VOLumeAJR JOURNAL11 NO.10 octoberber 2011

The Habsburg twilight rchduke Otto von Habsburg, son Balkans obliged it to form an alliance with disintegrating into its national component of the last emperor of Austria- Bismarck’s Germany, and it was as the parts under the enormous strain of the A Hungary, died on 4 July 2011, at junior partner in that alliance that Austria war. For Austria-Hungary had become the age of 98. His passing broke the last entered the First World War, which was totally dependent on her German ally; living link with the Habsburg monarchy, to lead to the disintegration of the Austro- whether she lived or died would ultimately which had ruled Austria from 1278, when Hungarian Empire in 1918. be determined by the success of German Rudolf I defeated Ottokar II of Bohemia at In the Austro-Hungarian Empire, or arms on the battlefield. the Battle on the Marchfeld and assumed Dual Monarchy, that emerged in 1867, By 1916, Austria’s military weakness control of the Duchies of Austria, Styria the emperor (Kaiser) of Austria was also had become only too apparent. The and Carinthia, until 1918. The Habsburgs king (König) of Hungary; hence the title inability of her forces to resist the Russian were one of the great dynasties of Europe, armies without German support had an imperial house more ancient and been demonstrated early on, when the historic, one might argue, than the upstart Russians drove far into Galicia, capturing Hohenzollerns, who had been mere the key Austrian fortress of Przemysl; kings of Prussia and had only attained and the Austrian armies were further the dignity of German emperors in 1871. humiliated by their failure to overcome Amazingly, Otto von Habsburg had the resistance of Serbia, which collapsed as a boy shaken the hand of his great- only when Bulgarian forces invaded the great-uncle, the Emperor Franz Joseph. country from the east. Only on the Italian For Franz Joseph was born in 1830 and front did the Austrians hold their own, and had ascended to the imperial throne in even then they needed German backing 1848, after the revolution that had swept to achieve the victory of Caporetto (1917). away Chancellor Metternich and the The German army’s opinion of its ally was mentally unfit Emperor Ferdinand. But if expressed succinctly in the phrase ‘We Otto von Habsburg was a living link to a are fettered to a corpse.’ Internally, the past that extended back into the first half national and social conflicts besetting the of the nineteenth century, it was a past Otto von Habsburg, 1912-2011 empire had hollowed out such cohesion overshadowed by the twilight melancholy ‘kaiserlich und königlich’, or ‘k. und k.’, as it still possessed, bringing the spectre of apparently unstoppable decline. The that was regularly bestowed on the Habs­ of its collapse ever closer. Austrian monarchy that had emerged burg administration, its institutions and In this extreme situation, Karl, a decent from the convulsions of 1848, having officials. This in turn gave rise to the and (by Habsburg standards) progressive crushed the uprisings in Hungary and imagi­nary realm of Kakanien, a term man, sought, in the words of his accession northern Italy as well as the popular coined in Robert Musil’s novel Der Mann manifesto, ‘to win back for my peoples movement in Vienna, seemed to be ohne Eigenschaften (The Man without the sorely missed blessings of peace’; his strong enough to act as the great power in Qualities), a state administered through efforts to achieve peace earned him the Central Europe and among the German an impenetrably hierarchical and immo- title ‘Friedenskaiser’ (‘Friede’ meaning states; in 1850, under Schwarzenberg, bile bureaucracy. It was this lumbering ‘peace’). Karl was married to Princess Zita Metternich’s successor, Austria was able imperial monolith, incapable of resolving of Bourbon-Parma, and it was her elder to impose its will on Prussia, dictating either the national conflicts or the social brother, Prince Sixtus, a French national, terms to its German rival under the tensions that beset it, that in 1914 lurched that the emperor attempted to use in Punctation of Olmütz. into the conflagration that destroyed it. 1917 as an intermediary to initiate peace But appearances were deceptive. In A particularly sad figure in the final negotiations with the Allies, in the famous 1859, Austria was defeated by France act of this drama was the last emperor, ‘Sixtus Affair’. But the plan had little in the war in Italy, the first in a series of Karl I, great-nephew of the aged Franz chance of success in the face of French defeats and setbacks that dogged Franz Joseph and father of Otto von Habsburg. and Italian opposition, even though the Joseph throughout his reign. Defeat by When he succeeded Franz Joseph in British prime minister, Lloyd George, France was followed in 1866 by defeat November 1916, the 29-year-old Karl supported it. In the final analysis, Austria- by Prussia, which excluded Austria from faced a disastrous situation that he Hungary could not abandon Germany, Germany. By 1879, Austria’s weakness sought desperately to remedy. But he and Germany, effectively controlled by in the face of Russian ambitions in the lacked the means to prevent the empire continued overleaf

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The Habsburg twilight cont. from p1 The Ghetto Fund: A new directive its military leaders, Hindenburg and t the end of July the German the German Foundation Remembrance, Ludendorff, had no strategy other than government introduced a new Responsibility and Future are also entitled that of securing victory on the battlefield. A directive which significantly im- to apply. When US President Wilson included proves the entitlements of Holocaust Survivors who have already sub- survivors who worked in Nazi-controlled mitted an application form to the the principle of national self-determination ghettos during the Second World War. Bundesamt für zentrale Dienste und in his Fourteen Points of January 1918, Previously, former ghetto workers could offene Vermögens­fragen (BADV), the the writing was on the wall for Habsburg receive either a ghetto pension (known in government department handling claims rule over its increasingly restive subject German by the acronym ZRBG) or a one- to the Ghetto Fund, do not need to submit nationalities. With the defeat of the time payment of €2,000 (approximately a new application form or to reapply, even German armies on the western front in £1,700) from the Ghetto Fund. Under if they have recently received another form autumn 1918, the Habsburg Empire lost the terms of the new directive, it is now in the post. its last underpinning. Austria-Hungary possible to receive both payments. Anyone who receives a ghetto pension disintegrated, leaving Austria as a small The Ghetto Fund was originally will automatically be sent details and an introduced in October 2007 due to long application form to claim the Ghetto Fund. rump state, and on 11 November the delays in processing applications for a The BADV can be contacted at 53221 emperor formally renounced power. ghetto pension. It was estimated that Bonn, Germany or by telephone on 0049 But this did not bring an end to Karl’s 50,000 Holocaust survivors worldwide 22899 7030 1324. The AJR can assist with imperial pretentions. In 1921, he twice were eligible to apply. Of the 70,000 claims completing and notarising these forms. attempted to seize power in Hungary, submitted for a ZRBG pension, 61,000 Claim forms and further information in somewhat bizarre bids to regain the were originally rejected. about the Ghetto Fund are also available imperial crown. The first attempt, the so- Because the Ghetto Fund provides com- at http://www.badv.bund.de/002_menue_ called ‘Easter Bid’, was thwarted when he pensation for work voluntarily performed oben/007_english/005_ghettowork/index. was outmanoeuvred in negotiations by in a ghetto, survivors who received awards html from slave labour compensation from Michael Newman the Regent of Hungary, Admiral Miklos Horthy, a former officer in the Austro- Hungarian navy, who had in November the populace added the appropriate rhyme 1918 sworn never to rest until he had ‘aber stier’ (‘but we’re broke’). ANNIVERSARY restored the emperor to his thrones in The disappearance of Austria-Hungary OF KRISTALLNACHT Vienna and Budapest. Then in October created a power vacuum in Central and Please join us for a service to 1921 the forces supporting Karl were Eastern Europe, where the small states commemorate the 73rd anniversary defeated by those loyal to Horthy in a that succeeded it fell under the sway of Kristallnacht skirmish in the suburbs of Budapest. first of Hitler, then of Stalin. It is often on Wednesday 9 November 2011 This fiasco spelt the end of Karl’s political argued that, had the Dual Monarchy at 2 pm career; a British warship conveyed him to survived, much of Europe would have at Belsize Square Synagogue Madeira, where he died in 1922. been spared the horrors visited upon it by Rabbi Stuart Altshuler will lead the The passing of the Habsburg Empire the two dictators. For the very existence memorial service and light refreshments was much mourned, not least by the of a powerful state in East Central Europe will be served at the conclusion Empire’s Jews, who knew that Franz after 1918 would have blocked Hitler’s For further details, please telephone Joseph had been sympathetic to them first extensions of German territory (into AJR Head Office on 020 8385 3070 throughout his long reign, intervening Austria and Czechoslovakia) as well as or email [email protected] to protect them from anti-Semitic actions the expansion of German influence into and refusing for two years to confirm the Eastern and South-Eastern Europe that one can argue that the monarchy, by rea- appointment of Karl Lueger, father of was so vital to the creation of a German- son of its inability to reform itself and to political anti-Semitism, as mayor of Vienna. dominated power bloc. adapt itself constitutionally to the era of Fittingly, the greatest literary tribute to Traditionalists are often wont to lament mass politics, had by 1918 already failed the monarchy, the novel Radetzkymarsch the dissolution of the Habsburg monarchy in its mission of creating a viable multi- (The Radetzky March) (1932), was written in 1918 as the removal of a crucial barrier national state uniting the ethnic groups by a Jew from Galicia, Joseph Roth. Even to Nazi expansionism. On the other hand, of East Central Europe. Ultimately, the among the Jewish refugees from Austria monarchy proved incapable of resolving AJR Directors who settled in Britain after 1938, nostalgia Michael Newman the conflicting aspirations of its constitu- for the monarchy was widespread. I Carol Rossen ent nationalities, which would have meant doubt that I was the only son of refugees David Kaye breaking the hold of the dominant groups, brought up as an English schoolboy in AJR Heads of Department German Austrians and Hungarians, just as Susie Kaufman Organiser, AJR Centre north-west London in the fifties who also Sue Kurlander Social Services it was unable to create truly democratic learned to hum the march of the Hoch- AJR Journal institutions to satisfy the political demands und Deutschmeister Regiment Nr. 4, one Dr Anthony Grenville Consultant Editor of the mass of its population. On this argu- Dr Howard Spier Executive Editor of the historic regiments of the Habsburg Andrea Goodmaker Secretarial/Advertisements ment, the monarchy, far from being the army. In its inimitable Viennese, this solution to the Central European problem, has the refrain: ‘Mir san (we are) vom Views expressed in the AJR Journal are not stands accused of playing an important necessarily those of the Association of Jewish k. und k. Infanterieregiment/ Hoch- und Refugees and should not be regarded as such. part in the region’s destabilisation. Deutschmeister Numero Vier’, to which Anthony Grenville

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Kindred spirits NEWTONS n response to Edith Argy’s ‘Anyone wall bars. I counted exactly four rungs, for tennis?’ in your June issue, I can then looked down – and nothing on SOLICITORS Iassure her that she certainly is not in earth could persuade me to climb up Our experienced team ‘a minority – possibly of one’ as regards any further. her bent for sports. And so it continued throughout my will give you expert As for tennis, which we played at the school days, from school to school, and personal advice Henrietta Barnett School in Hampstead from town to town, from county to 22 Fitzjohn’s Avenue Garden Suburb, I pride myself on the fact county, ten schools in all – first Germany, London NW3 5NB that I probably hold the record for not then Slovenia, and finally England. Tel: 020 7435 5351 managing even once to hit the ball over Incidentally, I was just as hopeless as Fax: 020 7435 8881 the net! It would usually land in the net Edith Argy at Völkerball, known as ‘med [email protected] or fly right out of the school grounds and dvema ognjema’ in Slovenia, meaning into the road! ‘between two fires’ As for hockey, I must (and as ‘dodgeball’ admit I never grasped The moment I started in England, as far as the rules of the game school, all my ability I know). SPRING GROVE no matter how often Aged 13, I arrived RETIREMENT HOME I played. Well, at least and fl exibility were in England. Not many we used to wear pads lost. Our form mistress weeks after my arrival,  inhle Road on our shins, which in my first gymnas- ondon N was not the case at made us climb up the tics lesson at my first London’s Most Luxurious my previous school, school here, St Mary’s wall bars. I counted  ntertainment  tiities the Kensington High in Lancaster Gate, I  Stress ree iing School. There, we used exactly four rungs, then was surprised to see   ouse Staing ellent Cuisine to be taken to some looked down – and the girls divided into  ull nSuite ailities field in Kensington Gar- four teams: red, blue, nothing on earth could Call for more information or a personal tour dens – sounds posh green and yellow. 020 8446 2117 – but being continually The word ‘yellow’ persuade me to climb or 020 7794 4455 hit in the legs by a hard intrigued me. Yell-ow [email protected] ball really isn’t a joke! up any further. – two syllables instead However, don’t pre- of one: gelb. The girls sume from what I’ve were issued with rib- just written that I was simply not cut bons in those colours. What luxury, I out for sports. The contrary is the case, thought, compared with the much more JACKMAN . believe it or not. Sounds like I’m con- modest surrounding I’d been used to in gratulating myself, but I’ll try to explain. Slovenia. I kept slipping and the soles of SILVERMAN Already as a toddler, my mother my gym shoes were blamed for it. ‘You COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS trained me in gymnastics by following a must get yourself plimsolls with rubber programme she had read. Lying in bed soles,’ I was told. ‘Yours are dangerous!’ on her back, she would hold me by both Dangerous? Everyone wore them in hands and let me climb up her belly, Yugo slavia. They were the standard ones which we both enjoyed. I also remember from the internationally renowned Czech her telling me to scratch myself with my shoe company Bat’a! foot behind the ear. I duly obliged and ‘Games in the field,’ the teacher called Telephone: 020 7209 5532 she felt proud of me. out. ‘What did she say?,’ I asked a fellow- [email protected] By the time I was five, my mum had refugee girl from Vienna whose English enrolled me in a pre-school gymnastics was fluent. She repeated it slowly and class where I was the star pupil. She felt translated. Strange, I was thinking, to be confident I’d be a gymnastics teacher one referring to sports as ‘games’. day. (It was just one of several profess- We were taken to a field in Hyde Park SWITCH ON ELECTRICS ions she envisaged for me during my to play lacrosse, a game I’d never heard Rewires and all household early childhood, including dentistry, but of. One of the girls showed me how to electrical work that’s another story which is still making play: ‘Round and round and round,’ she PHONE PAUL: 020 8200 3518 me chuckle.) kept saying. What a language! Sounds Mobile: 0795 614 8566 Our PE classes were held to the accom like a cat mewing. I can’t say I enjoyed paniment of a piano and without any the game either. apparatus. On Purim we performed in I do enjoy swimming though – or the hall hired at the best hotel in Fürth rather floating, as I’m completely buoy- Annely Juda as part of a programme organised by ant in any water, just like you see people Fine Art the local synagogue ladies’ guild. I was reading newspapers in the Dead Sea, 23 Dering Street (off New Bond Street) chosen to be in the lead of our PE group, and I used to be very good at cycling, ice Tel: 020 7629 7578 as could be expected. skating and table tennis. Fax: 020 7491 2139 However, the moment I started school, Edith Argy and I seem to be kindred CONTEMPORARY PAINTING all my ability and flexibility were lost. spirits in some ways, it seems to me. AND SCULPTURE Our form mistress made us climb up the Margarete Stern

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JEWISH LIFE IN LETCHWORTH

y grandfather, Frederick Kirsch, tubes to Stamford Hill and Wood Green. able man and an original, enlightened his wife Liesl and their two young And it wasn’t difficult to find houses to thinker. He spoke at least six languages Msons, Peter and Hans (Stephen), rent. fluently and had a wide knowledge left Germany in 1936. They came from Before the outbreak of war a Jewish of science, nature and mathematics Chemnitz, a large industrial town in property company had developed afford- and, of course, Judaism. His sister, Mrs Saxony famous for its textiles, gloves, able homes on the western outskirts of the Feuchtwanger, who became our cheder hosiery and knitwear. Having spent two town to be let at modest rentals. Many teacher, was also very knowledgeable. years working in England as a young man, still stood empty. On the eastern side, The Sassoons arranged cheder classes for my grandfather spoke English fluently and some of the big houses were available to children of the community in their garden was thus able to accept an offer to become buy or rent. And in between there were house. Equally important for our Jewish the manager of a glove factory in Hitchin, all sizes of house to rent. The news soon education were the informal Shabbat Hertfordshire. spread. It was estimated that by the end of groups held after the morning service. The family settled in the neighbouring the year there were well over 200 Jewish These were led by the older children or town of Letchworth, 35 miles from Lon- by visiting Jewish students from nearby don. Letchworth was the first Garden City Cambridge University who came to spend (Welwyn and Hampstead Garden Suburb Shabbat, to listen to Rabbi Sassoon, to be followed). It was, and still is, a very pleas- shown some of the ancient manuscripts ant place in which to live, with attractive in his world-famous library and to help houses of all sizes and interesting, mainly strengthen the minyan. Many of those rural-style architecture, each house with who visited went on to achieve great its own front and back garden. things, among them the current Chief Well away from the residential area Rabbi and the renowned teacher Aviva was a large industrial zone with modern Gottlieb-Zornberg. These students helped factories. The population was mixed. to strengthen our Jewish identity by intro- Attracted by the new concept of living ducing us to B’nai Akiva, encouraging us in a country environment, there were to go to holiday camps and to meet others idealistic vegetarians in sandals, intellect- of our age in London. uals, artists and artisans, as well as Down the road from the Sassoons lived professionals, entrepreneurs and people the indomitable Fachler clan, who were from all over the country looking for work refugees from Germany. Theirs was a truly in the new industries. There were over 20 open house: the level of kindness and types of denominations and sects, ranging Rabbi Solomon Sassoon hospitality to everyone was extraordinary from Theosophists to Catholics, Quakers households. In a small road connecting the and made a tremendous impression on to C of E. But there were no Jews. The two main shopping streets were a kosher me. Here the adults of the community, nearest synagogue was in Luton, some ten butcher and a kosher grocer. The main people of all levels of observance, would miles away. It was Orthodox and, while service was held in the town’s community meet after prayers every Shabbat for a my grandparents were more used to a centre and a smaller one in an auction hall wonderful home-made Kiddush and join Reform service, they soon felt at home above an estate agent. There was also a in the lively discussions which followed. in this warm and hospitable community. Sephardi service and quite a number of On the High Holy Days, the Ashkenazi ser- The family quickly integrated into other minyanim, especially on the west- vice was held at the Schischa family, who the life of the town, making friends and ern side. It was a changing population lived nearby in true Hungarian tradition. earning respect. My grandfather was throughout the war; as some people came The highlights of the year for the children asked to join the local golf club and my others left. And, of course, there were were a glimpse of the lavishly decorated grandmother joined the bridge club. The always lots of visitors who came to see succah at the Sassoons, the Purim cele- fact that they were Jews didn’t seem to family and friends and spend a holiday in brations complete with fireworks and the make any difference. My grandmother the country, or at least a peaceful Shabbat. burning of Haman, and the communal recalled how on one occasion her new During my childhood in the 60s the Chanukah party. friends apologised for making some un- Jewish community of Letchworth had The way in which we saw how complimentary remarks about ‘Mr Hitler’. shrunk to some 15 families plus a small Orthodox Judaism lived in the community, When war broke out, my grandfather was number of single, elderly refugees. It was with its tolerant, warm and welcoming vouched for by several important citizens a remarkable community in which to grow atmosphere, had a profound effect on our of the town and was thus not interned. up. The centre of the community was the family and a number of the other children At the beginning of the Blitz and the Sassoon household, an aristocratic, deeply in Letchworth, forming the basis of the evacuations in 1940, people were looking religious but tolerant and widely educated Orthodox lives we live today. The chance for somewhere to live in relative safety, family of Baghdadi/Indian origin. The decision of my grandparents to come but close enough to London for the men household was large, consisting of their and live in this sleepy country town had a to carry on their jobs, professions and extended family and their staff. They had profound impact on generations to come. businesses during the day. Letchworth was many guests and on such occasions Rabbi On the death of his mother, Rabbi the ideal place. It was not under any of the Sassoon’s mother sat at the head of the Sassoon and family fulfilled their long-held Luftwaffe’s flight paths. There were four table and her daughter and daughter-in- wish to live in Israel. At around this time trains to King’s Cross every hour, the fast law helped to serve them. Shabbat services most of the other families moved, either ones taking 40 minutes, not much longer were held at their house with alternating to Israel or, like my family, to London and than the ones that stopped at Finsbury Ashkenazi and Sephardi orders of service. by 1971 the community had disbanded. Park, from where there were buses and Rabbi Solomon Sassoon was a remark- Ruth Keller

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Behind the scenes – Jewish immigrant film-makers in Britain from the 1930s to the 1960s

hen I was asked by the Jewish behind the scenes on archetypal British they had left 30 years before, employed Museum to give a talk on features from The Four Feathers and The by producer Harry Saltzman on The WJewish film-makers in Britain Life and Death of Colonel Blimp to The Ipcress File followed by Funeral in Berlin, as part of the current exhibition on Ladykillers, Saturday Night and Sunday based on the Cold War spy thrillers by ‘Entertaining the Nation’, I had no idea Morning, the Carry On films, and the Len Deighton. how many remarkable figures would James Bond cycle. The 1960s also marked the beginning turn up – including a large number of For example, The Four Feathers (1939) immigrants and refugees from Germany. drew on the talents of the Kordas and Fleeing Nazi Germany in the 1930s were Miklos Rozsa. The Life and Death of both experienced film-makers and a few Colonel Blimp (1943) was scripted by talented youngsters who would join the Emeric Pressberger, designed by Junge, film industry as adults years later. music by Allan Gray, and co-starred An- The first group included German ton Walbrook. (Designers Junge and Hein cameraman Otto Heller and Mutz Heckroth both won Oscars in the 1940s, Greenbaum, who later changed his reflecting the remarkable quality of their name to Max Greene, as well as work with Powell and Pressberger.) production designers Alfred Junge and Skipping on a few years, both Ken Hein Heckroth along with many brilliant Adam and Karel Reisz emerged as Hungarians who had been employed major talents in the 1960s. Reisz first within the giant German film industry: collaborated with the scriptwriter Alan scriptwriter Emeric Pressberger, director Sillitoe, who adapted his own novel, Paul Czinner, animation expert John Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Halas, and the Austrian-born composer while Adam made his name as production Producer Ismail Merchant, writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, director James Ivory Josef Zmigrod, who later adopted the designer on the James Bond films and PHOTO: JOEL FINLER COLLECTION name Allan Gray. The teenage refugees Stanley Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove, with included Ruth Prawer, Klaus (later its impressive-looking war room. In fact, of novelist Ruth Prawer Jhabvala’s new Ken) Adam and Karel Reisz. Then too, this decade saw a veritable explosion career as a scriptwriter, adapting one of there was the Austrian-born Wolfgang of Jewish talent, including British-born her own books, The Householder, for Suschitzky, who arrived in England in directors led by John Schlesinger and the production team of James Ivory and 1935 and immediately embarked on a Clive Donner, writers Harold Pinter and Ismail Merchant. She continued to work double career as a photographer and Frederic Raphael, and new director with the same pair for the next 40 years, documentary cameraman before moving arrivals from abroad such as Kubrick, even winning Oscars for A Room with a into feature films in the 1950s, while Richard Lester and Roman Polanski. View (1986) and Howard’s End (1992). his son Peter (born 1940) also became a (Walter Lassally, a regular cameraman leading British cameraman. on their films, was himself a (not Jewish) In fact, the two leading Jewish refugee from Germany. As a teenager production companies in England in in Berlin, he later recalled how he had the 1930s employed many of the new witnessed some of the horrific Nazi Jewish arrivals. Producer Michael Balcon attacks of Kristallnacht on the street and director Victor Saville – born Victor where he lived.) Salberg to a Polish immigrant father and As for the others: Karel Reisz directed the leading Jewish director in the country many interesting features, including in the 1930s – hired Mutz Greenbaum on Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment camera and Alfred Junge as art director (1966), starring David Warner, Isadora on a number of their films. Similarly, (1968), and The French Lieutenant’s producer Alexander Korda employed Woman (1981), scripted by Harold Pinter fellow Hungarian director Paul Czinner and starring Meryl Streep. Wolfgang and his actress wife Elizabeth Bergner to Suschitzky continued actively as a film Catherine the Great shortly after they photographer and cameraman from The arrived in 1933. He also hired scriptwriter Director Karel Reisz on Saturday Night and Bespoke Overcoat (1954), written by Emeric Pressberger and composer Miklos Sunday Morning PHOTO: JOEL FINLER COLLECTION Wolf Mankowitz, starring David Kossoff Rozsa to join his (Hungarian-Jewish) and Alfie Bass, to Get Carter (1971) and production team, which already included Peter Suschitzky made his feature the Jack Rosenthal comedy The Chain his two talented brothers, director Zoltan debut behind the camera on It Happened (1984), directed by Jack Gold. Finally, and designer Vincent. And one can see Here, a powerful attempt to imagine Ken Adam left James Bond behind to this pattern, of a regular collaboration what England would have been like if win Oscars for his designing of Kubrick’s between Jewish film-makers, as a feature defeated and occupied by the Nazis, Barry Lyndon in 1975 and The Madness of British film-making throughout the partly filmed along the street from the of King George in 1994. years that followed. Fully assimilated Belsize Square Synagogue. Otto Heller And this is only a small part of the and, in most cases, not especially and Ken Adam even returned briefly to a story of Jewish film-makers in Britain . . . . religious, they could often be found very different Germany from the country Joel Finler

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British city. Surely, what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. The Kaiser’s army chiefs saw the poten- tial of terrorising civilians with improved versions of Zeppelins filled with hydrogen which raided London, Dover, Southend, Ipswich, Ramsgate, Hull, etc. A total of 557 people were killed and 1,358 injured. They flew above the ceiling of a BE2, an early fighter, which took all of 50 minutes to reach 10,000 ft. The RFC responded with the Sopwith Camel and incendiary bullets ‘DON’T LET’S BE BEASTLY TO Second, the argument against the which set the hydrogen alight. THE GERMANS!’ strategic bombing offensive was only Having come to enjoy terrorising the Sir – Herbert Haberberg’s reference to Dr secondarily a moral one. The prime civilian Englaenders, the Kaiser’s air force Grenville’s views as ‘moralistic claptrap’ criticism was that it failed. Its aim was ordered Gotha bombers powered by two (July) spoils what is surely a realistic to destroy Germany’s war capacity by Mercedes engines which bombed at night. description of the facts. Dr Grenville’s destroying her production facilities The 27 raids by Gothas cost 835 civilians reply – ‘We fought the war to show that and undermining the morale of her killed and 1,990 wounded. our standards were superior to those population. ‘Bomber’ Harris tried to do Undeterred by losses and determined of the Nazis …’ – is not convincing. It this by general area bombing, and he was to continue blind bombing of civilians, sounds good, but why we fought the war unenthusiastic about attacking specific they constructed Zeppelin Straaken giant depends on who we were. targets. He even opposed Barnes Wallis’s bombers powered by four Mercedes It is unlikely that the large majority of ‘bouncing bomb’. In 1942 the bombing engines which succeeded in blowing up us went into the war on those grounds. was claimed to have reduced Germany’s a wing of the Chelsea Hospital with an The reason for going to war against output by an unimpressive 2.5 per cent, enormous 1,000-pound bomb in 1918. A the Nazis had a variety of facets. The a figure later reduced to a niggardly 0.7 truly heroic achievement! strongest one must surely have been to per cent of general production and 0.5 per Frank Bright, Martlesham Heath stop Hitler and the spread of his power cent of war production. A total of 200,000 (a 1917 RAF airfield), Suffolk and creed. I would not exclude the desire tons of bombs were dropped in 1943 of retribution by many of us, the earliest and German armaments production rose victims, and by more and more British by 50 per cent. The cost of the offensive FROM HAMBURG TO HARROGATE people as the war went on. Dr Grenville was horrendous. During the Battle of the Sir – With regard to the article ‘British may consider retribution immoral, but Ruhr alone (March-July 1943), Bomber Quakers and the rescue of Jewish refugees’ then he must find all punitive actions Command lost 872 planes, with an overall in your June issue, the picture shown immoral, although they are part of our loss rate of 4.7 per cent – close to what was indeed taken in 1939 in Harrogate, superior standards. And one huge facet it could sustain. In terms of morale, the Yorkshire, of a Kindertransport from of the reason must surely have been Germans proved as resilient as the British. Hamburg in December 1938. that of defending ourselves against the Despite objections from Harris, the We were 25 girls in a hostel that threatening danger to our lives. bombing campaign changed during the served in summer as a holiday camp for My impression is that Dr Grenville summer of 1944. Precision bombing of underprivileged Jewish children. I can bases his concepts on a fixed standard Germany’s oil installations reduced the identify most of the girls in the picture. I of morality. He writes ‘War is in itself Luftwaffe’s fuel supply to 10,000 tons am in the centre wearing a dress with a immoral.’ The meaning of the term ‘war’ out of a monthly requirement of 160,000 white collar in the second row. My sister is not a fixed one. I hold that certain wars tons. This had a more serious impact is in the front row, to the left of Eva Wolf, are not immoral and, in some cases, not on Germany’s ability to fight than the who is wearing glasses. going to war is immoral. thousands of tons of bombs dumped on I was invited to be cared for by a five- Is Dr Grenville old enough to have civilian targets. person committee of philanthropists from experienced the Second World War? I The biggest Allied mistake was not to Leeds and Harrogate in December 1938, believe that all those of us who were bomb the German Haber process plants, shortly after my sister Hildegard Gerns- involved in that war, which went on which produced fertilisers and explosives heimer, at the time 12 years old, and I and on and became a way of living, had for the war effort. The plants were situated (née Simon), 13 months older, arrived. none of the moral inhibitions Dr Grenville on the Rhine near Ludwigshafen and were We entrusted our lives to accept the offer suggests we should have had over the more accessible and more vulnerable made to our group of 25 religious girls to bombing of Dresden. than population centres. The reason be cared for in Harrogate. Eric Sanders, London W12 they were not attacked was only partly Ruth Heinemann, Harris’s ­enthusiasm for attacking civilians. Lantana, Florida, USA Sir – Some of your correspondents have F. A. Lindeman­ (later Lord Cherwell) was either forgotten the Second World War or Churchill’s scientific adviser and a supporter HISTORY OF THE KINDERTRANSPORT are too young to remember it. of carpet bombing. As a physicist who Sir – Anthony Grenville’s review of Vera First, Hitler never obtained 99.9 per knew little chemistry, he did not ­realise the Fast’s A History of the Kindertransports cent of the German vote, as Eric Bourne significance of the Haber plants. in the September issue certainly shows (August) suggested. He is thinking of the Bryan Reuben, London N3 up the deficiencies – so far – in providing a full academic study of the KTs, which late Hafez al-Assad. Hitler reached his they deserve. However, it seems to me peak in the 19 April 1932 election, when Sir – It was November 1940. We were still that he is a little hard on Vera Fast. To have he obtained 36.8 per cent of the vote. in Prague when I actually saw Goebbels’s compressed the complex story into less On 31 July 1932, his party won 230 seats article in Das Reich in which he coined the than 200 pages is a feat accomplished by out of 608 in the Reichstag, but on 6 word ‘kowentrieren’. His grammar wasn’t few; to accuse her of shortcomings on the November 1932 lost two million votes that good but his intention was clearly 1938-39 KT – ‘only’ 168 out of 198 pages and 34 seats. spelled out: to reduce to rubble every – seems ungracious since that amounts to

6 AJR JOURNAL october 2011

85 per cent of the book. That leaves just RESTITUTION IN AUSTRIA year. I saw much of her in the early to late 30 pages for the rest – but again there is Sir – Victor Ross (May, Letters) will be fifties, but then we lost touch. the accusation that ‘only’ 20 pages deal relieved to learn that the pictures he saw Just a very few years back, at the with the ‘later years’. on the walls of the Austrian Ambassador’s ­Groucho Club, there was a tap on my The AJR is indeed not a subject for just residence at 18 Belgrave Square come shoulder. ‘Excuse me, are you Peter P­ feffer?’ a couple of footnotes. So the conclusion neither from a museum nor from looted I was asked. I hadn’t a clue who this per- must be to agree with the final sentence art treasures – they have been there for son was. ‘I’m Hannah Horovitz,’ she said, of his review – that ‘a truly authoritative a long time. Except for a recently added ‘Don’t you remember me?’ Of course I history of the subject remains to be portrait of Franz Joseph, they were remembered her but, admittedly, I failed written.’ Now, by whom better than Dr certainly there in 1937, when my late to recognise her. How she recognised me, Grenville himself – and when better than brother saw them at the then Austrian after 50 years, is unbelievable! We had a as soon as possible after June 2011’s Legation, and had probably been there drink. She was a lovely, highly intelligent successful 70th anniversary celebratory since the building first became the Austro- lady and fully deserved the honour of the event, which for a whole week added Hungarian embassy in the 1860s. concert held for her at the Royal Academy greatly to understanding how most of F. M. M. Steiner, Deddington, Banbury of Music. the German-speaking Jewish refugees Peter Phillips (born Peter Pfeffer), integrated successfully into British life! Loudwater, Herts Eric Mark, Brussels A GREAT LADY Sir – In response to Nicholas Reed’s enquiry Sir – Anthony Grenville states: ‘Surprisingly, about Eleanor Rathbone’s funeral: Eleanor EXAMPLE OF THE no proper academic history of the left it to her closest friends, Elizabeth KINDERTRANSPORTEES Kindertransports in English exists.’ I would ­Macadam and Eva Hubback, to decide Sir – Our present government is currently refer to my doctoral thesis ‘Anglo-Jewry how her remains should be dealt with. involved in persuading the young and the Refugee Children 1938-1945’ As she was not a practising Christian, unemployed to find employment and so (University of London 2001). This is a fairly she was cremated, although where is become independent of state assistance. comprehensive account of the work of the uncertain. There followed a private ser- An examination of an event in 1938- Refugee Children’s Movement, the rescue vice at Highgate Unitarian Chapel and 39 might offer some guidance! Some activities of Rabbi Dr Solomon Schonfeld her remains are believed to have been 10,000 children without parents, money under the auspices of the Chief Rabbi’s interred in the family crypt in Smithdown or personal goods arrived in the UK. Religious Emergency Council, and contains Road, Liverpool. Her name and dates are Community support was provided for a final chapter based on interviews with certainly on the obelisk, along with those their existence. Their ages varied between and testimonies of some of those who of her parents and other family members. 6 and 14. On closer examination, you will came on the Kindertransports. Three memorial services were held in find that in later years the vast majority Surprisingly, my work is listed (fairly her honour: at St Margaret’s ­Westminster, became ‘middle class’. What was the drive high) on the resources page of the at Liverpool Cathedral for family and that made this possible? American Kindertransport Association friends, and at Bloomsbury House, London,­ Michael Sherwood, Bushey (www.kindertransport.org). I am, however, attended by people involved in the refugee not aware of any such list having been cause. WHO PAYS FOR THE RIOTS? created by the KT Association in England. Although Mr Reed mentions Eleanor’s Sir – You guessed it! The cost of rounding Paula Hill, PhD, Jerusalem long-running and ultimately successful up the mobile-communicating mob and campaign for the family allowance, this Anthony Grenville: This is an unpublished charging them – the trials, solicitors’ was only one aspect of her working life PhD thesis. fees (typically £400 per hour) and the as a great humanitarian activist. I was courts – is just the beginning. The ‘DE-JUDAISATION’ of the holocaust disappointed, and surprised, that he did expense of rebuilding people’s homes Sir – Further to my letter last month voicing not refer to her immensely important and businesses, cars, cleaning up, repairs, concern that the Holocaust is being steadily role as a refugee activist from 1933 until restocking etc is immeasurable, resulting de-Judaised in the UK, it has even been her death in 1946. From the moment in more price rises. Add the recall of hinted that this approach is desirable by in April 1933 when she stood up in the Parliament, police, fire service, provision certain letter-writers in these columns – House of Commons and denounced of cells, incarcerating the criminals, their where I would least have expected it. Hitler and his regime, she became the supervision, appeals, not forgetting the Now we read that France is to ban the most ardent campaigner on behalf of ‘human rights’ of their families! How word Shoah as ‘too Jewish’ and replace it refugees, especially Jews, from Europe, does one compensate the families who with an innocuous French word for ‘an- committing herself wholeheartedly to have lost their homes, their jobs, and the nihilation’: anéantissement. championing their cause both inside and mental damage done? The list is endless, Apparently the term Holocaust is not outside Parliament, and destroying her the cost astronomical. used in France but, by implication, they of health along the way. I would recommend One thing is certain: insurance charges course mean that too. School textbooks, that Mr Reed read my monograph, Rescue will be eye-watering, surpassing any on instruction from the education ministry, the Perishing: Eleanor Rathbone and the previous ones. Inevitably, so will taxes in are to avoid any Jewish connotation for the Refugees, so that he can get a real picture one form or another. Who is responsible genocide of the Jews. French Holocaust de- of this great lady, who had no equal and for all this? Why should we bystanders niers have been handed a victory. I wonder deserves much greater public recognition. have to foot the bill? Ultimately, we will how long it will take for the idea to cross (Dr) Susan Cohen. London NW11 have to blame ourselves. We entrust the Channel and for something similar the politicians, the police and financial to be introduced here. They will have a A LOVELY LADY ‘experts’ with our lives and livelihood. dilemma with the designation Holocaust Sir – I would like to endorse Anthony Obviously our trust is widely misplaced. Memorial Day – but then anything goes and Grenville’s praise of Hannah Horovitz The Establishment is in disarray, blaming nothing is sacred in the post-modern times in your September issue. I became one another for the catastrophe for we live in, all in the interests of universalism acquainted with Hannah while I was at which they should be held responsible. and political correctness. Oxford through a friend of mine, John The basic cause of the events and dealing Rubin Katz, London NW11 Wood, who, sadly, like Hannah, died last continued on page 16

7 AJR JOURNAL October 2011

Frank Bowling OBE RA has a politi- cal message in his paintings, one of which REVIEWs offers lurid images of abortion. It suggests Survival against the odds the tortured semi-abstracts of Francis NICHT MIT UNS: DAS LEBEN VON ­Bacon, with a touch of Chagall in the LEONIE UND WALTER FRANKENSTEIN mystical figures flying around the canvas. (Not With Us: The Life of Leonie Barrington Watson trained in several and Walter Frankenstein) he Austrian Cultural Forum’s European art academies and says his by Klaus Hillenbrand summer exhibition, Double mission is to educate aspiring Caribbean Frankfurt am Main: Jüdischer Verlag Exposure: Jewish Refugees artists. His portrait of a girl entitled T im Suhrkamp Verlag, 2008, 251 pp. from Austria in Britain, included artists Beauty shows a subtle interplay of light on hardback, €19.80, ISBN 978-3-633- and musicians of every genre in its focus features and is certainly one of the most 54232-1 on 25 refugees who came to Britain to striking works, being both unpretentious met Walter Frankenstein at a recent escape Nazi-occupied Europe. All took and authentic. reunion of men who had lived in the part in the AJR ‘Continental Britons’ and Swedish-Kenyan artist Catherine Jewish Boys’ Orphanage in Pankow- ‘Refugee Voices’ audio-visual history Anyango’s graphic novel adaptation of I Berlin before the war (see August 2011 projects, whose testimony included Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness was issue of the Journal). He had lived views on tolerance, history, humanity commissioned in 2009 as an attempt for several years in that other Jewish and identity. to under­stand the horrors of colonial orphanage in Berlin, the Auerbachsche From the Jewish diaspora to that of the Congo. It was named The Observer’s Waisenhaus, but had spent a couple of Graphic ­Novel of the Month. months in Pankow and had therefore Her ­extract is a graphite, qualified for inclusion. It was here that watercolour rendering of I learned about the quite extraordinary a haunted face, somehow story of how he, his young wife and two reminiscent of Michael Jack- tiny tots survived the last two-and-a-half son. Anyango has worked years underground in Berlin, and heard in many creative spheres that a book recounting his life had been and has produced live film published in German in 2008. events for London spaces, Walter’s father had died in 1929. including the ­Victoria and The family lived in Flatow, a small Albert Museum and the town in West Prussia, and his mother looked after him until, in 1936 and National Film Theatre. She at the age of 11, he was unable to teaches at the Royal College. continue his schooling. That was when Emamoke Ukeleghe he was enrolled in the Auerbachsche is a devout Christian Waisenhaus, and it was there, in 1941, storyteller who works in that he met his future wife Leonie, four printed fabrics to tell her years his senior. Leonie’s Jewish mother story of displacement. had married a left-wing Christian One of Britain’s leading German and had herself been baptised, textile designers, Althea but Leonie lost her job in a Jewish Mcnish, sees herself as an institution for the deaf and dumb and artist of all cultures. Golden found employment as a housemother Harvest, a series of three in the Auerbachsche Waisenhaus. When screen-prints, recalls her they met it was love at first sight and Barrington Watson, Beauty (1993) final year at the RCA in an it wasn’t long before they married. Essex artists’ community, Both managed to get by in Berlin until African Caribbean: in RCA Black, the when the sun shining through golden the infamous ‘factory action’ in 1943, Royal College of Art has collaborated wheat fields inspired her vibrant designs. when thousands of Jews were rounded with the African and African Caribbean The prints have been exhibited and sold up; their first child was then a year old. Design Diaspora to celebrate 60 years of internationally as an example of colourful They were both forced labourers, she in a factory making transformers and he their artistic achievement. Conscious of British textiles. They are represented as a mechanic with an outfit carrying its own image as a predominately white in the collections of the Victoria and out all manner of repairs. (Frankenstein university, the College is showcasing the Albert Museum and the Whitworth recalls that he once had to carry out Museum. Althea entered the RCA with work of 22 postgraduates in the hope of some electrical work in the office of a attracting more students from the African a scholarship in graphics, but opted high-ranking SS officer, who later turned and African Caribbean diaspora. In his instead for printed textiles under the out to be Adolf Eichmann.) preface to the catalogue, RCA Rector Dr influence of Eduardo Paolozzi and the The young couple were determined Paul Thompson describes the barriers colours and sensations of her native not to be deported, like their relatives that often prevent artists in this area from Trinidad. Described as Britain’s first and many friends – hence the book’s achieving academic qualifications. Some and most distinguished black textile title – and decided to go underground. of the art is highly original; some is merely designer, Althea has undertaken many (About 6,000 Berlin Jews did likewise, crying out to be seen and heard. commissions for Liberty. but only half survived as the SS was

8 AJR JOURNAL october 2011 constantly on the lookout for them sight of the Palestinian coast, the British way, either on a hand-held electronic and there were many informers, among authorities turned the ship back to device such as a Kindle or on a com- them even a few Jews.) The description Cyprus, and yet another agonising saga puter. I was somewhat dubious about of their survival is hair-raising. They unfolded. In 1948 Walter was finally this possible change in reading habits, were helped by non-Jewish friends, reunited with his family. but tried it on a new e-book by Helen who risked their lives by sheltering Happy as they were in their Jewish Fry so as to keep up with ‘progress’. To and often feeding them, and by one environment, where they felt safe my pleasant surprise, I found that with a or two Jewish men who were also on at last, life was very hard and they bit of practice it was remarkably easy to the run but unencumbered by children. had to live in a miniscule flat. Walter read the book on my laptop and enjoy When it became dangerous for them to was recruited into the Hagana and the experience. continue leaning on friends (one woman later spent several years in the Israeli Inside Nuremberg Prison is a who had made her flat available was army. But despite their, and especially remarkable book, relating the experiences a well disposed prostitute!) they lived Leonie’s, enthusiasm for Israel, they of Howard Triest, a young German-born in bombed-out houses in unbelievably reluctantly decided in 1956 to move Jewish soldier who becomes one of the trying circumstances. Naturally they felt to Sweden, where an old Berlin friend interpreters at the Nuremberg trials unable to enter air raid shelters when had prepared the ground for them. of the Nazi war criminals. To make it Allied aircraft released their bombs, but Although able to lead normal lives even more poignant, by the time of the somehow they survived. Extraordinary there, with Swedish citizenship, Israel trials Howard knew that his parents as it may seem, their second boy was remained their spiritual home. had been murdered in Auschwitz born in 1944 – Leonie explains that she So, a happy ending after all! Leonie, and he had to deal face-to-face with had always hoped to have six children – who died two years ago, never lost her those responsible. Over a period of 18 so adding to their problems of survival. fierce antagonism towards all things months, Helen Fry spent many hours Earlier, Leonie had taken their first German, whereas Walter now feels and days talking to Howard about his child to Leipzig to live in a tiny flat comfortable in Berlin and visits that city story and his impressions of those he with her mother and non-Jewish step- frequently. was forced to meet. The result is not father, whilst Walter was hidden in the The book is written in the present only an unusual personal story but also workshop of a Social Democratic and tense, which may not be to everyone’s a historic document concerning the courageous carpenter until a neighbour taste, and there are a large number of personalities of the leading Nazis and became suspicious and he had to return reminiscences and quotations from both their responsibilities for the world’s to the anonymity of Berlin, separated Leonie and Walter. The author has made most horrific war crimes. from wife and child. During a dream, it easy to read by using relatively short The book consists of three separate in which she had to find a way out of a sentences, so that even readers whose parts: Howard’s personal story and house, Leonie jumped out of the first- German is imperfect should be able to the fate of his parents; a history of the floor window and was found by her cope. It does read like an exciting novel events leading up to the Nuremberg stepfather unconscious and bleeding. but, alas, it is a true story. trials and a commentary relating to As they couldn’t call a doctor they had There are two morals to this tale. these; and the impressions given to to wait for her to recover spontaneously. First, a not insignificant number of Howard of each individual war criminal. When her presence in the house became ­Germans risked their lives by shel- Howard, born in Munich in 1923, known to neighbours, she returned to tering and supporting Jews living experienced the rise of Nazism and Berlin to rejoin her husband, leaving underground. Indeed, this will be clear the events of Kristallnacht. He and her child with her mother who, thanks to anyone ­visiting the relatively new his parents and sister were able to to her non-Jewish husband, was less and ­fascinating Berlin museum Stille leave Germany in early 1940 and he at risk. Helden (Secret Heroes). Second, for us managed to get to the United States. His To summarise a story full of twists and Kindertransport arrivals, the book is parents, however, were caught by the turns and a constant battle for survival indeed chastening. From time to time, Vichy French and eventually deported without passes and ration cards – the correspondents to the Journal com- to Auschwitz. His sister survived after whole family did survive the war and plain bitterly about the treatment they escaping to Switzerland. Howard later the arrival of the Soviet army. Leonie had received in English families. The story joined the US army, landed in France become an ardent Zionist before the war of the Frankensteins reminds us how and took part in the liberation of and their only life-line was emigration to exceedingly fortunate we were to have Buchenwald. The latter experience left Palestine; they felt they couldn’t spend found a safe haven in Britain. a lasting impression on him. one day more than necessary in the Leslie Baruch Brent The main part of the book describes country that had hounded them and Howard’s work as an interpreter at the had murdered many of their relatives Nuremberg trials, where he worked and friends. That too was full of hazards: An extraordinary with one of the leading psychiatrists, Leonie and the children eventually personal story Dr Douglas Kelley, on interviewing the succeeded in reaching Palestine, whilst prisoners. The interviews were not INSIDE NUREMBERG PRISON Walter, thanks to the severe and, it must concerned with obtaining evidence by Helen Fry be said, inhumane, restrictions placed for the trials, but with examining the by the British on the immigration of Kindle edition, Amazon, £4.29 motives and psychology which had survivors, found himself interned in including free wireless delivery and VAT led these men to commit their crimes. Cyprus for two years, having first helped t is most unlikely that we or future Surprisingly there was some rapport to convert a Greek steamer into a ship generations will ever be deprived of between the prisoners, Dr Kelley and capable of carrying 75 passengers. (The Ithe pleasure of holding a book. We Howard, and, in the later discussions French authorities in Marseille turned a may, however, become increasingly used with the author, he said he had been blind eye to this illegal activity.) Within to reading books in an entirely different continued overleaf

9 AJR JOURNAL October 2011 Sar-El: Volunteering for the IDF hen the first Lebanon War broke should feel that way. inch-thick mattress. Oy vey! But who cares out in 1982, reservists from the I have always had a soft spot for the – you only sleep there anyway! No time Wnorth of Israel were called up young Israelis who, immediately after for unpacking as we are rushed off to get and, as a result, the shortage of manpower having finished their secondary education, our uniforms – the highlight of the day. on farms became a problem. General are called upon to serve their country. Uniforms are laundered but not ironed Aharon Davidi, former head of the IDF Volunteering to help the IDF was what and they come in four sizes: too short, Paratroopers and Infantry Corps, sent I wanted to do and I first joined Sar-El too long, too big, too small! Back at the shlichim (emissaries) to the US to recruit in 2002. My doctor had no problem barracks, we slip on our uniform and hope volunteers. This was an immediate suc- confirming that I was physically fit, but it will fit. Finally, we put on our adjustable cess: 650 volunteers arrived in Israel. The had to be convinced that joining Sar- belt and secure our cap under the epau- following year, Sar-El (Hebrew: Service for El at my age wasn’t a sign of a mental lette. Suddenly, a change of mood comes Israel) was born. Sar-El has grown from disorder! After my security status was over us: we stand upright and proud, our strength to strength and today some 4,000 approved, I joined my group in Israel at laughter fades and emotions take over – volunteers a year help the Israeli army with a designated meeting point. I spoke to we now really feel part of the country! civilian duties. There are also special youth new, apprehensive ‘recruits’ and to some The work varies from folding uniforms programmes during the summer holidays. returning Sarelniks and saw it as a good to checking gas masks, from painting to Volunteers come from all four corners sign if people kept coming back. sorting out medical supplies, depending of the globe: people of all ages, secular We were soon divided into groups on what is needed at the time. The work and religious, Jews and Christians from and sent to our respective bases. Some can be repetitive but it needs to be done. every conceivable background. While all camps have better facilities than others, The more demanding physical jobs are are committed to doing their share for but you can’t pick and choose: ‘You’re in usually given to strapping young men. the Israeli army on a one-, two- or three- the army now!’ Every group is escorted We were to remain on the base all week programme, probably their biggest by soldiers, madrichim who are in charge week and there would be no wandering contribution is the moral support they give of the volunteers for the duration of the out on shopping expeditions. Back at to the young soldiers. The latter greatly programme. After boarding our coach the barracks, unpacking is quick as there appreciate their presence on camp and ask and a brief introduction, we were read is very little storage space. I found my them ‘We have to do this – but you?’ The the Army Rules, the most important padlock, enabling me to lock away my answer is that many Jews in the Diaspora of which are: no alcohol, no drugs, no valuables when the cleaners would come feel the need to help support Israel in proselytising, boys and girls sleep in to do the room – but I soon discovered we defending their Jewish homeland. The separate quarters. were the cleaners. soldiers also realise that they’re not alone Patience and a well-developed sense The next morning, we joined the and that, in their words, ‘Not everyone of humour are a must. On the base, we regular soldiers on the parade ground. hates us.’ How sad that some young were first shown to our barracks, which We stood at ease, then to attention, then people who know how much their country usually sleep four to six. We could choose at ease again and I was honoured with contributes to the good of humanity any of the 2 ft 6in-wide beds with a 2 ½ continued opposite

parents had been murdered there and to show him the last letter sent by their reviews continued from page 9 he found it difficult to be sitting close parents when they were already on their to these Nazis in a small cell. way to Auschwitz. able to act professionally and without From a historical point of view, the In 2003 Howard took his son Brent hatred. The interviews extended over main interest in the book relates to back to Munich and his story was filmed many months, and sometimes Howard the description of the attitudes of the as a documentary, ‘Journey to Justice’. himself dealt directly with the prisoners. defendants to the defeat of Germany, This included his encounter with a At some stage he obtained books and their attempts to rationalise and school friend who had become a soldier written by the criminals, and each defend their actions. The interviews had in the Panzer SS. of them was even willing to put an no bearing on the verdicts, which were Part of the book covers the history of inscription in them. Some of these based on the factual evidence given in the events leading up to Kristallnacht were quite lengthy and could almost be court and are listed in the book. and will be very familiar to readers of the considered friendly dedications to their The actual experiences of Howard Journal, but serves as a good background interrogator. Altogether, 22 books with Triest, before the war and, more to those less informed about the early inscriptions were sent back to America importantly, after its end, form an stages of what eventually became the by Howard – it is not stated what later interesting separate story-line, especially Shoah. A minor criticism is that the pre- became of these. Throughout the when he returns to the city of his and post-war events are sometimes not interviews, Howard never revealed that birth and meets people he had known clearly separated in the text, and a more he was Jewish and this probably helped five years earlier. He also describes chronological presentation might have in making the prisoners talk more freely. how he discovered that his 70-year- been better. I also found it unfortunate What would their reaction have been if old grandmother had survived in that the opening two paragraphs of the they had known! Theresienstadt and he was able to drive book are written as if for a novel and In separate chapters the author her back to Munich in an army jeep, can sadly only be based on imagination. describes Howard’s memories of the wearing an American army greatcoat. This may put off readers from what is behaviour and attitudes of the main The experiences of Howard’s sister otherwise a factually-based book. It may criminals, including Göring, Streicher Margot are also chronicled and do not also serve as an interesting introduction and Hess, but his most challenging reflect well on the behaviour of the to the concept of electronic books. time was when he had to confront Vichy French. It was only with great The e-book concludes with a useful Hans Frank, the ‘Butcher of Poland’, difficulty that she was able to escape biography relating to the Nuremberg and Rudolf Höss, the commandant of over the mountains into Switzerland. trials and relevant aspects of the war. Auschwitz. By that time, he knew his When Howard visited her, she was able George Vulkan

10 An era comes to an end: Finance Director Gordon Greenfield to retire inance Director Gordon Greenfield, port special interest Gordon had introduced ‘a much-needed for so many years a towering presence group. level of professionalism as the AJR’s affairs Fat the AJR, is to retire. Andrew Kaufman,­ have become more complex over the During his 17 years with the AJR, Gordon Chairman of the AJR, years. He has also developed the systems successfully oversaw the development said that ‘Everyone needed for the Claims Conference grant of the entire Claims Conference grant at the AJR – not least application process, which has taken a processes each year, from writing the our members – owes significant part of his time over recent applications through to the giving of funds an enormous debt of years. This has enabled the AJR to maintain to claimants in accordance with the many gratitude to Gordon and extend support for our members with and varied criteria specified within the for his endeavours, critical social and welfare programmes. He terms of the grants. This year, these grants achievements and has always done this with a cheerful and will total £2.5m, and the tally over the 11 outstanding contri- helpful demeanour and, as Treasurer of years of the grants is now up to £15m. bution. We all wish him the very best for a the AJR, I shall miss him.’ This is a measure of the extent to which healthy, contented and lengthy retirement.’ The AJR Trustees hosted a reception for survivors and refugees have benefited. David Rothenberg, who as AJR Treasurer Gordon at Belsize Square Synagogue in Managing this work, together worked especially closely with Gordon, late September (see further report in next with his involvement with the various echoed these remarks and added that month’s issue of the Journal). emergency fund committees, gave Gordon considerable insight into the lives and circumstances of the AJR’s members. Receptionist and NEW MEMBERS OF STAFF This in turn led to his taking the lead Membership Secretary David Kaye, who succeeds Gordon­ in suggesting new and creative ways of Vivi returns home to Greenfield as ­Finance ­Director, is a quali- assisting members, whether to persuade Buenos Aires fied ­accountant who has spent 35 years in others of the need to change the rules Viviana Markstein is leaving the AJR various companies including­ Unilever and of the programmes so that more people and returning to Tyco International. He believes it is highly could benefit or to project future needs. Argentina. Her appropriate to have made the move into the In so doing, Gordon’s role developed father, a refugee ­charitable sector, and particularly into the beyond that of a finance director and from Vienna, sadly AJR, as he is a ‘second generation’ ­mem- his suggestions and contributions in all ber: his mother, Cilla, is a ‘Kind’ and member passed away earlier areas of work were both constructive of the AJR. this year and she and based on a genuine appreciation of Originally from west London, David has decided to members’ needs. In addition to his role of lives in Pinner. He and his wife Estelle return to Buenos Co-Director, in recent years Gordon also have three children. David is a keen Aires to be with her became the AJR’s link with its Kindertrans- Chelsea fan. mother and family.  Vivi came to England in 1997 and Karin Pereira, who replaces Viviana Sar-El: Volunteering for the IDF cont. began working for the AJR in September raising the flag. I was overwhelmed. I Markstein on reception, was born in that year, when the offices were in Heidelberg and left Germany for the UK could hear my heart beat as I ran up the Hampstead. flag. Tears rolled down my cheeks and I in 1985. Karin, who is married to AJR ‘From day one, everyone has been Centre Caretaker Joseph – they have two felt a knot in my throat when we sang friendly and helped me,’ Vivi says. ‘I felt children – started working for the Centre the HaTikvah while I stood to attention I was part of a big family. The fact that I in 2003 doing administrative work, next to our flag. have been in reception and looking after including booking the entertainment. On another base, the project for our the membership enabled me both to get In 2009 she moved to reception at the group of ten was to paint certain areas to know many of the members and to Centre, meeting and greeting members. and re-arrange the plants to produce a understand more about my family’s past.’ manicured garden ready for the welcome AJR Director Carol Rossen said Vivi reception for the new base commander. had been ‘a most capable, efficient ARTS AND EVENTS DIARY It worked like a military operation. The and popular member of staff. I fully next day, the officer in charge called us understand the reason she is leaving, october together around a table bedecked with but she will be enormously missed Mon 10 ‘New Directions in Holocaust drinks, biscuits and fruit and thanked us nonetheless.’ profusely in Hebrew, finishing with ‘Atem Research’ Free one-day conference at tsevet min haShamaim’ (You are a team Imperial War Museum North, organised from Heaven). Inga’s diary ‘in venerable company’ by the Centre for Jewish Studies and the Each time spent at Sar-El is a different Inga Joseph, who came to the UK from Department of Religions and Theology, ‘adventure’, has a different ‘flavour’ and Vienna by Kindertransport, is delighted University of Manchester and Imperial awakens different emotions. But the ‘good- that Oxford University’s renowned Bodleian War Museum North, 9.30 am-4.00 pm. Library has accepted the manuscripts of her feeling’ for the Neshama (the soul), the For further details, please contact Victoria diaries dating back to 1939. Howarth at [email protected] camaraderie and the good humour never Inga, a retired teacher of modern lan- change. guages who lives in Sheffield, chronicled her Mon 17 Ken Baldry, ‘Schubert and the We Sar-El volunteers support the IDF experiences, including coping with the news Power of Song’ Club 43 because we are part of ‘Am Israel’. that her mother had died in a concentration If you would like to participate in the camp, in a series of memoirs entitled My Mon 24 Dr Anthony Grenville, ‘The Darling Diary ­under the pen name Ingrid Settlement of the Refugees from Sar-El experience, please visit their Jacoby. website at www.sar-el.org or contact Recently, the Bodleian acquired The Germany and Austria in North West Jennie Goldstone at sarelvolunteers@ Watsons, an unfinished novel by Jane London from 1933’ Club 43 btinternet.com Austen. ‘I never expected my diaries Michèle Katz to end up in such venerable company,’ Inga Club 43 Meetings at Belsize Square This is an edited version of an ar­ ticle says, adding that the Sheffield section of Synagogue, 7.45 pm. Tel Ernst Flesch on which appeared in HaGan, the ­magazine her diaries has been promised to Sheffield 020 7624 7740 or Helene Ehrenberg on of Hampstead Garden Suburb ­Synagogue. Archives. 020 7286 9698.

11 AJR JOURNAL October 2011

Liverpool Tracing relatives We met at the home of Inge and Eric Worth waiting 90 years for Goldrein, where we welcomed a new ‘At 90 – a balloon trip?!’ Yes. I wanted second generation member. We discussed a balloon trip. At least it just came out tracing relatives. Some members had when my daughter Stella asked what I discovered long lost and previously wanted for my birthday. unknown relatives, some relatives had She immediately had the wires Ealing Improving matters been found by searchers at Yad Vashem, ­humming. One of two possible trips Meeting in Ealing Synagogue’s lovely one member found he had a second cousin was at 6 o’clock on the morning before new hall, we had a lively discussion on living in Europe who produced a family tree my birthday. That was out – I’m not in interaction between the Orthodox, Masorti, running to 16 pages. Guido Alis the army any more! So it had to be at Liberal and Reform communities and came Next meeting: 2 Nov at same venue 6 o’clock on the afternoon of my up with common-sense suggestions to birthday. Stella booked a place for me, improve matters. Leslie Sommer HGS Story of a war volunteer herself and her brother Jon’s daughters No October meeting due to Yom Tov Ronnie Green, who was born in Israel, gave Eleanor and Susannah. us a fascinating account of the Yom Kippur On the day, the wind was too gusty Welwyn GC 6th anniversary Jewish war, in which he volunteered to fight as a and flights were cancelled. Six weeks music programme platoon commander. Laszlo Roman later came a Monday when the wind Jane Rosenberg entertained us with Jewish Next meeting: 10 Oct. Andrea Cameron, was kind: ‘Go to a field marked “Pick music, including typical pieces from Russia, ‘History of the City of London’ Your Own, Wednesday Boot Sale and Ambrose’s dance music of the 20s, and her Dog Training”.’ We duly found it, with Café Imperial Bring back the own lovely voice. Alfred Simms Jon and family already there. Soon a van No October meeting due to Yom Tov Home Guard! arrived with the big basket and a black ‘Dad’s Yiddishche Army’ (newly named bag. ‘Sorry folks, the wind forecast was by Andre) discussed the awfulness of the Ilford 9th birthday wrong – from here we would have flown London riots. Bring back the Home Guard! Our 9th birthday was a great success straight into Luton Airport!’ So we drove Esther Rinkoff thanks to the heroic efforts of Myrna and north to Shuttleworth. devoted volunteers. The delightful Lynne East Midlands Summer meeting The mysterious black bag was opened Bradley entertained us to her musical and out came a long red snake. When autobiography that was hilarious and Meeting at Ruth and Jurgen Schwiening's lovely old home in deepest Leicestershire, it was finally unrolled, two huge fans moving in equal parts. Edith Poulsen blew cold air into the balloon. The fans No October meeting due to Yom Tov we had a good turnout. Our hosts laid on a delicious lunch and even arranged were taken away and the burner was Bromley CF Not a dull moment four super musicians to entertain us with allowed two short bursts. Majestically Meeting at Liane Segal’s home, we were klezmer music. We missed our centenar- the balloon rose into the air, and we shown Ruth Young’s 90th birthday photo ian member, who passed away earlier this scrambled into the basket. The burners album, containing many reminders of Ger- year. We hope to hold our next meeting at inflated the balloon until it was nearly man children’s books. Another member the beginning of November. RJN full. A further small puff, the basket brought equally fascinating photos from slithered a few yards and we were off. her mother’s family. Not a dull moment. Marlow CF Inaugural meeting Soon we were high in the air, feeling Hazel Beiny We gathered, talked and decided happily wonderfully free and elated. Next meeting: 25 Oct. Lunch and screening to continue to meet, hopefully for years The pilot pointed out landmarks, the of Watermarks to come. Alan Kaye most obvious being the control tower Next meeting: 17 Oct. Social get-together at Luton Airport. Once we reached a OUTING TO height of 1,800 feet – had it been less ROYAL COURTS OF JUSTICE Temple Fortune Talk by Jenny Manson misty, we could have seen the Malvern MONDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2011 Jenny Manson told us about her first book Hills 60 miles away. 11.00 am ‘What It Feels Like to Be Me’ and mentioned­ Gradually we sank lower and lower. ‘Oh look, a big house straight ahead!’ The Royal Courts of Justice building her forthcoming book ‘What Happened to Not just a house, but a beautifully accommodates both the Court of the Public Sector?’ We ended with a Q&A restored Baroque palace – Wrest Appeal and the High Court. This guided session and round-table discussion. Park House, due to be opened to the tour will last approximately 1½ hours David Lang public in a few days. The magnificent and involve a fair amount of walking No October meeting due to Yom Tov Renaissance gardens came into view. and stairs (disabled access is available Touchdown on the floral parquet throughout the building). ALSO IN OCTOBER seemed inevitable, with trees in front After the tour we will have lunch in the Cardiff 24 Oct. Lunchtime of us! The pilot gave a massive burner Courts restaurant and be joined by Lord get-together plus speaker burst, we jumped up a little, almost Neuberger. The Rt. Hon. Lord Neuberger Essex No meeting due to Yom Tov clearing a tree, as we plonked down of Abbotsbury was appointed Master in the ploughed field behind the of the Rolls with effect from 1 October Brighton & Hove Sarid The worries manicured gardens of Wrest Park. The 2009. The Master of the Rolls is the Head of a Jewish grandmother English Heritage Security – an elderly of Civil Justice and the second most We were treated to a morning of poetry lady in a jeep – was speechless but glad senior judge in England and Wales. written and read by Shirley Jaffe. The we had caused no damage. Places are limited, so please book poems were family-oriented, reflecting the A glass of champagne and a certificate early. For further details, call Susan love and worries of a Jewish grandmother. signed by Sir Richard Branson ended a Harrod on 020 8385 3070. Ceska Abrahams Next meeting: 17 Oct. Evelyn Friedlander, glorious experience. Well worth the wait Pinner spirits not dampened ‘The History of Synagogues in Germany’ of 90 years. Alfred Simms After several sunny days, the day of our annual garden party turned out Cambridge A reminder of past horrors reminder of past horrors. Keith Lawson thoroughly wet and miserable. So we Eva Clarke gave a fascinating account of her Next meeting: 27 October. David Barnett, gathered in Vera’s house to enjoy a lovely parents’ survival in various concentration ‘Shops and Shopping in Regency London’ tea and lots of conversation. Our spirits camps and her own birth at a train stop were not dampened! Paul Samet between Auschwitz and Mauthausen. Her Edgware Lewis Carroll in Germany Next meeting: 6 Oct. Outing to see Czech 94-year-old mother attended our meeting Roger Scowen from the Lewis Carroll Scrolls at Westminster Synagogue and added wonderfully to a very special Society gave us a presentation on Lewis

12 AJR JOURNAL october 2011

­ Annual Northern Get-together and Paul Balint AJR Centre AJR 70th Anniversary Celebration 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 From Sheffield to Kendal, from Liver- topics of interest to all the generations. In Tel: 020 7328 0208 pool to Newcastle and Sunderland, from the morning, there was also a discussion ­Bradford and Leeds to north and south group led by Sir Erich Reich and Sue Manchester – over 80 AJR members came Kurlander on ‘First Impressions of the UK’. KT-AJR ­together for an inter-­ Topics of other­ Kindertransport special active day in Leeds discussion groups interest group chaired by Michael included ­Israel and ­Newman. About a there was an inter­ - 3 October 2011 third of those pres- ­generational dis- Anthony Grenville ent were from cussion on the will talk about his book the second and ­future of ­Holocaust third ­generations. education and on Jewish Refugees from This year was some of the ex- Germany and Austria special because we citing educational (From left) Back Susanne Green, Alice projects develop- also celebrated­ our Rubinstein, Michael Newman, Rachel Hunter, KINDLY NOTE THAT LUNCH WILL BE ing at Leeds HSFA 70th ­anniversary Linda Paterson, Jeanette Rubinstein Front SERVED AT 12.30 PM ON MONDAYS with a histor­ y of Barbara Dresner Dorrity, Sue Kurlander, Sir Erich and Manchester the AJR by AJR Reich, Heinz Skyte, Bronia Veitch Jewish Museum. Reservations required Journal Consultant A special anni- Please telephone 020 7328 0208 Editor ­Dr ­Anthony Grenville. versary cake was cut by Lola Michaelis, at 97 Following a delicious lunch provided by the oldest member present. Hannah Strong, the Sinai Synagogue Ladies Committee, 10, of the third generation, joined in as the Monday, Wednesday & Thursday Linda Paterson, Chief Executive of British youngest member ­present. 9.30 am – 3.30 pm Friends of Yad Vashem, gave insight into A memorable 70th anniversary celebra- new developments at Yad Vashem. tion and inter-generational get-together! Please note that the Centre is We split up into discussion groups with Susanne Green closed on Tuesdays

Carroll’s only trip abroad. The tour was Radlett Hits from the early 1900s October Entertainment mainly of Germany and of particular Alf Keiles played us recordings of musical Mon 3 KT LUNCH interest was his visit to the Neue Synagoge hits from the early 1900s. Then, in a – Kards & Games Klub in Berlin. Hazel Beiny general knowledge quiz, Esther managed Tue 4 CLOSED Next meeting: 18 Oct. Howard Lanning, to demonstrate the deplorable knowledge Wed 5 Ronnie Goldberg ‘80 Years in the Film Industry’ of at least one of the participants! Thur 6 Douglas Poster Fritz Starer Mon 10 Kards & Games Klub AJR GROUP CONTACTS Next meeting: Gerald Curzon, ‘Jews on Tue 11 CLOSED Bradford Continental Friends the Silk Road’; 4th anniversary Wed 12 Ann Shirley & Margaret Colby Lilly and Albert Waxman 01274 581189 Brighton & Hove (Sussex Region) Harrogate/York CF Thur 13 CLOSED – Succot Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3070 Meeting at the Schatzbergers, we Mon 17 Kards & Games Klub Bristol/Bath – Monday Movie Matinee Kitty Balint-Kurti 0117 973 1150 bemoaned the loss of Stefan Ruff, Cambridge noting that he had been determined to Tue 18 CLOSED Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 be buried in Vienna, the city of his birth. Wed 19 Jen Gould Cardiff Most of the afternoon was devoted to Thur 20 CLOSED – Shemini Atzereth Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Cleve Road, AJR Centre discussing ‘What is Jewishness?’ Otto Mon 24 Kards & Games Klub Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Greenfield (Grunfeld) and Arek Hersh met Tue 25 CLOSED Dundee up for the first time since they were in Wed 26 Paul Toshner Agnes Isaacs 0755 1968 593 the Lake District, where the ‘Boys’ from Ealing Thur 27 Margaret Opdahl Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 continued on page 15 East Midlands (Nottingham) Bob Norton 01159 212 494 ‘DROP IN’ ADVICE SERVICE Edgware Norfolk (Norwich) Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3077 Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Members requiring benefit advice please telephone Edinburgh North London Linda Kasmir on 020 8385 3070 to make an Françoise Robertson 0131 337 3406 Ruth Jacobs 020 8445 3366 appointment at AJR, Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Essex (Westcliff) Oxford Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL Larry Lisner 01702 300812 Susie Bates 01235 526 702 Glasgow Pinner (HA Postal District) Claire Singerman 0141 649 4620 Vera Gellman 020 8866 4833 Hazel Beiny, Southern Groups Co-ordinator Harrogate Radlett 020 8385 3070 Inge Little 01423 886254 Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 Hendon Sheffield Myrna Glass, London South and Midlands Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 Steve Mendelsson 0114 2630666 Groups Co-ordinator Hertfordshire South London 020 8385 3077 Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 Lore Robinson 020 8670 7926 Susanne Green, Northern Groups Co-ordinator HGS South West Midlands (Worcester area) 0151 291 5734 Gerda Torrence 020 8883 9425 Myrna Glass 020 8385 3070 Susan Harrod, Groups’ Administrator Hull Surrey 020 8385 3070 Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Edmée Barta 01372 727 412 Ilford Temple Fortune Agnes Isaacs, Scotland and Newcastle Meta Rosenell 020 8505 0063 Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 Co-ordinator 0755 1968 593 Leeds HSFA Weald of Kent Trude Silman 0113 237 1872 Janet Weston 01959 564 520 Esther Rinkoff, Southern Region Co-ordinator Liverpool Wembley 020 8385 3077 Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Laura Levy 020 8904 5527 KT-AJR (Kindertransport) Manchester Wessex (Bournemouth) Andrea Goodmaker 020 8385 3070 Werner Lachs 0161 773 4091 Mark Goldfinger 01202 552 434 Child Survivors Association–AJR Newcastle West Midlands (Birmingham) Henri Obstfeld 020 8954 5298 Walter Knoblauch 0191 2855339 Fred Austin 01384 252310

13 AJR JOURNAL October 2011

family announcements The Abbeyfield Camden Society Deaths Hellman, Joanna (née Strauss) died on 15 August. She is greatly missed by her daughter Jacqueline and son Michael; Belmont Lodge grandsons Isaac, Nathan, Solomon and 59 Belmont Road, Bushey, Herts Benjamin; seven great-grandchildren; and A very sheltered home for the elderly Walter Goddard, George Strauss and Her- En Suite – Kosher Catering – Communal Sun Lounge bert Graf. Until recently she enjoyed going We offer friendly homely, secure and loving care for our residents along with regularly to the AJR Centre in Cleve Road. many stimulating weekly activities. • Bridge Weinberg, Rolf, 1919-2011 Missed • Discussion group and always remembered by all his fam- • Handicrafts ily and friends. Shalom, dear Rolf, your • Growing plants for our lovely garden • Visits to local places of interest and much more companion for many years, Ruth. VERY REASONABLE RATES Do you have a relative who may be interested in TRIP TO ISRAEL becoming a resident at Belmont Lodge? We are hoping to arrange a trip to Would you like to join our vibrant team of volunteers who organise, Israel from 29 November to transport or escort our residents on various outings and friendship clubs? 8 December 2011 If so please contact: staying half-board at the or House Manager King Solomon Hotel in Netanya. Jane Kessler Margaret £1,300 pp in twin/double room, £200 0208 455 3652 01923 213964 supplement for single room Price includes El Al flights from Heathrow, transfers to and from hotel, sightseeing most days, entrance fees volunteers needed where necessary. To run a bridge club, art club and book club We have been able to book the excellent guide we had on our last trip. For further details, please telephone Carol Hart, For further details, please contact Head of Volunteer Services, Carol Rossen or Lorna Moss on 020 8385 3083 on 020 8385 3070. This will be a fairly full itinerary which will involve some walking. AJR CENTRE Home Care ColvinCare through quality and AT BELSIZE SQUARE professionalism Celebrating our 25th Anniversary Robert Schon SYNAGOGUE 25 years of experience in providing the highest standards of care in the comfort Tax Solicitor of your own home Member of Solicitors for the Elderly From January 2012, the I specialise in: AJR Centre at Belsize Square Estate Planning Synagogue will be open on Powers of Attorney and Deputyship applications Tuesdays and Thursdays Living wills 1 hour to 24 hours care Tax and non domicile issues including (and not Mondays and Thursdays Registered through the National Care Standard Commission helping to bring undeclared offshore funds as previously announced) Call our 24 hour tel 020 7794 9323 to the attention of HMRC www.colvin-nursing.co.uk Tel 020 7267 5010 Email: [email protected] West Hill House, 6 Swains Lane, London N6 6QS PillarCare wanted to buy Quality support and care at home German and LEO BAECK HOUSING  Hourly Care from 4 hours – 24 hours English Books ASSOCIATION  Live-In/Night Duty/Sleepover Care CLARA NEHAB HOUSE Bookdealer, AJR member,  Convalescent and Personal Health Care RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME welcomes invitations to view Small caring residential home with large attractive  Compassionate and Affordable Service gardens close to local shops and public transport and purchase valuable books. 25 single rooms with full en suite facilities  Professional, Qualified, Kind Care Staff 24 hour Permanent and Respite Care Entertainment & Activities provided  Registered with the CQC and UKHCA Robert Hornung Ground Floor Lounge and Dining Room Lift access to all floors. 10 Mount View, Ealing, Call us on Freephone 0800 028 4645 For further information please contact: London W5 1PR PILLARCARE The Manager, Clara Nehab House Email: [email protected] THE BUSINESS CENTRE · 36 GLOUCESTER AVENUE · LONDON NW1 7BB 13-19 Leeside Crescent, London NW11 0DA PHONE: 020 7482 2188 · FAX: 020 7900 2308 Tel: 020 8998 0546 Telephone: 020 8455 2286 www.pillarcare.co.uk

14 AJR JOURNAL october 2011

Obituary Yogi Mayer, 8 September 1912 – 8 July 2011 dynamic personality and powerful Committee to ideas to harness youthful energy. He gave sportsman, Paul Mayer – always help integrate local boys time and space for football by A known as Yogi though the reasons teenage survivors persuading the council to install floodlighting were never explained – was also an of Nazi camps into and AstroTurf. He started a boat club and outstanding youth leader and a serious normal life. A total youth theatre, brought in youth workers sports historian and ethicist. of 732 youngsters, to engage with boys who did not join in Growing up in south-west Germany including 80 communal activities, and developed centres with step-parents (his mother died when girls – all came for school non-attenders. he was six and his father when he was to be known as In retirement, he contributed his ex- 12), he developed self-reliance and love ‘the Boys’ – were pertise in training youth workers through of adventure. He studied art and sport at flown to the UK from August 1945 and courses at North London College and was Berlin and Frankfurt universities until Hitler placed in hostels. a governor of Islington College. He turned expelled Jews from higher education. He Yogi became a father figure, giving them increasingly to documenting sport from the then taught PE at a Jewish school in the sports, social graces, continental food, and start of the modern Olympic Games and, in Black Forest. He was deeply involved in the a place they could look on as home, and particular, the contribution made by Jews. Jewish youth movement, for which he was motivated them to excel in their chosen His book Jews and the Olympic Games: taken to task by the Gestapo. paths in life. When ‘the Boys’ became the Sport – A Springboard for Minorities was In the months before the 1936 Berlin ‘45 Aid Society, named after the year they published in 2004. Olympics, he trained for the pentathlon at a arrived in Britain, Yogi became life deputy In 1997 he was appointed MBE for special Olympics camp for Jews in Ettlingen, president. services to young people and in 1998 near the Black Forest – in case there was Back at Brady as club leader and then was awarded an honorary doctorate from international pressure to admit them, which director in 1951-65, he focused on shaping Potsdam University in recognition of his never happened. the boys’ aspirations regarding their own lifetime devotion to sporting practice, He left Germany in May 1939 with his futures. With a programme of sport, art, theory, ethics and history. wife, Ilse, and baby son. He worked in a debate, drama and plenty of competition, Ilse died in 2006 after 65 years of leather factory but enrolled in the Pioneer he introduced them to a wider world. He marriage. With his daughters’ devoted Corps immediately it accepted German Jews took them camping around Britain and on care, he remained independent at home, and joined the Special Operations Executive, Alpine treks, and made use of weekends at maintaining his personal and professional where he trained men on how to speak and Skeet, the Kent country house bought for relationships here and in Germany until act when infiltrated behind enemy lines in the club as a retreat during the war. Brady the start of this year, when he moved into Germany. boys were among the first to take part in Jewish Care’s Lady Sarah Cohen House After the war he worked in Stepney as the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, – and promptly became its star attraction. a sports and art instructor at Brady Boys’ initiated in 1956. He is survived by his son Thomas, daugh- Club, to which he returned after running In 1965-80 Yogi was youth officer for ters Monica and Carol, four grandchildren, the Primrose Club in 1947-51. The Primrose Islington Council, whose huge council and five great-grandchildren. Club was set up by the Jewish Refugees estates gave him scope for his pioneering Ruth Rothenberg

inside the ajr continued from page 13 Theresienstadt were repatriated in 1945. Next meeting: 26 Oct. Natasha Solomon’s North London 10th birthday in style Marc Schatzberger ‘The Novel in the Viola’ We celebrated our 10th birthday in style. A Next meeting: 5 Oct. At the home of the lovely cold lunch was provided and Harry Littles Leeds CF Rain doesn’t stop play Harris gave us a musical rendition. Thank We held our annual garden party at the Wembley CF bumper crop you, Myrna, for your hard work and thank home of volunteer Pippa Landey – in the you to all the volunteers helping her. A bumper crop of people attended our lounge looking out on the rain-washed social get-together, including three new- Herbert Haberberg countryside. But we weren’t deterred from Next meeting: 27 Oct. Renée Tyack, ‘They comers. Talking of bumper crops, Myrna enjoying an afternoon of lively chat and a Called Her Cassandra’ came loaded with plums from her garden, fun quiz. Barbara Cammerman begging us to take some home. Next meeting: 10 Oct. Irene Stanton Surrey summer get-together No October meeting due to Yom Tov Kent The tale of scroll 129 Our summer get-together was held once David Lawson told us the tale of scroll again in Edmee’s wonderfully hospitable Hendon An amusing anecdote home. Over 20 members attended, Jewish Museum volunteer Larry Ross led 129, a sefer torah dating back to 1911 and originally housed in Ostrava. The enjoying lively conversation and the usual us through each floor of this heritage site. lavish food. Eva Gold-Young Amusing anecdote from a little girl: ‘Please scroll is now safely ensconced in Kingston sir, what’s the difference between a mikvah Synagogue after a fascinating journey. and a barmikvah?’ Esther Rinkoff Esther Rinkoff Cleve Road A most successful meeting Next meeting: 24 Oct. Rita Best, costume Next meeting: 25 Oct. DVD: Bruno Muller Renée Tyack read extracts from her book returns to Crakow designer ‘They Called Her Cassandra’, about how her mother Ruth had been primarily Book Club ‘The English German Girl’ Friendly company at Oxford summer lunch responsible for getting her family to Eight members, consisting of 3 over 90’s, Meeting at the home of Susie and John England from Leipzig just two days before 2 at 89 and the rest in their 80s – a young, Bates, we enjoyed a variety of home- the war. A most successful meeting. active group! – discussed ‘The English cooked and continental foods and, as David Lang German Girl’. Most found it excellent; always, friendly company. Thank you from Next meeting: 25 Oct. Val Alliez, some said it was upsetting. Hazel Beiny all of us! Anne Selinger ‘Southwark and the Globe Theatre’

15 AJR JOURNAL October 2011

Letter from Israel

Eilat festival trip to Eilat is always a pleasure, the springtime, the Israel Opera gives Russia and Holland, came on to the stage and especially in the winter, when spectacular performances of operas there one by one and played for our delect­ation. A the weather in Jerusalem is cold to audiences numbering 7,000 at a time. The technical mastery and musicality and rainy. The four-hour drive takes one But we press on to Eilat, where last these youngsters displayed left us all open- through the Judean Desert, along the winter we attended the final weekend of mouthed, and hopefully they will all go on Dead Sea, and down to the Negev. The concerts in the framework of the Eilat to successful careers in their chosen fields. mountains in Jordan, on the far side of Chamber Music Festival. Outstanding The festival in Eilat is sponsored by one the Dead Sea, look distant and romantic in musicians from Israel and abroad, among of Israel’s leading banks, as well as by the shades of pink, yellow and purple, while on them Peter Wispelwey, Dejan Lazic and Eilat municipality and the British Council. our side they seem to be dusty and brown. Antony Pay, to name but a few, played The audience is drawn from local music- One wonders if ours look romantic from some of the gems of the chamber music lovers as well as tourists and Israelis from the other side, and whether from close up repertoire. The performances were given other parts of the country who come to those, too, are dusty and brown. over two weekends, and in the intervening Eilat to get away from the winter in the Along the way one also passes the week young musicians from all over the north and enjoy the opportunity to hear caves of Qumran, the site where the Dead world attended master classes. The gala some top-notch interpreters of chamber Sea Scrolls were found, brought to light by concert on the last day of the festival music. But the Eilat Chamber Music an accident of fate and obtained for Israel consisted of a performance of Bach’s St. Festival has to compete with at least two through the acuity of Yigael Yadin’s father, John Passion performed by the Gabrieli other music festivals held in Eilat each scholar and professor of archaeology, Consort conducted by Paul McCreech. winter, so that the auditorium in which the Eliezer Sukenik. A little further along we Personally, I found the performance a concerts were given was not always full. come in sight of Massada, the mountain little too low-key for my taste. We were Each year we are told that the future of on which King Herod built his winter told that that’s the way Bach performed the festival is uncertain, but each year it palace and where the last zealots of it, but I prefer a larger choir. returns with even more stellar performers. the Jewish Revolt held out against the Earlier that day, however, we were So it is to be hoped that all those who have Romans, only to take their own lives treated to a spectacle of a different kind. helped to fund it until now will continue to rather than accept a fate of slavery. It The talented young musicians who had do so in the future, so that we can continue also marks the archaeological site that participated in the master classes, three to benefit from its unique contribution to was excavated by Yigael Yadin – almost pianists and three violinists, ranging in age Israel’s musical scene. a family business, one might say. In from 16 to 26 and originating from Israel, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson

letters to the editor continued from page 7 with them are the concerns of the top GROWN IN ISRAEL my hand. Smiling broadly, he looked echelons of society. They failed utterly. We Sir – Post-war anti-Semitism has taken around to the other startled customers, saw in disbelief the inaction of the police some odd twists and turns along its ugly presumably to ensure they would listen and the government, which fiddled while route. Picture this: a rather scruffy-looking, and watch. England burned! The top policemen had local green grocer displaying many boxes ‘Oh Madam, no Madam,’ he yelled, resigned. The Mayor of London wielded filled with self-destructing fruit and veg ‘You don’t want to buy no mangoes. a new broom. Those who wreaked havoc placed on the pavement outside the shop. Them’s Jew food – they’re grown in were not even made to clean it up! On that particular day, much of the fruit Palestine. No, Madam, you don’t want Instead of apprehending ‘a handful’ of was certainly on the turn, but winking at that – it’s Jewish!’ looters, over 2,500 so far, at the scene of me invitingly was a large heap of fragrant, I never returned to this shop but, even their crime, 16,000 officers – too many and fully ripe mangoes in a box marked ‘Grown one year on, my mind still boggles at too late – relied on CCTVs, stating ‘Police in Israel’. the sheer stupidity of a trader who buys will hunt down rioters for two years!’ No Unable to resist any longer, I grabbed ‘Jewish’ food grown in Israel, but then problem: we will pay for it! one of the mangoes and hurried inside warns his customers not to buy it. Fred Stern, to pay. Imagine my surprise/horror when Laura Meyer Levy Wembley, Middx the shop owner wrenched the fruit from (address not supplied) Published by the Association of Jewish Refugees in Great Britain, Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL Telephone 020 8385 3070 Fax 020 8385 3080 e-mail [email protected] For the latest AJR news, including details of forthcoming events and information about our services, visit www.ajr.org.uk Printed by FBprinters LLP, 26 St Albans Lane, London NW11 7QB Tel: 020 8458 3220 Email: [email protected]

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