Towards the Millennium a Merchant of Hamburg P.7 N Britain the Approach of the Year 2000 Has Middle Ages

Information Volume L No. 6 June 1995 £3 (to non-members)

Don't tDiss . .. A numbers game with incalculable consequences Rudolf Jones p.2 Radical chic - or cheek p.3 Towards the Millennium A merchant of Hamburg p.7 n Britain the approach of the year 2000 has Middle Ages. As the jubilee year 1500 AD ap­ promoted the creation of the Millennium Fund proached, the monk Savonarola advocated the I disbursing money to charity, sport and the arts. purging of sinful mankind by fire; his fellow Among minds less pragmatic than those of the pro­ Florentine Botticelli was sufficiently impressed by saic Brits the word millennium connotes something such preaching to consign his own canvases to the The vastly different, i.e. an expectation of the end of the flames of the bonfire of the vanities. Oklahoma world. The age-old notion of the 'end of days' Over the next 150 years millennarianism flared up (originally a Judaic concept) is not to be understood further north, in the Germany of the Peasants' Re­ bomb simply as the final destruction of the earth - but volt and the England of the Civil War. Then, in the rather as a chaotic interregnum ending the corrupt early nineteenth century Messianic expectancy he fact that world we know and ushering in the perfect world to changed direction and centred on the United States initial come. spawning cult religions Hke the Seventh Day Advent- T suspicion of The early Chistians took over Jewish Messianism, ists and Jehovah's Witnesses. Arab terrorist an idea that bubbled up every so often during the Back in Europe in the twentieth century, the fires involvement in the of an - irreligious - belief in a better world to outrage turned out come flared up in Soviet Russia. Communism to have been ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING claimed to be the harbinger of an earthly paradise, unfounded, may free of poverty and injustice. Hot on its heels came have disappointed Will be held at the ultimate perversion of the idea of the millen­ some readers - but nium: Hitler's symbolically named Thousand Year need not have. A 15 Cleve Road, Reich. Nazi wartime poetry chillingly conjured up politically sick USA West Hampstead, NW6 3RL visions of the end of the world: ultimately poses a Brach Etzel's Haus in Glut zusammen onThursdaySJune 1995 greater danger to als er die Niebelungen zwang at 7.30 p.m. Israel and to world Dann soil der Erdball steh'n in Flammen peace than Islamic AGENDA bei der Germanen Untergang. Jihad. The (If Attila's palace collapsed in ash, when he sub­ Oklahoma outrage Annual Report 1994 dued the Nibelungs, Then let the globe burst into administered a flames, when the Teutons meet their doom). Hon. Treasurer's Report salutary shock to Discussion During the last half century the madness engen­ the American Election of Committee of Management dered by millenarianism has hardly effected Europe. political system It has, however, ravaged the Far East, pace China's which had been This will be followed by a talk to be given by Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution and drifting Prof. Edward Timms Cambodia's Pol Pot regime. dangerously entitled: In contrast to China and Cambodia, Japan has rightwards since the The 'Wandering Jew' and the 'Ewige Jude* throughout this time been governed pragmatically - mid-term elections. a comparative analysis of two stereotypes. yet the tensions modernity imposed on a hidebound From the realisation Enquiries: AJR, I Hampstead Gate, society were such that millenarianism flourishes in of where anti- la Frognal, London NW3 6AL the country. And this brings us bang up-to-date. The Washington phobia Tel:OI7l-43l 6161 millenarian sect Aim Shimsri Kyo, suspected of nerve can lead, a better gas attacks on the Tokyo underground may, alas, balance between only be one of several crackpot groups whom the government and For list of candidates to Committee of Management proximity of the year 2000 will entice into commit­ people should and biographical notes, see page 12. ting apocalyptic outrages so as to hasten the coming emerge D of the millennium D AJR INFORMATION JUNE /995

Otto Schiff Housing Association Profile r. R.W. Mattes stepped down from his position as Chairman Rudolf Jones spent time in a jail where the guards were M of OSHA, and membership of nightly executing Republican prisoners. its Council and Management Committee, Eventually helped by the British ambassa­ at the end of May, a position he has held he fact that Nazism overwhelmed dor, Sir Samuel Hoare, the couple for the past eight years. During his time Austria five years after Germany eventually made it to England where in office the Association has had to come T brought us few enough advan­ Rudolf joined the Royal Army Service to terms with the new legislative environ­ tages. One of them, though, was that we Corps. He admittedly showed little me­ ment and adapt to the 'Care in the could read authors banned, and burned, chanical aptitude but did useful work at Community' concept. As a consequence, by Goebbels. I first realised the true na­ Denazification trials in immediate post­ OSHA has been called on to cope with the ture of Nazism by reading Lion war Berlin. increased frailty of residents entering its Feuchtwanger's The Brothers Oppermann homes. as a young teenager. A little later I de­ A former Deputy Chairman of the Meat voured Yolanda Foldes' Die Strasse der and Livestock Commission and Chairman fischenden Katze, a depiction of the life of Mattesons Meats, a Unilever eked out by hapless refugees in crumbling subsiduary, he was born in Neuwied, Ger­ Paris tenements. Safe in the UK, I contin­ many, 71 years ago. ued to rely on Feuchtwanger for catching Following Mr. Mattes's resignation, the the flavour of refugee life across the Council has appointed Mr. M.M. Channel, first in Paris Gazette and then Ko'hmann as Acting Chairman of the in the grim 1940 memoir The Devil in Council and Management Committee of France. the Otto Schiff Housing Association, To encounter this month's profilee is to pending the appointment of a permanent meet a flesh-and-blood revenant risen chairman in due course. Mr. Kochmann from the pages of Feuchtwanger and has been a member of the Council for ten Foldes. Born just before the Great War, years. He is Chairman of the Association Rudolf Jonas was the son of a Berlin of Jewish Refugees, Chairman of the Leo manufacturer and inventor. The father, al­ Baeck Housing Association, Hon. Treas­ lowed to keep his factory in the early urer of Belsize Square Synagogue, and Nazi years, could finance Rudolf's con­ associated with many other charitable tinued education in France after the causes D latter's expulsion from German universi­ ties. An economics graduate by 1935 Ruldolf was allowed to stay in France but forbidden to take up employment. He Dr. Rudolf Jones eked out a living as a ghostwriter for Demobbed he took a job with the Petro­ ^ Georg Bernhard (ex-editor of the leum Press Bureau and advanced via ^^^ Vossische Zeitung, now publisher of the various trade journals to the editorship of Pariser Tageblatt) and by working for a Solid Fuel, the coal trade paper. He ac­ BELSIZE SQUARE South African news agency as well as the quitted himself so well that on retiring in SYNAGOGUE World Jewish Congress. But there were 1980 he received glowing testimonials also intervals of normality in this precari­ from Coal Board luminaries Lord Robens 51 BELSIZE SQUARE, NW3 ous existence as when he met and married and Derek Ezra. As a pensioner he re­ Eva, a fellow refugee who performed turned to the academic life he had been We offer a traditional style of anti-Nazi cabaret songs in a cafe owned missing for over four decades. He enrolled religious service with Cantor, by Isadora Duncan's brother. at the LSE, gained an MA and wrote a Choir and organ The outbreak of war brought a rapid doctoral dissertation on Allied wartime deterioration in their situation. There policy towards Spain. Further details can be obtained were police round-ups, internment, con­ But Dr. Jones - as he is now called - from our synagogue secretary scription into the Foreign Legion and, is not the only writer in the family. Eva, a above all, chaos. After the collapse of singer in Paris became a novelist in Lon­ Telephone 0171-794 3949 France the young couple escaped into the don. (Her titles include Thirteen, Double Unoccupied Zone. There Eva found ref­ Decker and Taboo.) Some years ago she, Minister: Rabbi Rodney J. Mariner uge in a convent, but pressure to convert however, suffered a stroke which obliged Cantor: Rev Lawrence H. Fine made her come out again. Warned off Rudolf to abandon the scholarly career he Regular services; Friday evenings at 6.30 pm, crossing into Switzerland - 'the Swiss had so enthusiastically embarked on in his Saturday mornings at 10 am hand escapers over to the Nazis' - they 'Third Age'. Despite this setback he can Religion school: Sundays at 10 am to 1 pm finalled walked over a 9,000 ft. Pyrenean look back on a life crowded with as much mountain into neutral Franco Spain. achievement as incident. Space donated by Pafra Limited There they were arrested and Rudolf AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

camps. Only at the grim crematorium, on the most sceptical observer must conclude Radical chic - or cheek the edge of the town, was there a memo­ that Jewish chic is a vast improvement rial to the thousands of Jews who on what preceded it for the previous six t's quite an eye-opener visiting Vienna perished here. Meanwhile at the museum decades. and Prague these days. For the first in the Small Fortress, Israel was lumped D Stephen Brook I time in many decades it's chic to be with some of the most loathsome regimes Jewish. This comes as something of a sur­ in the world as a prime example of mod­ prise. ern Fascism. Spending some weeks in Vienna in Now there is a proper museum about PARTNER 1986, I was startled to find how the ghetto, as there should be, but it's in antisemitism was still woven into the fab­ Prague that the volte-face is most remark­ in long established English Solicitors ric of everyday social life. This was the able. I went off to visit the Altneu (bi-lingual German) would be happy bitter time when Kurt Waldheim was run­ Synagogue again, but found the street to assist clients with English, German ning for President and feeling was running blocked by limousines and security men. I and Austrian problems. Contact high in certain quarters against those, es­ later learnt that a new Torah, or a re­ Henry Ebner pecially in the "American-Jewish stored old one, had been presented to the conspiracy", who insisted on pointing out ancient synagogue, and this event was be­ Myers Ebner & Oeaner that the would-be President, if not a Nazi, ing marked by the attendance of, among 103 Shepherds Bush Road certainly had an unsavoury war record, other dignitaries, President Havel and the LondonW6 7LP Was a proven liar, and was undeserving of American Ambassador. Hard to imagine high office. To be fair to the Austrians, such honour being heaped on an equiva­ Telephone 0171 602 4631 there was genuine resentment at what was lent occasion in this country. In 1987 the ALL LEGAL WORK UNDERTAKEN seen as outside interference in a domestic Altneu could barely muster a minyan on election, and the crusading World Jewish Friday nights. Today there are three active Congress often seemed in the grip of hys­ congregations in the city, no doubt bol­ teria, which hardly aided its cause. stered by Jews from America and other On the football terraces and Lokals of parts of Europe who are now working in Vienna I could follow just enough of the Prague. East Germany thickly accented vernacular to pick up the The streets of the old Jewish quarter are occasional slighting references to Jews, thronged with tour groups, quietly and and Berlin quite outside any political context. It diligently visiting the synagogues and mu­ didn't amount to much, but it was there seum and cemetery. The cemetery has We give immediate attention. V\/e process and buy properties/claims. all the same. always been popular with visitors, for it is Perhaps Jews are still the butt of scorn­ one of the most picturesque and absorb­ ful and joky references on the football ing spots in central Europe, but now the We pay cash. terraces (just as they are, shamefully, in whole quarter is as packed with tourists this country), but in smarter corners of Vi­ as the castle or the Old Town Square. We have proven track records and furnish enna it's a different story. There are There are bookshops selling nothing but documentation. books, there are posters, there are televi­ books on Prague, many of them on Jewish sion programmes, all celebrating Jewish themes. In restaurants throughout the city Write to: culture, Jewish history. When I gave a you can see posters with Hebrew script on Nagel & Partner reading in an English language bookshop the walls - just decoration. The Star of Uhiandstrasse 156-10719 Berlin in Vienna in 1990,1 was treated with a re­ David has become a fashion accessory, Phone: 030-882 56 31 spect I never encountered in Britain. I available in countless jewellery shops and Fax:030-881 39 16 can't prove it, but I suspect I was feted souvenir stalls. Want a mezuzah? There not so much for any literary abilities as are dozens to choose from. There's a pop for my status as a visiting Jew who hap­ group called Shalom, and its admirers pened to have written about Vienna. proudly wear the Star on their necklaces, In Prague, where I spent a week in even though they are not Jewish. I walked March 1995, the contrast is even more into a basement shop selling knicknacks striking between then and now. The Com­ near the National Theatre, far from the JACKMAN• munist regime, to its everlasting shame, Jewish quarter. There was Shalom again, SILVERMAN took a dim view of Jews. Many of those this time a sign in Hebrew above the door, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS involved in show trials of the 1950s were a hieroglyphic that has become legible to Jewish, and it was evident that the tiny thousands of non-Jews. Jewish community in Prague found it pru­ Well, let's enjoy our popularity while it dent, even in the 1980s, to remain discreet lasts. It's a pleasing novelty to be the fla­ about its activities. It was possible to vour of the month, even though there is a spend hours at Terezin, as I did, without certain irony in the fact that such fervent encountering a single reference to the fact celebrations of Jewishness are to be en­ that the garrison town had been used as a countered in two cities where even today 26 Conduit Street, London WIR 9TA staging post on the dark road to the death the Jewish population is sparse. But even Telephone: 071 409 0771 Fax: 071 493 8017

3 AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

niers are Americans, such as Harry Elmer and suddenly the world seemed full of Reviews Barnes or Arthur Butz who wisecracked Old Roughians. Soon a committee was that the missing Jewish millions are alive formed with the express purpose of writ­ and well in New York; the French contri­ ing a school history. Poisoning the wells of bution, led by Robert Faurisson and Paul This short, factual history (attractively Rassinier, is essentially a function of that illustrated by Chris Townson) is the result truth nation's bad conscience. As for the Ger­ of five years of dedicated research. In the mans they indulged in a veritable battle of first section Katharine Whitaker deals Deborah Upstadt, DENYINGTHE HOLOCAUST. historians on the topic. Ernst Nolte with the early days of the school and pro­ Penguin, £8.99 squandered his reputation by giving aid vides the political background in and comfort to the less discriminating de­ Germany, and the British response to the rofessor Lipstadt's book confronts niers ( though attention needs to be drawn refugee problem. Old Roughians will find the work of reputable academics to the fact that the German State has ac­ the tentative beginnings of the school and Pand journalists some of whose ef­ tively combated denial ideology, and has the Quaker involvement particularly in­ forts have reached a wide audience, have banned Irving from its territory). triguing. influenced serious university students and Then there are the "technical experts": The second part, both humorous and given ammunition to neo-Nazi move­ Fred Leuchter, an engineer of sorts, who thoughtful, by Michael Johnson, describes ments. was discredited when, as a witness in a the post-war years of the school and what Their aim, she holds, is so to muddy the trial in Canada, he tried to deny the exist­ he calls 'creeping anglicisation'. The for­ waters that future generations will no ence of gas chambers and the cremation eign element continued however and longer understand the real menace of Fas­ facilities. His claim to expertise collapsed indeed Dr. Lion proudly, called her school cism and thus make it respectable again. in open court and he had to retract, but 'international'; (more remarkable then, The six million dead are Hitler's worst his writings are still propagated by neo- perhaps, than now!) testimony; deny their fate and all his other Nazis and even quoted by those who see Surprisingly, Johnson considers the edu­ deeds may well look more acceptable. So themselves as more "scientific" dispu­ cational approach to have been the apologists labour hard to establish tants. traditional 'with rather less interest in Hitler's non-involvement in this particu­ Of great interest in Professor Lipstadt's creativity and personal expression'. My lar crime, his ignorance of the efforts of book is the Appendix story of the fate own memories are quite the reverse. Himmler and his SS whose tentacles that befell the Anne Frank diaries. One While admittedly our form had no art les­ reached into every corner of German life must deplore the problems that arose be­ sons, there were regular history-of-art from the early nineteen-thirties to the mid tween Otto Frank (Anne's father), Meyer talks, much emphasis on literature in Ger­ nineteen-forties. Levin, the self-appointed promoter of the man and English, and a great deal of One of the main apologists is Britain's heart-rending, but sometimes childishly musical activity at all times. But then as own David Irving, a controversial, but awkward, original document, and Holly­ the author quite correctly observes, widely read, historian, skilled in the dis­ wood. The unpleasant quarrels and legal Stoatley Rough was a school 'with many covery and exploitation of documents. He repercussions gave ammunition to the faces'. has in the past accepted the Holocaust as sneerers and the outright deniers of A longer history is now being planned. I a fact, but makes his stand on the absence Anne's authorship. cannot help feeling that the material is al­ of an AH (Adolf Hitler) signature on any DJohn Rossall ready to hand in the many personal order in connection with the subject. Lat­ reminiscences that have been circulating. terly Irving has joined the disparagers of Well-edited, they should admirably com­ the Holocaust as such, though I doubt plement the present history. that he has yet totally denied it. In the meantime, this book is to be wel­ As to Hitler's "detachment", it is comed. It will be of value to historians hardly surprising that the man who saw A remarkable and also to former pupils who want to himself, and wanted to go down in his­ know more about the earliest and the tory, as the greatest panjandrum of institution later years of their school. everything, did not want to be remem­ DGerdo Mayer bered as the most productive mass Katharine Wbitaker and Michael Johnson, III. by murderer of all times. ChrisTownson, STOATLEY ROUGH SCHOOL So the deniers beaver away, often ad­ 1934-1960, Stoatley Rough School History ducing hypotheses which would have been Steering Committee, 1994, £12. Simon P. Rhodes M.Ch.S. applauded by Socrates himself for their sophism, and mixing them at times with his history of the former refugee STATE REGISTERED CHIROPODIST the crudest and most transparent school in Haslemere had its Surgery hours: antisemitism, not even fighting shy of the T beginnings in an article that ap­ Elders of Zion forgeries. In the main the peared in these pages in 1990. Margaret 8.30 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday arguments, whether lofty or crude, can be K. Faulkner, who as Miss Dove had 8.30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday summed up thus: the Holocaust never taught English in Stoatley Rough, had Visiting chiropody service available happened, and the Jews deserved it, any­ written an affectionate tribute entitled 67^ Kilburn High Road, NW6 (opp. M&S) how. WHERE SCHOOL WAS HOME. First Surprisingly among the most ardent de­ one old pupil responded, then another, Telephone 0171-624 1576 AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

Kaufman is introduced to the assembled Hamlet with half a literati as 'a Jew!' He therefore quickwittedly replies, 'If there are any prince more slurs on my race I shall walk out - and I shall expect Mrs. Parker to come at Dorothy Parker and the Vicious Circle, Director least halfway with me.' Alan Rudolph, Minimax Films, on general The latter remark cannot but pass over release. most cinema-goers' heads since Dorothy Parker's (half) Jewishness is never men­ here is much to applaud in this tioned. Born Dorothy Rothschild, she Israel's Finest Wines film, not least the fact that, actually said, only half in jest, that she from the T boasting a cast of literati - New married Alan Parker to acquire a different Yorker editor Harold Ross, Charles surname. In other words, she had a com­ Golan Heights McArthur (author of Front Page) Robert plex about being Jewish and I hazard the Sherwood (of Idiot's Delight) and George guess that her intense dislike for her father Yarden, Golan & Gamla S. Kaufman (of You Can't Take It With stemmed, at least partly, from his saddling Write, pfione or fax You) - and others, it is addressed at a lit­ her with what she considered a burden­ for full information erate audience. some inheritance. The aforementioned group (aka the 'vi­ All in all Mrs. Parker and the Vicious House of Hallgarten cious circle') form a foil to Dorothy Circle is an absorbing, beautifully crafted Parker of bittersweet humour fame, film, though it helps to do some prepara­ Dallow Road, Luton LUI 1UR whose quip 'Men don't make passes at tory reading before setting out for the Tel: 01582 22538 girls who wear glasses,' has passed into cinema. Fax: 01582 23240 the language. Not that the somewhat my­ DR/c/iord Grunberger opic, but attractive Dorothy had much to Richard Gnmberger is the author of Old complain about in that particular regard. Adam, New Eves (Vision Press, London Men were forever making passes at her - AUSTRIAN and GERMAN 1992) which includes a chapter on PENSIONS and more often than not she reciprocated. Dorothy Parker. The trouble was that her lovers, including her two husbands, were the wrong men. Mr. Right would have been the already Identity cards rediscovered PROPERTY RESTITUTION married Robert Benchley who respected CLAIMS her too much to engage in a hole-and-cor­ istorically significant identity EAST GERMANY- BERLIN ner affair. cards, which were issued to more A lifetime of all-to-close association H than 9,000 children forced to flee On instructions our office will with unloved - and unlovable - men Nazi Germany without their parents, have assist to deal with your made Dorothy the prolific author of dev­ been rediscovered by archivists working applications and pursue the astating putdowns ('My husband broke for the Central British Fund for World matter with the authorities. his arm sharpening a pencil') and of brit­ Jewish Relief. tle world weary poems. It also made her Originally the Central British Fund for For further Information and so miserable that she went through a suc­ German Jewry, the CBF worked with appointment please other organisations after Kristallnacht to cession of marital rows, drunken contact: reconciliations, doomed affairs, abortion persuade the British Government to allow and suicide bids. unaccompanied children from Germany On screen we see her, halfway through and Austria to enter Britain without na­ ICS CLAIMS this litany of sorrow, seeking help from a tional passports or British visas. These 146-154 Kilburn High Road psychoanalyst who establishes the root were the Kindertransporte. London NW6 4JD cause of her misery: loss of her mother at Identity cards were issued to each child Tel: 0171-328 7251 (Ext. 107) and it is these which have been rediscov­ the age of five. It is left at that, with the Fax:0171-624 5002 director obviously thinking that movie ered. After completing their cataloguing, goers are able to work out the conse­ CBF would like to return the cards to quences of this traumatic event: the their orginal owners. They, or their heirs, should write directly to the CBF Archivist, HILARY'S AGENCY father's remarriage, fraught relations Specialists in Long and Short-Term with the stepmother, growing estrange­ Drayton House, 30 Gordon Street, Lon­ Live-in and Daily Care ment etc. don WCI OAN D RESPITE AND EMERGENCY CARE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY What the film passes over totally is its HOUSEKEEPERS self-destructive heroine's Jewishness - a AJR RECUPERATION CARE Our address Is: MATERNITY NURSES factor which must have contributed to her I HAMPSTEAD GATE, NANNIES AND MOTHERS' HELPS sense of alienation. Around 1920 our co­ 1A FROGNAL, LONDON NW3 6AL EMERGENCY MOTHERS religionists were just beginning to enter Our phone number is Caring and Experienced Personnel Available 0171-431 6161 American society. The process is vividly We will be happy to discuss your requirements Our fax number is: PLEASE PHONE 0181-559 1110 brought to life on screen when George 0171-431 8454 AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

country where I chose to marry a Chris­ tian and to become a member of the Church of England myself. My husband has always been utterly supportive of all Ti^^Sto^S^J^^ my Jewish family - when we married, he quoted to me the words from the book of Ruth: "Your people shall be my people..", and he has never gone back on that prom­ AGINCOURT AFTERMATH smoothly with the German Occupation ise, so freely given. Indeed, both in his authorities, were knighted, and other sen­ private life and in his work as a judge, he Sir - Can you help me to understand ior members of the occupation has been an unfailing opponent of how a French executive's opinions can government were also awarded honours. antisemitism in all its horrible manifesta­ put an English Wall Street banker out of a Nor were the frightful conditions in the tions. Our two children are aware and job? Do you really have to prove how Alderney labour camps, where thousands proud of their Jewish roots. British you are, even in the present atmos­ of slave workers died building fortifica­ My parents, who loved their son-in-law phere of EU co-operation? Does the A in tions, even mentioned in Whitehall. dearly, would have been outraged by the AJR stand for Agincourt? A little less smugness would be in place! suggestion that Hitler was given any kind Puteaux Dr. F. Dessau Eton College Road Herbert Braunsberg of victory as the result of our marriage. France London NW3 Leinster Avenue Ursula Price London SWl4 Sir - Let us not forget the 90,000 One can only speculate if Nazi-occupied French soldiers killed in action during the Britain would have been any less 1940 campaign, while the British suffered collaborationist than France. The facts are LAUGHABLE CHARGE below 4,000. these: In 1939/40 the French authorities Sir - Erich Fried, who died some time The Channel Islands were deeply loyal at war with Germany treated their own ago, made no secret of his sympathy for to the Crown. Beginning July, German 'enemy aliens' quite inhumanely (see the cause of the Palestinians. The charge forces landed. The authorities, supported Lion Feuchtwanger's 'The Devil in that his attitude to Nazism was "highly by Whitehall, accepted the situation and France') while the British Parliament de­ ambiguous" is, of course, laughable. under German supervision worked 'loy­ bated the hardships arising out of mass Mr. Rosner ought to be ashamed of ally', never giving serious grounds for internment at the height of the invasion himself. complaint. scare. Gainsborough Road F G. Cohn Nazi laws, amongst them the racist In 1995 Le Pen gained five million votes London N12 laws, were applied by the Island authori­ and the BNP lost its only council seat. Ed. ties. The few Jews were arrested by the British police and handed over to the Ger­ HOLOCAUST MUSEUM mans, deported and never heard of again. PARENTS' QUANDARY Sir - I wonder whether the promoters The Island courts tried infringements of of a museum in London have considered the German laws and severely punished Sir - I am saddened that Mr. Teich- all the implications: if the displays were to those guilty. British residents were de­ Birken has taken it upon himself to sit in be historically accurate, they would have ported to a camp in Southern Germany, judgement of all parents whose children to show that the Holocaust was made quite well treated, and returned after the married 'out'. Most of us found it im­ possible by the actions - or failure to act war. possible to sit over them with a whip, nor - of many countries, including Britain: in Like in Occupied France, morale broke were we prepared to sit shiva for them. A helping to build up the Nazi regime, refus­ down. Profiteering, black market, denun­ parent's love never ceases. ing shelter to threatened people, ciations, all this made life extremely It would have been better if Mr. Teich- preventing them from saving their lives - harsh. A great part of the population Birken had a little love and sympathy and going as far as using the Royal Navy to worked for the Germans in building forti­ understanding for his fellow men. enforce the policy - and by enabling the fications at good wages which helped to Swakeleys Drive Gisela Feldman death trains to roll unhindered by any feed their families. Here and there was Uxbridge, Middx. bombing. Not least, it would have to some resistance, but no resistance move­ show the role of the teaching, practice ment as on the Continent. Nor did and attitudes to the Jews of the Christian London encourage opposition. OUTRAGEOUS ACCUSATION churches over the last 1800 years, particu­ When liberation finally came, the Is­ larly in the past 200, which are landers were jubilant and asked for justice Sir - I have been deeply upset and am increasingly being seen by scholars as the to be done. But alongside Italy, the Chan­ utterly appalled by Martin Teich-Birken's principal cause of the Holocaust. nel Islands were the only country in accusation in the April issue that I have It is not that London is without any Western Europe where no epuration was "violated the memory of my dear ones monument or display in public places: the undertaken. Collaborators were not pros­ and given Hitler a posthumous victory" modest one in Hyde Park serves as a per­ ecuted. Great Britain did not wish to by not giving my parents - both now manent reminder and the Imperial War publicise what had happened on one of its dead -Jewish grandchildren. Museum has a permament display. territories. Bailiffs Victor Carey and Alex­ I lost an uncle in the Holocaust. Fortu­ In any event, monuments and museums ander Coutanche, who had worked so nately my parents and I came to this are tied to one place. By contrast, books AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

can be disseminated widely. published in the USA, hopefully later also Any money being collected for a Holo­ being available here. caust Museum in London would be far Meanwhile, my wife and I have visited Paul Balint better spent on subsidising publication of the great scientist's and humanist's grave AJR Day Centre selected texts. The US Holocaust Memo­ in the charming village of Bramley, rial Council has large funds available, but Hampshire. To our delight, someone had sees its functions in assisting only the pub­ recently placed fresh flowers at the base OPEN DAY lication of books dealing directly with the of her simple headstone. Holocaust, not with its causes. This nar­ We also received the pleasing news that Sunday 23rd July 1995 row view prevents it from contributing to a street in Laatzen-Rethen, in Germany, at 2:30 pm the study of the origins of the Holocaust. has been named Lise Meitner Strasse, with But if future Holocausts are to be pre­ the recommendation to other German Family and friends vented, this appears to me our most towns to follow this example. are all welcome to join us for important task. Cedar Way Walter and Heidi Steinhardt an enjoyable afternoon out, at Moor Road South Dr. Herbert Loebl Slough 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 Newcastle upon Tyne Entrance £2.50 RECOMMENDATION ANTICLIMACTIC including refreshments Sir - May I draw your attention to the Sir - Having followed Walter Freud's book Sacred Games by Gerald Jacobs series with great interest, I am disheart­ published in January by Hamish Hamil­ ened by one of your correspondent's ton, £16.95. It deals with the fate of a criticism of the style of this narrative. young Hungarian Jew, Miklos Hammer, To be parachuted into enemy territory OPEN DAYS and his final miraculous survival. The and to walk unaided into one of their air book is compelling, moving and spellbind­ INTHE OSHA HOMES force headquarters displays such incred­ ing, and whilst much has been written ible courage that the immensity of his about the period of the Holocaust, this achievement can in no way be diminished Leo Baeck House work is, no less than Schindler's List, a by the style of its telling. I Ith June at 2:30pm landmark in history, not just as a docu­ Having served as a fellow officer in Entrance £3.00 (children £1.00) mentary, but makes exiting reading full of H.M. Forces I am grateful to you for hav­ adventure and revealing surprises. ing published this remarkable account. Bickenhall Mansions Leonard H. Schuler Osmond House Paradise Road Walter H. Marmorek Baker Street, LondonWI 2nd July at 2.30pm Richmond, Surrey (Major R.E.) Entrance £3.00

Sir - One has to suppose that your cor­ BE LESS SMUG! respondent, Ralph Freeman, is a man with Clara Nehab House a grudge. It is difficult to think of any Sir - I remember only too well the 23rd July at 2:30pm other explanation for his rather nasty lit­ Prague of 1940, full of trapped refugees Entrance £3.00 (Children £1.50) tle letter concerning A.W. Freud's from Germany, Austria and the Sudeten, "Germanically phrased" article. However, penniless in a country of which Mr. Heinrich Stahl House people in glasshouses... Perhaps it is my Chamberlain had said eighteen months 20th August at 3.00pm dictionary, but I just cannot find the word earlier he knew nothing. Entrance £3.00 (Children £1) 'Germanical' in it. Well, luckily for Mr. By 1943 Prague was empty of Jews. Freeman, he will also not be required to Czech Jews may have a memorial some­ produce reports for the War Office, so it where, but my refugee friends just passed All entrance charges include doesn't really matter. through Prague into oblivion. But while refreshments Wendell Road Eric Sanders we were still around a Judenstaat was an only too obvious necessity. Somewhere to LondonWI2 Balint House go, not to be dependent on the reluctant are holding a Supper & Concert and chancy goodwill of others, to be able LISE MEITNER at Belsize Square Synagogue to fight back when attacked. Therefore to on 30th July Sir - May I thank, through the col­ me the hostile or take-it-or-leave-it atti­ umns of your journal, all those of your tude to Zionism among contributors is readers who so kindly and helpfully re­ equivalent to "I am alright, Yankele" be­ sponded to my request for the location of cause they are the few who, by good Lise Meitner's burial place. fortune, escaped the final solution. Hun­ Annely Juda Fine Art I even received valuable correspondence dreds of thousands did not. Please put 23 Dering Street (off New Bond Street) from Dr. Ruth Lewin Sime, of the Chemis­ yourselves into their shoes and be less Tel: 0171-629 7578 Fax: 0171-491 2139 try Department, Sacramento College, smug! CONTEMPORARY PAINTING California. Dr. Sime has written a new bi­ Warren Lane Frank Bright AND SCULPTURE ography of Lise Meitner, shortly to be Ipswich, Suffolk AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

Comnnunal Seder South London AJR Paul Balint AJR Day Centre f the AJR ever had to provide easily he 43 people who attended our comprehensible justification for its DAY CENTRE CHARGES meeting on 27th April included existence, a photograph of Cleve Road four new members. Agi Alexander, I Please note the following changes which T dining hall at 17.45 would do the trick. who heads AJR's Social Services, largely will take effect on Monday 3 July At that time (fully three quarters of an 1995. succeeded in breaking down the 'Thames hour before the advertised start) over Day Session including lunch, Barrier' (ours, not the one in Woolwich): morning and afternoon refreshments £4.00 sixty of the anticipated eighty Seder guests she assured us that AJR staff and volun­ Morning session only, - some of them very old, some partly including refreshments £1.50 teers were perfectly capable of crossing it handicapped, some very solitary - were Afternoon Session Tuesday & Thursday, from the north, and encouraged us to ven­ already assembled. Their over-punctuality including refreshments £1.50 ture north if and when appropriate. demonstrated how eagerly they looked Supper Tuesday & Thursday £1.50 Since we met on Holocaust Day ('Yom forward to the Communal Seder. Sunday afternoon, including refreshment £2.00 Hashoah'), we were also fortunate to They were not disappointed in the Sunday afternoon, including welcome two associates of the Wiener Li­ course of an evening that catered for body tea and supper £3.50 brary, which specialises in Holocaust and soul in equal measure. The food Take-away meals £4.00 research and literature. Martin tasted even more mouthwatering than I Meals-on-Wheels £4.00 Goldenberg, a member of their Executive remembered from two years earlier. Spi­ Delivery charge £0.50 Council, gave a fascinating historical ritual sustenance was provided by Cantor Delivery charge, 2 or more meals £1.00 sketch of the origin and development of Marshal Stone, who combines vocal the Library; his colleague Gerry Sigler prowess with a gift for exposition of the provided an insight into the continuing se­ minutiae of Pesach ritual. I for one had lection and collection of press known neither that afikomen was a Greek information. The lively discussion which AJR Day Centre. However, there are noun of mysterious significance, nor that followed left us pondering whether it was other calls on the Trust's funds, such as Chad Gadya was an Aramaic text sung to more important to educate the younger support for the residential homes in The the tune of a fifteenth-century German generation in Holocaust studies, than to Bishops Avenue, sheltered accommoda­ folksong. In addition the cantor is a great establish a Holocaust Museum. tion provided by the AJR and the Otto populariser; he managed to link the Book I was delighted to announce that mem­ Schiff Housing Association, Social Serv­ of Exodus to a Cecil B. de Mille block­ bers had volunteered their help with ices, provision of financial support for the buster and to update one of the Ten programme planning and venues, cater­ needy, etc. Plagues from cattle murrain to BSE (or ing, handling our funds, membership As a result, the Trustees, having looked Mad Cow Disease). Truly, this night was records and offering lifts to our meetings. at the balance of expenditure between the different from other nights! South London AJR's next meeting is to various categories, have decide that to URG. be held on Wednesday (not Thursday as maintain the quality of our meals and heretofore) 19th July, from 2 to 4pm, services, we shall have to increase our again at the South London Liberal Syna­ charges from 3rd July 1995 from £3.50 to gogue in Prentis Road, Streatham, details £4.00 for the whole day attendance at the Paul Balint AJR Day Centre to be announced. Day centre. Other charges will be in­ \Ili(£n Ambrose ost people agree that the Day creased in line. Centre is one of the best The Day Centre charges cover all the facilities offered by the AJR to activities, entertainment, a three-course- M AJR 'Drop in'Advice Centre its members. More than this, as a Day lunch and morning and afternoon Paul Balint AJR Day Centre Centre, the quality of services and cater­ refreshments with biscuits or cake. In 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 ing provided make it one of the best in cases of need we shall continue to provide between 10 a.m. and 12 noon on the following dates: our community. assistance with transport. Wednesday 7th June Naturally, the operation of such a home Similarly, the charges for the high qual­ Thursday I Sth June from home costs money and revenue ity meals-on-wheels and take-away meals Monday 19th June Tuesday 27th June comes from entrance charges to members, will increase to £4.00 per meal. Delivery Wednesday 5th July charges for meals-on-wheels, and to a charges will be £1.00 for two or more and every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at: very large extent as a subsidy from the meals. AJR, I Hampstead Gate, la Frognal, AJR Charitable Trust. We trust that the small increase in London NW3 The Charitable Trust was set up to pro­ charges will be acceptable and will not No appointment is necessary, but please bring along vide funds to assist our community in cause any hardship. If it should do so, we all relevant documents, such as Benefit Books, various ways and one of the services pro­ would treat such cases with sympathy and letters, bills, etc. vided is the operation of the Paul Balint understanding D

8 AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

Message from Ernest David member that we are living in the present, dispenser terminal and then browsed and should seek to enjoy the present. around the shops for a while, she re­ any years ago, on a BBC pro But enjoying the present also invokes mained completely unaware that, in all gramme called Any Questions, the past. Sights, sounds, smells, tastes, of­ probability, someone was watching her M the members of the panel were ten remind us of pleasant episodes of closely. On leaving Golders Green she was asked, if they received a £1,000 legacy, earlier years which then increase the con­ distressed to discover that, although she how would they spend the money. I can tentment of the moment. still had her shoulder bag, it had been recall only one answer, that of Reminiscence can be bitter sweet. It is opened, the purse containing her money Marghanita Laski, who said she would in­ up to us to tilt the balance, now, to sweet­ stolen, and the bag refastened. vest in memories. ness. This way we will reap a rich When recounting this experience to a We have commemorated the 50th anni­ dividend from our investment in memo­ friend, it transpired that she too had suf­ versary of the end of the war in Europe ries n fered a similar theft. So please be alert with all its horrendous events and cel­ and, ladies, take special care of your ebrated once again the liberation of the handbags, especially after withdrawing a death and torture camps established by a Golders Green alert sum of money from the bank or a pension nation which until then had been consid­ from the post office D ered among the most cultivated in Europe. 'hile shopping recently, an AJR It is appropriate to remember, but luck­ member was robbed of her CAMPS ily the human mind has a built-in Wpurse near the Golders Green INTERNMENT - RO.W. - mechanism for forgetting unpleasant Post Office. Through AJR Information FORCED LABOUR-KZ memories and concentrating on pleasant she wishes to advise all AJR members to I wish to buy cards, envelopes and folded postmarked ones. This is the body's way of keeping a remain vigilant while out and about, espe­ letters from all camps of both vi^orld wars. Please send, registered mail, stating price, to: healthy mind. While we should not forget cially in the Golders Green area at the the past, in order to pass on living history moment. 14 Rosslyn Hill, London NWS to future generations, we should also re­ Having withdrawn cash from a bank's PETER C. RICKENBACK

PAUL BALINT AJR Monday 12 A PARTY AFTERNOON Sunday 25 DAY CENTRE OPEN - NO DAY CENTRE WITH DOROTHY ENTERTAINMENT SAYERS - (Piano & Monday 27 THEATRICAL Accordion) COSTUMES - Chat & Tel. 0171 328 0208 Tuesday 13 OPERA YOU LOVE - Sara Presentation by Jack Meadows accompanied by Cassin-Scott John Field Tuesday 27 THE MANY FACES OF Open Tuesday and Thursday 9.30 a.m. - Wednesday 14 LOVE MERRY-GO- LOVE FROM COUNTRIES 6.30 p.m., Monday and Wednesday 9.30 ROUND - Mona Kirianova AROUND THE WORLD - a.m. -3.30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. -6.30 p.m. (Mezzo) accompanied by Katinka Seiner (Soprano) Philip Mountford (Piano) accompanied by Malcolm Morning Activities -Bridge, kalookie, Thursday 15 DEMONSTRATION BY Cottle (Piano) With guest scrabble, chess, etc., keep fit, discussion MEMBERS OF IRMA Artist Laszlo Easton (Violin) group, choir (Mondays), art class (Tuesdays MAYER'S KEEP-FIT Wednesday 28 GREAT MUSICIANS OF and Thursdays). CLASS FROM SOBEL THE PAST - Presented by HOUSE Yacov Paul Sunday 18 DAY CENTRE OPEN - NO Thursday 29 CAMERATA TRIO Afternoon entertainment - ENTERTAINMENT JULY Monday 19 A JUNE CONCERT WITH Sunday 2 THE KENTERTAINERS VIOLIN & PIANO - Gordon Monday 3 A HANDFUL OF SONGS - JUNE Mackay and Geoffrey Helen Smith (Soprano) Thursday 1 A SUMMER MEDLEY - Whitworth accompanied by Philip Charlotte Matthews Tuesday 20 HOW TO MAKE A Mountford (Piano) (Soprano) accompanied by MILLION - NO PREVIOUS Tuesday 4 TELL ME THE TRUTH Vivian Powells (Piano) EXPERIENCE ABOUT LOVE - Ruti Sunday 4 CLOSED - Shavuoth NECESSARY - Chat & Halvani (Soprano) Monday 5 CLOSED - Shavuoth Piano by Ronnie Cass accompanied by Nigel Tuesday 6 THE SUNSHINE SINGERS Wednesday 21 THESE LABOURS PAST - Foster (Piano) Wednesday 7 SINGING FOR FUN - The Sean Sweeney (Tenor) - Wednesday 5 OPERA POPS - Longford Singers Yvette Cummings (Mezzo) - Accompanied by Margaret accompanied by Margaret Lianne-Marie Skriniar Gibbs (Piano) Eaves (Piano) (Soprano) accompanied by Thursday 6 DUO CABARET - Helena Thursday 8 PLAY IT AGAIN JULES Piano Guest (Soprano) Jules Rubin (Piano) and Thursday 22 FANFARE TO JUNE - accompanied by Barry guest Joanna McDonald (Soprano) Wynford-Dawes (Piano) Sunday 11 THE PACKET OF FOUR - accompanied by Sarah Sunday 9 DAY CENTRE OPEN - NO Jazz Band Down (Piano) ENTERTAINMENT AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

FAMILY ADVERTISEMENT RATES SHELTERED FLATS Deaths FAMILY EVENTS A History of the Jews First 15 words free of charge, in German-Speaking TO LET Bass. Franz Bass passed away £2.00 per 5 words thereafter. Lands 18th April 1995. Will be sadly CLASSIFIED A choice of studio & two room flats now available at missed by his wife Vera and E2.00 per five words. by Ralph Blumenau BOX NUMBERS Published by University of the Eleanor Rathbone House family. ea.OO extra. Third Age at £3.50 Highgate N6 Levine. Helga Levine, nee DISPLAY, SEARCH NOTICES Krebs, died on 25th April after per single column inch Send cheque for £4 (incl. One FULLY FURNISHED 65 mm (3 column page) £10.00 postage) to U3A studio flat also on offer for 3-9 a long illness. Always lovingly 48mm (4 column page) £9.00 month let. Would suit elderly 44 Crowndale Road, NWl 1TR remembered by her friends visitor from overseas. Steffi Feher and Lilo Beer. May Permanency a possibility. she rest in peace. AJR Outing Details from: Mrs K. Gould, ALTERATIONS AJR,on Rehfeldt. Elizabeth (Lisl) from OF ANY KIND TO 0171-431 6161 Rehfeldt, formerly Hamburger, Birmingham LADIES' FASHIONS I also design and make Tuesday and Thursday died peacefully after a short mornings. illness on 24th March 1995, Sunday 9th July 1995 children's clothes West Hampstead area Viewing by appointment only. aged 87. Sadly missed by her Day trip from 0171-328 6571 many friends. Birmingham to Worcester Births (Grandchildren) to visit vineyard and Residential Home Roman ruins. C. H. WILSON Mazaltov to Mr. & Mrs. Clara Nehab House Ploughman's lunch. Carpenter (Leo Baeck Housing Associaton Ltd.) Stanley Kershaw on the birth Painter and Decorator 13-19 Leeside Crescent NW11 French Polisher of a granddaughter in Israel. Cost from £10.70 to £14.40 All rooms with Shower W.C. and Antique Furniture Repaired CLASSIFIED depending on numbers. Tel: 0181-452 8324 H/C Basins en-suite Spacious Garden - Lounge & Miscellaneous Car: 0831 103707 Phone Edgar Glaser Dining Room - Lift Chess Player wanted, of me­ 0121 777 6537 Near Shops and Public Transport dium strength. Please write to SWITCH ON 24 Hour Care - Physiotherapy AJR Information Box No. Long & short Term - Respite Care ELECTRICS -Trial Periods 1278. We invite you to come to our Rewires and all household Enquiries: Mrs Gloria Randall Electrician City and Guilds OPEN DAY ono Schiff Housing Association on Sunday 23rd July at 2:30pm electrical work. The Bishops Avenue N2 OBG qualified. All domestic work Phone:0181-209 0022 atthe PHONE PAUL: 0181-200 3518 undertaken. Y. Steinreich. Tel: CLARA NEHAB HOUSE 0181455 7582. 13-19 Leeside Crescent, (Temple Fortune) off Bridge Lane NWl I FOR FAST EFFICIENT FRIDGE BELSIZE SQUARE Manicure and Pedicure in the Entrance: £3 Children under 12: £ I & FREEZER REPAIRS comfort of your own home. Refreshments provided 7-day service APARTMENTS Stalls * Raffle Telephone 0181 455 7582. All parts guaranteed 24 BELSIZE SQUARE, N.W.S Tel: 0171-4307 or J. B. Services 0171-435 2557 The AJR extends its heartiest LEO BAECK HOUSING Tel. 0181-202 4248| congratulations and best ASSOCIATION LTD. until 9 pm MODERN SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY wishes to our members A self-contained ROOMS, RESIDENT HOUSEKEEPER MODERATE TERMS Greta Salinger Two-roomed Sheltered Flat NEAR SWISS COTTAGE STATION and has become available at: R.&G. (ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS) Rose Horovitz I i Fitzjohns Avenue NW3 LTD. who have celebrated their Please contact: TORRINGTON HOMES 100th Birthdays Arthur Flynn, MRS. PRINGSHEIM, S.R.N. 22 Leamington House, 199b Belsize Road, NW6 MATRON For Elderly, Retired and Convalescent 23 Stonegrove, Edgware, 624 2646/328 2646 (Licensed by Borough of Bamet) The AJR extends best wishes Middx. HAS 7TN • Single and Double Rooms. to our Art Correspondent Tel: 0181 958 5678 Members: E.C.A. • H/C Basins and CH in all rooms. N.I.C.E.I.C. • Gardens, TV and reading rooms. Alice Schwab • Nurse on duty 24 hours. who has celebrated her • Long and short term, including 80th Birthday trial period if required. ANTHONY J. NEWTON From £250 per week 0181-445 1244 Office hours & CO 0181 -455 1335 other times LEO BAECK HOUSE SOLICITORS 39 Torrington Park, N.12 The Bishops Avenue 22 Fitzjohns Avenue, Hampstead, NW3 5NB London N2 The AJR does not accept Annual Open Day & Bazaar ALL LEGAL WORK UNDERTAKEN responsibility for the Sunday II June 1995 standard of service from 3.00 to 5.00 pm Entrance £3 Children £1 Telephone: 0171-435 5351/0171-794 9696 rendered by advertisers

10 AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

Alice Schwab SB's Column

weden. Stockholm's operatic tradition dates back to the 18th S century and the present Royal Op­ era House is nearly 100 years old. Famous he travelling exhibition of works conductors include Leo Blech who, forced from the Ben Uri Art Society's to leave Berlin, worked there from 1941 T permanent collection was recently to 1947. Jussi Bjorling, Ragnar Ulfung shown at the Royal West of England and Ingvar Wixell are other Swedish Academy in Bristol. It was very well re­ names that come to mind. A new era be­ ceived and the Society was congratulated gan when the Schlosstheater both on its collection and on continuing Drottningholme (a 20 minutes' drive to add to its collection. from Stockholm) re-opened under the di­ Sir Ernst Gombrich, the celebrated art rection of Elisabeth Soderstrom who, historian, was invited to present an exhi­ after 45 years as an international soprano bition at the National Gallery and for his returned to the land of her birth; in an subject chose 'Illustrations of the Cast Sir Winston Churchill, by Graham Sutherland, historic setting the 1995 season (May to National Portrait GaUery Shadow in Western Art'. The exhibition September) presents a production of Gombrich on Shadows is in the Sunly leaving for England in 1938. She contin­ Purcell's Dido and Aeneas among other Room of the National Gallery (until 18 ued working for more than fifty years, operatic treasures. June) and consists of pictures drawn continually increasing the public acclaim Israel. Every type of music is performed mainly from the gallery's own collection, and recognition of her work, as evinced in this art-loving country, and the high supplemented by works from other collec­ by the outstanding prices realised at auc­ standard of the Israeli Philharmonic Or­ tions, including works by Holbein, Corot, tions for single pieces of her work. chestra under the baton of Zubin Mehta Pissarro and Picasso. Pictures by Sir Matthew Smith (1879- draws universal praise. International op­ In association with Esso UK pic the Na­ 1959), from the Corporation of London's era receives its due share and German tional Gallery is showing in the Salisbury Collection, are being shown in the operatic works performed range from Wing (until 1 October) 'Making and Barbican Concourse Gallery (until 23 Beethoven to Richard Strauss. However, Meaning: Turner and the Fighting July). In the Barbican Art Gallery itself there is still no Wagner in the repertoire, Temeraire'. This painting, one of the best there is an exhibition (until 27 August) of and in a recent poll among opera-goers a known pictures in England, was part of works by George Rodgers, Britain's marked majority favoured continuing the Turner's bequest to the Nation. The greatest living photojournalist. boycott of his works. Temeraire was at the Battle of Trafalgar, Forthcoming exhibitions at the British Vienna. A very readable book has ap­ but was later taken out of service and sold Museum include Textiles from Masada, peared on the market. Erich Kunz, a Life by auction to be broken up for the sake of sponsored by Marks & Spencer (until 29 for the Opera by Herbert Prikopa (a its timbers. Turner probably did not see October), and Chinese Jade from the singer-actor who came to London to con­ the tug towing the hulk away, but the pic­ Neolithic to the Qing, collected by Sir duct One Night in Venice at the Coliseum ture evokes the deep emotions aroused in Joseph Hotung (until 17 September). in 1980) and music historian Cornelia him. Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1894) is de­ Szabo-Knotik, is about one of the most A new Art Centre Sculpture Park has scribed as the least well-known of the beloved baritones of this century. The been opened at Roche Court, East Impressionists. An exhibition of his work book presents Kunz as an opera singer Winterslow, Salisbury, and is showing is in the Sackler Galleries of the Royal (Leporello, Papageno, Beckmesser) and as Sculpture for the 1950's, including works Academy, sponsored by Societe an almost unique interpreter of Viennese by Armitage, Butler, Frink, Meadows, and Generale, London (until 23 June). This songs. His Fiakerlied (prohibited during sculpture from the Barbara Hepworth es­ exhibition will be followed by From Nazi days because of the composer's tate. Manet to Gauguin, masterpieces from non-Aryan origin) has been heard all over The Avedon photographs can still be Swiss private collections (30 June to 8 Oc­ Europe. Many anecdotes add to the enjoy­ seen at the National Portrait Gallery (un­ tober). The Royal Academy Annual ment of the book which is published by til 11 June), works by Gyorgy Gordon Summer Exhibition is in their Main Gal­ the Vienna Locker Verlag. (until 23 June), and 'The Road from leries (4 June to 13 August). Birthday. Actress and diseuse Elfriede 1945: Makers of Post-War Britain' (until The Genius of Wedgwood (until 17 Sep­ Ott, prototype of Viennese folk humour 18 June). tember) at the Victoria and Albert since the fifties, is 70. Former Austrians The small remaining band of refugee Museum celebrates the work of Josiah who filled London's Queen Elizabeth artists has been depleted by the recent Wedgwood (1730-1795), Britain's first Hall some years ago will smilingly re­ death of Dame Lucie Rie, the potter, at modern industrial potter. The exhibition member her recitals there and in the the age of 93. She was born Lucie includes 250 items from the famous Frog Austrian Institute where she was ably sup­ Gompertz, the daughter of a Viennese Service commissioned by Catherine the ported by her partner, the late Hans doctor and had already established an in­ Great in 1733, and also the well-known Weigel, who wrote many of her texts D ternational reputation as a potter before Portland Vase D

II iBs^mBH^em mKamrnmsset^i&vsmmwsnimm gaeaaaB AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

vised the AJR. Involved with the altera­ Fielder. He is a trustee of the AJR Chari­ Election of Committee tion of the Rules of the AJR. Former table Trust and is perhaps better known of Management 1995/96 Committee Member of the Association of to AJR members as the husband of Susie Children of Jewish Refugees. One of the Kaufman who is in charge of the catering ACJR Members who have, in the past, at the Day Centre. Andrew is a fluent AGM 8 JUNE 1995 visited Osmond House on a regular basis. German speaker.

The following members of the Committee JOHN H. DUNSTON MAX KOCHMANN are retiring by rotation and are being Age 41. Headmaster of Sibford School. Max M. Kochmann JP born in Berlin in proposed for re-election: Parents both refugees from Austria 1938/ 1921. Chairman of private industrial Mr. M.M.Kochmann JP Chairman 39. Member of AJR for many years and company. Chairman of the AJR since Mr. A.C.Kaufman Vice-Chairman of AJR Executive since late 1980's. Mem­ 1994, previously Vice-Chairman (from Mr.W.D.Rothenberg Treasurer ber of Working Group which established 1986) and Hon. Treasurer (from 1987). Mrs. M.Brook Trustee the Paul Balint Day Centre. Former mem­ Trustee of the AJR Charitable Trust. Mr. J.H.Dunston Trustee ber of AJR Information Editorial Hon. Treasurer of Belsize Square Syna­ Committee. First Chairman of ACJR gogue, Chairman of Leo Baeck Housing The following remain members of the Committee without need for re-election in 1995: 1986-88. Past member of Heinrich Stahl Association Ltd., past president B'nai House Committee. B'rith Leo Baeck Lodge, Member of Mrs. E.S.Angel Secretary Council and Committee of Management Mr. M.Durst Trustee MANFRED DURST Otto Schiff Housing Association. Mr. C.W.Dunston, Mrs.J.Field, Born in Munich 1924. Kindertransport Mrs. H.Goldsmith, Mr. H.E.Levy January 1939. Apprenticed jeweller 1940- SOFIE LANDAU Sofie Landau was born in Stuttgart. Came The following have been proposed for 45. Started in business 1946. President of election to the Committee: British Jewellery & Giftware Federation to England 1937. Studied for Social Sci­ 1980. Chairman of British Jewellery Asso­ ence Diploma. 1953-1980 with Silhouette Mrs. S.Landau ciation 1988-1990. Chairman of Leo finishing as Export Manager. Since retire­ Baeck House Committee since 1970. ment in 1990 volunteer at Day Centre, Member of Management Committee and visits AJR members. Member of Biographical Notes OSHA (formerly CBF) since 1970. Mem­ U3A looking after their library part- on Candidates ber of Committee of Management AJR time. Organiser of local neighbourhood since 1991. Freeman of City of London watch. ELEANOR ANGEL (Goldsmiths' Co.) since 1977. EDWARD LEVY The daughter of the previous Chairman, Edward Levy was born in Cologne. Came Theo Marx, she has long followed in her JUDY FIELD to Britain in 1939 - one of the "railway father's footsteps with an active interest Came to this country as a young child children". After graduating he spent over in Jewish and Refugee social welfare. from Berlin. Married, two sons, 7 grand­ 40 years in the electrical/electronics Hon. Secretary of the AJR since 1994. children. Since the inception of Paul Balint manufacturing industry, responsible for She has worked at our Day Centre and AJR Day Centre she has been working companies in Britain, U.S.A and the Far served on the Executive Committee since two days a week as a voluntary helper. East. Is involved in the mental health field 1989. She is married with 3 teenage chil­ Member of Balint House Committee, as Chairman of a Mental Health charity, dren, but still finds time to be Treasurer of Bishops Avenue, for the last two years. and with Amnesty International. He has the Lewis W Hammerson Memorial Voluntary work with visually impaired been a member of the AJR for many Home, a charitable home for the elderly people for the last 20 years. years, a member of the Executive Com­ in the Bishops Avenue. HANNA GOLDSMITH mittee for 3 years and is a Trustee of the MADELEINE BROOK Born in Fuerth, Germany. Came to Eng­ AJR Charitable Trust. land in 1939. After attending Commercial Born in Vienna, she emigrated to Switzer­ DAVID ROTHENBERG land in 1938 where she continued school, College, became Secretary to the Manag­ after which she worked for refugee chil­ ing Director of a well-known Public Born 1940, son of Helmut and the late dren in Zurich and Geneva. After 4 years Company, and later P.A to its Chairman, Annema Rothenberg. Educated at Ox­ in the USA she came to England in 1951, with whom she worked for some 30 ford. Chartered Accountant and Senior joined the AJR and helped with the sale of years. Married in 1957. Upon early retire­ Tax Partner at Blick Rothenberg. Hon. advertisements and tickets for the annual ment, started with reception work at the Treasurer of the AJR since 1994. Trustee AJR/SELF AID concerts. Since 1987 she AJR Day Centre and, for the past seven of the AJR Charitable Trust. A long­ has been organising the provisioning and years, has been responsible for the organi­ standing member of the Board and running of our little shop in the Day Cen­ sation of some 200 concerts per year at Executive of Belsize Square Synagogue tre, and is currently concert brochure the Day Centre. and a member of the AJR Executive since chairman. 1988. He is a member of the Friends of ANDREW KAUFMAN the Jerusalem College of Technology and COLIN DUNSTON Was born on April 21 1946 of refugee has recently joined the Board of Deputies Solicitor, aged 36. Parents both refugees parents who are AJR members. Andrew of British Jews as a representative of from Austria 1938/39. Specialist on wills qualified as a solicitor in 1971 and is a Belsize Square Synagogue D and probate matters on which he has ad­ partner in the West End firm of Fladgate

12 AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

No Capital Gains Tax SEARCH NOTICES FOR THOSE YOU CARE MOST ABOUT on East Gernnan Walter Loeb, from Berlin-Dahlem; Springdene born circa 1920; his father was a partner In the banking house Mendelssohn & Co. A modern nursing home with Property 26 yrs of excellence in health Said to have emigrated to London via care to the community. Holland in the 1930s. Please write with Licensed by Barnet area s indicated in the October 1994 health authority and any information to Walter Feuchtwanger, edition of AJR Information, the recognised by BUPA & PPP. Liebigstr.43, 80538 Munich, Germany. Inland Revenue have been consid­ HYDROTHERAPY & A PHYSIOTHERAPY provided by full ering the treatment for Capital Gains Tax Anneliese Schauffer, daughter of cares... Hermann and Gertrud Schauffer and niece time chartered physiotherapists for of the recovery of former family property Inpatients and outpatients. in what was East Germany or Berlin, or of Elli (Blochert), is being sought by Erna the receipt of compensation for the loss of Bohlmann who was bookkeeper to the SPRINGDENE 55 Oakleigh Park North, such property. firm of Adolph Blochert (gents & ladies Whetstone, London N.20 A new Extra Statutary Concession was fashions) of Greifenberg/Pommern, 0181-446 2117 published by the Inland Revenue on 19th Konigstrasse 47, in 1935/36. Family SPRINGVIEW 6-10 Crescent Road, Enfield. Our December 1994. This had the effect of ex­ believed to have emigrated to Israel completely new purpose built hotel style empting from Capital Gains Tax either after the war. Annaliese, who would retirement home. All rooms with bathroom en-suite from £305 per week. 0181-446 2117. the recovery of such property, or the re­ now be 70 to 72 years old, may be ceipt of compensation where the property known by her married name. Please could not be restored to the original own­ contact Erna Bohlmann, with any ers or their heirs. information, at Bismarckstr. 73, The effect of the concession is that Flensburg (24943), Germany. COMPANIONS where the property is recovered, it is treated for Capital Gains Tax purposes as OF LONDON having been acquired at the date, and at has ended more than 30 years of growth A specialist home care service the value at that date, the property was in the provision of long-stay care for the to assist the elderly, people factually restored to the former owners or elderly D with disabilities, help during their heirs. and after illness, childcare It should be noted that the concession and household needs. will not apply if the interest in the prop­ Calling Ex-Berliners For a service tailored to your individual needs erty has been acquired for value, nor will by Companions who care. Please call The Association of Jewish Ex-Berliners, it exempt any subsequent capital gain 0171-483 0212 which might arise, for example, because which has been active for a number of the pound sterling falls against the years, holds meetings four or five times 0171-483 0213 Deutschmark between the date of the per annum and publishes news letters and 110 Gloucester Avenue, property having been recovered and its magazines with information and articles Primrose Hill, subsequent sale. of particular interest to its members. London NW1 8JA An unsatisfactory feature is that the Anyone who may be interested in joining, (Emp Agy) Capital Taxes Office, who deal with ques­ or re-joining, please contact Manfred tions of Inheritance Tax, are not Alweiss, Hon. Treasurer and Membership publishing any concession and have made Secretary on 0181-455-0115 n clear that, at present, they have no inten­ tion of doing so. The value of recovered GERMAN BOOKS property, or of a claim which has not yet We are always buying; 50 YEARS AGO Books, Autographs, Judaica been recognised, will therefore form part and German works of art of an individual's estate for the purposes Antiquariat Metropolis Hampstead & Highgate Express of computation of inheritance tax D Leerbachstr. 85 I Ith May 1945 D-60322 Frankfurt a/M Jewish Refugees Have No Bonds Tel: 0049 69 559451 Left With Germany REGULAR VISITS TO LONDON Com munity care The overwhelming majority of Jewish refugees from Germany, of whom there are The introduction of the community care several thousands In Hampstead alone, have system for elderly and disabled people has no desire to go back to Germany. GERMAN BOOKS cut the numbers in care homes and long- "To the Jews from Germany," says a BOUGHT stay hospitals for the first time. However, statement issued by the Association of Jewish the fall in numbers in residential care has Refugees in Great Britain,"their former A.W. MYTZE been achieved almost entirely at the ex­ country is a graveyard for their families. pense of National Health Service beds and There are no bonds left between them and 1 The Riding, London NWll places in local authority homes. This fall Germany."

13 AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

as anywhere else, but open on a Saturday! Cooking with Gretel Beer Food for thought Occupying a site opposite a popular Re­ form synagogue it may provide a clue to rom Ridley Road to Radlett, a today's Jewish practicalities when faced photographic exhibition at the with the continuing demand to satisfy tra­ F Museum of London, illustrated the ditional tastes. importance of the kosher butcher and the D Ronald Channing Jewish delicatessen in the London com­ munities they continue to serve. As Jews migrated from London's East End, through the inner city developments to the BALINT HOUSE leafy suburbs and, more recently, to the House Committee semi-rural towns beyond the green belt, invite you to a there have been concomitant changes in SUPPER CONCERT the style, presentation and taste of the food they eat and wish to buy - though on Sunday 30th July 1995 Plum and almond pudding still essentially kosher and Jewish in char­ at 6:45 for 7pm acter. at Belsize Square Synagogue Hall, NW3 The perfect pudding for a chilly evening Ridley Road provided the site for the featuring or to 'substantiate' a light lunch. Victo­ first significant step for a market outside ria plums are best, but other varieties of of the East End, following Jewish settle­ JACK DAVIDOFF AND HIS plums can be used. ment to the north of the City, and was PALM COURT ENSEMBLE home to many kosher butchers and poul­ lib (450g) plums terers. Still surviving, in Stamford Hill Tickets at £17.50 are available from: 2-3 tablespoons soft brown sugar rather than in the East End itself, are the Judith Unikower pinch each of powdered cinnamon and childhood remembered traditional butcher 41 Sunbury Ave., NW7 3SL cloves shops with blood bespattered aprons, Tel: 0181 959 2228, 3 oz (85g) boudoir biscuits (abt. 16-18 well-worn chopping blocks, ferociously and Miriam Cohn biscuits) sharp knives and a sawdust-covered floor. 3 Willow Way, N3 2PL 3V2 oz (lOOg) ground unblanched al­ Their adherence to the principles of hy­ Tel: 0181 346 7068 monds giene was often in inverse proportion to 3 eggs their observance of shechita and kashrut. 2'/2 oz (70g) icing or caster sugar The proprietor's sales pitch tended to be 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar blunt too, often to the point of insult, but 1 tablespoon rum the competition was kept a good bus ride Halve the plums and remove the stones. away by the Board of Shechita - too far Put the plums into a fairly deep gratin for a pre-car-driving mother with young dish and sprinkle them with the brown children to schlep. sugar and spices. Cover and leave to Today's leading suburban kosher em- stand for as long as possible - the longer poria are gleaming with stainless steel, the better. Put the dish - still covered - tiles and freezer cabinets, and much of the into the oven at Gas Mark 3, 325F, 160C meat is prepacked and prepared with little until plums are cooked, but still retain for today's hard-pressed housewife to do their shape. but cook it. While the Ashkenazi's tradi­ Crush boudoir biscuits with a rolling tional chicken, lamb, minced meat and pin (or use a coffee grinder or food proc­ chopped liver have maintained their pre­ essor) until they are the consistency of eminence, the range of delicatessen has rather coarse breadcrumbs. Mix together burgeoned - much of it, like felafel and crushed biscuits and the ground almonds. hummus, Sephardi in origin and Israeli in Separate eggyoiks and whites. Whisk to­ manufacture. gether eggyoiks, sugar and vanilla sugar Salt beef sandwiches, accompanied by until thick and creamy. Add the rum. pickled cucumbers and swilled down with Whisk eggwhites until stiff. Fold the lemon tea, remain a firm favourite with I know HE said whipped eggwhites into the eggyoiks, al­ the busy businessman. Smoked salmon 'Let there be Light but this is ternately with the biscuit crumbs and and beigels have undergone a renaissance bloody ridiculous! ground almond mixture. Pile on top of with the younger set, beigel bakeries re­ the plums and bake at Gas Mark 4, 350F, maining open to the early hours in 170C until nicely browned on top - Golders Green, Hendon, Gants Hill, Stan­ about 30 minutes. more and even Ridley Road. Serve hot with thick icecold cream - An outpost of empire in Radlett, Hert­ and it is pretty good cold as well, even fordshire, with its freshly baked chalot, is without the cream D as distinguishably Jewish a delicatessen

14 AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

was a knowledgeable and deeply religious interfaith group which flourished for over Obituaries person and passed on a strong Jewish tra­ 30 years. But above all, she was a devoted dition and acceptance of communal wife to Caesar, a loving mother and sister responsibility to her son Max and daugh­ to Esther and Elly, and a loyal friend to Frieda (Friedel) Kochmann ter Meta (Wreschner), grandchildren and many more. great-grandchildren. DLore Stein rieda Kochmann, the much admired DRDC and loved mother of AJR Chairman F Max Kochmann, has died in her CLUB 1943 97th year. She was born in Breslau in Helga Aronsfeld Anglo-German Cultural Forum 1898 and came to England with her fam­ Meetings on Mondays at 8 p.m. at the Communal Hall ily in August 1939, the month prior to the elga Aronsfeld died on March Belsize Square Synagogue outbreak of war. 17th aged 86. She was born in 51 Belsize Square. London NW3 From the very first she became actively H Aachen, daughter of Erna and June Sth No lecture (Jewish Holiday) involved in the welfare of her fellow refu­ Max Kamm, a much respected couple in June 12th No lecture (Synagogje AGM). gees, and throughout the war years Aachen and its Jewish community; they However there will be an informal offered refugee children - alone and in­ tragically perished in the Holocaust. get-together at Maria's Coffee Lounge, 28 Englands Lane, NW3, secure without their parents - Helga would have liked to have studied just under half-way between accommodation, invitations to meals and for the Rabbinate, instead of which she Belsize Park and Chalk Farm un­ derground stations, off Haverstock all manner of help in settling down. In the trained at a college for commercial studies Hill. Time: 4 to 6pm (the Cafe years immediately after the war she and, from 1928 onwards, worked for the closes at 7pm). helped concentration camp survivors, Zionist Organisation in Cologne. Her June 19th Dr E.M. Batley (Head of German, who had arrived in England, with tempo­ plans for emigrating to Palestine were Goldsmith College, London Uni­ rary housing and other much-needed versity and Hon. Director of the thwarted, and she arrived at Croydon air­ Institute of Germanic Studies, practical assistance. port alone on September 1st 1939 on the London University). Lessing versus It was in the 1940s that she first be­ last-but-one plane out of Germany. She Antisemitism in ISth Century Germany. came involved in the work of the AJR and and her devoted sister Elly both worked was elected a member of its Board. Al­ in domestic service, the only positions June 26th Mrs. Irene Lawford BA, FRSA:'Fas­ cinating Leipzig Adventures. most from its inception she served on the open to them at that time. However, Discovering my grandfather, Henri House Committee of Otto Schiff House, Helga's employer, a prominent Method­ Hinrichsen, the renowned music publisher, philanthropist and vic­ helping to run the home, keeping regular ist, saved her from internment in May tim. 50 Years On - Atonement' contact with staff and residents and be­ 1940. He and his wife became Helga's July 3rd Mr. David Maier LIB: Is there a coming a trusted and understanding and her husband Caesar's life-long case for British War Crimes Trials? friends. adviser. Though officially retiring from We wish our members, guests and speakers a the House Committee at the age of 94, In 1945 fate once more changed her happy and pleasant summer We look forward she continued to visit Balint House to direction. She was ready to join Elly in to seeing you again on September I Ith. which many of the residents of Otto America when she met Caesar Aronsfeld Membership £10 per annum Schiff House were transferred, maintain­ at the - now defunct - Theodor Herzl Guests always welcome (£ I per lecture) ing her friendships with residents and Society; they married and settled in For information please call Mr. Hans Seelig, Chairman, support staff alike. London. Ceasar spent the whole of his Tel: 0442 254 360 Following the death of her husband professional life in the study of, and the Hans in 1951, she took an increasingly fight against, antisemitism: 28 years in the active part in the activities of Belsize Wiener Library and another 19 years with Square Synagogue, where her slim amd the Institute of Jewish Affairs editing upright figure was to be seen at Shabbat Patterns of Prejudice and Christian- BELSIZE SQUARE SYNAGOGUE morning services. She worked on the Jewish Relations. About to retire, and 51 Belsize Square, London N.W.S synagogue's welfare and liturgical com­ inspite of advancing years, he came to the Our communal hall is available for mittees and was a member of its Board aid of the AJR by taking over as Editor of cultural and social functions. from 1952 till 1968. It was on her initia­ AJR Information from 1986-1988, reviv­ For details apply to: tive that the women's section of the ing the journal and transforming its image Secretary, Synagogue Office. synagogue's Chevra Kadisha was and contents. In all this he was ably and formed, and she remained its chairman strongly supported by his beloved wife Tel: 0171-794 3949 until 1992. Helga; without her at his side he may A founder member of the B'nai B'rith never have achieved as much. Leo Baeck (London) Women's Lodge, she Helga was a very special person, loved held a number of offices. She took par­ and appreciated by everyone she met. She AJR ticular interest in working for children's had the rare gift of sincere empathy with charities and those for the elderly. most people. Together with Caesar, she I HAMPSTEAD GATE A woman of exceptional energy and re­ was one of the most respected members of IAFROGNAL source, she used her flair for organisation her synagogue, taking part in many of its LONDON NW3 and long experience to benefit the refugee activities, both religious and social. To­ Tel:OI7l-43l 616! community of which she was part. She gether they were the instigators of an

IS AJR INFORMATION JUNE 1995

A merchant of and its losses were mounting. Since invad­ charged with complicity in murder. He ing Russia half a year earlier, they had was tried in Hamburg. He fully admitted Hamburg suffered one million casualties, including having supplied Zyklon-B to various con­ 200,000 dead. Also, six weeks before centration camps; he could not do Wannsee, Hitler had declared war on otherwise as all the invoices for delivery re-war the port of Hamburg was the mighty America. The certainty of final were extant. But he maintained that, to largest in Europe, with some 40 to victory was evaporating and Hitler may the best of his knowledge, the material P50 ships entering or leaving daily. have intended to take as many as possible was used not against humans, but for the Among the essential imports was wheat of his chief enemies, i.e. the Jews, with disinfection of the clothing of Russian from America. Persons familiar with nau­ him to his doom. PoWs. "You know what these Russians tical matters will have noted the plate-like Shortly after the Wannsee conference. are, crawling with lice and with every objects along the ropes which tie ships to Dr. Tesch was invited to the Gestapo HQ other kind of vermin". the harbour wall. These are obstacles in­ in Berlin and asked to supply Zyklon-B This defence broke down when a former tended to stop rats and mice from getting and the application know-how to various secretary of his came forward to testify on board. In spite of this precaution, ro­ concentration camps in the East. Tesch, that she had taken down the notes of the dents inevitably find ways and means of being an early and ardent Nazi supporter, meeting with the Gestapo, when the real boarding a ship, particularly one carrying agreed to both behests. purpose for the Zyklon-B was made quite grain. It has therefore become the prac­ Before Zyklon-B could be employed on clear. Dr. Tesch knew that the 40,000 lbs tice, introduced in America in 1914, to a 'commercial' scale, a pilot scheme was of Zyklon-B delivered to Auschwitz were fumigate grain-carrying vessels in order to operated. The concentration camp nearest intended for the destruction of human be­ kill off all vermin. The fumigant univer­ to Hamburg was Neuengamme, some 15 ings and not lice. Other evidence sally used is hydrocyanic acid, a very miles to the south-east. Among the in­ corroborated her story. potent poison. Its other main use is in the mates of this camp were the Danish Tesch and his second in command, a extraction of gold from its ores, and one policemen who had revolted against Ger­ Herr Weinbacher, were condemned to of the chief German producers was a firm man orders. This camp was chosen for the death and hanged. The technical expert called DEGUSSA (Deutsche Gold und early experiments because of its conven­ was acquitted because there was not Silber Scheideanstalt). ient location. enough evidence against him. I am con­ Pure HCN is unstable and can explode At Neuengamme, the hut containing the vinced that he knew full well what was during transport. The pure acid is there­ camp prison was made airtight, fitted going on, and that he helped to train the fore absorbed on diatomaceous earth (the with electric heaters, a close fitting door, Gestapo personnel in handling the poison. material for cats' loos) when it becomes an observation window, and an aperture The SS guards of Neuengamme were granulated and relatively safe. This mate­ on the roof, complete with a short chim­ given a separate trial. One of the accused rial was sold under the name of Zyklon-B. ney and a lid. was the medical orderly who had intro­ When its temperature is raised above 30 Just as these modifications to the duced the poison. Once shorn of his black C (86 F), the acid boils off the absorbing prison-hut were complete, around 100 SS uniform, he looked just Hke the simple material, and it becomes again available Russian PoWs arrived at the camp; the farm boy that he was. as a deadly poisonous gas. Germans had literally millions of them. When he signed his very detailed deposi­ The Hamburg firm which specialized in All the regular prisoners of Neuengamme tion, he said to me: "I have just signed my the fumigation of ships was called Tesch were confined to their barracks, and the own death warrant". He was proved und Stabenow. It was successfully run by Russian 'guinea-pigs' were herded into right, and condemned to death. I felt sorry Dr. Tesch, an expert on the use of the gas, the prepared building. The door was for him, but then he had not been forced the deployment of labour and the pur­ locked and sealed with tape, and the elec­ to volunteer for the SS. chase of Zyklon-B (bought from tric heaters were switched on. As soon as The other guard was a real evil sadist, Degussa). With business flourishing, the inside of the building was warmed up, who enjoyed maltreating his prisoners. Tesch had become prosperous and be­ an SS medical orderly, a non-commis­ When he narrated to me the bestialities he longed to the social set of Hamburg. sioned officer, protected by a respirator, had committed, his face lit up with happy On the 20th January 1942, in the was ordered to climb on to the roof with memories. I had great difficulty restrain­ former Interpol building at Wannsee out­ some tins of Zyklon-B. He commenced to ing myself during his interrogation; I side Berlin, a meeting took place under pour their content through the aperture could have murdered him with my own the chairmanship of SS General Reinhart into the room below. An SS medical of­ hands. But retribution struck, and the Heydrich, head of the Gestapo. Its agenda ficer observed the effect through the hangman did the job for me. was the Final Solution of the Jewish observation window, watching the death The experiments in Neuengamme in Question. At this meeting, Heydrich re­ agonies. 1942, successful from the Nazi point of quested assistance from every This experiment with the Russian PoWs view, led to the murder of millions of in­ Government department in his task of determined the technical data for the kill­ nocent human beings, including members transporting all Jews, to the East for "spe­ ing process; including the amount of of my family. cial treatment". All participants agreed to Zyklon-B required, the time taken, the op­ nA.W Freud co-operate fully. timum temperature, and ways of sealing The timing of this meeting was signifi­ the door. Major Freud was a member of the British War cant. The German army had just suffered After the war. Dr. Tesch and two of his Crimes Investigation Unit in 194511946. its first serious defeat outside Moscow senior assistants were arrested and

Published by the Association of Jewish Refugees in Great Britain. I Hampstead Gate. IA Frognal. London NW3 6ALTel: 0171-431 616! Fax:0171-431 8454 Printed in Great Britain by Freedman Brothers (Printers) Ltd. London. Tel: 0181-4S8 3220 Fax: 0181-455 6860