechai Noy HALLGARTEN may refuse it. However, if we decide to Israel listen to a Bach Passion or perform in it - in church or concert hall - it inay be as CONTROVERSIAL - AND FACTUAL YARDEN and GAMLA well to accept that it is intended as an act Sir - H. C. Meyer, whose letter of worship in common humility, and to (December 1989) strikes me as unduly AVAILABLE NOW grant it the same reverence without genuflecting towards the Establishment, recrimination that we accord to our own may care to reflect that we British live in a acts of worship. democracy - for better or worse — and are Please write or phone for Allcyn Road M. L. Meyef full information therefore free to express our views. London SE21

STAIVIP COLLECTIONS DALLOW ROAD and ACCUMULATIONS BELSIZE SQUARE SYNAGOGUE LUTON BEDS We require all good philatelic material. 51 Belsize Square, London, N.W.3 Very high prices paid for Third Reich stamps in LU11UR Our communal hall is available for cultural pristine condition (Immaculate/fully gummed). and social functions. For details apply to: Worldwide postally used envelopes (pre-1948) 0582 22538 also of interest. Secretary, Synagogue Office. ERIC ELIAS, 58 GREENACRES, HENDON LANE Tel: 01-794 3949 LONDON N3 Tel. 01 349 1610 AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990 I Profik Austrian Pensions ^ In the context of the 48th Amendment of the Austrian Social Security Act further A refuge e inventor improvements of the social security . Benefits Regulations for Emigrants # he name of Dr. Paul Eisler has not, technique being transferred to the military (persecuted on grounds of their political so far, appeared in any Honours field. So I built a revolutionary radio set - and religious beliefs or their descent) have TList. No knighthood has been I still have it - and we demonstrated it to been enacted, which came into force on estowed upon him, nor more modest members of many Allied missions. The 1 January 1990. decoration awarded, although he has Americans were the ones to take it up. This amendment provides the possibility served this country well: in wartime by his They developed the so-called proximity of late payments of premiums for times of uniquely vital contribution to the Allied fuse which, when built into an anti­ emigration from the age of 15 by relevant victory, and then in peacetime by the aircraft shell and in combination with persons without a previous time of ,•. rther application of his inventive genius radar, destroyed more than 4,000 VI insurance. As of 1 January 1990 all ^ the solution of many technological and doodle bugs over Southern England.' emigrants who completed their 15th year !^'^"''fic problems. He is, it is true, an After the war, the printed circuit, of life between 12 March 1938 and 9 ,. ^Ificier de I'Ordre de Merite and a described by Lord Hailsham as one of the May 1945 (age group 1930 and older) published author and acknowledged six most important inventions of our time, can make such late payments — provided authority in his field of applied science. took off commercially. Eisler's new book* they had their place of residence in But any signs of official British recognition describes the progress of the small Austria on 12 March 1938. exceptional performance have up till company whose Technical Director he The late premium amounts to AS 214, ^ remained conspicuously absent. had by then become. Its path was not - (value 1990) for each month of Even before the Anschluss, he found always smooth and relations with 'big emigration. For purposes of calculating •lat, in spite of his high academic business' often troublesome. But it was a the pension these premiums are multiplied qualifications in electrical engineering, he clash with 'big government' which led to a by the revaluation factor on the qualifying boardroom battle and his resignation in date. Bu h ° ^°^^ °^ ^ '^'^ °'^ ^ '^^^^^'^ ^^ ^°'^'^' The regulation provides, for example, and u ^^^ outline of two inventions, 1957. that if a person was forced to leave in f at th ^'""S*^^ him to England in 1936 Considerations of loyalty to his j /'Se of 29. He had some experience erstwhile employer, colleague and friend 1938, and if premiums are paid for 180 ^^echnical journalism as editor of a radio caused him to abandon the printed circuit months and no previous times of insurance exist, the pension due as of ^^ repr^'"^' ^"'^ "^^'^ '^'^ h™ ^° attempt the for the moment and, as a freelance P acement of wiring in radio receivers inventor, he launched upon another major 1 January 1990 would be AS 3.099, - he w'"^^'^ circuits. He was convinced that technological advance, the foil heating monthly (14 times a year). break l°" ^^^ threshold of a revolutionary film. Here, too, he came up against vested On the basis of the transitional fonn^ ""^'^ ^'* tremendous scope, but interests and many of the possibilities regulations of the 48th Amendment of und no takers for commercial presented by this development have said act, the new regulation also applies to benefits already in effect on 31 December eno ?"°"- "" ^^^' however, lucky remained largely unexploited. ^.^ ugh to get work, and a permit, as In his book. Dr. Eisler does not mince 1989. For further information and/or Thea'r "^^"t'" ^'"'' ^eutsch's Odeon words in his description of the trials and application the ^j, inter ^^"^^ ^he war and tribulations of an independent inventor. new"""^?^' ""'*' ^^^^' ""^'^ase, he found a He also makes a well-argued case for the Pensionsversicherungsanstalt der heln L"'P'">'" who was determined to revision of the existing patent system (he Angestellten circuit'"! ''''""'^ ^'' '^"'^y °^ ^he printed himself holds well over 100 patents) and Friedrich Hillegeist - Strasse 1 n: to Wo , ^ '^'^'•y "'^ ^^ per week he set for this reason alone his autobiographyis 1021 Wien that he h'V" ^"''^ ^^^- '^^ '^'^^ '^^"^'" noteworthy. But it also gives amost AUSTRIA Hitle J / 'treated the means to defeat illuminating insight into the more should be contacted directly, stating all -^'' were t' r'^^'^'^ff'' '^ his printed circuit controversial aspects of some industrial relevant details regarding the aircraf? .'"''°''P"''ated in a novel anti- practices as perceived by the inventor. circumstances of emigration as well as the vividlv h^"^ ^'^ '^^^'^^- "^ '^'^^^'^ "'"'f Above all, it is the story of a remarkable personal data of the applicant. that tim '^^"^^' '^'•^^'' his agonising fear man, who can count himself among the great inventors and who, at 82, still works The above information was supplied by the Austrian ^he prl'c?'''."!'^'''^' ^""•'^ P^^'"'^'^^ Embassy. on new ideas. And it is the story of a ultimati ^ c ""^"^^ P"^ i"to 'Jouht the jg^-^ate defeat of Nazi Germany.'In Jewish refugee who is owed a debt of "ly Pror^' f" "enemy alien". I knew that gratitude. D D.L.M. Have you any experience of he viewed'"^ u ^ ^^"^^ weapon would proof reading? time wa T'u ^"^P'<='°"- ' also knew that full conL° essence. My employer had * Paul Eisler. MY LIFE WITH THE Can you spare a few hours per should con "'" '" ""' '"'^ 'S'"'^ 'hat I PRINTED CIRCUIT. Edited with Notes month for AJR INFORMATION? If concentrate on relatively "neutra by Mari Williams. Associated University &^'—fprm;:i so, please phone Mrs. L Lassman, '»Pe that rL° ^""'^'' circuitry in the Presses. London. 1989. 170 pp. Hardback 483 2536 this would somehow lead to the £13.95 8 AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990 i The first of two articles on the work of the CBF Residential Care and Phillips, an accountant with years of experience of management in industry, is Housing Association. well aware of the need to secure the best possible people. Staff are the Association's most valuable asset. The fact that 80 per Concern and care cent of the organisation's income has to be devoted to payroll costs confirms this lose to Osmond House and Leo used to be the case. When some additional view. Baeck House, and not far from care is required, sheltered accommodation The caring function, is in the main CHeinrich Stahl House (the third of is often the answer, at least to start off exercised along two lines - physical care the residential homes for elderly refugees with. The average age of intake into our and mental care. Osmond House was in North London's Bishops Avenue), homes is 82 and that of our 200 or so established to look after the more stand the offices of the CBF Residential residents is 87. About one-third of the seriously affected. When, before long, Care and Housing Association. Financial residents are in their nineties, and there is Heinrich Stahl House partly becomes a support of the Housing Association and one lady at Osmond House who is over a registered nursing home, a complete range provision of appropriate services for those hundred. This means, of course, that we of specialised nursing will be available to who look to it for help to complete life's have to be prepared to offer the special the Homes on a self-contained basis. journey in safety and comfort are a skills necessary to deal with greater Not the least important aspect of the primary concern of the AJR. degrees of frailty, both physical and services offered is that which caters for As a legal ennty, the Residential Care mental, than in the past. During the past the residents' special interests: music and Housing Association is 'a company three years we have increased our making, card and other games, discussion limited by guarantee and having no share specialist therapy team from two full-time groups, day trips to the seaside, shopping capital'. It is a registered charity and its members of staff to three full-time and excursions, theatre visits — all these are primary function is the management of four part-time helpers'. available and well supported, and two the homes and sheltered accommodation Altogether, the Housing Association minibuses stand by to provide transport, originally established with monies now has a payroll of 180, of whom 140 if and when required. allocated for the purpose by the Central are engaged in carrying out the wide When we asked about language British Fund for World Jewish Relief. The variety of 'caring' duties; this is, difficulties, we were told that English is Association devotes itself to this task as incidentally, a staffing level in excess of readily spoken and understood. Only the body in which ownership of the the statutory minimum. With when a person's mental faculties have Bishops Avenue properties and of Otto qualifications in nursing as well as social become impaired, or where someone has Schiff Residential Home and the Eleanor work, Mary Copsey's career took her suffered a severe shock, perhaps through Rathbone fladets is vested. Since 1985 it from a hospital, via a Catholic community serious illness, is there a tendency to has been a fully independent organisation. home, on to the headquarters staff of the revert to the mother tongue. It has now As Graham Phillips, the Director, Leonard Cheshire Foundation. She finds been decided to run German language observes, there is, of course, a very close her present job stimulating, she says, courses for any members of staff who working relationship between the Housing because it gives her an insight into people, wish to participate: the tutor is Irene Association and the AJR, which goes well who, for all their painful memories, can, White, who has added this task to her beyond the formal arrangement by which in the dignified ambience of the Homes, other voluntary AJR activities. the admissions procedure is handled by recall more agreeable times of childhood An interview with Mary Copsey and the latter. 'As I see it', he says, 'we are and youth. Most are happy to chat about Graham Phillips is a rewarding here to give realistic expression to the their old home towns with German experience. Both speak of their duties concern of the AJR for those of its volunteer workers who have lately been with confidence and enthusiasm and members who require residential care, recruited. There is usually a good clearly approach them with great skill and either now or at some time in the future'. response to newspaper advertisements in understanding. This is of vital importance; And Mary Copsey, who as Head of Care the Federal Republic, and the residents for through their work the AJR is able to bears the responsibility for the detailed welcome the young people who, having honour the moral commitment into which implementation of this programme, draws learned about the Holocaust at school, are it has entered in the name of its members attention to recent fundamental changes eager to meet and talk to some of those and for their benefit. in this area of social work. 'People, as you who have escaped or survived. D D.L.M. know, live longer. They are, nowadays, In this context it is fair to observe that physically and mentally able to look after staff selection, training and retention are A follow-up article will deal with the themselves into a rather greater age than of paramount importance. Graham various Homes.

Residential Care Appeal Day Centre Open Day carried out at the centre. Thanks are due to 'First Fruits' - The initial reaction from Open Day at the Paul Balint AJR Day all staff and volunteers involved-and readers to our fundraising appeal is most Centre on 10 December 1989 - its first especially to the many members who, to­ encouraging. Please send your donations, ever was a resounding success. gether with their friends, made this a cheerful if you have not already done so. Purchasers crowded the various stalls and 'standing room only' occasion. We look We will give regular updates in future well-displayed exhibits conveyed a vivid forward to a repeat performance in 1990. issues. impression of the manifold activities (And in 1991,1992,1993 etc., ad infinitum.) AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990 4 PAUL BALINT AJR DAY CENTRE Falafels and the future

J-5 Cleve Road London NW3 3RL he falafel stall owner in Akko Dome of the Rock and the Holy T^el. 01 328 020H market had short-changed two of Sepulchre. Morning activities - Bridge, kalookie, scrabble, Tthe girls by two and a half shekels. It was fascinating because the contrasts l\T^' ^^'~'^ ^esp fit, discussion group, choir 'No, no, goodbye', was the less than and experience of Jerusalem over 3,000 (Mondays), art class (Tuesdays and helpful response, though he did years are probably unequalled anywhere, 'hursdays). grudgingly offer them the half shekel. We and because there is a real sense that the Afternoon entertainment - went over the sums again, and suddenly story is far from over, either for the Jews he saw the light. 'OK, OK, here goodbye', or for Jerusalem. Yad Vashem and the FEBRUARY and, turning away at once, he pulled a Knesset have seen to that. The frustration Monday 12 Light Musical Recital - one-shekel note from under the bagels. came from trying to sift through the layers Trinity Colle^'e of Music - One last effort, prolonged. All at once his of history, the generations of residents Linda Sherratt (Soprano) face was a knowing grin, as he handed who have all left their mark on the city; • accompanied by Leon over the last shekel. 'Yes, yes, you for trying to sort out water tunnels and walls, Conrad (Piano) Tuesday 13 An Afternoon of Magic you, me for me, goodbye!' (But honours and which bit came first, and why, and from Godfrey & Joyce van were even, and he gave us each a cup of finding the task almost impossible. But Leer thick Turkish coffee in his little room piece by piece, the picture took shape, and Wednesday 14 Homage to St. Valentine - before we left.) anyway, there was always a glass of fresh Ian Bradford (Flute) & It was only the second day of our orange juice around the corner. Carol Kohn (Piano) Thursday 15 A Talk by The London Fire school tour to Israel, yet not surprisingly The party was mixed, about a third Brigade it seemed much longer since Dan Air had were Jewish, and each learned a lot from Monday 19 The AJR Choir - Conducted deposited us at an eerily quiet Ben Gurion the others. We even had a continental by Edie Klempner Airport at four in the morning. We were a touch one morning, when a friend of my Tuesday 20 Traditional Jewish Songs & group of thirty, pupils and staff, most in father's, who had settled in Israel forty Piano Solos from the Musical Sabras Israel for the first time, and all beginning years ago or more, kindly showed us ,' !f ednesday 21 The Beaufort Ensemble to sense, or re-experience, the unique round his moshav at Regba (just north of ihursday 22 Musical Entertainment by time-machine effect that makes the past Akko). It was one of the delights of the Harry Collins and Friends merge with the present wherever you go. tour, and left second thoughts about life ^ The Dulcet Tones - A Monday 26 Our visits in the first week took in the in the Smoke. Variety Show by Betty Thrower &c Anna Partridge oldest known town in the world - Jericho By the end of the two weeks, we Tuesday 27 Classical Music by Joanna - and some of the newest, on the West realised that on almost every day we had Brockbank (Flute) and lain Bank; often our inexhaustible guide seen or stood at an international border: Ccorge (Guitar) would refer to the events of 2000 or 1000 Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt are all Almeda Wind Trio of ^•^dnesday 28 BCE, and 70 or 1967 CE, in almost the on our photos. The party had discovered Trinity College of Music - James Higgs (Oboe), Frances same breath, so that gradually it was to its amazement how tiny Israel really is, Reardon (Clarinet), Caroline possible for the pupils to glimpse but also how many problems it faces, Longhurst (Bassoon) something of the long sweep of history which are likely to grow in years to come. that has left Israel time and time again at For all that, the country is a miracle. MARCH the centre of the world's news. Perhaps we can look forward to a time Thursday 1 Monday 5 Ronnie Bell on Keyboard Of course, some of the pupils were when peace in the area will enable Israel's Stroll Down Memory Lane - there more for the heat than the history, astonishing achievements so far to be Jack Harris accompanied by Gerald Benson (Piano) and they got that, too. We had a few days developed even further, and to benefit a Tuesday 6 Collection of Songs He Arias in the lush, green Galilee, and one up in wider world. i. - James Pocha with piano the Golan, as far as Kuneitra and the It seems that until some settlement is accompaniment ^^dnesday 7 foot-hills of Mount Hermon on the Syrian reached over the West Bank, to the lasting Purim Piano Entertainment border, before moving south via satisfaction of all, Israel may feel itself - Justin Joseph Thursday 8 Shelly Weldon entertains Beersheba and Masada, and passing obliged to say to the world, like the falafel Colombian soldiers on border patrol in stall owner in Akko, 'You for you, me for "^^onday 12 with a Purim Programme Purim - A Musical the Negev, to Eilat. There, at last, the me'. Entertainment with Susi & sunworshippers were in paradise. Indeed n John Dunston Arnold Horwell Tuesd we all were, until the wind dropped after ay 13 A Joyful Purim Musical Programme - The London a day, and we discovered painfully just Ladies Choir how strong the sun had been. . . . John Dunston is a Committee Member of "^ednesd ay 14 Concert of Vocal Music - Our final five days in Jerusalem proved the Association of Children of Jewish Gillian Brandon accom­ a fascinating and frustrating climax to the Refugees. Anyone who is a child of panied by William Hancox Thursday 15 tour. We stayed in the Old City Youth refugees from Nazi Europe and tvho rful Popular Violin Pieces - Marianne Olyver accom­ Hostel, with its daily aubergine fritters, ivould like to knotv more about the panied by Jonathan inside the Jewish Quarter, only a hundred ACJR, should contact Anne on 01-579 Honeyball yards away from the Western Wall, the 9906 or Colin on 01-863 4947. 10 AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990

David Maier reports on Aspects of Religious Judaism in Britain all sides in the plurality of our faith addressed themselves to the maintenance of halachic principles, not as a monolithic structure, but as secure guidelines to law 1. The assembly of Rabbis and ethics applicable to the modern world no less than to that of our ancestors. This, too, is the brief followed by the An Interview with Rabbi Simon Franses RSGB Rabbinical Court in the decisions it hands down in cases involving Jewish status in connection with marriage, n April 15, 1840 the first formal 1971 - allow him to describe British divorce and conversion. The Court does steps were taken towards the Reform Judaism as a cloth woven from not have a titular head: all Reform rabbis Oestablishment of the West two strands of religious modernity. One may be called upon to serve on it in a London Synagogue of British Jews and so stems from that section of Anglo-Jewry religious-judicial capacity on equal terms to launch a movement in this country which constitutes its oldest element since and any special knowledge or experience devoted to a form of religious Judaism the Readmission - the Dutch Sephardim may be brought to bear upon questions of which today, 150 years on, has an adult who had not remained wholly immune to particular complexity which may arise in membership of 26,000. Its 40 the influence of Spinozist philosophy. individual cases. Here again, confirms congregations are constituents of a co­ Then came the German-speaking Rabbi Franses, the 'lenient approach' is ordinating body, the Reform Synagogues immigrants of the mid-nineteeth century practised, the climbing, as it were, of the of Great Britain (RSGB), which has, who were willing carriers of post- mountain in stages rather than by frontal during the close on five decades of its own Mendelssohnian enlightenment. Academic assault, lest the climber decides to turn existence, consolidated its position as a lustre was added by the contributions to back if the ascent to the peak proves too major component of contemporary Reform theology made by distinguished hard. In his view there is no need to break Anglo-Jewry. survivors of the Nazi era. with the tradition of our law. 'Halacha Since they are not associated with the Rabbi Franses interprets the Reform touches all our actions and it is possible 'United Hebrew Congregations', Reform attitude to religious observance in terms to validate them without infringing it. synagogues do not subscribe to the of the 'lenient approach to halacha', the And this is my hope for the future: that jurisdiction of the Chief Rabbi. Their authoritative interpretation of Jewish we shall always be aware of the eternal spiritual leadership is vested in the laws, such that all Jews can understand its connection between the law and the land, Assembly of Rabbis whose members are purpose and fulfil its intentions those two concepts which go through the all those currently holding rabbinical meaningfully. For him, halacha is a tree to fabric of Jewish life, from the birth of our posts within the movement. A number of be tended, not for ourselves, but for those people and its faith right up to the present former Reform rabbis who are now active who come after us, so that they may enjoy time'. D in other congregations may attend its fruits. And he sees religious pluralism meetings as 'observers'. as a guarantee of our survival as a people The Assembly's present chairman is in the Diaspora and is convinced that our Rabbi Simon Franses, since 1987 of the history since the destruction of the First Middlesex New Synagogue. His term of Temple is proof for this proposition. office as chairman is in its second and But, in his opinion, that alone is not What art can do final year, and by custom and practice he enough. Concern for the totality of Richard Grunberger will be invited to deliver the keynote Judaism implies, he argues, a continuing lecture at the RSGB's 49th Conference love for the Land of Israel, and he asserts 'All my poems' Auden maintained when it meets at Harrogate in June. that the Reform movement's commitment 'Didn't save a single Jew', He will be heard by some 450 delegates to the welfare of the Jewish State must be Thinking he had thereby proved and his exposition will set the theme for complete. Above all, he is concerned to The inefficacy of art. many of their deliberations. He is always dispel any fears that Reform theology Auden was wrong; the pen can sprout happy to share his ideas on issues which might one day result in a weakening of Like Joseph's rod and conjure life. he regards as important, not only to his the continuity of the Jewish religion: such 1 heard my uncle tell a joke congregation and his movement, but to a calamity could and would be averted if When I was twelve, and still recall. religious Judaism as a whole. Looking at I wrote it down the other week the history of Reform in this country he Prompting a friend to telephone For points out that its ideology absorbed not '1 understood your uncle's joke!'. only German-Jewish religious 'radicalism' RESEARCH ON JEWISH LIFE His words like sparks that arked across but also a good measure of In the former German colonies of Togo, The fifty years when 'uncle' slipped Cameroon, German East and Southwest Anglo-Sephardi tradition. His own Africa as well as the South Sea Territories Into the realm of hieroglyphs Sephardi roots and his rabbinical training (1884-1918), correspondence, photos, Describing lost Atlantis' shore and experience — he was born in 1943 in diaries, documents, etc. are needed. Before the Flood closed over it. Larissa, Greece, and came to London in Please contact: Dr. Joachim Warmbold, / understood your uncle's joke! Division of Foreign Languages, Sharctt 1961 to study, first at the Sephardi Judith Bldg., Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv It made me rush into the street Lady Montefiore College and then at Leo 69 978, Israel. All originals will be returned. And press my nose against the glass Baeck College from where he graduated in Of the cafe: he might be there. D AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990 II

-e Schwab movement, being a pupil of Arnold varied repertoire). Whilst the state B6cklin(1827-1901) and teacher of Otto theatres, the 'Burg' in particular, have Greiner (1896-1916) and Alfred Kubin succumbed to the trendy producnons by (1877-1959). This exhibition will be mainly modern authors, and the classical followed by Bauhaus Photography (15 works given are often described by the March-21 April) and then by The Art of critics as staged in an outrageous way, the he Italian exhibition Art in the German Draiving VII: Free Abstraction Theater in the Josefstadt, together with its Making: Italian Art before 1400 at 1949-1989 (4 May-16 June). second house, the Kammerspiele, has Tthe National Gallery (until 28 The Barbican Centre has two interesting retained its red-golden charm which ebruary) is something very special. There exhibitions: Landscapes from a High symbolizes its principles and satisfies its are eight major works in the exhibidon, Altitude: Icelandic Art 1909-1989 (until traditionally-minded subscribers. The ajmost all by ardsts from Florence and 8 April) and Scottish Art Since 1900 (until theatre, now over 200 years old and ^lena, wealthy cides that could afford to 16 April). Iceland has only 300,000 firmly anchored in its roots since the days employ the first artists of their day: inhabitants, but its artistic tradition can of Josef Jarno and Max Reinhardt, is ^uccio, Uglio di Nerio, Giotto, Jacopo di stand comparision with many much larger supported by a renowed ensemble led by ^'ona, etc. In addition, a number of countries. The new exhibition at the Otto Schenk, producer and actor, whose panels have been reconstructed to Barbican is the most impressive survey of members include veteran names like Illustrate the method of producing Twendeth Century Scottish art seen in Vilma Degischer (widow of Hermann Paindngs of this kind in the ardst's London since the 1960's. (Fully illustrated Thimig), Elfriede Ott and Hans Jaray, workshop. Not least among the benefits catalogue, price £12.95). whilst educating a new generation of °^ this exhibition is the formidable Photography is the theme of the young actors in the Viennese theatrical catalogue (price £12.95 and worth every exhibition In Our Time: The World as style. During this season, works by penny). seen by Magnum Photographers at the Eugene O'Neill, Schnitzler, Nestroy and Inigo Jones was the man who Hayward Gallery (until 6 May). Magnum Molnar are once more in the foreground, revolutionized English architecture in the is a photographic agency founded as a and a special evening of sentimental fun ^eventeenth century, for it was he who collective in 1947 by Robert Capa, Henri will be devoted to the unique master of ^troduced High Renaissance Classicism Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger and cabaret, the late Karl Farkas, 'Professor of 'ch IS still influential as a style today, David (Chim) Seymour, and now includes humour'. "tie of his architecture has survived, in its membership some of the top photo- 60 Years ago some of the best UFA films the O^ ^^^^Banquedng Hall in Whitehall, journalists of the day. Nearly 400 had their premieres; Melodic der Welt Ch ^^^^"'^ House, Greenwich, and the photographs are on display, chronicling which initiated the genre of German f^urch of St. Paul in the Piazza, Covent great events of the last fifty years. musical Talkies and starred Dita Parlo inn"" ^"^ *^ ^"" '^"Se of his work - Finally, a reminder: The Ben Uri Picture and Willy Fritsch, followed by the to '/^^'"g^ - has now been gathered Fair will be held on Sunday, 18 February, gripping story of the Titanic's disastrous and ^""^ ^^^ ^^^^ '^''"^ ^'"'^^ ^^^ 1670's, tickets £45, which guarantee a picture. end - Atlantic - with Fritz Kortner and un I'l"" ^^"^ ^^ ^^^ ^^y^' Academy Works by Josef Hermann, Kossoff, Walter the very young Willy Forst; UFA caf ''^^'•uary. A fully illustrated Trier, Joe Rose, Peter Baer, Helen Keats continued with Liebesivalzer (Lilian n, u T"^ (price £14.90) has been and many other artists will be on offer. Harvey-Willy Fritsch), Dreyfus with published by Zwemmers. Kortner, Basserman and Crete Mosheim, eel h ^^^'""^1 Portrait Gallery is and the still popular Blaue Engel, in ^.ebrating the centenary of that eminent SB's Column which Marlene Dietrich began her world ~2([°M^"' ^^'•'^'"^^ Newman (2 March career. ^, May). Exhibition material includes 'Die Josefstadt.' Tempora mutantur; Birthdays. Nathan Milstein, the great £ f ^"'T'"^'^ "f Newman by Sir John visitors to Vienna will be surprised by the American violinist of Russian origin, a 6^ ^'"'*'' ^"^"^ Arundel Castle, and thorough change the theatrical scene has celebrated his 85th birthday; actress •page catalogue is being published. recently undergone. American musicals Agnes Fink, wife of Bernhard Wicki, at ^^Monica Bohm Duchen has both dominate, 'happenings' are being home at nearly every German-speaking cat^r^^'^ ^" exhibition, and prepared the arranged, more than 30 fringe theatres theatre from Hamburg, Berlin and Leipzig g^ a'ogue, of the works of Thomas have sprung up ranging from the outer to Zurich, Salzburg and Vienna, has TaT^r'^ Lewinsky (1892-1947) at the districts of Brigittenau to Hernals (where attained the age of 70. Also 70 is Hun ^- ^""^'' ^^ ^P"'^- Of wealthy the rather grandly named 'Metropol' has a Austria's Fritz Muliar, the comic actor sty^.^^^^^-Jewish origin, Lowinsky whose name has become associated with arti ^-^ ^^^ ^'^^'^- "^ ^^^ ^ versatile the 'Jiddische Hit parade', long-playing .^^st. With work ranging from early Annely Juda Fine Art records containing Jewish jokes, anecdotes ginative compositions to modernistic and stories from Galicia perpetuating this pr^J^'"'^ simplification. He also 11 Tottenham Mews, London W1P 9PJ special type of humour. Muliar has acted dpci ""'^ theatrical costumes, textile 01-637 5517/8 in Germany and Austria, notably at ^^gns and book jackets. CONTEMPORARY PAINTING Vienna's Burgtheater and in the 'SimpP •nclude^rl^^^ Institute programme AND SCULPTURE cabaret. Officially retired, he returns to (1857 1 Graphic Artist Max Klinger the stage again and again, lately starring Mon-Fri: 10 am-6 pm Sat: 10 am-1 pm in a Nestroy play at Vienna's playe"av dr^^^O ) untU 3 March. Klinger an important role in the Symbolist Volkstheater. 12 AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990 continued from page 5 masterpiece he had written some 60 years Could not happen here WHO IS 'WHO earlier; 1 was so much aware that the old IN THE AJR OFFICE man, down there at the rostrum, had once 'From the moment I stepped into the Administrator Lydia Lassman created this music, now a classic. It was a J.C.'s portals, I found myself confronted with a mystery. I always heard the same Editor, AJR Richard great experience! refrain 'Why do you have intellectuals Information Grunberger In the same year he composed his Last writing for you?' (Clive Sinclair, ex- Assistant to Four Songs, settings of Hesse and Administrator Carol Rossen literary editor Jewish Chronicle, Eichendorff (premiered in London in Sheltered 3.11.1989.) D 1954, under Furtwiingler). They were his Accommodation Katia Gould farewell, non-religious but deeply felt, a Head of Homes Rothschild's return Department Ruth Finestone most beautiful musical anachronism, a Head of Social Services Samuel Wolf last blossoming of German romanticism in Rothschilds, the merchant bank, are Welfare Rights Advisor Agnes the middle of the 20th century. opening an office in Frankfurt - Alexander Strauss passed away in 1949, having birthplace of the founder of the dynasty - Day Centre Organiser Sylvia Matus brought blissful happiness to untold in readiness for the coming of the Single Volunteers Co-ordinator Laura Howe Membership/Reception thousands with his music. European Market. Nora Gittins/ Wendi Wilson The Sunday Telegraph reported this news under the punning headline 'Rothschilds' Grim record Main chance'. D

The recent murder of Professor Joseph AJR CLUB Wybran, the leader of the Jewish War Criminals 15 Cleve Road London, N.W.6 Community in Belgium, is the latest in a The last of the 'prisoners of Breda' — series of atrocities perpetrated in that executants of the Final Solution in Sunday, 11th February, 3 pm tolerant country. The early 1980s saw a WHEN I WAS A CHILD REFUGEE Holland - 88-year old Franz Fischer A talk by OTTO DEUTSCH lethal grenade attack on a Jewish school whom the Dutch had released in January, Sunday, 11th March, 3 pm bus and the car bombing of a synagogue - has died. HELENA GUEST - SHOWTIME both at Antwerp. Since the Brussels' Great A court in the DDR has sentenced presented by MICHAEL GRAY Synagogue had been firebombed and 79-year old Jakob Holz to life Admission: 50p Incl. tea raked with machine-gun fire. D imprisonment for the wartime murder of SOCIALS 28 Jewish forced labourers in Poland. D on SUNDAYS, TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS Danger signals Fickle Skorzeny atternoon between 2 & 6 The current upheaval in East Germany is Tea and light suppers served at nominal An Israeli military publicadon has charges (no suppers on Sundays). bringing neo-Nazi tendencies to the reported the former Waffen SS Colonel Live entertainment or video films most surface whose existence the Honecker Otto Skorzeny, the quondam 'most Sundays. Day Centre entertainment shared on regime had tried to mask by a conspiracy dangerous man in Europe', was recruited Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 pm. of silence. At the same time the liberal Guests welcome into the Mossad (Israeli Intelligence Membership fee £4 p.a. opposition are accusing Modrow and Gysi Service) in the early 1960s. According to — Honecker's reformist successors — of the report he helped dissuade ex-Nazi exaggerating the neo-nazi threat to justify scientists from producing rockets in Egypt the retention of the secret police and to for use against the Jewish State. D Romanian Jewry | boost the Communists' anti-Fascist credentials. Confusion is further 'Schnitzler and Kraus' There are no indications so far of Jews compounded by the nebulous dividing line being adversely affected by the recent between neo-Nazism and advocacy of Told about a lecture with this title an bloody upheaval in Romania. Several Jews 'one German fatherland'. We shall focus English friend of the editors's asked' Is it or half-Jews were prominent in the on this topic in our next issue. a continental dish?' revolution. I GERMAN BOOKS DAWSON HOUSE HOTEL BOUGHT ROOM AVAILABLE IN BELSIZE SQUARE OSMOND HOUSE FOR GUEST HOUSE > Free Street Parking in front of ttie Hotel Metropolis Antiquarian Books > Full Central Heating • Free Laundry Specialist Dealers in SHORT TERM RESPITE 24 BELSIZE SQUARE, N.W.3 German Books CARE. Tel: 01-794 4307 or 01-435 2557 > Free Dutcti-Style Continental Breakfast Always Buying 72 CANFIELD GARDENS Books, Autographs, Ephemera For further infornnation please contact:- MODERN SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY Eric Brueck ROOMS. RESIDENT HOUSEKEEPER Near Underground Sta. Finchley Rd, MODERATE TERMS. 155 Cholmley Gardens NEAR SWISS COTTAGE STATION LONDON, N.W.6 Mrs Ruth Finestone Tel: 01-624 0079 London NW6 Tek 01-435 2753 483 2536 AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990 13

John Rossall '' There were (are) three essential differences between these two chief forms of totalitarianism. Firstly, Communism Chutzpah and coincidence was the perversion of a liberating ideology, whereas Nazism was perverted ^rno Reinfrank SOLLY UND DIE 99 ENGEL from its inception. The entire communist ''^rsona Verlag 1988 201 pp. songbook does not contain as naked an appeal to sadism as the SA Lied 'When or those who have kept up their love so keen on a piece of the action that he Jewish blood spurts from the knife'. of reading German literature, here is parted with his life's savings. Secondly, Communism made class the Fa morsel to enjoy - a book whose Who but one of Solly's ninety-nine determining factor in human existence, >. author loves to digress, to follow angels could have brought this to pass? and Nazism race: individuals can shed "'ghways and byways of thought in Or, if the angels don't convince the their class membership (hence the term 'Colourful profusion, often with language reader, inasmuch as he takes it seriously declasse) but not their ethnic identity. ' so hyperbolic that it borders on nonsense. at all - and the book has a serious core - Thirdly, Communist regimes ut all the digressions point to the he may think that desperate chutzpah and occasionally threw up leaders — a 'Conclusion that Solly is under the coincidence masquerade here as Bukharin or a Dubcek - who tried (and • protection of angels. metaphysical powers. For all that the admittedly failed) to give that system a ^olly and the narrator are themselves story can be enjoyed as a sort of Drei 'human face'. Can anyone visualise a Nazi proof of the miraculous: children at the Schilling opera. Reichsleiter with equivalent humanising •fne of the Holocaust, they survived. tendencies? ^y are Luftmenschen now, creatures For all these - and other - reasons, the ^'thout firm hold on any society, forty- bracketing of Nazism with Communism is P Us of age; one with no identity papers, facile. What is more, the theory of these e other with a multitude of passports two equally repellent 'isms' amounts to a • • • some expired, some forged, some in A tenuous argument rehash of the Nolte doctrine. Ernst Nolte, r er but bought from somebody else. it will be remembered, relativised Nazi ^y are Finanzauslaender, a species of t is gratifying to know, even if only in evil and denied the uniqueness of the ax refugees. Solly is an 'inventor', the retrospect, that the BBC ran into a lot Shoah by bracketing Auschwitz with the ^^arrator has some piffling job and, I of flak over inviting Lady Diana Gulag as typical features of 20th century ^^ccasionally, some income which the Mosley to appear on Desert Island Discs. totalitarianism. Jacob Burckhart had a f^'^^';'"^Pecunious Solly regularly borrows, (In the weeks following the transmission premonition of the likes of Nolte (and yj ,'; '^ "P to his ears in financial of the programme, presenter Sue Lawley possibly Worsthorne) when, a century trouble. made interviews with journalists ago, he warned of the coming of les de "^Z*^^ "^"^'^ part their lives could be conditional on their avoiding the subject.) terribles simplificateurs. D i scribed as diabolical rather than angelic. For all that, a few false notes sounded ^^^^,"^rrator points this out, but Solly among the reverberations from the CO "^ ^^- ^y and by he convinces his brouhaha. Thus the Telegraph's Peregrine AJR ^^mpanion how things could always have Worsthorne congratulated the British DROP IN' ADVICE SERVICE Worse, but for the intervention of the Broadcasting Corporation on having stood firm in the face of Jewish demands Twice weekly advice sessions offering help with filling in forms, checking inv" ^ '^'•^^'^ '^'^roke of genius is the for boycotting Lady Mosley. Had Mr. benefits received, checking entitlements, nobod "" °^ ''"'lustrial honey', but Worsthorne taken his stance on the claiming benefits, fuel problems, money lead" ^ ^^"ts to put money into this loss libertarian grounds that anybody - matters, etc., etc., are being held as follows:— Park'^K ^^ ^""^ ^^^ narrator sit on a paedophiles, decriminalisers of drugs, his L"^^ arguing, with Solly affirming deniers of the Holocaust - should have TUESDAYS 10 am-12 noon at 15, access to the air waves, a tenuous case Cleve Road, London NW6 them ^^'^^' ^ policeman creeps up on might have been made out for his THURSDAYS 10 am-12 noon at The ^""^ 'lemands their identity cards. argument. But he chose to argue along Hannati Karminski House, 9 Adamson a„ J' P'^'^varicate, and the policeman significantly different lines. If Nazi Road, London NW3 flat r ^°-^° ^° ^°"y'^ '"•"""^ cupboard sympathisers, he wrote, are denied No appointment necessary but please airtime, then Communist sympathisers - Paper7 '" ^^^ ^^^ ^° ^^^'^'^ "P "" '^'^ bring along all relevant documents, such The '^'^ ^° collect the expected bribe). of whom there were many in public life - as Benefit Books, letters, bills, etc. Solly, ^^"^^"^"r rneanwhile has to entertain should suffer the same fate. Mr. Worsthorne's argument is based on to he ^^- '^l^^'^aurant and orders according the notion that Nazism and Communism CAMPS see h"^ '"''^'"naire taste. The poor man can were equally evil. This is a fallacy! Despite INTERNMENT-P.O.W.- the fact that, in numerical terms, the FORCED LABOUR-KZ triumph ^'^ '" P"'°"' ''"^ ^l'^" "" victims of Stalin, Mao et al outnumber I wish to buy cards, envelopes and folded post­ rtione r^ Solly appears loaded with marked letters from all camps of botfi world wars. he ha^' '^^^'^ of bribing the policeman those of Hider, Nazism cannot be Please send, registered mail, stating price, to: indiscriminately lumped together with 14 Rosslyn Hill, London NWS '"dustr"'r^ ^'"' ^'' P^""''' '" ^''^ PETER C. RICKENBACK •al honey venture, and the gull was Communism. « 14 AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990 I FAMILY EVENTS Schaul Martin C. Schaul passed CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT away on 24 Decemher. Greatly RATES Golden Wedding Situations Vacant missed by his wife Ruth and rela­ FAMILY EVENTS Kingsley Congratulations to Elderly lady desires live-in com­ tives. He was loved by all who were First 15 words free of charge, Andrew and Hazel Kingsley of Flat panion/housekeeper. Little res­ £2,00 per 5 words thereafter. fortunate to know him and will be B, 148 Broadhurst Gardens, NW6, ponsibility. Generous payment. remembered by us always. CLASSIFIED who have celebrated their 50th No cleaning. Willesden area. £2,00 per five words. 01-204 8912. anniversary on 27 January. Schaul Dr. Martin C. Schaul, BOX NUMBERS £3,00 extra. Deaths much loved brother, passed away Elderly lady, disabled, but wishing peacefully on 24 December. A very to stay in own home in North DISPLAY Frankfurther Nina Fankfurther per single column inch died peacefully on 23 December, special person who will remain in London, needs friendly live-in carer- 16 ems (3 columns per page) £8.00 aged 90. Sadly missed by her chil­ my heart forever. He will be sadly housekeeper to enable her to do so. 12 ems (4 columns per page) £7,00 Phone evenings after 6 pm dren, grandchildren and great­ missed. Shalom. His sister Edith. 01-997.5,503. Looking for a kalookie partner grandchildren, and her many Stern Herta Stern, widow of once or twice a week. Box 1170. friends. Situations Wanted Robert, died 12 December 1989, Personal Shorthand/Typist English/German Hamburger Berty Hamburger after a short illness. A kind and Widower approaching the upper part-nme. 452 8687. (nee Goldschmidt) in Welwyn generous lady who will be sadly sixties seeks lady for lasting rela­ Garden City on 1 September 1989 missed by her stepson Eric, her Miscellaneous tionship. Interests music, art, travel. aged 88. Widow of Leonhard and cousins and m..ny good friends. Electrician City and Guilds quali­ Non-smoker, non-orthodox. Box mother of William Humber and of fied. All domestic work undertaken. 1171. Stern Herta Stern, our very dear the late Berthold Hamburger and Y. Steinreich. Tel: 455 5262. friend, passed away peacefully on Information Required the late Use Sondhelm. Manicurist visits your home 445 12 December. A lady in every sense Hartmann Would anyone know­ 2915. Holzer Elsa Holzer (Schwester of the word. Much loved and sadly ing the whereabouts of Erna Hartmann, born 1896 in Berlin, last Else), widow of the late Rabbi Paul missed by Lola, Therese and Ron. Collector of old Jewish and Holzer, passed away peacefully on I Palestine picture postcards. Single known address London NW9 8YE January, 4 Tevet, after a short Wohlmuth Our Rosl died 3 cards purchased. David Pearlman, please contact Angelika Tramitz, illness. Mourned and never to be January after a short illness. Sadly 36 Asmuns Hill, London NWll. Fidicinstrnse 18, D-IOOO Berlin 61. forgotten by all who knew her. missed by family and friends. 455 2149. 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MAPESBURY LODGE TORRINGTON HOMES 'SHIREHALL' AUDLEY (Licensed by the Borough of Brent) MRS. PRINGSHEIM, S.R.N., Licensed by the Borough of Barnet for tfie elderly, convalescent and partly MATRON REST HOME Home for the elderly, convalescent incapacitated. For Elderly, Retired and Convalescent and Incapacitated Lift to all floors. (Hendon) ' Single rooms comfortably appointed Luxurious double and single {Licensed by Borougii of Barnet) for Elderly Retired Gentlefolk rooms. Colour TV, fi/c, central heating, ' Single and Double Rooms. * 24-hour care attendance private telephones, etc., in all rooms. * H/C Basins and CH in all rooms. Single and Double Rooms witfi wash • Excellent cuisine Excellent kosher cuisine. Colour TV * Gardens, TV and reading rooms. basins and central heating. TV lounge * Long and short-term stay lounge. Open visiting. Cultivated and dining-room overlooking lovely Gardens. * Nurse on duty 24 hours. Telephone * Long and short term, including trial garden. Matron 01-202 7411 or Full 24-hour nursing care period if required. 24-hour care—long and short term. Administrator 078 42 52056 From £180 per week Please telephone 93 Shirehall Park, sister-ln-charge, 450 4972 01-445 1244 Office hours Licensed by the Borough of Barnet 01-455 1335 other times Enquiries 202 2773/8967 Hendon NW4 17 Mapesbury Road, N.W.2 39Torhngton Park, N.12 (near Brent Cross) t AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990 15 • bolter Manfred gives a lively account of the varying fortunes of the wholly Sephardi community in this outpost of the British Sephardim in Ashkenaz Empire. Germany is, of course, usually ^°i-nett and Schwab, editors: THE WESTERN SEPHARDIM. Vol II of Sephardi associated with the Ashkenazim; indeed, '^entoge' (Gibraltar Books Grendon Northants 1989 £20) the word Askenaz in Hebrew came to mean Germany. Yet Germany was host to communities are described in separate "e destruction of Iberian Jewry, the a small, but not unimportant, Sephardi essays by distinguished specialist ^ephardim of Spain and Portugal in 1492 community, mainly along the banks of the scholars in this latest volume. Amsterdam •lid 1497 respectively, has many Lower Elbe, with congregations in was one of the main centres of this J'liilarides to the fate suffered by German Hamburg, Altona and Gliickstadt. The dispersal and must take pride of place, not je^ry. They formed proud and well- Hamburg congregation persisted for over only because of the size of the community, "•^egrated communides, yet all suffered three centuries, but gradually numbers but because of the importance it achieved ^omplete annihilation. The great dwindled and the synagogue was in the broad pattern of World Jewry. But '"erence was that the German eventually taken over by the Ashkenaziin no less important was Salonika and its community was deliberately destroyed by in 1930. Professor Hermann Kellenbenz teeming, predominantly Jewish, system of unprecedented mass-murder gives a full account of the Sephardim in ^om which relatively few escaped, population with its far-flung commercial interests and high level of intellectual Germany in this volume, and has also ^ ereas the Iberian Jews, although many contributed a short note on the meagre .^^re killed, were faced either with activity. Its famous Talmud Torah, founded in 1520, survived until the history of the Sephardim in Scandinavia, mediate expulsion or forced conversion, who themselves had close associations f J*' L ^^^ '^°"^^^sos had an easy time community itself was destroyed in 1943. Incidentally, when the port of Tel Aviv with their German counterparts. r they condnued to be hounded and It is 500 years since the expulsion of the secuted by the Inquisition for centuries. was established in the Thirties, Jewish stevedores from Salonika were brought in Jews from Spain and Portugal, yet their Se h ^'^.'^°''y ^""^ achievements of the to handle the cargoes. traditions and cultural achievements are Phardi in their original homeland have In the Spanish New World still with us and have not been dimmed by ^en fully described in the essays crypto-communities were established early the passage of time. It is but half a ompnsing Sephardi Heritage, Volume I, on, 'New Christians' forming a large century since German Jewry was iich was published in 1971. proportion of the original white settlers. annihilated, but the impact of their and P ""^''''"8 emigrants from Spain Professor Liebman gives a fascinating absorption into Israel and the Jewish ^ a lortugal established a wide network account of the religious practices of these diaspora has been great. Will it persist like St ^^ "'"imunides in Europe, the United secret Jews in an essay in this volume. the Sephardi tradition, and what will N„ \ Caribbean and in the Spanish Back in Europe, Tito Benady, himself a history tell our descendants half a achl^°'-''^- The history and millennium from now? "evements of the newly-formed member of a famous Gibraltar family.

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I • t •>. 16 AJR INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1990

A LIFE AMONG STRANGERS {continued) The second of Sobol's Teeth on the floor (primarily) at a Dental School in Scotland, three Vilna plays but from comments I have heard since, A few years earlier someone in America their experience was common throughout According to the theatre critic of the West had started a scare, in consequence of the country. They told me of the rigours German Jewish weekly Allgemeine the which dentists crying 'local infection' of the gas-room where students queued premiere in Bad Godesberg of Joshua went into the attack to save mankind for a turn to do their extractions or give Sobol's new play Adam was open to som£ from its teeth. English patients seemed to anaesthetics under the guidance of a adverse comment: the scenery was be mesmerised by the idea. One almost hard-to-please taskmaster. The patients thought to be uninspiring, the leading concluded that the English did not were taken from an ever full supply in the actor could be faulted for being consider themselves safe until they were waiting room. It was not exceptional for unconvincing in the part. But the review rid of their teeth. I gave this some little 150 extractions to be performed in a left no doubt as to the importance of this thought. When English patients were session of little more than two hours. The work and of the message which it seeks to under doctor's orders they seemed to student allocated to a case had to hold convey, nor, indeed, of the author's skill become like skippers who had taken a himself ready for action like a sprinter as an accomplished dramatist. pilot on board. Their brand of under starter's orders. Between the self-perception seemed to enable them to moment the anaesthetist mask was Survivor's memory forms regard their substance with some withdrawn from the patient's face and the framework detachment. Where others winced they return of consciousness the teeth had to performed a sovereign act of making do come out. A student who hesitated and The central theme is once again a without teeth. For a German to have to didn't jump forward to rip them out like sequence of events in the Vilna ghetto aniJ lose his teeth was the beginning of the weeds prompted an outburst from the a number of the characters are familiar end, a fearful and over-premature hint of instructor that might have done justice to from Sobol's earlier play with that title: disintegration - a tragedy. There could be a sergeant major. What broke off mostly Jacob Gens is there, the head of the no mistaking it. If only to save himself a had to be left behind. Neither the public Judenrat, and Kittel, the S.S.officer. And again, the framework for the main action is the memory of one of the survivors. This time it is that of an old woman, long settled in Tel-Aviv with her husband, but unable to forget, and driven to tell the 'true' story of how her lover chose to commit suicide rather than die at the hands of the Gestapo to whom his fellow-Jews had betrayed him when faced with the impossible alternative: it was he, the leader of the plot to cause an uprising in the ghetto, who was sacrificed so that they, the others, the whole of the ghetto population, could live a little longer. Although the play is not intended to be taken as a strictly documented record of events at Vilna, the mere suggestion that such an incident could indeed have taken place caused emotions to run high when the play was staged in Israel. It remains to scene, the German dentist fought for every nor the dendst were willing to admit that be seen if it will engender a similar tooth. He knew about local infection too, some teeth were bound to defeat the reaction if, and when, it has its First but used the term to inflate his status simple approach and had to be tackled Night on the London stage and what, if vis-a-vis the medical world. Otherwise he more delicately. Procedure had to be any, the effect will be upon the audience, left it almost unconsidered. In Germany learned at speed. Teeth dropped on the and the cridcs, of topical allusions to the when it came to extractions, it was floor like wood-shavings. Middle East polidcal situation if, unlike usually a matter of removing one After the upheaval the patient was the German version, the English offending tooth. For that purpose local allowed to sag forward and dribble into a performance is uncut and thus does not anaesthesia was the standard procedure. kidney bowl. Then suddenly, as if the exclude these passages. All eyes were on advances in its technique. lights were turned on, the patient's eyes At all events, Joshua Sobol is now General anaesthesia, while lectured on, saw again, he smiled and was ready to established as a highly respected, if not was hardly taught in pracdce. stagger out, thanking all concerned for totally uncontroversial, Israeli playwright When I came to England in 1935 I their kindness. The students became used with a world-wide reputation. It is to be made friends with other refugee dentists, to the happy endings, took them for hoped that the British premiere of Adam most of them earlier arrivals who had granted and lost some of their concern. will not be long delayed. started by taking postgraduate courses D Arnold Rosenstrauch D D.L.M.

Published by the Association of Jewish Refugees in Great Britain, Hannah Karminski House, 9 Adamson Road, London NW3 3HX, Telephone 01-483 2536/7/8/9, Fax No. 01-722 4652 Printed in Great Britain by Black Bear Press Limited, Cambridge