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Dr. Paul Yogi Mayer MBE interviewed by Sir Martin Gilbert

Issue • No.34 • 2010 JOURNAL 2010:JOURNAL 2010 24/2/10 12:04 Page 2

CH ARTER ED AC C OU NTANTS MARTIN HELLER

5 North End Road • London NW11 7RJ Tel 020 8455 6789 • Fax 020 8455 2277 email: [email protected]

REGISTERED AUDIT ORS

simmons stein & co. SOLI CI TORS

Compass House, Pynnacles Close, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 4AF Telephone 020 8954 8080 Facsimile 020 8954 8900 dx 48904 stanmore web site www.simmons-stein.co.uk Gary Simmons and Jeffrey Stein wish the ’45 Aid every success

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THE ’45 AID SOCIETY (HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS) PRESIDENT SECRETARY SIR MARTIN GILBERT C.B.E.,D.LITT., F.R.S.L M ZWIREK 55 HATLEY AVENUE, BARKINGSIDE, VICE PRESIDENTS IFORD IG6 1EG BEN HELFGOTT M.B.E., D.UNIV. (SOUTHAMPTON) COMMITTEE MEMBERS LORD GREVILLE JANNER OF M BANDEL (WELFARE OFFICER), BRAUNSTONE Q.C. S FREIMAN, M FRIEDMAN, PAUL YOGI MAYER M.B.E. V GREENBERG, S IRVING, ALAN MONTEFIORE, FELLOW OF BALLIOL J KAGAN, B OBUCHOWSKI, COLLEGE, OXFORD H OLMER, I RUDZINSKI, H SPIRO, DAME SIMONE PRENDEGAST D.B.E., J.P., D.L. J GOLDBERGER, D PETERSON, KRULIK WILDER HARRY SPIRO SECRETARY (LONDON) MRS RUBY FRIEDMAN CHAIRMAN BEN HELFGOTT M.B.E., D.UNIV. SECRETARY (MANCHESTER) (SOUTHAMPTON) MRS H ELLIOT

VICE CHAIRMAN ZIGI SHIPPER JOURNAL OF THE TREASURER K WILDER ‘45 AID SOCIETY FLAT 10 WATLING MANSIONS, EDITOR WATLING STREET, RADLETT, BEN HELFGOTT HERTS WD7 7NA

All submissions for publication in the next issue (including letters to the Editor and Members’ News Items) should be sent to: RUBY FRIEDMAN, 4 BROADLANDS, HILLSIDE ROAD, RADLETT, HERTS WD7 7BX

ACK NOW LE DG MEN TS

SALEK BENEDICT for the cover design. RUBY FRIEDMAN and ARZA HELFGOTT for their kind assistance. PEGGY LUCAS for the typing of the Journal. ANGELA COHEN (daughter of Lottie and Moshe Malenicky) for facilitating the printing of the Journal.

Design by DOUGLAS///LEE

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I NDE X

SECTION I Page 39 NANO VIEW Page 75-76 THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY Page 5 CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS Witold Gutt Efram Goldberg Ben Helfgott Page 40-41 MY LATEST TRIP TO Page 76-78 HOLOCAUST EDUCATION Page 6 SECTION II AUSTRIA Ariel Sherman PAST AND PRESENT Anita Lasker Walfisch Page 6-7 THE STORY OF THE JEWS Page 78-79 “THE BOYS” OF DOLGINOVO Page 41-44 LODZ – A TALE OF A CITY Denise Pearlman Jack Kagan Mira Hamermesh Page 79-80 EXPLORE THROUGH Page 7-8 MEMORIES OF MY Page 45-47 FIRST HIS PARENTS, ARTIST COUSINS HARRY THEN HIS SON, Aviva Halter-Hurn WAJCHENDLER & THEN HIS WIFE HOWARD CHANDLER Alex Gross Page 80 LATEST NEWS FROM Barbara Merton nee Brampton 2ND GENERAL ISRAEL, Page 48-51 MY POST-WAR MEMOIR JANUARY 2010 Page 8 HIS LAST SLICE OF Jerzy Lando Nina Hecht BREAD Sam Freiman Page 54-55 THE MAYOR AND Page 81 SECTION V THE BOOK THE ANNUAL LEONARD G. Page 8-9 GOING HOME TO TELL Aubrey Rose CBE, D.Univ MONTEFIORE LECTURE HIS STORY Page 81-84 THE ROAD TO WAR – 70 Sonja Freiman Page 55-57 ISRAEL TODAY YEARS ON Aubrey Rose CBE, D.Univ William Tyler MA(Oxon) Page 9-14 THE SONNENSCHEIN M.Phil FAMILY Page 58 WHERE THE Janina Fischler-Martinho DAFFODILS GROW Page 84 SECTION VI Zdenka Husserl, OBITUARIES Page 14-19 OUR GOLDBERG Rachel Oppenheim Page 84-85 RABBI VARIATIONS SYMCHA LIEBERMAN Esther Goldberg Page 59-60 THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL FORUM Page 85-86 ARTHUR POZNANSKI Page 19-20 AN UNBELIEVABLE IN THE FORGOTTEN Michael Friedland MIRACLE HAPPENED CONCENTRATION CAMP TO ME Jean-Louis Rey Page 86-87 JOHN FOX - A TRIBUTE BY Alfred Huberman HIS DAUGHTER Page 60-62 SCHLIEBEN – A Lesley Testan Page 21-23 PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND FORGOTTEN Harry Olmer CONCENTRATION CAMP Page 87-88 MY GRANDFATHER Professor Ken Walzer Jessie Fox Brenner Page 23 EXTRACT FROM A MEMOIR Page 62-63 RUDOLF KASTNER Page 88-90 MONIEK GOLDBERG – A Arthur Poznanski Rt. Hon. Sir Martin Gilbert EULOGY BY HIS SON David Goldberg Page 23-24 MY SEARCH FOR FAMILY Page 63-65 PRAGUE CONFERENCE PHOTOS ON HOLOCAUST Page 91-92 MONTY GRAHAM’S STORY Menachem Silberstein ERA ASSETS By his family German Statement in the Page 24-25 THREE ‘BOYS’ ON A TRAIN Plenary Session Page 92-93 EVA JULIA GRAHAM Jan Goldberger Tony Graham Page 65-67 MY PERSPECTIVE ON THE Page 26-31 INTERNATIONAL JEWISH DILEMMA Page 94 JUDGE CHILDREN’S CENTER Otto Grunfeld ISRAEL FINESTEIN QC KLOSTER INDERSDORF Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks 1945-1948 Page 67-68 TEACHING THE Anna Andlauer HOLOCAUST TO Page 95 ISRAEL FINESTEIN YOUNG MUSLIMS Aubrey Rose CBE D.Univ Page 32 WHERE ARE THEY NOW Geoffrey Short Page 95-96 CHARLES (CHAIM) SHANE Page 33 SECTION III Page 68-70 CLAIMS CONFERENCE Michael Shane HERE AND NOW UPDATE Page 33 FROM GENERATION TO Page 96-97 SECTION VII GENERATION Page 70-71 WIDOWS’ THOUGHTS MEMBERS NEWS 2009 Robert Sherman Maureen Hecht Compiled by Ruby Friedman

Page 34 A SURVIVOR’S VOICE Page 71 SIR MARTIN GILBERT Page 97-99 SECTION VIII TODAY INTERVIEWS 97 YEAR OLD MANCHESTER NEWS 2009 Judith Sherman YOGI MAYER Compiled by Louise Elliot Page 34 AN UNUSUAL Page 72 SECTION IV Page 100 SECTION IX EXPERIENCE SECOND AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS Jack Klajman THIRD GENERATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Page 72-73 WHAT THE JOURNAL HAS Page 35-37 A ‘LAD’ MEETS THE ‘BOYS’ MEANT FOR ME Page 101 SECTION X Derek Simmans David Goldberg ANNUAL OSCAR JOSEPH HOLOCAUST AWARDS Page 37-39 POETRY CHOICE Page 73-74 THE EXCLUSIVE SECOND Liz Cashdan GENERATION CLUB Page 102 “THE BOYS” Daniela Becher IN WINDERMERE Page 39 TREASURES OF AUTUMN 1945 BLACK DEATH Page 75 JENNIFER RUBIN Witold Gutt Shirley & Joseph Zeller

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SECTION I CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

his year marks the 65th anniversary of our childhood and early adolescence and our our liberation as well as the 65th recollections of how we coped after our arrival anniversary of the arrival of most of in England are of equal importance and ourTmembers to Britain. We marvel when we interest and may serve as an inspiration to cast our minds back and reflect on the path others. I am asking for contributions about we have travelled together on our long jour- this period of your lives. In the light of this ney. Unfortunately our original numbers I’d like to draw your attention to the 1st have dwindled and we have lost many friends installment of an article “My Post-war over the years. We shall remember them and Memoir” by Jerzy Lando who is a regular always cherish their memory. We think also contributor to our Journal. of those remarkable people who extended The second group of “The Boys” stayed in their help to us when first we came to this Kloster Indersdorf before they came to country. For years they graced our table at Southampton It will be interesting for them, our reunions and other events admiring our as well as for others, to learn that many swift integration into the community. Alas, survivors who did not come with us to they too are no longer here. The biological England were also looked after at this centre. clock has done its work. However we I’d like to draw your attention to an article are delighted to still enjoy the company in this edition by Anna Andlauer “The and friendship of Yogi Mayer our leader and International Children’s Centre Kloster mentor at the Primrose Club. It is generally Indersdorf 1945 - 1948” as well as the many acknowledged that the Primrose Club, under pictures printed alongside it. the devoted leadership of Yogi, played a very Ariel Sherman, the granddaughter of important part in our rehabilitation and Judith and Robert Sherman, in her article adjustment. His interest in our welfare has “Holocaust Education as an Important Step never ceased. in the Changing World’s View of the Shoa” On the occasion of Yogi’s 97th birthday, makes some relevant observations which our members, together with members of the could be of interest for the Second and Third former “Brady Boys Club” who also owe a Generation. I quote one of her very important debt to him, came together to listen to his remarks: “As survivors pass on, the duty to reminiscences of the past. You will find a remember falls upon the shoulders of the short summary of this remarkable evening by children and especially the grandchildren of the former Bradian Leon Rogers. The picture the survivors. We will be the last generation on the cover taken that evening is that of with living contact to Holocaust survivors. Yogi being interviewed by our President We bear the names of their murdered loved Sir Martin Gilbert. It was Yogi’s initiative ones and carry their legacy with us. We will to have the book “The Boys -Triumph over be their memory, but also their voice, their Adversity” translated and published in life” It is comforting to know that our German. The book was highly acclaimed and children and grandchildren are becoming recommended by the reviewers and has made more active and we should give them as much a great impression on the German public. encouragement as possible. Up to now, our Journal has concentrated This year the theme of Holocaust Memorial mainly on articles of the past especially those Day was “The Legacy of Hope”. It is this relating to, and affected by, our experiences message that we strive to pass on to present during the war. We must continue to write and future generations. We have shown about these experiences as they must never that people have the capacity to survive the be forgotten. We are about to embark upon a most unimaginable suffering, cruelty and new project and I would like to invite you atrocities and emerge with the ability not just to participate in this new and important to live like normal human beings but exhibit venture. We have a special story to tell about the finest aspects of human behaviour.

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SECTION II PAST AND PRESENT The story of the Jews of Dolginovo

n June this year I Jack Kagan in the region of Vileika received an invitation and found a partisan from the Belarus Jack is a committee member battalion “Vengeance” under PresI ident Mr. Lukashenko to of our Society and has the command of Vasilii come to Minsk and celebrate been a contributor to our Voronianski. His function the 65th Anniversary of Journal in recent years. His was to organise partisan liberation of Minsk from continuous efforts to keep units composed of Jews who the Nazis, and to receive alive the memory of his escaped the German murder a liberation medal. The people from Novogrodek operation in that area, as medal was given to me at a are most commendable. He well as to find Soviet soldiers ceremony in the Imperial published a book “Surviving who had escaped from POW War Museum and I was the Holocaust With The camps. Nikolai reported the pleased to have received a Russian Jewish Partisans” situation of the Jewish camp letter from Buckingham and recently compiled a book to Vasilii and after a while Palace “I have the honour to entitled “Novogrodek - A Vasilii ordered Nikolai to inform you that the Queen History Of A Shtetl”. transfer the Jews beyond the has been pleased to grant you front line. The success of such Unrestricted Permission to than 300 Jews managed to a venture seemed doubtful, wear the 65th Anniversary escape from this pogrom, due to the distance and medal, which was conferred amongst them many women severe condition, and most upon you by the President and children. There was only of the unit officers rejected of the Republic of Belarus, one place to run to, and that the assignment. Nikolai, in recognition of your was the forest. Anna Sirotkova as a special services in remembrance of The greatest problem for recognisance agent, and five the Holocaust victims in them was to get food. The Jewish armed partisans left Belarus”. farmers did not want to to escort the Jewish group In Minsk I enjoyed very feed so many Jews. The Jews eastward, It consisted of much the festivities as a in turn wanted to survive 120 men, 115 women and 35 guest of the President. I met so they robbed the farmer children, the youngest being many interesting people. On at night and threatened to 3 years old. the 4th of July there was a kill any farmer refusing The way was dangerous reception at the Israeli to help them. They formed and hard, especially when Ambassador’s home. There I a Partisan Detachment villagers who were asked heard an amazing story called “Victory”. In the to “donate” food found out about a town not far from group were lots of women and that the recipients were Novogrudok and I would like 35 children. Jews. Nikolai was therefore to share it with you. At that time the Russians occasionally obliged to use Dolginovo is a small town, were forming a partisan force. He was dealing daily pre-war population of 5,000 movement in that area. Red with complaints of hungry people and 3,000 Jews among Army soldiers and escapees exhausted marchers. them. In the Second World from prisoner of war camps Nikolai explained to War the Germans occupied gathered in the area, among them, if they were to be the town at the end of June them Nikolai Kiselev. attacked they should run in ‘41 and, as everywhere in Nikolai was a soldier all directions; the survivors the occupied territory, the and was caught by the should assemble in the Jews immediately started Germans in the battle place of the attack in 3 days’ the suffering. The first large in the Viazma Region time. In fact, a few days later massacre was on March 30, in defence of Moscow. He they were attacked by 1942 just before Passover. was among many Red Army Germans in civilian clothes. The second final Action soldiers being transported by Unfortunately, 50 were killed against the Jews of Dolginovo train to Germany. Nikolai and one elderly woman of was on 21st May 1942. More managed to jump the train 70 was wounded in both

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her legs. They assembled the honour Righteous Among immediately mobilised in the in the ambush place and The Nations. Red Army and the others buried the dead. They were nearing the transported deep in the The wounded Braina Katz front. Kremer’s 3 year old USSR to the town of Ufa. had to be left behind. It kept crying as she was After passing interroga- was impossible to carry her. hungry and afraid. It was a tion, Nikolai went eastwards They left her food and dangerous situation; the with the remainder of the marched on. A few days later parents agreed to drown group, and then he was sent a Russian Partisan group, her. When Nicolai heard to Moscow. with Gennady Safonov in about it, he took her in his He lived in Moscow until charge, went through the arms, calmed her, fed her his death in 1974 and area and found Braina. with his own small ration of continued to correspond The partisans took her to a bread and carried her for with several of the Jews nearby village where she many kilometres. he had rescued. recovered from her wounds. The group finally reached On September 28, 2005, Braina became the cook for the area under Soviet control Yad Vashem recognized the unit. She survived the near the town of Velikie Luki Nikolai Kiselev as one war and emigrated to Israel, on November 25, 1942. of the Righteous Among Gennady Safonov was given The younger members were The Nations.

Memories of my Cousins Harry Wajchendler and Howard Chandler and meeting some of the other ‘Boys’ hroughout my life I Barbara Merton née Howard were wonderful to have come across Brampton me when I was small and various “boys” at unex- always had time to play with pectedT times. So meeting me. I think that I probably sister Feiga Marks. Harry Krulik Wilder and his wife had a crush on Howard and Howard contacted their Gloria at a tea party at a as I used to follow him aunts informing them of who friend’s home in June 2009 everywhere he went but he they were and these ladies was no exception. I told did not seem to mind at all. Krulik that I knew Victor were only too willing to take During this time Harry Greenberg and had also them in to live with them. and Howard used to visit my met Harry Fox as they belong This is where I first met parents Barney and Annie to our shul. I explained to Harry and Howard and many Brampton at our home where Krulik that my late mother, of their friends. we lived above our shop in Annie Brampton, was a I seem to remember that High Road Tottenham. Many first cousin of Harry and the first time I met Harry times my parents and I would Hymie Wajchendler (Hymie and Howard was in 1946 go out for the day with now Howard Chandler) when I was about 5 or 6 years Harry and Howard, my and Krulik asked if I old when they lived at father taking much pleasure would write my memories my grandmother’s house in in using his Ford 8 car that of meeting them. South Tottenham. They he purchased just after It seems that while in spoke little English at that the war to take us to Westcliff England, just after the time but were determined to and other places. war, Harry and Howard learn the language. During In 1950 at the age of 10, Wajchendler searched and the day they went to work I was a bridesmaid at found an uncle named and in the evening they went Harry and Doreen’s wedding. Mottel Wajchendler who had to night school and it did That was a lovely day in my left for Palestine before not take them long to learn childhood life that I will the war. Uncle Mottel the language. Harry was always remember. Harry and informed them that they funny and used to wiggle his Doreen were very good to me, had two aunts in London, one ears to make me laugh and as my mother Annie had being my grandmother even when I was grown up, recently passed away and Esther Saltzman and the wiggling his ears still made they thought my being a other, my grandmother’s me laugh. Both Harry and bridesmaid at their wedding

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would help me get over her Recently I met Harry grandmother that I did not death. Harry and Howard Fox who had joined our remember. I was thrilled always thought of others. At synagogue and I told him to talk to David after all that time, my grandmother, that I knew of some of the these years although, to my Esther Saltzman, lived in “boys.” I mentioned that disappointment, he did not Greenfield Road, South David Adler lived at my seem to remember either me Tottenham and David Adler grandmother’s house. Harry or my cousin Eve. lived there for some time. told me that he was friendly I have very wonderful I frequently visited my with David and he kindly memories of my cousins grandmother with my gave my telephone number to Harry and Howard cousin Eve Saltzman and I David so that he could Wajchendler and will remember David quite well contact me. David phoned me always think of them with as he was always playing the a few days later and he told the greatest affection. piano in the front room. me a few stories about my

His last slice of Bread (A tribute to my Uncle Meyer Brzezinski)

am writing this as there is Sam Freiman the war he was a baker and no-one left to remember shopkeeper. He taught me him or his family, as Sam came to Britain with to ride a bicycle so that I Ithey were all murdered in the Windermere group in could deliver chollas and August 1945. He is an active Treblinka. Meyer was my rolls for Shabbat to visitors committee member of our mother’s sister’s husband as our town was a holiday Society. Sonja is the wife of so no blood relative. I loved resort - Konstantin-Jeziorno, Sam Freiman. him. He was a constant near Warsaw, Poland. visitor in our house with his He was such a kind family, as we were in his. see him once a week in the and happy person. I long to He and his family were showers at Werk A. He was have only the good memories deported from the Warsaw always waiting for me and of him. Ghetto to Treblinka. At gave me his bread ration, Uncle Meyer! Radom they took away his as he said he wanted me to My real name is Solomon beloved daughter, aged 10, live. He had already lost Frajman. and he arrived in Skarzisko, the will to live as he was My mother called me the work camp, where I was heart-broken with grief. He ‘Schlomole’ doing slave labour. perished of starvation. To my friends, I am I was in “Werk B” and he I am the only one left who ‘Dundlela’, but that’s another was in “Werk A”. I would remembers him. Before story!

Going home to tell his story Sonja Freiman t was not without was anxious to be within easy some trepidation that reach of help. However, it I approached a three was OK. I now want to see dayI trip to Warsaw. Sam the videotape. had been approached by a We were accompanied by Dutch journalist, Helga Charlotte “Shosh” Peltzman, Merits - who was making the daughter of Bella a documentary about Peltzman, whose story I gave Konstacin - his home town, in a previous Journal. She to speak at a festival of survived by using a Polish storytellers. Sam’s health name and working for a had not been too good, so I German family as a nanny.

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morning. This story has been told several times and published in the book by Martin Gilbert. On our last day we were told of a woman, Feige Rotstein, who survived Charlotte was very energetic by hiding on a farm Feige was there. He said “If and used the opportunity with a Polish farmer. We you can all hear me - by now to research her mother’s searched for her in a he was trying to address the early days. Christian cemetery, but she lost members of his wider Sam gave an interview, had changed her name, so family, grandparents, uncles then we attended an this made a difficult task and cousins, and Yiddish evening of story tellers which impossible! However, we came naturally. included Sam’s survival, bought a lantern-type candle Kaddish and Yiddish in a especially the bit with the and stood it on an empty Christian cemetery! G-d I policeman who kept him space between the graves and hope understands! away from the Germans Sam began to say Kaddish. We then left for the airport. by returning him to Then I noticed that Sam was I was really happy when we the Ghetto early the next speaking in Yiddish, as if touched down in London.

The Sonnenschein Family he second Jewish- Janina four of them, to this day so German family to Fischler-Martinho clearly. And whenever I hear settle in our road, at the words “German-Jews” - theTvery top of it, in the Janina lived in the Krakow the curtains of time part spring of 1939, were the Ghetto from where she and the S. family stand Sonnenscheins. Mamma told escaped at the time of its final there, in the void of time, me that “Sonnenschein” liquidation in March 1943. in vivid, well-remembered meant “sunshine” in German. She survived the war in detail. They personify The family numbered hiding. Her story is told in unspeakable suffering and four members: the her book “Have You Seen My extraordinary courage. parents who appeared elderly Little Sister?” Like many oth- I have heard it said many - maybe because of their ers who did not come to times “The Jews went grave countenances, maybe England with the “Boys”, she like lambs to the slaughter...” because of their greying joined our Society in recent I tend to bristle at that hair - and two daughters: years. She is a regular comment. It is very hurtful, Ada and Sylvie. The former contributor to our journal. for I know it to be unjust. was well into her twenties, Perhaps the S. family’s the latter only just out of had been. They were plight and fate illustrate the her teens. extremely reserved. Distant. fallacy of that statement. The Sonnenscheins came Both their conduct and Little knowledge, and even from Berlin and were a their appearance commanded less understanding of the cultured, middle-class respect. satanic intricacy of family. Herr S. was a They had rented a large the labyrinth through which lawyer by profession. They flat in our street, just a few we were led, and in which we must have been people houses away from us. I found were trapped, might cause of substance as well as of them very intriguing; partly, one to arrive at that quite professional and social because they were foreign erroneous conclusion. Many consequence. They had once and inaccessible for reasons Jews resisted on a personal, led a privileged, secure, of language; partly, because individual level, though but quiet and unostentatious of their bearing - simple the means of resistance at life. Composure, orderliness, and courteous, but a little their disposal were extremely quiet dignity: these were disorientated.... as if they tenuous, but we do not know the first outward indications were gently groping in about them and now never as to who and what they the dark. I see them, the shall. Even holding a poetry

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recital, as we did in the We never once saw the to Poland? We could have Cracow Ghetto, was a form of daughters in the road - gone to France, Belgium, resistance I believe. strolling along in the shade of Holland...” Ah, but there For me, looking back more the acacia trees, taking the was, really, no escape. Only than half-a-century, with fresh, fragrant afternoon air. neither they, nor we, knew the understanding born For whatever reason, they that at this stage: the of experience, and the never set foot outside their autumn of 1939. knowledge I have diligently flat. It may have been that With the occupation came worked to acquire, the S. their parents protected a tremendous shortage of family symbolise stubborn, them from prying eyes and food and every family spent individual resistance against ill-intentioned minds... many hours in long queues. the most brutally ruthless, The parents themselves we The bakery queue was steely-cold, iron-willed saw quite regularly. Two inevitably the longest. The S. regime. They followed elderly figures in sombre, couple, sometimes together, the Stations of the Cross, heavy overcoats, formal hats sometimes singly, were to be labouring, heaving under the and gleaming footwear. They seen in those endless lines of yoke of their Jewishness, and never spoke. They never weary, hopeful people. every step, just like those of smiled. They would pass by Herr S. was of good Christ the Jew, was marked unseeing, looking straight medium height; his shoulders with blood, sweat and tears. in front of them, yet a little square, his back ramrod They fought back with hesitant. But they did see. straight. I do not ever unflinching determination They always went round the remember seeing him and singular courage. hopscotch court my brother, without his Harris Tweed Totally uprooted and Bartus, and I had drawn on overcoat and soft grey alienated, they found the pavement, careful not to felt hat, which he would themselves in a foreign erase the tiniest corner of it. almost, but not quite, raise country where they were My father used to call upon when he met me. We had not welcome and where them in their flat. I know taken to saying “Guten tag” they could not communicate - that he was always warmly to each other. He was the language barrier and courteously received. clean-shaven and wore appeared almost insuperable. They discussed many things black-rimmed spectacles; the My father and Herr S. struck with him; primarily the lenses rather thick. I do not up what, in due course, situation in Germany and the think, with hindsight, that he became a friendship. As day-to-day changing fortunes was strikingly Semitic in there was no language of their country. These were appearance. Nonetheless, difficulty - father’s German the years 1939, 1940.... And, everyone knew he was a Jew. had been acquired in Franz- of course, the ominous clouds Summer and winter his face Joseph’s rigorous educational gathering on the European was sun-tanned. His nose establishments - and as he horizon. They told my was long and thin. His lips liked the family, he was able father many things, things too were thin and rather to help them in all sorts of which they had experienced, stern. And from behind useful, everyday matters. seen with their own eyes... the thick lenses a pair of In our street, where every- but my father would very green eyes viewed the body knew everybody else never repeat, never related world with calm, intelligent and where the residents anything fearful in the appraisal. There was behaved, on the whole, with children’s presence. something almost Biblical discretion and decorum, And then Germany in the candour and forth- the S. family, although quiet invaded Poland and in no rightness of that gaze. and unobtrusive, did not time at all we were all Frau S., his spouse, was a escape attention. Their being subjected to grinding matronly woman. Her gait, superbly-tailored attire, their oppression. How did the S. her gestures, her stance, impeccable grooming and family feel? The oppressors were slow and deliberate; her their Semitic features did not had caught up with them and carriage stately. Her smooth go unheeded. To be a Jew they were again being face, with a flat nose and full, and a German! It was hardly crushed underfoot. What rouged mouth, was always possible to possess more questions did they put to carefully powdered. Her eyes damaging credentials in the themselves? Did they ask were very round and very eyes of the local population. each other: “Why did we come brown, and so shiny as to

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appear permanently moist. room in which they received concerned about the girls’ They were Jewish eyes. The us was clean and decent. health and their own. expression so eloquent, so Frau S. told us that they Eventually, they found a painful to behold, I could not had had to scrub it on peasant cottage, all to have described at the time. I their hands and knees to themselves, in Michalowice - did not have the words. make it habitable. a village within easy reach Only many years later that It was then that I saw Ada of Cracow. It was dry and august, ancient tongue - and Sylvie, the daughters, spacious and had a good, Latin - yielded the precise for the first time. I have clean well in the garden. phrase I had been searching never forgotten them. Ada, They were keen gardeners for: “Mater Dolorosa”. the elder sister, strongly and were looking forward In the winter of 1940, resembled their mother. Her to tending the garden. the S. family’s flat was hair was very dark and her They were pleased, father requisitioned by a German eyes very brown. Her mouth, told us, and hoped for a officer who wanted it vacated brightly rouged, was like a period of respite and immediately or.... He was scarlet slash in her face. grace. Not even they had expecting the arrival of his She was striking, attractive understood but, of course, wife and children from in appearance, but the the year was only 1940. Germany, and wanted to freshness, the bloom of youth My father and I visited redecorate and refurbish the were already fading. Looking them once in Michalowice apartment before they joined back, it may have been in that famous summer him. Time was pressing. The because of Sylvie, who was of 1940, after the fall exigent ultimatum was a great beauty, that the of France, Holland and complied with to the letter. parents so vigilantly Belgium. Even I knew The S. family, to whom the protected and shielded their that the German nation procedure was unlikely to be daughters from public gaze. was riding, in pure ecstasy, new, I imagine, moved, as Both girls, assiduously on the crest of a wave at ordered with delay. They bent over their needlework, their military victories - their moved to a nearby poor, appeared quiet, placid leaders acclaimed wherever working-class suburb - Olsza. young ladies. they appeared by rapturous, As they had great difficulty The dingy bungalow was thunderous applause. in finding accommodation situated right next to Olsza’s We walked both ways, at such short notice, they little river - the Bialucha. father and I, even though the rented what they could get - a The shallow stream was now distance was considerable. decrepit little bungalow in frozen over solid. Frau S. We held hands. a truly sorry structural told us that the girls were On our arrival, that condition. Thinking back, I very tempted to do some summer, we found the family believe they must have had skating on it which, of very subdued, like people in means. How? Where from? I course, was unthinkable! deep mourning, but in good do not know... I remember They were both, apparently, health and very glad to see my father saying one day accomplished skaters who us. The girls fetched their that Herr S. was dealing in had once very much enjoyed plaid rugs and spread them foreign currency.... This was that pleasant sport. out on the grass in the in the Ghetto days... I say, I It was a long, severe garden. We sat there, all six remember... but the words, winter, that first winter of of us, in the warm, pleasant the sounds they made, are so war, and the family started afternoon sun, a light finely tuned, so delicately casting around for more breeze, a cat’s paw of wind, spun that they are more like congenial accommodation. tousling our hair. The girls tender sighs, longing for a Nothing functioned properly so welcoming, so hospitable, distance land... whispers in in the bungalow. It was very made me sit between them. I a dream... difficult to keep their home discovered that Ada was very The bungalow had no warm and to cook their vivacious. She could chat in internal sanitation, and food. The nearby water Polish quite freely by then. water had to be fetched pump had frozen hard Sylvie was more reserved; from a nearby pump in a pail. and they had to carry less willing to subject her The Polish winter is very the water they needed tongue to the acrobatics of my harsh. Father and I visited for daily use quite a long native tongue. the family in Olsza once. The distance. They were Sylvie was beautiful. Like

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a fairy princess. Her eyes - long, ragged stains of except for what father told two luminous green stars. dampness. I saw life in the us. His words I remember Her golden hair - a mass of Ghetto not only through my quite clearly. Father, very tumbling, silken curls. Her own eyes, but also through distressed, told us that limbs slender and graceful. the eyes of my family - all Herr S. was one of the She used her hands to three generations of them. I victims. He had been taken explain... and they were was very conscious of the and dispatched into the white and gentle. The Great different levels upon which unknown... Two days later, Potter himself must have the Ghetto population lived. when father came home in drawn the blueprint and There was always the the evening, he said: “It is closely supervised every Ghetto’s most virulent, quite unbelievable, but Herr detail of its implementation home-grown culture, as it S. is back in the Ghetto. I to create such loveliness. were - hunger. I saw the spoke to him today. Calm, Herr and Frau S. and suffering it caused.... just as I composed, impeccably turned my father were talking in saw people who were clean, out, not so much as a button quiet, solemn tones, their well-clad and properly missing from his overcoat...” faces grave, thoughtful... nourished. I also understood (I remember that sentence so The word “Frankreich” came the fear that stalked the well because of “the button” - up time and again in Ghetto; very great fear. My it was such a nice graphic their conversation.... mamma said one morning: “I touch to my mind). “He had We were offered home- can’t sleep...” I wondered escaped from the train and made biscuits and cool why she could not sleep but, made his way back to the cherry cordial. Sitting in that of course, that shapeless, Ghetto, to his family... That peaceful scented garden, as yet unformed fear was man is indomitable.” nibbling, sipping, chatting - it working itself into every little Alas, in the face of what was an afternoon I would crevice of our existence, even was being planned and always remember as one though we had no inkling prepared for us, there were of the most agreeable and that winter, the last of our no indomitable men. the most poignant of those ignorance, of what lay in I must explain, however, long war years.... store for us... Good, bright that the doors of that goods We did not see the S. news was so rare, that train, in March 1942, had not family again until father when, during that long, been chained and padlocked, ran into Herr S. in the winter harsh winter of 1942, glad had not been bolted and of 1942 in the streets of the tidings began to circulate sealed from the outside, as Cracow Ghetto where we had round the Ghetto, they shook they would be in future all been herded by then. us, brought a smile to our transports. Hermetically so. The inhabitants of the lips, a sparkle to our eyes... There were no escapes walled-in Cracow Ghetto The beautiful Sylvie S. was through truck doors. world made plans for the being courted by a fine young Nonetheless, for a man future. Those who had man - Jakub Abrahamer - a of Herr S.’s age and health and means adapted to rich baker’s only son. They background, it was a feat of the prevailing conditions, were in love. They were extraordinary bravery and trusting, believing that they planning a spring wedding resourcefulness. would live to see the German here, in the Ghetto. And so Herr S. returned to nation vanquished. Even The Abrahamer family his family, seemingly those, like ourselves, who lived in our courtyard. The unscarred, and there was no only just managed to keep expression on Jakub’s face, as change in their plans, except body and soul together he crossed, morning and that Sylvie was poorly. believed, in the winter of evening, said: “It’s good to be Sylvie became ill. She was 1942, that they would outlast alive. Happiness is right running a temperature; the Occupation; that they here, in the Ghetto. All will angry red splotches appeared would live to see the enemy be well...” on her body. brought to his knees and In March 1942, there was a The Cracow Ghetto was routed. round-up in the Ghetto - fortunate in its excellent I always see the Ghetto as ostensibly for forced-labour; medical team. Every branch cold, dark and grey - the at least that was what we of medicine, every medical facades of the houses black understood. My memory at skill was represented. with ingrained dirt and this point is rather imprecise, The doctors themselves -

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highly qualified, extremely trodden upon, its creeds aged in the last two or three competent - were singularly desecrated. years. Her hair, silver-white, dedicated, courageous men. I only saw the S. family, was parted in the middle The Ghetto at this stage, in who had succeeded in and gathered into a bun at the early spring of 1942, side-stepping the June the nape of her neck. Her had two hospitals. Nobody “Aktion”, or rather just Frau face was ravaged; the loose, was turned away from Sonnenschein, once more. pendulous flesh grey and their doors. Expertise, care, That summer and autumn lined. The brown, intelligent devotion in every form and of 1942, I made a modest eyes dull and bloodshot; shape were there for rich and contribution to the family but it was her eyelids that poor alike. budget. We were still a frightened me. “She weeps a It did not take long for family; my brother Joseph lot” I thought. “It’s the salt in those fine, capable doctors, and I, our maternal grand- the tears that has burnt who came and went, came mother, aunts, uncles, them... like some corrosive and went and did not leave cousins.... I traded mainly in acid...” She was attired Sylvie unattended day or dairy produce; milk, cheese, entirely in black; she was in night, to make a diagnosis. butter eggs. Milk was not a mourning for her daughter. Typhus. Sylvie, covered profitable commodity to deal Frau S. had five or six live, in ugly red patches, her in. It was cumbersome and silvery herrings on the table, temperature high and still heavy to carry. The profit threshing around, half-rising rising - Sylvie burningly hot margin on it was very small. up. Whilst talking to me - and barely conscious - was But babies were still her command of the transferred from the being born in the Ghetto and Polish language was now one-room family home in I had one or two customers quite astonishing - she placed Lvovska Street to the who would expressly ask a herring on a small Infectious Diseases Hospital me to bring in milk for their chopping-board. She picked in Rekawka. Her parents little ones. up the kitchen cleaver, lying and sister would not leave Child smugglers were by it, and with one deft stroke her side. perennial in the Ghetto. severed the fish’s head. The Yes, there was typhus in They formed quite a large blood spurted out as the the Ghetto. But why Sylvie? clique and, although I head, with its watery eyes, everybody asked. She was knew almost every member parted from the scaly body young and healthy; clean and of it, I did not belong to it. I which continued to flap on well nourished. preferred to be independent, the chopping-board. Jakub Abrahamer, as to come and go as I pleased. I, a hardened Ghetto he crossed the courtyard, I had a regular clientele dweller, a young veteran, looked drawn and infinitely and after greasing the felt sick, truly sick to the sad. Happiness was Polish policeman’s paw at the very pit of my stomach. I being wrenched from within gate, I still made a profit. stammered out: “You should his grasp. Times were very hard. Every stun it first... You are making Father came home in little helped. it suffer.” the evening and his voice One day I called on She looked at me long quivered with pity as he said: Frau S., offering her my and hard and, her voice “Sylvie Sonnenschein has wares. They lived in Lvovska trembling with barely died.... I have seen her Street, on the accursed suppressed tears, said: “And father. He wept. He wept even-numbered side. It was a what about our suffering? like a little child...” fatal address to have, not Don’t we suffer? Aren’t they In my world, in those days, that any address in the making us suffer?” men did not cry. A boy was Ghetto was good, as the And so the 28th October brought up not to cry, not forthcoming October Aktion 1942, crept quietly upon us. to give in to his emotions. would prove. The second “re-settlement” For a man like Herr S., Frau S. opened the door Aktion. An Aktion of so controlled in conduct, herself and invited me into immeasurable brutality and utterance and gesture, the communal kitchen where swiftness which yielded, to weep like a child... We she was preparing an in less than twenty-four understood that our evening meal. She was as hours, 6,000 human beings world was being smashed, neat and tidy in her person as for deportation to the East.... demolished - its values ever, but she had greatly Lvovska Street, particularly

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the even-numbered side, be permitted to take his grass in the sun’s pleasant and all the neighbouring overcoat as winter was not warmth, under a peaceful, adjacent roads were cleaned far off...? And the officer’s blue sky.... Of the six of us, I out, scraped bare. Not a soul reply: “It is not necessary, was the only one to survive was spared. everything you require will the war, for the Sonnenschein Was it Herr Sonnenschein, be there... waiting for you...” parents and their daughter, for legend has it that it So you see, dear reader, I Ada, formed part of 28th was a German-Jewish am the only one to remember October’s rich harvest. The refugee who, addressing the that fine afternoon in the last Station of the Cross; the SS officer commanding summer of 1940 when my march to the cattle-trucks the Lvovska Street sector of father and I joined the and the nightmare journey to the Aktion, courteously asked Sonnenschein family in the the twentieth century - in his impeccably spoken garden of their cottage in German conceived, German native tongue if he might Michalowice. We sat on the created - Golgotha.

Our Goldberg Variations Esther Goldberg Esther Goldberg is author of the Holocaust Memoir Digest, published by Vallentine Mitchell (www.holocaustmemoirdigest.org). She is married to Rt. Hon. Sir Martin Gilbert. Helen Goldberg died after the writing of this article, two weeks after her 91st birthday. y mother never example of the normal time - they had died because considered herself to process of aging? She was a they had been named after be a survivor. Yet I pioneer, a community of one. relatives who had died Mgrew up hearing the words Yocheved Szapiro was born young. So when Esther ‘ghetto’, ‘ravine’, ‘digging in a farmhouse in eastern Chaya became pregnant their own graves,’ and Poland. It was 1918 and the with my mother, she and her ‘exterminated’. I did not Jews were on the run from husband went to the Stoliner know what these words pogroms that followed in the Rabbi to ask what to name meant, but they sounded wake of the First World War. the child. He said, “Name ominous and were followed Many people found refuge him Aaron.” And if the child by heavy silences. Somehow in that farmhouse that was a girl? “Yocheved.” these words seemed to night. Esther Chaya, my My father, Ben Goldberg, explain why my family grandmother, was offered like my mother, had been included only my parents and the sole bed, so that she born in eastern Poland, and my older brother, and why could give birth. The next was a cousin to my mother. other families had other morning, the refugees His father, Chaim, emigrated members - older members. continued their flight, and to the United States in 1910, They seemed to recall a world Esther Chaya, her husband leaving his wife Bracha and that was different from what Berel, and the newborn baby three tiny children, Raisa I knew, a world with its own Yocheved - ‘Hetchka’ - also (Rose), Liebe (Lily), and Berel language and history, once fled. They were eventually (Ben) in the tiny town of teeming with Jewish life, now able to make their home in Czartorysk, near Sarny. no longer in existence. Sarny, in the eastern Polish When Bracha died of typhus My mother is now 91. I province of Volyn. Two more soon after her husband left, told her recently that I have daughters followed: Mindel the three children lived with had her more than double the in 1919 and Dena in 1928. their grandmother Mindel amount of time she had her Yocheved is not a common Szapiro until her death. mother. More silence. And name in our family tree. They spent time in an when that silence is final, I Berel and Esther Chaya orphanage, and then their will be rootless. How rootless had two children before my newly-married Uncle Berel was she when I was growing mother was born. Both and his wife Esther Chaya, up, and she had no mother to children had died in infancy, gave them a home, and made turn to, no sisters to share and it was thought - such plans to go with them to her joys and her sorrows, no were the superstitions at the America. It was 1921 and

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life was stable in Sarny; States Embassy in Warsaw Sarny on the 5th of July. If Grandfather Berel’s leather closed, though embassies in her parents and sisters were tanning business was Latvia and Romania not killed in the terror the flourishing, so the three remained open. Hetchka Germans wreaked on arrival, Goldberg children left their needed six documents; a if they survived the year Szapiro family and Soviet permit to travel to in the ghetto of Sarny, they their roots and travelled to Moscow, a visa to enter the were almost certainly the New World on their own. United States, a ticket on murdered in the forest They arrived in Milwaukee the Trans-Siberian Railway nearby, along with 14,000 of to be with the father they from Moscow to the Soviet their relatives, friends, barely knew and had not seen port of Vladivostok, a neighbours and the Jews of for eleven years. He had Japanese transit visa for the the nearby villages. That remarried and had a new port of Yokohama, a ship’s mass killing was two weeks family. With no room for the passage from Japan to before Rosh Hashana, 1942. three children in the family San Francisco via Honolulu, Hetchka decided to become home or heart, Rose and Lily, and a train ticket from American; she cut off her in their late teens, moved to San Francisco to Chicago. braids and changed her name Chicago. Ben spent his high The most difficult to to Helen. Panicked about school years in Milwaukee, obtain had been the Soviet the fate of her family, she and then joined his sisters in internal permit to travel to turned to study, and went to Chicago. Moscow where the other school with a Polish/English At the beginning of 1939, papers were waiting. dictionary. Her first exam having lost both sisters to “Wait until the war is had the instructions: “Fill in tuberculosis, and having over, then your husband the blank.” She had to look established himself in will come and get you,” her up the word ‘blank’. Always the jewellery business, the father advised. Decades wanting to study medicine, thirty-year-old Ben decided before Fiddler on the Roof, she went into optometry. She to return to the Old Country, my mother and her father worked for a few years, and to “advertise for a wife” as he relived Hodel’s farewell at then my brother Rick was later recalled, a smile playing the train station. born, and then I. around his eyes. He arrived Hetchka’s first stop was My father had discovered in Sarny and made his way to Kiev where she met her uncle skiing. Having lost his the home he remembered - Mendel Flejsz, Esther sisters, and one lung, to that of his aunt and uncle, Chaya’s brother. Thinking tuberculosis, Ben was Esther Chaya and Berel she would return to Sarny rigorous in following the Szapiro. Three beautiful once she had received the accepted cure of fresh, daughters greeted him, but it documents in Moscow, he mountain air. He and Helen was the twenty-one-year-old prevailed on Hetchka to leave had fallen in love with Idaho Hetchka (Yocheved) with her her family photos with him. and built a vacation home scholarly mind who stole She did. Years later when I near Sun Valley. Two years of his heart. My parents were was in Budapest, I saw the commuting to spend a month married in March 1939. antique shops filled with old in the winter and a month in Hetchka accompanied Ben Jewish photographs and the summer evolved into a to Warsaw, where he received postcards and wondered permanent move, bringing treatment for his own what the chances were of the first Jewish family to tuberculosis. Then she finding my family on display Ketchum, Idaho, in 1958. returned home to await in an antique shop in Kiev. Until the late 1960s, the town her immigration papers to Hetchka reached the of Ketchum had 746 people, a the United States. United States on the single paved road, and one Ten days after they were Japanese ship Tatuta Maru mile away, the ski resort of married in Sarny, Ben was on May 29, 1941. She sent a Sun Valley, built in 1936 by back in Chicago organising telegram to her parents and the Union Pacific Railroad as papers to bring his bride to received notice that her a “destination” to get people America. Six months later, message had been delivered. to ride the train. Union Germany invaded Poland the She had no further news. On Pacific engineers had built Second World War broke out. the 22nd of June, Germany the first chairlift there, and The Soviet Union annexed invaded the Soviet Union; ski instructors had been eastern Poland. The United German troops reached brought in from Austria to

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teach Hollywood stars to ski. fifty miles away - with its life-line to a community I did Ben would break off his two synagogues that we not know. business dealings on sunny ‘frequented’. Congregation One community I did know afternoons in the winter to Beth Israel, Reform, built in when I was growing up was hit the slopes. Helen had 1896, known as the oldest Moishele. Moishele lived given up skiing after a nasty synagogue continually in use with his parents in Israel, fall in which she broke her west of the Mississippi, was and he was a cousin. A back. Setting out her linen run by the Oppenheimer relative. And my age. He tablecloth and Limoges and Hamersley families. could not have been more china, she would make tea, Congregation Ahavath Israel, exotic! It was through him - and more times than not, Conservative, had been built more specifically through Ben would return from his after the Second World War. his parents and their day on the mountain with a Its services were run by correspondence with my newly-met ski companion. Martin Haumann and Joel mother - that Israel came These guests would find Stone. As we had friends into my consciousness as a my parents’ home to be an at both synagogues, I grew place where I had family, oasis of culture, learning and up believing that we had where other Jews lived and civilisation - the only one of holidays over two days had equal opportunity, where its kind in the area. My so we could support both there was no fear associated mother’s accent always congregations. In the late with being Jewish, where no inspired the question of how 1980s the two combined and one could be “exterminated” this family had arrived in the Idaho’s first rabbi came to for being Jewish. During the wilds of Idaho. Boise, nearly one hundred Six-Day War, my mother was Perhaps because my years after the first Jews glued to the television, as if mother had not been through settled there. her very existence depended the horrors that her family Sometimes, we would go to on Israel’s survival. Her faced, she was able to talk. Boise for Rosh Hashana; surprise and relief at the And she spoke to everyone. I more often, we would go outcome gave us all learned that my family had for Yom Kippur, so my confidence that the era of the been “exterminated.” It was mother could attend Yizkor Holocaust was over. a fact that governed my service. Children were In the 1970s, as Sun Valley mother’s every move, affected always sent outside for grew and condos were her every attitude, clouded Yizkor, and I would return to built as holiday homes, her every perspective. the sanctuary to find Jews from California and The photograph of my my mother broken and in Chicago became part-time kindergarten class shows a tears, and then, always, residents. Helen greeted dozen bright, shiny-faced the silence. I could not each new homeowner with children sitting on the grass. imagine what happened a housewarming present; a It is spring, the sun is during this service to leave mezuzah. If Hanukah hot, and all the children are my mother so devastated. came during the Christmas wearing short-sleeved shirts. The other holidays we holidays, or Passover during All but one; little Esther, celebrated at home. On Rosh the Easter break, we would with her two brown braids, is Hashana, if not in Boise, have community events, buttoned-up in her woollen my brother and I stayed established by my mother coat. She should not, God home from school and were and a California family, forbid, catch a cold. subjected to Richard Tucker the Albans; otherwise, our In 1960 when my brother and Jan Pierce chanting the celebrations were observed was due to become Bar Sacred Service, courtesy of with only Lucile and Myrtle Mitzvah, my mother, having RCA records. For Hanukah Friedman, cousins from trained him herself with we decorated the house, lit nearby Hailey, whose fathers books and records brought candles, sang songs, and had come with the silver and from Chicago, packed us off played dreydel. On Passover, gold miners in the 1880s. to Salt Lake City, to the the outside Jewish world In my youth, Idaho, and closest rabbi. There, at intervened and we received especially our area, was Congregation Montefiore, my a shipment of matzos and either devoutly Catholic or brother Rick had his first macaroons from Marshall ardently Mormon. My friends aliyah. After that, it was Field Department Store in wanted me to go to Boise - one hundred and Chicago. That parcel was a Catechism with them, or

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to their Mormon classes. My bring a child into this world. we have Helen Goldberg.” mother politely declined. “How can I be the last?” he As part-time Jewish She tried to teach me Hebrew said - the last of his lineage. residents lengthened their - unsuccessfully. Yiddish was “What gives me the right time in the Wood River not spoken in our household to be the end?” It was a Valley, an Oneg Shabbat but my mother often read question I could well group met regularly at the Der Tag and the Forward at understand. Perhaps the Goldberg home. In time the dinner table. Whatever rest of my life has been there were enough people to formal education I got was spent trying to answer it, hold regular services, and a the reading I did on my own - and I have identified with rabbi came from San our house had no shortage of the Second Generation Francisco to lead the group, books on Jewish themes. But community as we struggle to either in the Presbyterian it was a decision I came share the burden - and the Church or in the Goldberg to later that confirmed my importance - of this legacy. home. In 1986, another connection to Judaism. In the Spring of 1983, I Shoah ‘survivor’ joined the When I was thirteen, all of went with my mother to community - a refurbished my birthday wishes came the World Gathering of Torah from Czechoslovakia - true when my father gave me Jewish Holocaust Survivors a fitting addition to a a horse. “Jews don’t ride in Washington, D.C. I had community begun by horses,” my mother had said. married the year before (a a Jewish woman who was Still, Rocinante (after Don nice Jewish Canadian) and scarred, but not totally Quixote’s horse) came into we were living in Edmonton, destroyed, by the fires my life, and sanity came with Alberta. Edmonton had a that had extinguished her. One wintry day when I vibrant survivor community, so much of Jewish life and was sixteen, I was visiting and I became involved. My culture in Europe. the bar near where my horse mother, still in Idaho, agreed Today the Wood River spent the summer and met a to go to Washington with me. Jewish Community has couple of guys. It was all My husband and I were a fulltime rabbi, and has very forgettable, but then a trying to have a baby, and I initiated plans to purchase a few days later, as I was wanted to go to Washington building as a permanent returning to school after a pregnant - to show the home for the community. lunch break, I saw the two survivors gathering together The Goldbergs are no longer young men, dressed in suits, that the next generation living there, but many people talking to students by the was on its way. Even if I was still remember the elegant side of the road. I stopped to not going to be noticeably dinners and elaborate picnics say hello. pregnant, I wanted this to be that Helen organised, and They were Mormon something that this child the grace and Yiddishkeit missionaries and they and I would share. It did not that she brought to the wild saw a new candidate. For me, happen as I had planned. mountain setting. it was one of those life- Shoshana was born the Upon my return to changing moments. I was following spring, but Edmonton from the World Jewish, and my grandparents the sense of community I felt Gathering in Washington, and aunts had been with the survivors and their Sara Rozenberg, the head murdered because they were children in Washington has of the Edmonton Jewish Jews. I owed it to them to always stayed with me. Federation’s survivors, be Jewish. But how could After I moved to Edmonton invited me to participate in I raise children to be in the early 1980s, my the Yom Hashoah service, committed Jews with little mother began her pioneering and to belong to a Second education I had? I would goal of establishing a Jewish Generation group she have to marry someone presence in Sun Valley. was establishing. Over the Jewish. I was sixteen, Jews who came looking for course of the next few years, and I made this promise Jewish life - even checking our group organised the Yom to myself and to my the cemetery - found nothing. Hashoah commemorations martyred grandparents. One adventurous woman and Kristallnacht pro- Some time after this, had even inquired with the grammes, and maintained a I saw a televised interview local Catholic priest, who lively Second Generation with Elie Wiesel who was answered: “We don’t have a support group, organised by discussing his decision to Jewish community here. But the head of our group, Max

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Grunberg, with one of the civilians. As it happened, I hand-written note: he would counsellors from Jewish was to benefit far more from do whatever he could. Family Services. the mitzvah than he ever did. Twice I sent in an In1988, I became co-head As a one-woman cheering application for the Order of our Generation After section, I began my research. of Canada; twice I was Committee with Rose I went through every book I disappointed when the Aziman, and I had to could find on the Holocaust. awards were announced. But choose the speaker for If Rudolf Vrba was in the it had started me on a course our Kristallnacht commemo- Index, I would get the book; if that has culminated in my ration. I had read in the not, I would put the book own books: Holocaust Memoir Forward that my hero, back. I wrote to everyone Digest, a series of three Rudolf Vrba, was alive and who in 1990 was involved volumes of quotations from well and living in Vancouver. in Holocaust history. Elie published survivor memoirs Vrba, with fellow Slovak- Wiesel called him “an arranged by theme and place, Jewish prisoner Alfred authentic hero;” Claude including a Study Guide for Wetzler, had escaped from Lanzmann wrote that Rudi students, teachers, and Auschwitz in April 1944 “deserves all the honours of librarians. As a result of with the news that it was mankind;” George Klein these books, I have had the the ‘Unknown Destination wrote from Stockholm that opportunity to travel and to in the East’ to which the he had read Rudi’s report in lecture. Last year I wrote a trainloads of Jews were Budapest (the Vrba-Wetzler course on the Holocaust that being sent, and that this report combined with the I taught at Hillsdale College ‘destination’ was in fact a report of Arnost Rosin and in Michigan. killing factory. Vrba’s book Czeslaw Mordowicz who had It was during the time I Cannot Forgive, had been escaped after them in early when my daughters were one of the seminal books of May, which together became very small that I understood my Holocaust reading. I was known as the Auschwitz the silence of some of the keen to meet him. Protocols). Knowing what survivors. “Where are you Rudi Vrba’s visit to lay ahead, George Klein had going?” my little girls would Edmonton that year, and refused to board the train to ask when I went off to a again the following year, Auschwitz. When I had Generation After meeting. I when he was invited to asked Rudi for biographical would open my mouth to speak as a guest of the information in order to answer them, look at their Czech Cultural Society, introduce him before his sweet little faces, and no came at a very fortuitous talk at our Kristallnacht words would come. I could time in my life. In 1989 my programme, he had not conjure the thoughts that parents moved to Edmonton answered: “Martin Gilbert, would explain to them what in order to be near their Auschwitz and the Allies.” this work was all about. It grandchildren (two little I was familiar with this seemed as though saying girls). My father had name. My mother had the words would summon developed cancer and, after claimed that her shtetl was the Evil Eye and bring this making my mother sell their “too small to be on any map” reality into their lives. Sun Valley home so that and yet I had found Sarny in The distance between ‘this she would not go back, he Martin Gilbert’s Atlas of the happened’ and ‘this could had died in Edmonton, never Holocaust. I had also read happen’ was too short. The having lived there. Rudi’s his pioneering The Holocaust: maternal protective instinct friendship and wisdom The Jewish Tragedy. I had kicked in, and during the came at a most-needed time read it when I was pregnant years they were dependent in my life. with my younger daughter, on me, until they were I was heartsick that Rudolf Mirit, comforting myself in in high school, I could not Vrba was such an unknown the knowledge that “the end venture into public Holocaust in Canada, where he had of the story,” for my family at work, beyond my own private lived for more than twenty least, was the growth of the reading and learning. So it years. I decided to try to get next generation. I wrote to was, I was involved in their some recognition for him; I Martin Gilbert, asking him to school, in the synagogue, put his name forward for the be one of the referees in and found other ways to Order of Canada, the highest my application for Rudolf explore the community recognition for Canadian Vrba. He wrote back a Judaism that I had not

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experienced as a child. School at the Hebrew grandmother Esther Chaya, Growing up in small University of Jerusalem, of blessed memory, is looking Jewish communities, my and fell in love with Israel. down on her surviving family. daughters learned to be “Just come back and finish Her daughter Hetchka made self-reliant and to get university,” I begged her. a transition from growing up involved. They had opportu- She did, and after earning a in a shtetl, brimming with nities to know their rabbis post-graduate certificate in Jewish life, to creating and community leaders. Public Relations, she made Jewish life in the wilderness. They grew up surrounded by Aliyah in 2007. When I After her move to Edmonton, friends who observed all asked her why, she described Helen became involved in a manners of Jewish religious what life is like for so many life and traditions. of us in the Diaspora; the Chevra and Beth Tzedek. My younger daughter rootlessness, though now we Eventually, she settled in Mirit chose to be involved have a home, the having to Scottsdale, Arizona, where in Jewish life and in explain why she is not ‘ready she became a pillar of Israel Action committees on for Christmas.’ the sense that Congregation Har Zion’s campus; my older daughter in a family where so many educational classes. Shoshana has always members are scattered, Esther Chaya’s namesake been committed to the Israel is a destination for is committed to learning Holocaust. As a child, many of our visits; the fear about the last days in the she had memorised the we all feel in our hearts for forest outside Sarny, what led Theresienstadt poet Pavel Israel - and the love we share to it, and what we can learn Friedmann’s poem I Never for it. With her background from that scene of barbarism Saw Another Butterfly, and her Zionism, she is a and horror - and from the for a Kristallnacht commemo- twenty-first century pioneer, hundreds of thousands of ration. When she was with the same optimism, similar scenes throughout sixteen Shoshana went courage, and hope that Nazi-occupied Europe. What on the USY Poland/Israel exemplified those who came can we, human beings, trip, and afterward gave to settle the land nearly a learn about what it is to be a talk in our London, century earlier. Ontario, synagogue. In September, Shoshana human? How can we teach Shoshana’s focus since completed her first year in our next generations to view her Poland/Israel trip has Israel. She lives and works this humanness? been on Israel. The Polish in Jerusalem. She is happy. And Esther Chaya’s great- section of the trip had been She is the same age that granddaughter, Shoshana, traumatic, and she needed Hetchka - her Bubbie - was has followed the Jewish time to digest it. While at when she began her new life dream to its logical university, she spent a year in the New World. conclusion - she has come at the Rothberg International I often wonder how my home, to Israel.

An unbelievable miracle happened to me fter the war lists By Alfred Huberman mentioning various aunts of survivors were and uncles. published, I kept Alfred came to Britain with During an English lesson Astudying the lists, thinking the Windermere group. He given by Mr Englehart, Sister that being one of six children, now lives in Brighton and he Maria called me out, showed perhaps one other might and his family are staunch me a telegram. have survived. I wrote to supporters of our Society. You will understand my the Red Cross without feelings at finding a sister I any result. I could not find newspaper, “Undzer Shtime” had last seen in Poland in anybody and, suffering from which was published in 1942, who was now in tuberculosis, I did not pursue Paris. Knowing a few of my France, and me in England it. I was recovering in family had settled in France thinking I was quite alone in the Grosvenor Sanatorium, before the war, I hoped that the world. It was quite by Ashford. In Sam Dresner’s some of them had survived. chance that a member of my room, I came across a Yiddish I wrote to the newspaper, family was attending the

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because I missed being with the boys with whom I had so much in common. As I had only been in England for a short time, it was difficult to get permission to travel. Since my sister was married to a Frenchman she was able to visit me. The first time we Alfred Huberman and his Sister. met, our reunion was happy and very tearful. The last time I saw her she “mine tyer kind” (my darling funeral for someone from my was my ‘big sister’; four and a child). She said that my home town. In conversation, half years later, we were now mother (her sister) had left it was mentioned that the same height. During our somebody who originated her a precious legacy. journey from the airport from my town of Pulawy was I suddenly found myself we were able to recount the looking for lost relatives. My with a family who were happenings of those years. aunt Sarah heard about it, as overjoyed to find me, My sister suggested that she visited my sister Idis, as I was to find them. Letters since I was in England and who was the oldest (my big and photographs followed, she was in France, “let’s sister) and asked if she had with familiar names and imagine that our parents and won the lottery, my sister faces, many of whom had four sisters are somewhere”. said she had not won. My not survived. Eventually I settled in aunt told her that she had Once I had received a Brighton where I learnt to be something more precious. travel document I was able a tailor. Fifty-three years Now we had found each to travel to France where I ago I married and we have other we began daily letters. discovered more photographs three children. They are now In my sister’s first letter of the Polish families who no married and together with she said “today something longer existed. I felt guilty extraordinary happened to and not really able to talk their partners, are caring, me, I could only dream about, to the other boys with good friends to us. We now never believing it would me in Ashford who had have six grandchildren who happen, my head is spinning lost everyone and had give us a lot of pleasure. and I am in a turmoil, people no photographs. Although we live in envy me”. She said “I want to As a child I had heard Hove, I have always stayed see photographs of you and that there were two of my in touch with the boys, see how you look”. I have mother’s uncles, somewhere attending every reunion, some of the letters and I still in England, I only knew their together with the family and find it difficult to read them first names - Uncle Shlomo any other gatherings we can as they are so emotional, and Uncle Perez - who had get to. My wife feels she is containing sentences like “my settled in England many one of the boys. newly born little brother”, years before the war. An Sadly, my sister died young wondering how I ended up in uncle in France had visited but she has left two lovely England, asking who was them before the war. He had daughters who have now looking after me, doing my not survived but his daughter become very close to us and washing, etc and if I would be was able to give my sister the they consider us surrogate able to earn a living, if I was addresses. I discovered they parents. We have six healthy and if I had the right lived in Brighton and wrote grand-nieces and nephews to remain in England. to them in Yiddish. They and seven great-grand nieces My sister had married six visited me in Ashford and I and nephews, all in France, weeks before we found each was invited to visit them. and we are always included other. Although they were After being discharged in their celebrations. just establishing their home, from the sanatorium, I When visiting we are treated she still asked me if I would visited them for longer like royalty. like to go to France. I also periods and I was asked received letters from my Aunt if I would like to live with It was well worth Sarah who referred to me as them. I was very hesitant surviving!

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Pilgrimage to Poland Harry Olmer of Talmudic books - these Harry came to Britain with were all burned by the the Windermere Group and Germans. The building lived in the Cardross Hostel. itself was not destroyed, and He is a dentist and a valued after the war the Polish member of the Committee of government used it as part of our Society. the university. It is now being returned to the Jewish community, but there are no Our first stop was at the Jews left in Lublin, so it is monument to the “Fighters Mausoleum at Majdenek. now being handed over to the of the Ghetto” and the Warsaw Jewish Community. “Umschlag Place” from where As we walked along the was prevailed upon by 300,000 Jews were sent to streets in the old city, my family to go to the extermination camp we noticed that most of the Poland and relive with of Treblinka. We stopped themI some of my experiences, doorposts still had signs outside the “Janusz Korczak where a mezuza used to so that my children and orphanage (the head of the grandchildren could better be fixed. orphanage who sacrificed The next morning we understand how the horrors himself to die with the of the Holocaust affected our left Lublin on a three hour children in Treblinka). family directly. journey to the Ukranian We then left Warsaw My grandson Danny border to the little known to travel 150 km south refused to go with his school extermination camp of east to the city of Lublin (Immanuel College) on a Belzec. About 600,000 Jews and the Concentration trip to Poland as he wanted were murdered there from Camp of Majdanek, this is to go with me and have a April to December 1942. more personal experience. only one mile from the centre We later learned each On 16th July at 5.00 a.m, of the city. The camp has train arriving at the camp my two daughters - Pauline been preserved as the contained about 1,000 people and Julia, my son Philip, most authentic camp and that with true Nazi together with three of my with all the gruesome “efficiency” they would have grandchildren - Miles - 13, reminders of the Holocaust. been killed and cremated Danny - 17 and Charley - 15, The barracks where the within two hours of arrival at left from Heathrow on a Jews lived are as they were, the camp. Unlike Auschwitz flight to Warsaw. the watchtowers, the electri- and Majdenek, people were We arrived to a very fied fencing, the gas brought here only to die. hot Warsaw at about 10 a.m, chambers, the crematorium and were met by our very and all the gruesome experienced driver and guide sites are in place. Here is who has been taking the site where, in one day, Jewish families around the 18,400 Jews were shot to the Jewish sites of significance in accompaniment of music Poland for about 20 years. and the only structures built are the museum and the Mausoleum where the ashes of the victims are stored. We stayed in Lublin overnight. It is a picturesque medieval city. Before the war 40% of the population were Jewish, and it was a place of great Jewish learning. The new Yeshiva was built just before the war and Crematorium. contained the largest library Site of Belzec death camp.

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deserted apart from a small group of Israelis, Americans and Canadians who had just come from the Ukraine and the Museum Curator and guide who led us around the Camp. When we reached the imposing memorial wall at the end of a long tunnel beneath the graves, one of the Israelis handed out memorial candles. After lighting the candles, our small group stood silently whilst I recited the memorial prayer and Kaddish. At this Miles walking through point we all broke down and Memorial at the site of the tunnel to reach the cried. Our visit to Belzec was Plaszow concentration memorial at Beizec. to be our family’s most highly camp. charged and emotional part of our trip. This was an essential enamelling factory which is The next stop on our visit for us as my mother, now being converted into a journey was a visit to grandmother, three sisters, museum. aunts, uncles and cousins my childhood village of Krakow is a beautiful had all been taken there Charshnica to see what was medieval city which was not in September 1942. I had left. As we stood at the site of destroyed during the war and visited Belzec 18 years ago my grandmother’s house I it was full of tourists. and apart from a small Soviet met an old man and asked A short distance from era memorial in what was an him whether he had lived Krakow is the infamous overgrown wooded area, there during the war. He camp of Plaszow, the story there was no real evidence of told me he was born there of which was told in the the horrors that had taken and I asked him if he film “Schindler’s List”. place there. As we arrived at remembered any of my Although there is nothing Belzec, we were shocked yet family. I was surprised that left of the camp there comforted to find that the he remembered my father, is a large memorial and most enormous, impressive the Rabbi who lived opposite, I was keen for my family to memorial, dwarfing even my uncle and his young see it as I spent over a year Yad Vashem, had been built son with whom he went in this camp. by the American Jewish to the same school, and all Our final trip was to Committee and the Polish the Jewish neighbours. The Auschwitz which is about Government in 2004. We bakery, the mikvah and the 80km from Krakow. It was later discovered the moving Turkish bath were all still pouring with rain when we opening ceremony had been there but derelict. arrived and the camp was recorded and uploaded onto We arrived in Krakow with heaving with visitors. We “You tube.” It’s definitely just enough time to shower joined a tour with an worth viewing. and then went to the “Remu excellent guide who showed A sea of rocks covered the Synagogue” for Friday night us the horrors of both entire site of the former camp prayers. The synagogue was Auschwitz and Birkenau. with darker rocks used to full with visitors, including Birkenau is where the Jews mark the location of the the group we had met at were brought in by trains mass graves. The museum Belzec that morning. from all over Europe for at the entrance to the camp After dinner we walked selection of the fit and young was built on the site of the around the Jewish quarter who were put to work, but the train tracks and platform, where we were staying. This majority of the Jews were with a monument of old area has been rebuilt for the sent to the gas chambers. tracks on the site of the filming of “Schindler’s List”. Although no trip to Poland funeral pyres. Belzec was We also visited Schindler’s would be complete without

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a visit to Auschwitz and it intensity of the other two with me and will remember was important that my fami- camps that we had visited. and be able to pass ly pay their respect to the 1.2 Although the trip was on what they have seen million Jews who were mur- harrowing, I am pleased to family and friends and dered there, it lacked the that my family has been future generations.

Extract from a Memoir ne of my closer friends, Arthur Poznanski trust in each other’s goodwill Adash, in spite of his and honesty. Adash told me young age, apart from An extract from Arthur that he hailed from Parysow, Oother abilities, was a skilled Poznanski’s memoir referring somewhere near Lublin, milliner. From some scraps to his friendship with Alec which was far from the of fabric, probably left from Ward (Adash). corner of the country where bits of an old torn blanket, we used to live. He had a he fashioned for me a cap. I shaved head as well as my large family and several cannot imagine from where ears from freezing during siblings. His father, a glazier, he managed to acquire the work in the open fields was very proud of him when thread and needle and of in temperatures which at he displayed, even in his course a knife with which to times fell well below zero. childhood a good singing cut the bits of fabric into the The willingness after a hard voice and a love of music. It required shape and size. day’s toll to devote his must have been this affinity These items were not easy meagre leisure time to such a to music and singing which to organise. Eventually he task may prove something brought us closer together. confessed that the boxes about his character and Well, I used to sing whenever which contained the muni- quality of friendship. I had sufficient energy left, tions we produced had on Most of the boys of the but mainly to subdue the both ends carrying handles Youth Kommando developed gnawing pangs of hunger. constructed of twisted yarns. a close friendship and tried to He is the only other Whenever he could, when help each other whenever survivor of this part of my engaged in carrying the possible. We did not know Odyssey through that inferno boxes, he would unpick some much about each other’s who is able to attest to of the yarn and tear off a background but this seemed the veracity of this narrative. length, which he used in lieu of no importance. We were He survived unspeakable of sewing cotton. The cap roughly of similar build and hardships and was finally proved a godsend; it kept my height and somehow shared a liberated in the nick of time.

My search for Family photographs Menachem Silberstein any of us - including When we arrived, we me - all Holocaust had to give away all our survivors, were My daughter, my grand- belongings. Through all Mleft with no photographs of daughter and myself the war years I succeeded our families. followed many possibilities, in keeping my family For myself, I have almost including the Buchenwald photographs with me. forgotten what they looked Archive and the Washington When I arrived in like - father, mother, sisters Holocaust Museum, as well Buchenwald, the family and the rest of my close as many other leads. photographs were taken family. I was one of a group away from me by an SS All through the years, of Jewish prisoners who officer. He placed them I tried, time and time were sent from Czestochowa in a brown enveloped, wrote again, to find some way to Buchenwald in my name and prison to get information as to December 1944 just before number on it and promised to where I could find these the Russians came in return them to me after the photographs. December 1944. inspection and shower. I saw

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an anti-Nazi. They took him to prison and one of his sons, then 16 years old - Gossek - was not accepted to join the ‘Hitler Jugend’, so he decided to write a diary about the prisoners in Reimsdorf Camp. He met us and took us to see the camp, which still exists. He put up a monument at the entrance. Standing at the monument stone in Rehmsdorf. We lit a candle in memory of all those who died there. The Barrack I was kept the same man later but German. She knew I was one instead of getting back my of “The Boys”. She told me in still stands. It was very photographs, I got a hiding!!! that all personal belongings, emotional. Then he took us My granddaughter, who is documents, photographs, to the Town Hall, where he working in Berlin, got in etc., had all been sent to put up a Museum in memory touch with the Office of The another archive in Germany of the prisoners. There you Archive in to be kept and preserved. can find his: Buchenwald and then She gave us the address and I got an invitation to gave us an 80% chance that I (1) Books he wrote about come and visit them in the would find the photographs Reimsdorf hope that they could help me and have peace of mind. (2) Maps of the camp in my search. Tal, my granddaughter, (3) Photographs of how it In September of this is following it through. looked then year my wife Nachama I was told that I was (4) All kinds of documents and I arrived in Berlin sent from Buchenwald to (5) Many objects left by and, together with our Reimsdorf for “Hard Labour” the Germans while granddaughter Tal and her and she asked me if I knew retreating and also by friend Sabine, we drove to that Reimsdorf was one the prisoners Buchenwald. We were very of the deadliest labour (6) Photographs of the exact nicely received by the lady in camps on German soil. Of route of the “Death charge of the archives there. course I knew. She had prepared all my We also went to Reimsdorf. March” from Reimsdorf papers with details of my there we met Czossek Lothar, to Thereisenstadt. name, prisoner’s number, Reimsdorf Bei Zeitz D.6729 1, We were 2,775 prisoners date of arrival there, as well Beethoven str. on the day we left as details of the barracks in We had an appointment Reimsdorf and only 75 which I was housed - small with him. He is now 81 years (among whom were camp barrack 52. On her old. During the war his some of “The Boys”) desk she showed me her copy family lived opposite the when we arrived in of “The Boys”, translated into camp. His father was Thereisenstadt.

Three ‘Boys’ on a Train - Simcha Liebermann, Koppel Kandelzucker and Jan Goldberger

ast year (2009) I Jan Goldberger passed away. We were have been reminded together at the very end of of my first meeting Jan came to England with the war and it is this I want the Windermere group withL many of the ‘Boys’, to relate. and stayed at the Loughton as two dear friends - Simcha & Belsize Park hostels. We took a journey together Lieberman and Koppel He is an active member of in April 1945 from Schlieben Kendal (Kandelzuker) - both our Committee. concentration camp in East

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Germany to Theresienstadt, route rather than a direct and still had the tobacco where many of us were one - from Schlieben to with him. This was to prove liberated. Schlieben had an Dresden, Chemnitz and then essential. Koppel began ammunition factory where South to Theresienstadt. to trade small amounts of we all worked producing In particular, I recall tobacco for food with the the Panzerfaust - a German the train stopping at guards. This food was shared anti-tank weapon. As the a point above Dresden and with Simcha and me. We had Allied Forces advanced in seeing the remains of this one warm meal in this time, 1945, this camp was closed city - chimney stacks left cooking potato and beets in a down and all of the inmates standing in the wake of the bucket we had. At this time were transported to other Allied assault. the tobacco was running low concentration camps. A Around this time, we were and we gathered some leaves, curious part to this was that running out of food, people drying them on the remains some trains were loaded were dying around us and of the fire, rubbing them with Panzerfaust - essential one wagon was set aside for down, and putting them back ammunition to the army - yet the dead bodies. Even the into the packet to make the not important enough to German guards were hungry. tobacco last longer. Incredibly take precedence over the Periodically the train stopped the guards never knew, transportation of slave and we were locked in as the and still thought they were labour. We unloaded some of guards went to the nearest having only tobacco. This these wagons to make room village or town to find food for continued throughout the for our own journey. themselves. The train was journey, trading what was Simcha Liebermann, continually travelling in now a mixture of tobacco Koppel Kendal and I were areas of Allied bombing and and leaves. Today there are thrown together on these the train would stop as soon warnings on the side of trains, none of us knowing as there was any bombing. cigarette packet warning of where we were destined for. The German guards sensibly the harm they do but in this We joined together as we ran and hid, leaving us instance, it was cigarettes seemed to be the youngest behind, locked in the train. that truly saved us and fed and smallest. We huddled, There was a man on this us. They were life-enhancing. like three mice together train that we called Perhaps there was in the corner of a wagon, Mazroche. When we got on something in the fact that guarding this small space the train he had a small bag those who shared on this carefully. At night, in of grains that was wet. He journey came through it and particular, we made it probably ate this and drank the person who kept what obvious that nobody was to water, and then was terribly they had to themselves touch this tiny little bit - this ill with diarrhoea, dying one did not. This chimes with small space that was ours. night. In the morning we some of the early experiences We picked the corner of the awoke to a tremendous mess after the war where train, because this was more from this man. All around us the ‘Boys’ seemed to ‘share’ comfortable than being in the people were perishing from so much. crush in the middle. The two hunger, whilst the three of us After about two weeks old German soldiers guarding survived through us sharing the train arrived at us took up the centre of what little we had and Theresienstadt, where the the wagon leaving a very Koppel’s initiative. For the three of us were split cramped space for the three of us, we had a stroke of up, meeting again in rest of us, only occasionally good luck. In Schlieben some Prague as we prepared for allowing us out of the train to people had been rewarded our journey to England. relieve ourselves. with a packet of tobacco for The three of us remained The journey took about two being good workers. Koppel very close friends until the weeks, making a zig-zagging was among those rewarded day they died.

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The International Children’s Center Kloster Indersdorf 1945-1948 n June 1945, immediately By Anna Andlauer and who had cared for after the liberation of (Translated by children there until they had Germany, not only Hanna Corbishley, been chased out by the Nazis. thousI ands of adult displaced London) These tender-hearted sisters persons were roaming were recruited right at the the streets or living in beginning to help with child provisional camps, but also several reports about her care and kitchen duties. many foreign, parentless and sensitive work with the Even though contact with homeless teenagers, who had traumatized youngsters, who the German population survived the concentration or had just survived the worst. was to be largely avoided, labour camps. American photographers one inhabitant of the UNRRA (United Nations documented the team’s care town of Indersdorf, Centa Relief and Rehabilitation for these child survivors. Probstmayr, was employed as Administration)1 was the Today these photos and bilingual secretary, thanks to organization to help the reports are valuable her knowledge of English. Allied Forces to care for documents of what the young She became trusted with all these displaced persons until survivors needed most the correspondence of the they could be repatriated and what the team did to director of Team 182. Some or emigrate. help them. stateless people who had In the US zone of Germany In June 1945, UNRRA found early shelter in the UNRRA Team no. 182 was Team 182 took over Kloster town, such as Elfriede designated to set up a Indersdorf as their base, Neumann, and a few others, safe haven for the countless an old monastery and a also worked for the centre. non-German children with no former Nazi young people’s They sewed clothes for the parents or guardians around. educational institute, near children, cooked and cleaned. One of its workers was Dachau. The American Army Greta Fischer (1910-1988). requisitioned the building Conditions at She had volunteered for this and some nearby villas task a few days before the and thus the first centre for Indersdorf end of the war. She was a unaccompanied children in Czech Jewess, 36 years old, the US zone of Germany was The space in the cloister an experienced nursery set up as a model for other was not ideally suited school teacher who had similar camps throughout to a children’s centre. managed to escape from her the country. Its official name The residents found the homeland in time, though was “International D. P. stark white walls much too her parents perished in the Children’s Center Kioster sterile, and the convent-like concentration camps. During Indersdorf in Germany.” atmosphere depressing. It the war she had worked in Today these premises are in took a great deal of cleaning several nurseries, day and use by the Vincent de Paul effort and renovation to residential, caring for very school, in rooms where once create an environment young children. There she got 25 or more young Holocaust suitable for children. There in touch with the beginning survivors slept. were almost no playthings, of trauma therapy for Eleven, later seventeen no outside play space, and children as it was developed UNRRA volunteers couldn’t even the playgrounds in the by Anna Freud in the care on their own for 200 or town proved unsuitable, neighbouring Hampstead 300 traumatized youngsters. since after their dreadful War Nurseries. Adult displaced persons had experiences, these young During the immediate to be found; Greta Fischer people felt an intense post-war period Greta trained them to look after the hatred and showed a very Fischer became the Principal children. Particularly helpful negative outlook towards the Welfare Officer of the inter- collaborators with UNRRA Germans. It seemed best to national and multi-lingual were the Sisters of Mercy, avoid any contact with the UNRRA Team 182. She wrote who owned the big building indigenous population.

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There was constant move- There were no Jewish The arduous work of ment and change, and beds children under the age of 12, the children’s centre. had to be shifted nearer and because they had hardly even over each other in order survived the Holocaust. All The UNRRA workers had to use the individual spaces the Jewish youngsters were many tasks. They had to to their maximum advantage. concentration camp survivors find the children, to take care There were dayrooms, exten- and older than 12. Most of of them, to attend to their sive kitchens, a large dining their parents and siblings individual needs, to provide room, a small laundry, a tiny had perished in the camps them with an education, to gym, a few workshops, and or had gone missing. The try and find their relatives 20 hectares of land with good gentile teenagers had been or to organize adoption vegetable plots and flower abducted from German procedures, and much more. gardens, eleven cows, thirty occupied countries and forced pigs, four horses, and two to work for German families One Convent Sister writes in hundred chickens. Greta or businesses. her letters as follows. Fischer describes the village For these young people “On August 17th the first of Indersdorf as if the war strenuous attempts were batch of little ones, from 2 had never touched it. Neat made to find their missing months to 2 years, arrived. houses with window boxes, parents or, in most cases of On August 27th the first well tended gardens, a few babies, to find non-German lot of 15 to 24 year-old camp well-provisioned shops, and a families into which they survivors appeared. And so it small number of craftsmen. could be adopted. Through went on. On one day, 30 to 40 To begin with, all the centre’s the good offices of the Polish youngsters 14 to 18 needs were supplied either by military authorities and years old, came in. Then the US army, or the plentiful many consulates it became there came another group, stores held by UNRRA. possible to send most of from 12 different nations, However, inevitably there these children back to boys and girls, some little, were shortages, and during their countries of origin, some somewhat older. Nearly these times the town’s or to facilitate emigration all of them are full orphans. craftsmen were employed to to Palestine (Israel), Most of the older ones, provide play materials, England, France and predominantly the Jews, sports equipment, child-size Switzerland, later also had lost their parents and furniture, and were even USA and Canada. siblings in the concentration required to build sets for Additionally, starting at camps in the most gruesome drama productions. The the end of 1945, more and manner. Their stories town’s baker provided cakes more young Jewish refugees are harrowing.”3 and biscuits. arrived - in most cases not The care of 300 mostly survivors of concentration undernourished, physically Isolated children of camps. Astonishingly, most of sick,(TB, diptheria, catarrhs, many nations them had survived the open sores)and psycho- Holocaust, mainly in Eastern logically very damaged chil- There was constant coming Europe, where they had dren was an overwhelming and going at Kloster hidden in forests, some task. Indersdorf. 200 to 350 sheltered by the partisans, There were youngsters who youngsters at a time found a others in convents or had been processed through temporary refuge - mainly monasteries or in families 14 different camps. No sooner babies and toddlers under the with false identities. At had they escaped one, than age of 3, or young people Kloster Indersdorf these they were caught and stuffed between 12 and 25. The orphans could prepare into another. Some had majority were between 14 themselves for their future survived in forests and caves, and 18, but they were all life in Erez Israel. some had worked in quarries classified as “children.” Altogether, in the and handled dynamite. They The babies turned out first three years after spoke of the most horrendous to be either children the war, the centre was able experiences in a zombie-like of East European forced to bring more than 1,000 state, as if they were quite labourers or they came from traumatized young people normal circumstances of “Lebensborn”2 institutions. back to life. everyday life. Some spoke in

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shrill and over excited voices, reports the heartrending make him feel safe, loved and and, as Greta Fischer story of Kurt Klappholz, who wanted. Later on his father reports, it took a very long had seen his parents for the was found in America, but it time to get them to relax and last time in 1942. He told of took another 16 months, play. Some child survivors hunger, humiliation, murder, owing to the strict entry couldn’t talk at all. and how he, after all he had criteria, before he was Their memories were experienced, himself became allowed to join him. completely blocked. “You like a cowed animal, totally must understand, those who unreceptive and apathetic.4 In a letter from one of the survived blocked out really Greta Fischer remembers convent sisters we read absolutely everything. Their 16-year-old Szlama the following. will to survive and the rage to Weichselblatt, the only “The great majority of these live blocked out everything.” survivor of a 94 person 13 to 20 year-old-children A vital part of the team’s Jewish community in the have survived dreadful work was to help the children Polish section of the Ukraine. experiences in the KZ camps. talk about what had He managed to survive Often they were the only happened to them. They for 17 months with 30 fellow family member left. Father, listened to the teenagers sufferers in underground mother and various siblings for hours and hours. passages, till all but he were done to death before Greta Fischer observed had perished. He returned to their very eyes. So their that those youngsters who his village, but found hatred of all things German had had early good years the family home completely is fully understandable. A 17- were stronger than some of empty, apart from a few year-old Polish Jew, a good the others. photographs. He heard about natured, intelligent, boy The Indersdorfer secretary, the UNRRA project and made was in the Center. He lost his Centa Probstmayr, left his way to Indersdorf on foot. reason in the camps during behind among her work Here it took a long time to the murder of his parents. He

Photo: The teenagers created free-form dramatic skits to express their psychological trauma. Here they’re recreating a scene from the concentration camps. (The boy in the back is Salek Benedikt. He now lives with his family in London.) Greta Fischer noted: “We did everything possible to lighten the hearts of these children; with these skits the children could release their terrible memories.” This was an early form of psycho drama. (USHMM, photo archives)

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was the epitome of misery. reason, or total apathy. staff found bread hidden This charming young man They were far behind in their under pillows, though there sat on the stone steps for development and had the was an abundance of food half of each night and cried emaciated bodies of famine on offer. Greta reported like a baby.” victims. A great deal of that after all these years After all they had gone patience, personal attention of hunger, many of these through these young and demonstrations of children ate far in excess of survivors were in many ways affection were needed before their requirements. But she “older” and more experienced the first smile was seen on understood that only when than the UNRRA staff. Thus, the faces of these little ones. the person is emotionally as a first reaction they were There were never enough normal again, is it possible to allowed to do as they pleased. staff to cope with the night regulate the food intake. Miss Robbins, the Centre’s duty. Greta remembers Many of these youngsters first director, believed that how during the night she had forgotten that it is usual these poor children, who had often fed, comforted and to sit down to eat and to use lived through such dreadful cared for 25 to 30 tiny ones, cutlery. It was difficult for experiences, should first be while trying to snatch a few them to learn that they did allowed to do whatever gave hours of sleep herself. not have to wolf down every them pleasure. In the Older children and young morsel of food at the speed of Childrens’ Council they took adults took much longer to lightning. In the dining room their first steps in democracy. trust another person and to tables were set out as in Greta Fischer stated the smile. 14-year-old Manfred, family groups, with an adult educational aim of the centre for example, a German Jew at each one to act as role in the following manner. from Stettin, was deported to model. As they began to “Firstly, all the children a KZ with his parents in feel more at home, older must be assured of their 1940. Despite all obstacles youngsters began to be safety, security, and sense the family managed to stay expected to behave in a of belonging. They should together till 1944, when his responsible manner and to feel that it is the staff ’s mother perished in the gas carry out routine tasks, thus privilege and pleasure chambers. He believed his finding some security in to care for them and build father was killed while trying everyday activities. The older them up physically and to escape. This young man ones were required to help psychologically.”5 To this end shrank from all human care for the little ones and all children needed a goal in contact, and it took a very play with them. They often life - a hope of what the long time for him to respond volunteered to do so as they future could promise for to the warm and caring were missing their little them. Greta complains that atmosphere which reigned in siblings who had been killed the world was largely closed Indersdorf. He learnt to in the death chambers. to these youngsters. For laugh, but the signs of The children were instance, the US had strict his suffering remained encouraged to pick out criteria and only allowed in etched in his face. clothes to their own taste young Holocaust survivors Greta was astonished to from the sewing room. Greta with great difficulty. In find how high the ethical Fischer reported: “One seems particular, with the smallest standards remained in many to see the entire personality children it was often of those who had been forced of a child change when he almost impossible to discover to lie and steal in order to discards his old, dirty, mis- their identities, as the survive. However, the desire shapen garments for clean, relevant documents had been to wreak revenge on neat-fitting, non-institutional destroyed by the Nazis. the Germans always broke ones. The provision of Sometimes there was through. So it was under- clothing has been fully as just a first name - Barbara standable that there were important for the purpose of or Monika - nothing else. always fights between re-establishing a sense of All these tiny children the Centre children and the personal dignity as for demonstrated symptoms of indigenous population. decency and warmth.”6 neglect - for instance, head The need for nourishment The carers tried to give swinging for hours on end, and personal possessions was each child as much individual crying for no apparent also very strong. Frequently, attention as possible, in

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order to compensate for were bartered for fresh eggs between individuals and lack of mother love. Under and other products. These groups, in particular between Greta Fischer’s leadership youngsters were taught the Polish Jews and Gentiles. they made every effort, skills to fit them for practical Those who had been brought through various stimulating careers, such as carpentry, up in German families activities, to promote their tailoring, motor mechanics perceived Jews as monsters. growth and development. or farming on the cloister The centre staff tried hard to So play materials for land. They could become instill in them mutual throwing, pushing and painters and decorators, or respect and recognition. pulling were ordered from even artists. Many of these youngsters the local crafts people. could not be deterred from Indersdorf witnesses report One of the convent sisters trying to return to their that the UNRRA teenagers reports as follows. homes as fast as possible mostly played football on “One notable group was to find out if any family the landing of what today known as the Kibbutz Jews. members were still alive. is the savings bank, while These young people wanted After all that they had local youngsters of the to emigrate to Palestine, and gone through, they were same age envied them their to that end needed to learn determined to fight their way leather footballs. all they could about garden through all the difficulties Some of these young and field work. There were and obstacles on the long people could neither read nor about 30 boys and girls, all road to Poland, Hungary write - they had missed somewhat older than the or Rumania, despite cold, so many years of formal rest. This group was always heat, days without food and schooling. Instead they had quiet and very well behaved. devious ways of getting been forced to undergo a Every morning at 7am they across borders. The UNRRA gruesome learning process in were already in the fields or workers kitted them out life, which made them seem at their studies, and always with clothes, food and the like little old people, rather completed the work they necessary papers. These than children. The years of were allocated. Their youngsters were extremely privation made them teachers never had any skillful at exploiting the extremely eager to learn. complaints about them. tiniest clue to the possible Among the more than 20 However, there were whereabouts of their nationalities, German was occasions when the gardener relatives. A few actually did the common language, but wanted to go out mornings or find themselves back with every possible effort was evenings to pick cucumbers, their families, but most had made to unite these children and found none there. The to accept that no one of theirs with their mother tongue, workers had already taken had survived. At their place and to celebrate their their reward.” of origin they left behind national festivals, customs The convent sisters were their Indersdorf address and folklore. So lessons were disturbed at the unhindered and on the return journey given in Polish, Yiddish, communal get-togethers in collected other lost children German, Hebrew, Ukranian the bedrooms and the close and brought them back and Hungarian. All the relationships between the to the Centre. For Greta youngsters learnt English, young men and women. They Fischer this was a heartening in the hope that they felt their behaviour was and visible sign that would be able to make use of far too free and easy, not they had found the Children’s it later in life. Naturally, to say shameless. For Centre a safe and caring there were considerable age these youngsters who had haven. Occasionally, months differences in each class. experienced unimaginable later, a brother, sister, Some of the older ones horrors together with a aunt or uncle would emerge, showed astonishing gifts for comrade of either sex, it very seldom even a parent, dancing, singing and artistic was imperative they were and then there were activities. In consequence not separated either in the emotional and moving there remain today, hanging dining room or in the scenes of reunion. Mostly, on the walls of some sleeping quarters. however, there was vain Indersdorf houses, cherished Tensions and differences of hope and expectation, and paintings which at the time opinion were unavoidable disappointment.

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The end of the and conveniences of the to integrate them into UNRRA Children’s old cloister. Canadian society. Centre At the same time, Kloster In 1955 she achieved her Indersdorf became an Masters degree in Social all-Jewish children’s centre Pedagogics with a thesis on The health and medical and housed a Polish the integration of 40 young facilities in the Indersdorf and Hungarian Kibbutz. Jewish refugees into the cloister were on the whole These young Jewish Montreal community. During excellent. There were regular refugees from Central and the last 20 years of her life, check-ups, vaccinations and Eastern Europe prepared she founded and inspired disinfections. Trips to themselves for their life several social organizations Munich were made for the in Palestine. Their in Israel. Until her death in dentist, optician, X-rays etc. madrichim insisted on their 1988, she stayed in touch Unfortunately, on two self-government and with many of “her children”, separate occasions, there independence, so that the deeply believed in “her” were unavoidable infectious new UNRRA team and children’s inner resources, outbreaks, and the preventa- later the IRO (International admired their “indescribable tive vaccines came too late. Refugee Organization) rage to live” and honoured Once the little ones caught mainly provided the food the miracle of their survival. chicken pox, but more and the clothing. Most Now, more than 60 years serious was the outbreak of had gone through dreadful later, these child survivors diphtheria, which led to the experiences, were completely live in England, Canada, tragic deaths of four children. orphaned, and put their USA, Israel and all over In July 1946, Greta Fischer survival down only to the world. Each year there is and her UNRRA team their capacity for work. They a reunion of the “children with 250 youngsters and arrived emotionally drained, from Indersdorf”. The next 76 babies and toddlers, full of hate and aggression, meeting will be April 26th moved to a beach hotel and when they left on August till April 29th 2010. In case and several villas on the 18th 1948 they completely you are a child survivor shores of Lake Chiem. From trashed the interior of the who was in Indersdorf, please Indersdorf they transported cloister in the mistaken belief contact Anna Andlauer cots, bedding, kitchen that it had belonged to the ([email protected]) utensils, poultry and quite a Nazi party. few freshly slaughtered pigs. In 1947 Greta Fischer was Although the scenery by the finally able to travel with 100 In 2010 a book will be lake was more picturesque, difficult to place youngsters published on this topic: they missed the help of via Marseilles to Montreal, “Zurück ins Leben” the convent sisters and the and there she stayed for five by Anna Andlauer, much better organization years, while she endeavoured Antogo Verlag

1. As early as 1943, two years before the birth of the United Nations, representatives of 44 countries met in the White House in Washington to bring UNRRA to life. The aim was to meet head on the spread of hunger, disease and economic destruction there would be at the end of the 2nd World War. Today it is the UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency). 2. A Nazi organization which provided maternity homes and financial assistance to wives of SS men and to unmarried mothers in line with the racial and eugenic policies of Nazi Germany 3. Sister Dolorosa’s letter, archives Heimatverein Indersdorf e.V. 4. Kurt Klappholz later became a well-respected lecturer at the London School of Economics and stayed in touch with Greta Fischer till her death in 1988 in Jerusalem. 5. Greta Fischer papers relating to Kloster Indersdorf displaced children’s center and to UNRRA’s postwar work in Europe, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Archives. 6. Greta Fischer papers relating to Kloster Indersdorf displaced children’s center and to UNRRA’s postwar work in Europe, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Archives, page 20

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Auspitz Birnbaum Bucchführer Farbenblum Feldbaum Feldman Fijalko William Moshe Alfred Uszer Berek Laszlo Josef

Fischer Fuchs Fülöp Fürst Grussman Junger Junger Wladislaus Josef Jeno Lazar Sinaida Moses Samuel

Anyone who knows the whereabouts or what happen to the boys and girls listed and illustrated please contact Anna Andlauer ([email protected]) All these people have one thing in common, namely they all spent sometime, after the war in Kloster Indersdorf...

Kamer Klajman Klein Klein Kleinman Krieger Meisels Eugenius Jankiel Sandor Erno Szlama Nina Bela

Munkacsy Rajnsztajn Rajnsztajn Rolnik Schwartz Stern Stroh Tibor Samuel Maier Natan Otto Alfred Peter

Swinik Traub Troper Weiss Witelson Chaim Beno Jankiel Julius Wolf

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SECTION III HERE AND NOW FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION very Saturday morning Robert Sherman the reigns. Whenever one in the synagogue generation passes on to Jews recite a prayer Robert is the husband of another, the other will want onEpassing down the Judith and both are regular to do things their way, tradition from generation contributors to our Journal. whether in business or in to generation, “l’dor vador.” Holocaust remembrance. We Holocaust survivors are understand and shun the need to accept and encourage preoccupied with the same destructive inhuman conse- the changes. If we have wishes that the Holocaust not quences of hatred. (That still properly inspired and taught, be forgotten and serve as a leaves us with the problem the essence of Holocaust lesson to future generations. of dealing with serious experiences and goals will We ask ourselves what and differences among people.) be preserved and perhaps how should we pass down How can we pass on enhanced. that which will be relevant the memories and inspire We inspire by our own and resonate in the lives of succeeding generations to lives and behaviour and by future generations and remember and to act in clearly “expecting” the next impact their behaviour both different times with different generations to carry on in memory and in action? values, technologies, tastes, individually, in family circles, And how can we help them and sensibilities in the face of in communal organizations, to differentiate between continuing anti-Semitism and by creating alliances the horrors of reality and and anti-Israel behaviours with non-Jewish persons entertainment? And how can and continuing genocide? and organizations, and by we keep the focus on the These are not new questions contributions in the many Holocaust as a distinctive and they have occupied media of the times. To keep part of Jewish history survivors for decades. Many remembrance alive the and memory, but not the actions have been instituted third and fourth generations whole of it as testified by on both a personal and need to talk about the the courageous way that communal level and on the Holocaust as if they survivors rose from the world stage. A few examples personally experienced it. ashes as Jews in a larger are Holocaust museums, Like the Exodus experience, life-enriching context? How commemorations, study they need to consult and can we universalize the centres, national anti-hate study original sources experience of the Holocaust laws, the world court, a and repeat excerpts to one and the rebuilding of life United Nations resolution, another collectively. after trauma as a distinctive thousands of published Otherwise the Holocaust part of all of human history? memoirs, recorded interviews will be relegated to history- I think we want to preserve and programmes, documen- ancient history. We can the memory of those who taries, feature films, and initiate such traditions where were murdered and those survivor presentations to they are yet to exist. who were persecuted and many kinds of audiences. The generation of survivors starved and diseased Second and third generation has worked hard to create a and brutalized. We want to members are encouraged to continuing legacy and to emphasize the consequences participate in Holocaust create the structures that of hatred and the uses of remembrance activities. will enable the story and hatred for political, national, We have to inspire younger lessons of the Holocaust to be religious or ideological generations to pick up the embedded in the hearts and purposes, especially when work. But we also have to minds of future generations embedded into law and allow them to do it their way of Jews and human kind; applied as the law and in their relevant languages, embedded both as tragedy the right thing to demonize images, music, drama, and and for the heroism of some “other” as inhuman literature. We have spoken to committing to life and and the cause of all woes. our world in our ways. We rebuilding meaningful and We want all people to have to inevitably hand over successful lives.

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A SURVIVOR’S VOICE TODAY Judith Sherman

To-day we have age lines of who the brother is and laugh lines and sturdy shoes - a promise we kept To-day we know love when way way back we said to-day we know song “feet, we you shall have soles for your toes our children are grand and splendid options to roam our grandchildren grander in all directions” And to-day and day after day To-day we say - yes; we say - no; for seventy years feel our muscled choices we are owned by a past we cannot abandon use has made them strut and strong in our souls in our pores we are where they were and bring them along To-day we know this - and take them along daily bread - daily had is in acts of day, in dreams of night as good as it gets To-day we are old, our tale is told And we know too you witness to witness a human is a mighty awe be garbed in care a human is a tale of all be girded by strength World, your brother’s keeper be and see to it but don’t make a list that our tale does not repeat

An unusual experience fter the war ended, Jack Klajman where Rose grew up. After I believed that I had no she served in the army, living family members Jack was in the Northampton she got married, had two Aor relatives. Recently, I hostel and received his kids and emigrated as a discovered that I have a education at the Ort School. family to Canada. That second cousin named Rose He went to Canada in 1948, marriage ended in divorce, who lives only two blocks together with many of our but she later re-married, from my house in London, “Boys”. He now lives in to a man named William Ontario, Canada! London, Ontario. His story (Bill) Klein. He is a As an acquaintance in the was published by Valentine dentistry specialist who local Jewish community, she Mitchell under the title of graduated from McGill came over to visit my wife “Out of the Ghetto”. University in Montreal Sonia and me one day. Rose but moved to Hamilton told us how her mother’s and eventually to London name was spelled the same Rose told me that to practice. way as mind (Klajman - a her mother went with her Initially, I had a hard very unusual spelling). Rose boyfriend to Russia, where time believing that she was said her mother was born in many young Jews fled to my cousin. But as I lay Warsaw, Poland (like my after the German invasion of in bed thinking about mother) and that her mother Poland in 1939. Rose was it one night I realized came from a large family of born to the couple after that, in fact, she is my six girls and two boys. I they married in 1943. When second cousin. Neither of remembered that my father’s the war ended, they left us thought we had any brother had a large family Russia for Poland to find surviving relatives. To think like that. She also told me out if any of their relatives that not only were we wrong - that her grandfather was a had survived the war, but but we ended up living so furrier, just like my father. they found no one. They close to each other in a small The coincidences seemed then went to France, and Canadian city - it is still very quite striking! from there to Israel. That’s hard for me to believe.

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A Lad Meets The Boys Derek Simmans was born in Ilford, Essex, more excitement with coded England 1936 and within messages like “The White a few years I was to worry experienced by our Rabbit had returned to experiI ence the effects of parents, nor could we fully his Warren”. Little did I World War Il on our family appreciate our possible fate, realise then, the danger that life. My father was 38 when it as we collected cuttings from the White Rabbit had started and working for the newspapers, shrapnel endured for our freedom in Becton Gas Works as a from the streets and followed occupied France. crane driver, due to the the troop movements on I remember the local nature of his work he the maps. St Luke’s church roof, burnt did not enlist into the When the siren sounded, by incendiary bombs, the Armed Forces. I had an we threw down the mattress glow of the red light flickered elder brother Albert born from upstairs and hurriedly across the sky, a magnet for 1931 and so together with carried it to secrete it under further bombs. We “lads” our mother Ellen (Nell) we the old oak table in the living knew the various sounds. The entered the War Zone in room. We did this operation, steady drone of the Dornier 1939. Certainly during the since anything left in Bomber, the spluttering of War years Ilford was a the damp conditions of the the VI rocket as its engine War Zone; undoubtedly underground “Dug Out” stopped and the swish of the local “civilians” were shelter soon became mouldy the air over its silent form soon to be in the front line. and wet. Hence the shelter passing over our house. Ilford is a part of the life which had been our VII rockets were later East End of London. first source of defence, was falling within half a mile of Luftwaffe bombers may abandoned at the earliest us without any warning, due have been aiming for opportunity. It was fun to to their speed. After the “All the London Docks nearby, Albert and me, but we did Clear” siren, my Mother but too often they decided notice a change of expression saying “we have been lucky to bomb the important on our parents’ faces and new this time, but some poor factories in Ilford. These anxiousness in their voices. devils, have died.” concentrations of factories When they told us to I particularly remember were to attract the Flying hurry ourselves, we did not the time that the Luftwaffe Bombs in later years. question it, even though we tried to destroy the dock area. Many youngsters had been were often half asleep. Our As the glow illuminated the evacuated, but our family life-style led to an early sky to the East, the Dockland were to stay in Ilford. The resignation to our fate, area, my father was jumping attitude of my parents was, although in later years one on his bike and cycling “If we go we go together.” can only guess at the effect on towards it, with my mother This decision was to provide our parents’ minds, during pleading with him to stay at me with many memories this terrible time in us young home. Then my brother going of the war, but a lack of lads’ life. to the South West to Leyton education was the sum We lads loved the County High, since his first result. But being so young excitement of listening to the school “The Abbey” in this front line life became our radio, which began with, Barking, had been destroyed unquestioned natural form of “This is the BBC from before he went there. So existence. It could be even London.” The sound of Big Albert was also travelling very exciting, for the young. Ben, which I was later to towards another war zone. With the planes overhead, learn, was a sound of hope for How can any mother deal dog fights to view, and “Old many. Then the Special with all this? I was too young Bill” the Barrage Balloon Messages which oddly began then to fully understand tethered nearby. The thud of with the bass drum beat of her inner emotions, but the moveable guns outside Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, they were to be in the our house, and the big guns repeated many times, since it forefront of my thoughts opening up at Barking Park was the Morse code for the many years later. shook the house. We lads letter “V” for Victory. This Naturally, during the early could not appreciate the would then be followed by part of the war, much

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discussing was made about round, there was the horror one of his well-known our involvement in the war. of the piles of dead bodies. I historic war-time speeches One must remember that was confused. Remember, I that I used to listen to on the my parents had only been was only 9. Then my mother wireless. This threw my mind young during WWI and my said “Poor Devils, now we back in memories and my father had just missed being know what we were fighting defences were completely directly involved in this war. for.” confused. He put down the Discussion was expected at We still continued to visit ‘phone and obviously he had home, with the current the cinema; we lads watched been observing my interest. events surrounding us. I the long lines of refugees His first words were “Great remember my father saying returning to what was left of Man, pity the world never that the communists called their homes. They all had listened to him earlier.” Winston Churchill a “War this vacant expression, which “How true” I said, “it may Monger” and that these I had not witnessed in have been easier to control people were not supportive of England, even during the and saved so much pain our efforts until Germany darkest hours. So I have vivid and suffering.” attacked Russia. Fortunately, images of the whole scenario My second anecdote my mother and father often of war. happened about 1991, I was discussed various topics in England gradually re- pushing my dear mother in front of us lads. This was moved the scars of war left her wheel chair. My route probably because we were in around us. Bomb sites were often took me near to the the front line, with them, our playground. My schooling cemetery at Barkingside “fellow” warriors. They also had suffered, and I had to North Ilford, nearby was took us to the cinema to see work hard to satisfy my Fairlop aerodrome where the the Pathe News. Even though father, who discovered to R.A.F had taken off to engage TV was unavailable then, his horror that this lad’s the Luftwaffe. This day I we lads were constantly education was lacking, in decided to walk into the kept well informed of the everything but war. Life cemetery where I found the world events. was to take its natural graves of the many airmen We lads remember the course, with hard work, who had given their lives. troops and tanks going National Service in the They it was who we young through Ilford to supply the R.A.F., marriage, family life “lads” had watched, twisting D-day landings in Normandy. and eventually retirement. and turning in the air above Street parties were soon to Indeed we lads had been us. My mother asked me to follow in the celebration of fortunate. We had been stop and she said with sorrow victory in Europe. Only years protected by our parents’ on her face, “Poor lads, later did I find that a care, good fortune and our they defended us. How their Simmans relative had died in armed forces. As a family we parents must have suffered. a Wellington Bomber coming remained united. How young they were.” back from Germany. She was always concerned Although many members of Our later life for others. our family had been at Dunkirk and would later be Many years after the war The “Lad” meets the at El Alamein and in India, I was to spend some time “Boys”. we had been very fortunate travelling to various as a family. European countries in the My wife Valerie and I were I still did not quite course of my work. Once I walking along the beach front understand why there had to visit an important at Westcliff on Sea Essex one was a war until one day German customer. I knew beautiful sunny day in towards the end of the war; that he was about my age and October 2007. Since it was my parents took us lads it was with mixed emotions such a lovely day, we decided to the cinema in Barking. that I prepared to go. I to walk further towards I cannot remember the arrived at the factory and Chalkwell. We had never film, but I clearly remember was ushered into his office. done this before. We stopped that week’s Pathe News. He was on the ‘phone. He and looked at a notice board There were all these people motioned for me to sit down. which pointed out the various in their pyjamas, so terribly Behind him was a picture of bird life which arrived along thin. As the camera moved Winston Churchill alongside this stretch of the beach.

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Many of these birds migrate Why did I do all this? It David for a photo to add from Europe at this time seemed the most natural to the story, he showed a of the year and it was some- thing to do, no doubt driven well-fed young man. “Who what significant that we on by the memories of seeing would have realised meet David Kutner, for the the cinema images of the what I had been through, first and only time as he took Concentration Camp libera- looking at that photo his daily stroll along the sea tion and the thought that just a few months after front. As a result of this all “We Lads “were indeed lucky, arriving in England,” were too brief meeting, David told since we still had our family his words. us that he was born in after the war, and although A year after David’s Poland, and showed us his our life had been hard, how Kutner’s death, the family tattoo number B-7623. He could it compare with David’s invited us to the laying of said that he had written life, and the loss of his the stone. Like a member some of his story down, and parents, and long separation of their family, we were at my insistence he sent from his only surviving to be welcomed by all. We to me a brief write-up of sister, Franja? were well looked after and his terrible experiences in A seemingly unknown there we sat and talked to Auschwitz Concentration hand is guiding us in life. Ben Helfgott, Ivor Perl Camp. I felt that his story We had never walked and other members of the should be better documented towards Chalkwell, but it diminishing family of and deposited it in the Essex was Valerie, my wife who “Boys.” They had their own Record Office. David was had insisted on this loving family now. This undoubtedly now an Essex occasion, to walk the family, of “Lads” and “Boys” man and his life story should extra mile. Sadly David were together around a table never be lost. was to die only a few months in the Synagogue Hall. Many David’s original write-up after our first and only years after the terrible had left some questions meeting. If we had not gone events, that had affected all unanswered, and to help the extra mile, we would our lives. future readers of his story; I have never met. What had been my most contacted him and we spoke David’s family were later to moving moment whilst over the ‘phone and he wrote present me with a copy of talking to all the “Boys” was to me with some more details. Martin Gilbert’s book their total lack of hatred. As a result, I have added his “The Boys.” Now I know what They, who had lost many of life in England then sent the happened to some of the their family, had an inner completed story to Yad “Boys” that I had seen at peace. Let us pray that the Vashem in Jerusalem who the cinema all those years world will learn this peace now hold this record. ago. Indeed, when I asked from them.

Poetry Choice longside the poems by Liz Cashdan the “durability” of his own Radnoti, we have two determination to survive. poems by Holocaust (Reprinted from Jewish These poems are evidence of surAvivor Witold Henryk Gutt. Renaissance July 2009 his experiences but they He was born in Przemysl in Vol. 8 Issue 4 p.49) are much more since Poland in 1928, and in 1943 the apparent bleakness of the was taken to the camp at language matches the bleak- Krakow-Plaszow and then to group known as The Boys, he ness of Gutt’s experience in Natzweiler near Strasbourg took a degree in Chemistry Nazi camps. It is always where he was forced to and then worked in the remarkable to find that as work as an electrician. In Scientific Civil Service. readers we can be enriched 1945 he was marched He wrote papers on by reading about something to Dachau and from there to high-temperature chemistry we’d rather not read about Riem airport where he was and the durability of provided that the language finally liberated by the materials. It was not till used is appropriate. American army. After he got later that he wrote “high Adorno may have said to England as part of the temperature” poetry based on “To write poetry after

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Auschwitz is barbaric,” but I survives in the valley of its As Gutt writes: “We must would contend that making.” The Polish poet, cry first, and then move because of the concentra- Wislava Szymborska, trying forward. This is what we do.” tion camps we need poetry to work out what poetry was, Gutt’s poems are indeed part even more. Auden had wrote: “But I just keep on not of the handrail that helps us written earlier that “poetry knowing and I cling to that. all to move forward. makes nothing happen, it Like a redemptive handrail.”

Heart of Darkness

High on a mountain in the Vosges forest, Natzweiler camp. The approach to the Champ du Feu is enchanting among the trees and vistas.

Inside, sinister clean streets between low barracks. What foes on here? Experiments on Jews, shaming medical science.

The Scandinavian prisoners are hopeful and safe. They will survive and Red Cross parcels will help them.

There is no work and we wait In the afternoons the musselmen walk in slow circles on the parade ground before Their imminent death from exhaustion. They are like the chained and emaciated black prisoners in ‘Heart of Darkness’. Conrad understood such horrors could happen. His vision predates these events.

We are examined by ‘friendly doctors’. For what purpose?

Amazingly, after a week, the intended itinerary rolls, And we leave by train for the commando at Neckarelz to work as electricians in the aircraft factory Inside a sandstone quarry.

The Neckar is beautiful. Barges move slowly in the calm water between the hills.

Soon the red-tailed American fighter planes will be overhead, flying low. They recognise us and do not fire.

The promise of survival is in the air in the summer of 44. But much is still to come before the Americans shoot their way into Dachau.

Dauchau, April 1945

This is where it all began. ‘Arbeit macht frei’. Many have died here.

The big barracks have circular wash-basins and water, but there is no food and we are starving.

We walk about in the small space in front of our barracks and wait.

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Unexpectedly, tinned food is given out to be used on a journey. We suspect the worst, a death march, so we eat the food and wait.

Suddenly there is gunfire. We climb over the gates to the main concourse leading to the parade ground. There are soldiers in green firing at the SS in their towers. They are Americans, some speak Polish. It is unbelievable, we are free.

The gunfire continues, some prisoners fall, dead within seconds of survival, trying to overcome the SS without weapons.

Horowitz and I share the moment of liberation. I think of my mother, and he of his wife whom we left together in Przemysl ghetto.

Later our fears that they were murdered are confirmed. We must cry first, and then move forward.

This is what we do.

Witold Henryk Gutt.

Treasures of Black Death remarkable exhibition Witold Gutt suspicion immediately fell under this title is on upon the Jewish population. view (19.2.09 - 10.5.09) were blamed for spreading Fleeing persecution, the atAthe Wallace Collection. Jews concealed their the disease. The exhibition presents Among the jewellery on most precious possessions, two hoards of medieval display are three of the hoping to return. Sadly, a gold and silver jewellery earliest known Jewish combination of the plague and other previous objects wedding rings. and pogroms meant that they found in Colmar, France, On display also are remained uncollected. It is in the nineteenth century silver vessels, coins and believed that the attacks on and at Erfurt in Germany in silver ingots used as currency Jews arising from the Black the 1990s. recognised across state Death constitute the most Both hoards were buried boundaries. serious, extensive and at the time of the Black The Black Death laid prolonged persecution prior Death in the middle of the waste to Europe, wiping out a to the Holocaust. It is for fourteenth century by Jewish third of the population and this reason that I have families who were expelled or terrified local people who decided to prepare this note murdered because the Jews searched for a scapegoat; for the Journal.

The Nano View Witold Gutt Value the next minute This way, by seeing Forget the large view, a very small area, Concentrate on the micro you may avoid some or even the nano. things you may wish to forget.

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My Latest Trip To AUSTRIA Anita Lasker Wallfisch or geographical reasons He suggested to his Boss at I combined two sepa- For those who have not the Berghof that it might be a rate invitations. read the article I wrote some good idea to organise a trip to FThe first was from a time ago about a previous Auschwitz. The reply was: remarkable team of two visit to this area, here is a ...... Auschwitz??? What has people who have devoted short resume. Auschwitz got to do with their lives to keeping ‘The Some two years ago this? Needless to say past in the presence’. I was invited to speak that the young man was They call themselves’ at the Documentation outraged... organized a trip to ELYSIUM BETWEEN TWO Centre in Berchtesgaden, Auschwitz on his own with CONTINENTS’ because they Hitler’s famous ‘Berghaus’, the help of the Auschwitz function in America as where he entertained his committee and according to a well as Europe, stage minion. Now there is a report it seemed to have been performances and concerts Documentation Centre there a great success. always somehow related to where I had been invited to The story is of course a lot ‘what has been’. They also give a talk. longer than I am telling it run workshops for budding All evidence of the previous here. singers etc. occupants have been I finally got to bed in the Neither of these people are obliterated so that it should early hours and promised Jewish and I think they are not serve as a pilgrimage this young man that I will try doing a remarkable job in place for new Nazis[!], do whatever I can to make keeping the past alive. and if you want to spend this story public. They invited me to speak time up there you can I resumed my talks in at one of these workshops stay in the very impressive various places in Austria, which took place in a Intercontinental Hotel and talked about the monastery in Benried by admire the view! Berchtesgaden story to the Starenberger See nr. I assure you it was an people only to learn that it Munich. A beautiful place, eerie feeling to look at the was common knowledge but I have to admit that very trees that Hitler used to that the Berghof had I prefer hotels to monastic look at! become a pilgrimage place accommodation. I was assigned two young for Nazis. From there I went to Austrian students who An article in ‘DerSpiegel’ Austria. First stop Salzburg were working as guides at the confirms this by writing that: where I spoke in a school and centre. They were supposed ..... somewhat hidden up in the evening in the ‘Kultur to keep me entertained on the there near the house where Zentrum’. day I arrived. I declined the Hitler used to live is a Stefan Zweig lived in offer to visit Herbert v noticeboard saying that Salzburg for many years, in Karajan’s grave! Salzburg is it was here that the fact till the ‘Anschluss’ when a stones throw away from Holocaust was planned. he started a nomadic life Berchtesgaden and we spent The word Holocaust has ending in South America some very pleasant hours to be regularly repainted where he and his wife just walking around in this because it gets scratched committed suicide. beautiful little town. out every week! What’s new! There is now a STEFAN I kept loosely in touch with I promised my young ZWEIG museum in Salzburg. one of these students and Austrian friend to try and Alas, the original house when I arrived in Salzburg on do something about this which he had to sell for my last trip, he was waiting and mentioned this sad next to nothing could for me in my hotel, and told state of affairs to an Austrian not be used because me the following story: reporter who came to someone else lives in it Just by the way... he interview me. He seemed now and has no intention knew his grandfather was a very disturbed and sent me of giving it back! committed Nazi!! an e-mail that a German

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reporter will ring me any erected some 50 years ago. all ages who spoke in moment now... .this was The Austrians only got round both languages, Slovenian weeks ago. I am still waiting! to it now. and German. My next stop in Austria In fairness to Austrians I I admit that I was ignorant was Klagenfurt: Haider must mention that if it had of what this part of Austria country!!! not been for the tireless really represents and why it Among other commitments efforts of some local people, is a hotbed of Nazism. It I was asked to say a few absolutely nothing would all harks back to the first words at the inauguration ever have happened at all world war when countries of a ‘Gedenkstaette’ at the and everything would have were cut up artificially Loibl Pass. conveniently been left to sink with the result of fostering I had never heard of into oblivion. extreme resentment of the this place.. In fact it was a After all, we are in population who suddenly sub-camp of Mauthausen. Haider country. Haider lived on territory that used to Prisoners were made to dig a may be dead but his evil be ‘ours’ so to speak. tunnel through a mountain spirit has certainly not What’s new! separating Austria from been extinct. I had a chance to air my Slovenia under conditions The ceremony there grievances at an interview that I do not have to go into was very moving. Hundreds with the Sueddeutsche here. of people were present. Zeitung . . . for what it is Thousands of people - Representatives of various worth. mainly French - died there. nationalities and even So I am ploughing on The significance of this some very old survivors regardless. is that on the Slovenian and an encouraging number side a memorial has been of school children of Anita Lasker Wallfisch

LODZ – A Tale Of A City Mira Hamermesh

(This article appeared in The Guardian on Saturday 31st October in the ‘Family’ Section, but under a different title. It’s a personal story that links the dramatic history of Lodz Ghetto with the fate of its inhabitants, including members of Mira’s family)

s a teenager, Mira Hamermesh defied her parents and fled Nazi-ocA cupied Poland. Her mother starved to death in the Lodz ghetto, her father perished in Auschwitz. Last August, 65 years after the ghetto was liquidated, the film-maker returned for a reunion of its few survivors. I came to England after the second world war as one of the scores of people who had managed to flee from the carnage brought against Europe’s Jews. I settled in Mira Hamermesh with one of the cattle trucks used to London where I studied transport Jews to the death camps, preserved as a painting at the Slade School memorial.

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of Fine Art, later becoming a Lodz, Poland’s second most Slavic features, as well as her filmmaker. I married, important city after Warsaw. anxious nature, while my brought up a family, and led a I recall walks with him, brother’s Nordic appearance, fulfiling life. My English listening to rags-to-riches in the Nazi racial new order friends knew that Poland was stories. Five hundred world, was a ticket to safety. the country of my birth but thousand residents thrived Landing at Lodz Reymont little about my life there. in the energetic climate gen- airport, my heartbeat They were surprised to hear erated by Lodz’s economic, quickened, and I was hit by that at the end of August, I social, political and cultural jumbled memories about the planned to go back to join a spheres. Unlike any other outbreak of war. Unlike gathering of ghetto survivors Polish city, it had a unique Warsaw, Lodz did not resist to commemorate 65 years mix of ethnic nationals - the invaders. It could not, since the liquidation of the Poles, Jews and Germans - because on 8 September Lodz-Litzmannstadt ghetto. who somehow managed to 1939, immediately after the Survivors were to gather coexist, if not always in German troops entered Lodz, from many continents, some harmony. Before the war, the the local German-speaking accompanied by children and Jewish population numbered population became an grandchildren, to participate about 230,000, almost half aggressive, swastika-wearing in the event for the last time the city’s population. fifth column. We watched in their lives. Hitler’s war against the in horror as flags with “Why go?” I was asked Jews brought about not only swastikas and portraits by friends over drinks. the annihilation of people of Hitler appeared in the “You never mentioned that physically, but also of their windows of their homes you had been in a ghetto.” personal documents. In my and shops. “I wasn’t, but my parents own battle to seek traces of I was a bookish teenager and all my extended family memories, the few family with a passion for films, were.” After a pregnant photographs I had played Latin and ice skating, silence, my friend George a vital role. I took them filled with desire to see raised his glass. “Let’s drink with me to Lodz. Mother’s the unknown world. Then, to Mira’s luck!” photograph never fails suddenly, the war! I watched Yes, I was lucky - but luck to revive a sense of her the German troops passing comes at a price. The lucky presence. My nostrils still under our windows, greeted ones, like me, as they grow hunger for the scent of her enthusiastically by local older, discover that they are perfume. It was taken at the Germans. History in the shackled to the shadows of Marienbad spa, the summer making was parading before known and unknown people, before the outbreak of war. It my eyes. I must confess, at dead or alive. shows a statuesque woman, first I found it exciting. During the flight to Poland, well-dressed, with Polish Not for long. I reacted riding the clouds, I was hit features. It does not reveal with hatred and rage to my by a kaleidoscopic flow of that she was anxious, fearful first experience of a German memories about my life in about the future. I’ll never soldier entering our home. Lodz before the war. My know what kind of foreboding Hans, a worker in father’s parents had three children; had made her say: “Danger modest rubber factory, who my brother was followed everywhere ... I feel it in went for his summer holidays by two daughters of whom I my bones.” Father was to Germany as a Polish was the youngest. We lived photographed wearing a citizen and returned a fully in a comfortable, modern fashionable ski hat, bringing fledged member of the apartment in the centre of memories of the crisp, white Wehrmacht, had come to the town with members Carpathian mountains. In a pay a visit. “Well, Jew,” he of our extended family crowd of blond, sky-blue eyed greeted my father, “your living close by - father’s Poles, his Mediterranean home is going to be mine. four brothers, mother’s looks drew attention. He had Soon we Germans are going three sisters, and my a cheerful disposition and to move all the Jews out from numerous cousins. The Lodz trusted people, knew the this town.” Before leaving, telephone book had many names of plants and trees, he warned father of dire Hamermeszes - the original and was fond of horses. I consequences if anything was spelling of our name. resemble him in looks. My sold or removed. It broke my Father took pride in sister inherited mother’s heart to see my resourceful

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father humiliated and against all odds, to get away and I watched many joyful stripped of authority. from the German-occupied reunions between survivors The idea to leave part of Poland to the part who had not seen each Lodz came to me after a annexed by the Soviets. In other for many years. I was succession of daily proclama- Lvov, a Polish city already hoping that during the four tions forbidding Jews Sovietised, we found shelter days of organised events I from anything that makes with family friends. It was might meet some survivors life bearable: owning not for long. Soon afterwards, who had known my parents businesses or practising my brother was picked up by in the ghetto. their professions, using the Soviets and, after a year Lodz-Litzmannstadt ghetto tramways, entering cinemas, in prison, forced to sign a was established in February congregating for studies or confession that he was a spy. 1940. The area chosen was a prayers. I had become He was deported to a gulag in poverty stricken slum district obsessed with the idea of Siberia. Meanwhile, I made called Baluty. Before the joining my sister in Palestine my way to the then neutral walls built around it were who, a year earlier, as a Lithuania where, thanks finished, and it became young Zionist, had persuaded to my sister, I got on to a hermetically sealed off from our parents to let her study list for Youth Aliyah, an the rest of Poland, its streets there. My desire to leave organisation formed to rescue were filled with chaotic created havoc. Mother Jewish children from the scenes of families forced to blamed Father. “You’ve filled Nazis. I reached Palestine in vacate their previous homes, her head with stories that 1941, where I was reunited desperately seeking a place everything is possible if one with my sister, and later - inside the overpopulated wishes hard enough.” She amazingly - my brother. I ghetto. My parents and other wrung her hands in despair. finally settled in London members of our family would “And you, Miss Fantasy, in 1947. have been among them. forget about your crazy My mother’s lament often As well as the catastrophic ideas. It’s war - and families echoed in my head. I consoled conditions of hunger and stay together!” myself by making plans for typhus epidemic which began Father could see that our future joyful reunion. But to wipe out the population, her words were falling on the sorrow I had caused her the Germans chose Lodz deaf ears. “Let her learn that caught up with me with a ghetto as a stopover station getting to Palestine is a vengeance when I myself was for Jews deported from pipe dream.” For safety, about to become a mother. In major German and European he appointed as chaperone the hospital delivery room, cities, including Berlin, my 17-year-old brother, when I called out in pain - Luxembourg, Prague and whose task it was to bring me “Mama, Mama” - it revived Vienna. On his arrival in back safely. her lament. My son’s arrival Lodz, one wrote in his diary: It was a rainy Sunday was greeted with tears “We know now that hell in November when the hour of joy mingled with tears of exists, for Ghetto Lodz- of separation came. We longing for my family. Litzmannstadt is its pit.” were standing ready with By then, I had already The destinations of approxi- backpacks, facing my tearful learned of my parents’ fate. mately 20,000 new arrivals mother. She broke down: “I’ll Mother, Fajga Hamermesz were Auschwitz or Chelmno, never see you again!” Her (née Lerer), died of starvation a lesser known extermination embrace held me rigid, her in May 1943. And father, camp. These foreign Jews warmth was like a magnet, Josef Meir Hamermesz, who were deported ahead of the and I knew that if I stayed had miraculously stayed Lodz Jews. Gypsies from one second longer I’d never be alive until the end, was Romania and Hungary were able to tear myself from her. deported to Auschwitz also sent to Lodz. The “I’ll never see you again!” she with the last transport from Germans had established a lamented, and I slid from her Lodz in 1944. mini-ghetto within the arms and, without looking This year in Lodz, I chose Jewish ghetto where they back, ran down the stairs, to stay at the Grand Hotel. It were liquidated. chased by her sobs. was where Father used to At the reunion, stories My parents only learned take us on Sundays for a included heated discussions some months later that my treat of ice cream. Its lobby about Chaim Rumkowski. A brother and I had managed, was crowded with arrivals, distinguished-looking man in

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his 60s, I remember him arthritic hand was a bridge She was spared the brutal pinching my cheeks when I for me to walk over into scenes of the deportations was a girl and he ran the world of the ghetto. to Auschwitz ...” Later I the Jewish orphanage. He “I was the doctor on duty learned that he talked was appointed by the in the Lodz hospital when from experience. He was Germans to run Lodz ghetto your father brought your one of the doctors forced and will never be forgiven for mother in.” to make lists of critically carrying out the command The grandson wheeled ill patients earmarked for to deliver 3,000 children him outdoors to the nearest deportations. for deportation. “Give me cafe, ordered coffee and The next morning, I went your children,” he asked tactfully left us alone. “Before to mother’s grave. In the starving Jews who had your mother was taken the ghetto section of the gathered to hear him speak. ill, I saw her passing in the cemetery, where hundreds of By then, they knew about the street. She was so emaciated thousands of Jews were gas chambers in Auschwitz that her dress hung on her buried without proper and Chelmno, the two like a tent.” graves, she was lucky to death camps with direct rail Seeing me close to tears, have one. Afterwards I links from the station built he consoled me. “She was followed people gathering at to serve the ghetto. In very sick when she was Radegast, the station which the end, Rumkowski also taken in. Swollen from has been transformed into a died in Auschwitz. hunger, and jaundiced, and memorial, with a single cattle In my quest to learn we doctors had no proper truck preserved as a relic. more about the Lodz ghetto, medicines. Your father would Father would have been keen to know what my bring her his own bread and forced inside one, sealed in parents would have faced soup which, believe me, were with 100 or more people, there, I engaged a survivor starvation rations ... potato before it carried him towards in a conversation about peel was a medicine obtained the gas chambers of Rumkowski. “This puppet on prescription ...” Auschwitz. My hand touched dictator who fancied himself We were sitting in the carriage, still full of king of the Jews? A murderer Piotrkowska Street. Its unclaimed ghosts. of children, he was!” art-nouveau architecture A woman interjected had been the pride of Yet, the Lodz commemora- angrily: “Why not tell her the city, it was where tion turned out to be a about the schools, the Mother used to take us celebration of remembrance. children’s summer camps in shopping for new clothes. The hardships experienced Marysin, the concerts and And here Uncle Bernard by Lodz’s ghetto population other cultural activities had his large wholesale equipped them to be master- that Rumkowski provided? shop of felt materials teachers for the future: they And hospitals? In our ghetto, fronted by a huge signboard, learned the hard way how to people were not dying in the “Hamermesz & Son”. “You rebuild wrecked lives. My streets like in Warsaw.” know, your mother was parents’ experiences of the “If you ask me,” a bearded a very lucky woman. She Final Solution, from which I survivor addressed me, had your father sitting by was saved, have left me “history is still undecided her bedside, day and night. with a lifelong unease, made whether he was a villain Also important was the fact bearable only through or a hero. No other ghetto that none of her three creativity. Whether in my survived as long as ours. children had to suffer with films, my painting or In the end, Lodz had her in the ghetto. She my writing, the unspeakable the largest number of knew that your sister was evil endured in the Lodz survivors. Look what a huge safe in Palestine. About ghetto is the pivotal force crowd we make.” you and your brother, that has always driven me. A survivor in a wheelchair she was worried. Your father pushed by his grandson, on kept telling her that if bad Mira Hamermesh’s hearing my name, greeted news did not reach them, it memoir The River of me: “You must be one of was a good sign. the Hamermesz daughters.” “Let me tell you something Angry Dogs is published He gripped my hand and I else,” he added. “She was by Pluto Press, priced held on, as if his wrinkled, lucky to die when she did. £12.99

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First His Parents, Then His Son, Then His Wife…

How Faith Sustained Alex Gross Through A Series Of Unspeakable Tragedies Boruch Shubert

If society gave out medals for optimism and endurance, Alex Gross would surely be a prime candidate to receive the lion’s share. His series of horrifying experiences during the period when Europe was engulfed by the Holocaust would be enough to defeat any person. Miraculously,

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however, Gross survived adolescent Alex was stunned (hear what your father the war with his physical to see his Gentile neighbours tells you)’. That has stayed and mental capabilities turn against his fellow Jews. embedded in me. intact. He went on to achieve In 1944 the oppression In spite of the unspeakable great success in the United intensified as the Nazis atrocities he witnessed, States as a real estate arrested Jews and forced Gross never succumbed to magnate, communal leader them to abandon their despair. Not only did he and family man. But the homes. Alex was then lose a number of relatives spectre of tragedy continued fourteen and still carries and friends to the Nazis, to haunt him. In two vivid memories of the brutal but both of his parents separate incidents, first his conditions at that time. perished in Auschwitz. young son and then his wife “It was Pesach,” Gross Through it all, he says, his were suddenly and violently told GOOD FORTUNE. faith sustained him. taken from him, causing “Every man, woman and After the war, Gross Gross to re-examine his child was taken into the spent some time in deepest beliefs yet again. ghetto. We had no shelters different parts of Europe This, then is the story of a and it was very cold. The before finally travelling Jew who has lived through typical day in our area in to the United States in late an excruciating amount of the winter was ten to fifteen 1949 to live with relatives persecution and personal degrees below zero with already residing here. heartache - but refuses to snow up to your chest. They During this period, he relinquish his faith in G-d did not give us any food or continued to reunite with and trust in man’s potential water. The ghetto was really one long-separated sibling for good. nothing but a temporary after another, eventually The story of Alex Gross station on the road to death.” discovering that all were still begins in the town of The feeling of being trapped alive. (His stepbrother Munkacz in Czechoslovakia’s was pervasive among had died from typhoid Carpathian Mountains, the Jewish population. As on the day of his liberation.) where he was born in 1928. Gross put it. “The local “I can’t explain why in our His parents raised their people wanted to get rid of family so many survived,” seven sons and one daughter the Jews too. Where could we Gross commented. “It is a with a powerful mixture of hide? Who would want to miracle to me.” love and examples of concern endanger themselves?” The succeeding years for others that has left its After some time, the Nazis brought Gross new mark on Alex to this very day. emptied out the ghetto, opportunities to restructure “My father never left the transporting the Jews to his life and aim for shul on any Shabbos until he Auschwitz by train. Packed success. He worked at made sure that any stranger with approximately 100 other various jobs while diligently who passed through our human beings into a cattle pursuing a college education village had a place to eat”, car, Alex travelled for at night. Along with Gross recounted to GOOD many days under intolerable two of his brothers, Gross FORTUNE. “My mother circumstances. One poignant began to develop his own took in a lot of other people memory stands out in his building business, which to live with us, yet she mind against the background involved the creation never complained or asked of inhumanity. “I remember of manufactured housing for anything”. my father kept saying to me, and specialised communities. With the onset of World ‘Yankele, ich vill das di vest In order to advance his War II, Czechoslovakia was laiben (I want you should career, he took courses in annexed by Hungary and its live.’ My mother kept looking construction and real inhabitants became subject at me and saying, ‘Yankele, estate at Ohio State to official anti-Semitism. The her vus dain tate zogt University.

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In 1960, Gross decided new life. But it would soon more than seventeen years, to relocate to the South. become evident that G-d he has almost never missed a He and his brothers wished to put him to the test Shabbos or Yom Tov service acquired 2,500 acres of still again. in Atlanta’s Beth Jacob undeveloped land in Gross had married, shul, led by Rabbi Feldman. Conyers, Georgia, east of becoming the proud father Active in several Jewish Atlanta, thus forming the of three daughters and organisations, Gross also nucleus of Atlanta Suburbia one son. His joy was further established a Chesed Society Estates Ltd. The thriving increased when his son in his shul, naming it land development company celebrated his bar mitzvah. after his late wife, who would soon be the envy of About a year later, while had been quietly involved established competitors. And the family was in the in goodwill work on while Atlanta has been process of moving to Atlanta, behalf of needy Jews. On a the primary focus of Gross’s the teenager was killed in broader scale, he has community developments, an accident with a farming garnered quite a bit of it is by no means, his only machine on a plot of his media attention for the interest. Over the years he father’s land. “I really numerous lectures he has has left his imprint on other wanted to die,” Gross told given on his Holocaust sections of the country as GOOD FORTUNE. “I did not ordeals to fraternal organisa- well. By now this visionary want to live. Then I took a tions, such as Kiwanis real estate entrepreneur look at my wife and I started and Rotary clubs. Feeling has been responsible for the realising how fortunate especially compelled to establishment of over 40,000 I am. I took a look at my educate the next generation housing units in eighteen three beautiful daughters of Americans about the states. it is probably not and I started realising how dark side of mankind’s too far-fetched to conjecture blessed I am.” No matter recent past, he has travelled that the destruction and how daunting the situation, to many colleges and devastation witnessed by Alex Gross was able to public schools across Alex Gross in his earlier summon up a sense of hope. the South, painstakingly years implanted deep within Nine years later, Gross recreating his personal his soul an unquenchable was once again forced history and impressing desire to rebuild the to plumb the depths of students with the necessity world around him, to create his courage when his wife of fostering a peaceful environmental splendour of twenty-five years was world in which justice and out of barren terrain attacked and murdered fairness prevail. and bring long-lasting beauty in downtown Atlanta. To Asked if he had one into the lives of his fellow this day, the perpetrator has specific message he wished human beings. not been caught. Exhibiting to impart to a new generation Alex Gross had made it his trademark fortitude, this of Jews, Gross replied: through the Holocaust alive, survivor of repeated affliction “Remain good Jews - believe consequently reasserting has since remarried, thereby in Hashem and be charitable. his belief in a Supreme gaining three stepsons. You should always be devoted Being who rules the world Amazingly, his faith has to the Jewish people and do and ultimately protects remained undiminished. “I your best to make sure that the Jewish nation. He was brought up to believe in the world can survive as a had managed to pass an G-d,” he stated emphatically. viable place to live.” Words to unparalleled test of faith “He has His reasons.” live by - from a man who has and will. Having defied Religion and devotion to lived through the worst of seemingly insurmountable Jewish principles have times and arisen to fashion a odds, he had emerged from always played a key role in life resonant with the spirit of total ruin to form a brand the life of Alex Gross. In idealism.

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My Post-War Memoir Jerzy Lando BA (Hons) Hum (Open) First installment remembered the address of Mr W Alt, father-in-law of my Chapter 1 The Aftermath Under the command of uncle Edek, at 70 Allenby The distant sound of thunder, Captain Lech Grzybowski”, I Street in Tel-Aviv. It was faint at first, was getting took an active part in Edek who replied to my louder, more prolonged, the 1944 Warsaw uprising. I letter. His family, all freed threatening and intense. The was slightly wounded by from the concentration camp, curious thing about what shrapnel, of which one small were with him in Tel-Aviv, my sounded like a violent electric bit remains lodged in my mother had returned to our storm was the absence of hand. As we were about to pre-war apartment in Lodz even a single cloud in the surrender, I was promoted to and Mr Alt had received news bright sky. It did not take the rank of staff sergeant2. about Michal who now lived long to realise that the din Under the terms of the in England. I got anxious - was not of a storm but that of capitulation, along with why did he not mention Hamburg being bombed. other combatants, I was my father? I wrote to my Our guards seemed to be sent to the Lamsdorf Oflag3 mother who had just heard getting friendlier with in Upper Silesia at the end from Edek that I was alive every day, and one morning, of September. At Christmas and well. Her reply was when we woke up we saw 1944, at the approach of shattering. My father was none at the open gates. This Soviet troops, we were apprehended by the Germans happened on 3rd of May transported to the Sandbostel only two weeks before the 1945, when British troops P.O.W. Camp. Now, at long Russian troops arrived and reached Sandbostel P.O.W. last, at the age of 22, I was a there was no trace of him Camp, half-way between free man, I had no need to ever since. He had managed Hamburg and Bremen. hide or fear anyone. to swim across to reach I had survived close to six Among the first British the shore, but not to get out. years of the Nazi occupation soldiers to enter the And Michal, diagnosed with of Poland, including several Camp was Sergeant Saul schizophrenia5 , was recently selections for deportation Polack from Liverpool, short, admitted to the Long Grove from the Warsaw ghetto bespectacled and of Mental Hospital in Epsom. to Treblinka gas chambers an unmistakably Jewish I wished to go back to and two years of clandestine appearance. When I told Poland, but my mother urged existence on false papers on him that I was Jewish, he me to stay in Germany the “Aryan” side of the city. refused to believe me. for the time being, as former In early 1944 a colleague ‘You don’t look like one’, members of the Polish Home at work, an officer in the he insisted. I offered to Army were being imprisoned underground Stronnictwo pull my trousers down by the Communist regime or Narodowe affiliated to the to prove it. ‘It proves sent to Siberia. A.K., the Polish Home Army1, nothing,’ he said, ‘many When Saul heard that invited me to join it. It Gentiles are circumcised apart from Polish and was an extreme right-wing for health reasons.’ It was English, I was fluent in organisation and far from an my recitation of the opening German, French and had ideal choice for a Jew. But to of the Pesach prayer some understanding of the outside world, I was not a “Ma nishtana halajla hazae” Russian, he introduced me Jew and I knew of no other that convinced him. Amazed to his commander, Major way of getting prepared for to meet a Holocaust Jennings who was looking the expected confrontation survivor, he embraced me for an interpreter. He was with the German army. In warmly and we remained responsible for dealing recognition of the two close friends during my with tens of thousands of years’ service in the school’s stay in Germany. refugees and P.O.Ws from cadet corps, I was given I had to find out what all parts of Europe, stranded the rank of Cadet Officer had happened to my parents, in Northwest Germany. and chose “Hetmanski” for to my brother and the rest He offered me the post of my pseudonym. of my family. Fortunately, I interpreter with the 205

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British Military Government Michal’s wife lived. She Lithuania, continued on to and I remained in its would be best able to tell me Sweden and then to England, headquarters in nearby about Michal’s life since he showing incredible pluck and Bossum for 10 months. came to England. Betty, as ingenuity. He felt there at After I woke up one night she called herself, was in her home, as at the outbreak of with a toothache, I was late twenties, tall and bony, the war he was a third year recommended a dentist, some not very feminine, with black student at the Manchester 10 miles away. He had a smooth hair and brown eyes, College of Technology, one beautiful daughter of about not what I would consider as year away from getting my age. We were attracted a typical Anglo-Saxon. She a degree in Textile to each other at first sight lived with her parents and Manufacturing. His mental and I became a frequent worked for her father, Mr illness was due to the visitor to their house. We Robertshaw as a dental appalling treatment he had were often left on our own, nurse. Their semi-detached received while serving with but never ventured out house, with a small back the Polish Armed Forces in together, fraternising being garden, very much like all Britain. His fellow soldiers frowned upon. I found it hard other houses in the same treated him cruelly, as he was to reconcile the impression street. Unfamiliar with the a Jew, brutalised and bullied of a cultured and humane English way of life, I was him until, unfit for service, family with their fellowmen’s surprised to see each family he was finally released in indescribable cruelty. living in a separate house late 19437. They met shortly The Long Grove Hospital and not in apartments; afterwards and got married contacted Mr Alt in Tel-Aviv, only a rich country could at the Manchester Register whom Michal had named to afford such luxury. Office the following May. She be notified in case of his Weak flames from smoul- decided to leave him before death. Mr Alt gave the caller dering coal in an open long, Michal gradually my mother’s address as fireplace made their simply becoming impossible to be Michal’s next-of-kin and she furnished lounge look rather with. They lost contact and received some papers of than feel warm. Family the notice of his admission Michal, which included a list photos on the shelves around to the mental hospital less of addresses. One of them the walls made me feel than a year after their was of Dr Joseph Rosenberg, jealous; I had none to wedding, was the first apparently his only visitor at remind me of my past and of thing she heard about the hospital. He immediately my family6. I received a him since their separation. offered to make all the warm welcome from Betty’s His condition must have arrangements for her to come parents; there was curiosity deteriorated since their to London but, because of in their eyes, I doubt if they wedding. A textile technician travel restrictions, she had to had met many foreigners at the time of the wedding, wait till early autumn to get before me. After dinner, I was he is named as labourer a passport, visa and ticket. I shown to a small bedroom on on admission to hospital, was most anxious to meet the upper floor. It was cold as can be seen by comparing her; I was granted one week’s and uninviting, the fireplace the admission and the death compassionate leave and looked sad, as if it has been certificate. provided with all the travel waiting for a long time to be In the afternoon, I took a documents. I boarded a used. I shuddered when I got train to Euston and from ship in the Hook of Holland into bed, the sheets felt damp there I rushed to mother’s and after an overnight sea as if they barely had time to furnished room in Seven voyage, the first in my dry from the laundry. It was Sisters Road, close to the life, during which I was the Lancashire air. I was not Manor House tube station. violently seasick, I landed sorry to leave the next day. Many tears must have rolled in Newhaven. Here I got In the morning, Betty down her cheeks in the two the first view of the land told me a great deal about years since I last saw her. At I had for so long dreamt her husband and herself. 46, she had not lost her good to see. It was unwelcoming, In the autumn of 1939, looks, except that she looked hiding behind a thick mist in Michal, four years my senior, worn out and tired. Early heavy rain. managed to smuggle himself next day, we travelled to I decided to go first to from the German-occupied Epsom, where we found Oldham, where Elizabeth, Poland to then neutral Michal on his own, lying in

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bed in a cell with a small closest friend, Rose, on walks between his family and barred window just below the around the city and in the my mother were strained. ceiling and a spy hole in the surrounding countryside. My old room’s furnishings door. The cell was hardly In April 1946, I received had not changed, except for a large enough for the bed and from mother the news I had grand Blutner piano, which the two chairs that were been impatiently waiting my mother got the caretaker brought in for us. I found it for. Following an amnesty, to bring down from an unbearable to see him failing ex-members of the Polish empty apartment on her to recognise us six dreadful Home Army were no longer arrival when she saw that years after he had bid prosecuted and I could my pre-war Bechstein had us goodbye. Distressed, we join her at home with nothing disappeared. This room also went back to London where I to fear. On a visit to served as the bedroom for stayed until my leave ended. Hamburg, much of it in ruins, Halinka, my second cousin, a Mother saw him every day I bought a civilian set of war orphan whom my mother after my departure. clothes. It was painful to had taken under her wing. Mother remained in part with my companions and She was a big girl of my age, London for a couple of weeks, with my German girlfriend. good looking, with a mass of visiting her many relatives, I returned my military black curly hair and black some close, some distant, uniform, boarded a passenger shining eyes. To get to her whom she last saw during boat in Bremen and, after room at night, she had to the holiday she had spent passing through the Kiel pass through my brother’s in England with my father Canal, disembarked in former bedroom, where I now in August 1939. Her cousin, Szczecin, to complete my slept. I don’t remember the Mrs Kliger found her the journey to Lodz by train. circumstances, but soon after present accommodation. Of It took a long time, enough my arrival I found her in my greatest help to her was to think about my recent bed one night and on most of Dr Rosenberg, a Polish ex- past and, not without the following nights. refugee. Since he came to some misapprehension, about The large textile factory at England, he became rich, his my future. Pomorska 75, which my apartment in Regent’s Park The home to which I father owned before the war, Crescent was most luxurious, returned and where mother was now owned by the state. and he was soon to establish was living was our pre-war It was managed on behalf a private hospital in the apartment in the luxury of the Ministry of Industry West End. He was Michal’s block of flats owned by by my uncle, Eliasz, husband closest friend. It was hard my parents at No 6 of Hela, my mother’s to part with mother when Swietokrzyska (of Saint youngest sister. My father, I had to return to Germany, Cross) Street in Lodz. But for whom under my mother’s but she was at least there were many changes. constant pressure and surrounded by family and The street was renamed frequent nagging he had friends, all of them keen to Square of Paris Commune, worked before the war, make a Holocaust survivor the building looked shabby thought little of his ability, most welcome. and neglected. The lift did technical or otherwise, but Whenever I was granted not work. We had a lodger, now, after Polish managerial leave from my job as an Wladyslaw Kendra, imposed classes were decimated, he interpreter, I travelled to by communist regime and was regarded sufficiently Brussels and was lavishly paying a nominal rent. A skilled to run a large factory. entertained by my aunt renowned concert pianist, he As a Polish proverb goes, Mania and her husband lived in our apartment with “where there is no fish crab’s Abek. They took me out his family and a grand piano, fish”. Privileges he was to many performances at on which he was practising entitled to, above and below the Opera de la Monnaie. I almost every day and night. board were many. The war had never been to an opera In the communist hierarchy, years have left a tradition before and was overwhelmed musicians figured at the top of “szaber”, legitimizing by the experience. Their of the list and were given the whatever contravened the pretty 13 year old daughter, best accommodation avail- laws imposed by the Jenny, had survived the able. Although Wladyslaw occupant; these practices, war hidden by nuns. She had been a close school friend deeply ingrained, did not stop accompanied me with her of my brother, the relations under the new communist

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regime. With most goods on audacity to call itself service with the British strict ration, there was a “democratic”; in Orwellian Military Government, and flourishing black market double-speak, words changed got a visa, as well as a free for textiles and Eliasz, with their meanings. They ticket for a flight in a British his team, knew how to draw falsified the Polish past military aircraft to Croydon profit from it. He became history and vilified all airport. It took a little longer wealthy. My uncle and aunt whom they saw as enemies of to get a passport, so that by were indebted to my mother the people. For example, in the time I arrived in London for rescuing them from a reference to the pre-war on 6th July I had missed the certain death in the Lodz foreign minister, Beck: “Beck funeral by a couple of days. ghetto by smuggling them at is a trained flunkey in the It was Michal’s friend, Dr great expense to join us in Imperialist service, knows Joseph Rosenberg, who 1942 in the Warsaw ghetto. all the designs of his had organised my mother’s They showed now their masters and knows the limits journey and who used gratitude by making sure of a lackey’s entitlements”8. his influence to get Michal she lacked nothing. Ellasz Or: “Our whole nation from buried at the United bought her two diamond child to old man demands Synagogue East Ham rings to replace those she had and expects that traitors and Cemetery at no cost to us. to sell to pay for their rescue enemies who sold out our The hospital’s Notice of and, when she left Lodz for fatherland to our enemies be Death states that on 25 England, he gave her enough shot like rabid dogs9” June at about 8.50 p.m., money to tide her over for The news about my the nurse on duty, while some time. brother’s death reached paying a routine visit to Reading newspapers was us at the end of June 1946, his room, found the bedstead a revelation. They contained accompanied by all the on end, with the patient no proper news, only sheer papers required for mother to suspended from the upper communist propaganda, travel to London. She got rail by his nightshirt. By expressed in crude, foul there just in time for his the time the doctor arrived, language. Every article funeral. I applied for help to he was dead. extolled the virtues of the British Consulate in the regime that had the Warsaw, told them about my End of first installment.

1 Polish Underground Army loyal to the Polish Government in exile in London 2 Podchorazy plutonowy 3. Prisoners of war camp for officers 5. It was also called dementia praecox at that time 6. Two years later, my uncles in Brazil sent me many family photos, my parents used to send them out regularly. 7. In a leading article in the Guardian of October 22 2005. Oliver James reports that according to the latest medical research into mental illness, “the fact that some two-thirds of people diagnosed as schizophrenia have suffered physical or sexual abuse is shown to be a major, if not the major cause of the illness.” 8. “Beck to wytresowany wyga imperisalistej sluzby, znci zamiary panow, zna tez granice lokajskich uprawnien. 9. Caly nasz narod od dziecka do starca oczekuje I domaga sie fylko jednego: zdrajcow I wrogom, ktorzy zasprzedawali wrogom nasza ojczyzne. rozestrzelac jak wsciekle psy.

End of the first installment

Jerzy Lando is the author of his wartime Memoir, Saved by my Face, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh 2002.

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CHANUKAH PA

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ARTY 2009

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The Mayor and the Book n 1932 two people sat side Aubrey Rose C.B.E., Vera in 1985 but not before, by side at a dinner. D.Univ in her 94th year, penning the Her name was Vera. His story of her life. Meir.I There was a degree Aubrey is a lawyer of great How on earth did I get of silence as they pondered distinction and has played an involved? Vera had one in what language they active role in many fields. child, Irene, enormously could converse. As Akavya Vice-President of the Board and variously gifted, but says “know where you have of Deputies; he was an one who suffered from an come from”. original member of the illness brought on by Vera had been born in Commonwealth Human the horror of life under the Riga, Latvia, one of six in a Rights Initiative; he set up Nazis and traitorous Vichy notable family. Her ancestor and chaired a working France. Irene, for the last was the famous Chassidic party on environment which 10 years of her life could not Rabbi, Schneur Zalman, way led to his book “Judaism leave her home. The 60,000 back in the 18th century. and Ecology”. He spent five chemicals in the air would Her later widespread years as a Commissioner fell her at once. family included the names of the Commission for Irene knew I was writing Isaiah Berlin, Yehudi Racial Equality. He is a books. She presented me Menuhin, Schneersohn, co-Chairman of the Indian with her mother’s manu- Even Meir Berlin, later Jewish Association; a Trustee script to edit. But it required known as Bar-Ilan, after of various charitable trusts much more than editing. whom the famous university and is Deputy Chairman I spent three months on was named. of the British Caribbean it and eventually a decent Yet why was Vera there, Association. His latest book book emerged, published this woman who had “The Rainbow Never Ends” is under the title “Vera”. She been a musical prodigy at 12, his autobiography. mentions her mission in Tel- whose home was constantly Aviv in 1932, concentrating visited by Tevye’s creator, particularly on the problems Sholem Aleichem? It appears Bolshevik Russia in 1920, of camel riding in Egypt! that a trade fair was they lived in France. Vera The original Tel-Aviv book, taking place in Tel Aviv. became friend of the great presented by Meir, passed to Chaim Weizmann, later in artists from Diaghilev to Irene, who in turn passed 1948, Israel’s first President, Bakst. away in 2005 and the book prevailed upon Vera to go Suddenly it dawned on passed to me. It was an to Egypt and encourage its the two diners that they historical document. I was participation in the fair. She both spoke Russian and asked to present it to a went and succeeded. then they were away. Both university, but it seemed to Vera had been a Hindin, me ideal for the city’s library were charmers. Both were one of the few wealthy or archives, especially in this conversationalists. Both were Jewish families amidst a sea 100th year of celebration. of poverty. achievers. In true gallant We come now to Tel-Aviv’s And Meir? A much simpler fashion, and in French, Meir Mayor. My friend Rami Puri explanation will do. He was dedicated to Vera a collection came with me to Rabin an heroic figure, a city of historical photos recording Square on the morning of founder and father, Mayor the growth of this ostensible Thursday 4th June. The from 1922. Walk about this suburb of Yafo (Jaffa) into a street names here are a lively, buoyant Tel-Aviv and major metropolis in its own history lesson in themselves. you will see his surname, right. He wrote a brief Who would believe that there Dizengoff, gracing a street, a message in French in honour still remain streets named square, a park. His name is of her visit and signed it. Allenby and King George V, inextricably linked with the Now this is but a preamble neither of whom were Jews or city’s development. to the kindness of the city’s Israelis. Only the English The two of them sat side by first citizen in seeing me could compare, retaining a side. Vera was mistress of a today, 4th June, 2009. The statue of George Washington host of languages. When she great man Meir passed away in Trafalgar Square. and her family escaped from in 1938, the ebullient woman Rami and I had limited

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expectation of whether we receive it. Without Rami There were smiles all round. could see the Mayor who with me I doubt whether I As we left he said, with a is enormously busy during would ever have got this mischievous twinkle, that in this centenary year, and yet, far. In a way Rami’s presence New York and other places, it surprisingly, we did see him. as a Tel-Aviv lawyer vouched might take two months to get He was affable, thrilled with for me. an appointment with the the book, “a treasure”. Mayor Ron Huldai and I Mayor, but here in Israel..... He is a tall man, with stood together holding the All I can say is, what a strong, bold features, a book open at the city’s book, what a city, what a firm determined chin, and insignia with flags behind us, Mayor! the bluest of eyes. He turned as we were photographed. I the pages of the sepia formally presented the book, photographs, nodding appre- the Mayor formally accepted LETTER HERE FROM ciatively. He was glad to it on behalf of the city. RON HULDAI

Israel Today odern Israel is one Aubrey Rose at the underlying, sometimes of the greatest C.B.C., U.Univ incomprehensible, unity and experiments in world cohesion. The latter emerges Mhistory. It is unlikely (June 2009) from the unique revival that it’s argumentative, of Hebrew, from military intense, Jewish inhabitants, service of men and women, consumed with daily such an avalanche of subtle, from the open society of free problems, would see it in sustained campaigning of expression, from an indepen- these terms. public misinformation, dent, respected Supreme Yet here are 6 million vicious propaganda, black- Court, and not least, from the Jews - the number echoes - mail, on a world scale, using endless threats, and more dwelling in a sliver of land at all manner of modern than threats, from beyond the edge of the Eastern forms of communication, and her borders. Mediterranean, amidst a sea yet has maintained a high In what other nation of hostility, among hundreds morale and optimism. will you find the purest of millions of Arabs. Which nation has absorbed forms of both socialism and This tiny nation is the the poor and afflicted from capitalism? They dwell side third Jewish sovereign 120 other states, integrated by side. Two founders of state in the Holy Land, them without the help of UN, Kibbutz Lavi sat with me, its predecessors harking EU or other international the older of the two explained back two and three thousand body? its blend of agricultural years. Its very name, Israel, As I walk the streets of and industrial activity. denotes struggle, and busy Tel-Aviv or beautiful Internally, individually, struggle has marked its Jerusalem, I am struck money, wages, play little sixty years of existence. by the sheer energy of role, the principle, in theory Incidentally, in view of the people. and in practice, is “from current discussions, there They have emerged from each according to his ability, has never been a Palestinian Russia, Ukraine, Middle to each according to his State and the word Europe, Western Europe, need”. Where else in the ‘Palestine’ never appears in Britain, United States. They whole wide world does such a the Old or New Testaments. came, escaping Arab racism place exist? Modern Israel, its survival and warlike actions, from And there are 280 of them, and development, is a Morocco, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, each with its own version of modern miracle. No nation Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia, of this basic teaching. Marx, has overcome six decades of many shades of skin, many from his Jewish origin, might constant physical hostility, levels of education and have been pleased, but he wars, hi-jacks, boycotts, social evolution. would have been appalled by assassinations, suicide Despite the bickering, the absence of class division bombers, terrorisms and yet the tensions, the political and antagonism. Here true remained positive. confrontations, the religious equality reigns, as does No nation has endured separativeness, I just marvel fraternity.

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Go to Tel-Aviv and you What concerns me is that the Arabs created the refugee will find a buoyant Stock constant head covers reduces problem, both the 660,000 or Exchange, a capitalist the important take-up of so Palestinian refugees and enterprise if ever there was vitamin D from the sun. the 850,000 (approx) Jewish one, its securities market Perhaps this may explain the refugees. The latter fled for regulated by a national host of pale faces seen here. their lives from Arab racism, authority, encouraging This is a true democracy. and, to this day, have never investment from abroad, Governments are changed been compensated for the replete with its own bank peacefully through the ballot considerable property they and investment houses box, in stark contrast to the left behind. The Arabs and from within and without. process in the Arab world. their supporters conveniently Pure capitalism. Women have equality, though forget Jewish refugees. This paradox that is Israel still afflicted by unfortunate I remember, in 1949, extends to religion. All faiths religious impediments in walking amidst the tents that can practise here, and do. the realm of family and housed Iraq’s Jewish This bit of land, Jerusalem domestic affairs. refugees on the hillsides. especially resonates in Good folk are trying to These folk have long been Judaism, Christianity and remove the hardships caused integrated - heaven knows Islam, but other faiths by literal application of how - into Israeli society, flourish in freedom. The ancient law. Change will whilst Palestinians, their Bahai, with its universality, come. I am reminded of children, grandchildren, still even has its world headquar- Disraeli’s remark that the remain - to the eternal shame ters in Haifa, the country’s story of the Jewish religion is of Arabs - in camps. Israel main port. one of development or else it was poor, yet behaved Indeed, amidst those men is nothing. admirably. Arab countries adorned with beards and Benjamin would be are choked with oil money yet black hats, women with wigs delighted to learn that failed their Palestinian and ankle length skirts, Jerusalem has a street brothers. The contrast is there is even a Jewish named after him. Indeed, the stark, yet internationally, group who oppose the very names of streets in this land rarely acknowledged, if at all. existence of the State because are a history lesson in itself. Oil speaks. Simple humanity it was not set up by the What perpetually intrigues and facts, are rarely heard. Messiah. A handful even me is how open is this The Nazi, Adolf Eichman, believe that a certain Rabbi advanced society now over 60 may be the only instance of was the Messiah. years old, yet many Arabs, capital punishment in Israel On the other hand, Palestinians, refer to 1948 in the last 60 years. swathes of people see as a “catastrophe”. They are The death penalty has been religious beliefs and practices right, but for the wrong abolished (Nazis apart) even as irrelevant, whilst others reason. The catastrophe was for the foulest of terrorists. have tried to adapt the not the creation of the State, This is the mark of a civilised ancient inheritance to but the Arab contempt for the society. Compare that with modern times. And so, many United Nations by trying to all Israel’s neighbours, spiritual flowers bloom, destroy Israel at its birth in especially the almost fascist- including today, a surge for 1948. Five Arab nations like Iran, where heads are spirituality amidst the attacked the new State. chopped off regularly, to no mantra-like formality of Indeed had the Arab world Western protests. endless daily prayers and complied with the law, there And this highlights the ritual. But even formalities could have been a Palestinian problem. It is not just have a place and give a State in 1948, living for 60 an Israel-Arab problem. It structured certainty to those years alongside the Jewish is much more than that. It is who either need them or were State, instead of now, in the difficulty of peaceful brought up to value them. 2009, agitating for a state - co-existence of groups who This is feature of all religions, that is the real catastrophe. live close to each other yet not just Judaism. I recall Abba Eban’s have different traditions, I am intrigued how people remark that the Palestinians moral and gender assump- make a statement of “never miss an opportunity to tions and values, religious their identity by their miss an opportunity”. They tenets and practices, clothes, their hair, their have a chance now (June resulting in conflict, head covering, long skirts 2009) but can’t see it. murders, wars. History is and so on. The other disaster was that strewn with such conflicts.

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It seems particularly to The conflict, based on relations in this world afflict the Muslim world religion or ethnicity is of instant communication. today. One and a half million never-ending and I have not Perhaps it has given up perished in the Iran-Iraq even mentioned the unmen- on this; that would be a war a few decades ago. Since tionable Nazi German’s shame. After all, Israel can the 1930s no one has used sub-human destruction of honestly say: poison gas except Arabs millions of Jews, a constant against Arabs or against background, to the life of the 1. She is the only country Kurds. Muslim minorities State of Israel. in history to give up have found it difficult to live Orthodox Jews hope more land than her as a minority, as expressed in for the Messiah. Many own size for peace. violence, from China to Christians await his return. Thailand, Philippines to As the world sinks amidst 2. She is the only country Nigeria, let alone the ecological, population, moral, in history to give up oil blasphemy of 9/11 in New social and technical problems wells in the cause for York and 7/7 in London. never was there a better peace. I am no expert on the time for some Messianic Koran but I believe among appearance or revelation. 3. She gave up Gaza in fine moral teachings it also It may come, but possibly the cause of peace and talks of ‘Holy War’. No war in a form few of the devotees in return suffered 5,000 can ever be ‘Holy’. expect. The present is a missile and rockets on I prefer the Hebrew perpetual problem but it is her towns and villages, prophet who referred to the good to look ahead. Who certainly a war crime. time when men would learn knows what may happen to war no more. I prefer too the this afflicted globe, rolling 4. The abolition of capital words of Jesus, “Love one around on its axis as man, punishment, unlike her another as I have loved you”. mere man, continues to neighbours. Is there a Moslem struggle with himself. equivalent? There may well People talk about the Just look at how Arabs be but it is not apparent in Israel-Palestinian issue, but in Israel have access to practice in the last decades. the problems go wider and hospitals, universities, public Yet there have in the past deeper. I have but to mention offices, parliament. There is also been Jewish and Iraq, Taliban, Al-Queda, the nothing comparable in the Christian ‘Holy Wars’. They murderous bombings in Arab world, yet in that world are hopefully in the past. I Madrid, Mumbai. So much potentates are so often hope the expression ‘Jihad’ proceeds from the challenge treated by Jewish medical can join them. to Islam, and to other faiths, experts - not a word of this It is so sad for the of the rise of human rights. I reaches public ears. Arab world, which has a do not believe any of these There is so much that wonderful cultural and conflicts can be resolved until fascinates me about this old- scientific tradition, that there is equality, under the new people and country. terrorism on a world scale law, of men and women. And Different problems have has erupted from Islam that is a major problem in produced different leaders. and from no other faith. Islam and in other traditions. My friend, Arieh, now 94, My hope is that more Arab Look at ‘Seti’ in Hinduism feels there has been a growth peace-lovers will have the (self-immolation of widows). of materialism and commer- courage to speak out. There used to be a slogan cialism as against the What is the cause of this ‘Land for Peace’. What has idealism of earlier years. He crisis in Islam, and crisis it is, happened in Gaza has is probably right, but Israel is as the Shia-Sunni division put paid to that idea. The not alone in this process. He confirms. It is nothing new, it only correct slogan is ‘Peace bemoans the lack of leaders happened in the Christian for Peace’. Is there a desire like Ben-Gurion and Golda tradition for centuries. for peace in the hearts of Meir, but then, other times, Did a Pope really send a all concerned? That is the other leaders. terrorist to murder Elizabeth only test. I ended my two week visit of England? Look what Despite its wonderful to Israel full of admiration for happened to the Huguenots efforts Israel has one all that has been achieved, or the Catholic genocide alarming failure. It has no and just hope that some of the Khazars in Southern idea how to present its case, kind of peace may one day France. no understanding of public have a change.

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Where the Daffodils grow he children from the Zdenka Husserl trained as a child therapist at Holocaust made their Rachel (Eve) the Hampstead Nursery by first home in England. Oppenheimer Anna Freud. After a short TMemories of Windermere, stay at Windermere, we older Lingfield and Isleworth were children moved to the very shared at Beth Shalom on the Dome, which on this occasion beautiful country home Weir 21st June 2009 for the was decorated with photos of Courtney in Lingfield, Lingfield Reunion. Our last when we were very young. Surrey. Daffodils grew in get together was in 1997. We Stephen Smith then gave a abundance in the gardens were all excited to meet up talk on how Beth Shalom was and nearby woods. This with each other, and were started, and then went on to house was owned by Sir conscious of those who were talk about the new project Benjamin Drage, a member unable to come and be the “Journey”, which tells the of West London Synagogue. It with us. With us to celebrate story mainly about the was here that we started to this special occasion were Kindertransport. This new have a normal and happy life. Sarah Moskovitz and her exhibition is aimed for the We went to the local junior husband Itzik. Sarah young children. We went school and learnt how to wrote the book “Love despite then to the memorial garden, speak English, and also how Hate”, which tells the and visited Alice’s rosebush. to mix with other children. stories of the children from We ended the day by having We had many activities, childhood to adulthood and dinner at Blooms. ranging from putting on how Alice Goldberger, herself Some of you who might be plays, for the benefit of a refugee from Germany, wondering who the Lingfield visitors (mainly from WLS, encouraged us in so many Children are. In 1945, who helped to support us, ways. She was assisted by when the last of the bombers and also some of the “Boys” Sophie and Manna. Later on left Prague, among the who often came to visit us) to after Manna left, Gertrude Boys (which included Ben learn music, arts and crafts, and Susie. Helfgott) and Girls, there and also how to look after We were greeted by Marina was a very small number of animals. What was so lovely with her usual warm hug, children, some were as young at Lingfield House was how had a delicious lunch in the as 3 years old. we were treated as individual Our first people by Alice and her staff. rehabilitating In 1948/49 we moved to centre was at Isleworth, so that we could go Wi n d e r m e r e , to Secondary School: and where among also to go on Shabbat to all the officials Synagogue. meeting us at Alice prepared us for our the airport, we future lives for when the had our first home would close. This sadly glimpse of happened in 1957, when Alice. She was so many of us left to follow our careers. Weir Courtney Alice was honoured on “This is your Life” on the 25th October 1978 and many children came from abroad. Alice would surely have been delighted that our reunion was so very special, and that the bond amongst us was as strong as ever. Alice Goldberger

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The First International Forum in the forgotten Concentration Camp Schlieben Jean-Louis Rey came the first time to Buchenwald or Ravensbr¸ck, Schlieben in May 2005 but..... At the same time, he with my wife. It was Fascismus” - Victims of offered us a little book “Das ThurI sday, Ascension Day, Fascism. On the right and KZ-Aufenlager Schlieben”, called “Männertag” in this left side of it, two great from Walter Strnad. part of Germany, which was, bronze tables were put. I read Lehmann’s book ..... 15 years before, located in Names and dates were was not satisfied. I read too the “Deutsche Demokratische engraved on it. the one of Strnad and... was Republik”. The little town The only person there was snot satisfied. Nevertheless seemed to be sleepy. Nobody an old lady, sweeping the in this book, I noticed under outside, no shop or pub open. paths. My wife (she is some pictures a name: “Uwe I didn’t know very much German) explained who we Dannhauer-Schlieben”. I about Schlieben; I only were and why we had found his telephone number knew that, here, was a come there. The lady said and ‘phoned. He was a concentration camp in which very kindly that the camp very nice man. He agreed my grandmother (on my was not in Schlieben itself immediately to help me. He mother’s side) was a prisoner but in Berga, a hamlet, was living in Berga, on the during the last war. I knew one kilometer to the north. exact site of the camp. He too that she worked as a She told us too that someone told me too that a friend of slave for the HASAG, was writing a book about the his, Uwe Schwarz, living in Hugo Schneider AG. There history of Schlieben. In this Cottbus, was interesting too. inmates manufactured the book, she said, we would find The father of this friend was well-known “Panzerfaust”. “everything about the camp”. a prisoner in Schlieben; he My grandmother was a We went to Berga, didn’t stayed and married there member of the French find any trace of a camp. We after the war. The following Resistance, a member of found only a young man. We October I visited Schlieben the SOE’s network “Prunus”. asked him the same question. again. Under the guidance She was the secretary of He answered that the camp of Dannhauer, I discovered Lieutenant Martin Perkins was somewhere here, but he the ruins of the camp and (Pertschuk) a young didn’t know exactly where. I realised that the camp English officer, chief of this Just back from Schlieben made up a large part of what network. members of it were in Paris, I ‘phoned the today is Berga. arrested on April 13th 1943, Schlieben City Council A Since October 2005, I have including Perkins and my man confirmed that someone been in Schlieben 15 times grandmother. Perkins was was writing a book to be and met other people and later deported to Buchenwald published next July. He collected much material where he was murdered in promised to send me a copy. I about the camp. I became March ‘45 with five other did not receive it. good friends of Uwe English officers. It was a The following August I Dannhauer, Uwe Schwarz few days before the camp was visited Schlieben with and their families. liberated on April 11th 1945. my wife. There we met my At the beginning of After a few months as a “phone correspondent” and 2008, Hans-Dieter Leymann, prisoner in German military the “Ortschronist”, Hans- “Ortschronist” of Schlieben, prisons, in France, my Dieter Lehmann, the author had an interview with me for grandmother was sent to of the book. He gave us his the “Amtsnachrichten f¸r das Ravensbr¸ck and, in July ‘44, book (sold it) “Die Geschichte Amt Schlieben”, the bulletin to Schlieben. des Schliebener Landes”. I of the little town; the Mayor Reading the tourist infor- asked him where the camp of Schlieben suggested I mation on the “Market Platz” was and where I could get organise a forum to explain of Schlieben, we discovered testimonies, pictures or what “is my relationship with that a monument was archives. The answer was Schlieben”. I agreed. raised in the cemetery to the very disappointing. No hope Two weeks ago, Uwe memory of the “Opfer Des of information. Perhaps in Dannhauer, Uwe Schwarz

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and Jean-Louis Rey, spon- “Häftlinge”. We exposed the historian, made one about sored by the city of Schlieben plan of the camp, explained the products of HASAG. (2,000 citizens), invited who were the women (1,200 “Burgermeisterin” and local other partners to “The First in July ‘44 to 243 in April ‘45) politicians came, as well as International Forum” about and men (about 3,000) young and older citizens. the “Forgotten camp of imprisoned there. Next year, the second Schlieben”. We saw Ron Rosenblat’s Forum could be called It was a very great success; (USA) father’s interview by “The non-Forgotten camp radio, TV and newspapers S. Spielberg, telling of his Schlieben”; we hope that gave reports. More than 250 experience in Schlieben; Prof. many people will come and people came and listened Ken Waltzer (USA) made an that, 65 years after, survivors closely. People understood exposÈ about “The Angel at will tell us their experience in better that the history of the Fence, a Holocaust Schlieben and their hope for this camp is a part of their Memoir Fraud” and Holger the next generations. You’ll “Geschichte”, not only of the Worm (Germany), a German be welcome!

Schlieben: A Forgotten Concentration Camp chlieben is a relatively Ken Waltzer, Michigan Forgotten Concentration unknown concentration State University Camp.” Amateur historians camp. It is without with ties to the camp forSmal status as a memorial and its history or to the by the German government. thousand men were brought village, including Uwe Moreover, since World from Buchenwald and one Schwarz of Cottbus, War II the site was an thousand women from Germany, whose father East German army base and Ravensbruck as prisoners. Faivusch was a prisoner, today parts are deserted, There were also Italian Jean-Louis Rey of Paris, returning to nature, while POWs and others at the France, whose grandmother others are inhabited, with camp and German women Odette was a prisoner, villagers living in recycled volunteers from the village and Uwe Dannhauer, the barracks from the former worked alongside many deputy mayor of Schlieben, concentration camp. younger prisoners. organized the forum and Schlieben is located on Of the male prisoners at publicity and helped generate an elevation about two Schlieben, there were 294 a large turnout. kilometres north and above Piotrkower, largely from the Piotrkower descendant the brick and cobblestone Di-Fi factory on the Bugaj, Ron Rosenblat of New York, village of the same name, a brought to Buchenwald, the son of Sam and 90-minute drive south December 2, 1944 and taken Jutt Rosenblatt, and I also and west from Berlin. The to Schlieben on December 8, participated as American countryside is marked by 1944. (Another 60 prisoners visitors. We were assisted by rolling green hills and on this transport remained a local translator. flatlands, and by ubiquitous at Buchenwald, including On Friday, April 17, Uwe tall steel windmills gathering several ghetto leaders, Dannhauer led a group of energy from winds that turn Warszawski and Gomberg. about 35 people plus huge turbines. The area is and 15 children and youths.) reporters from Berlin on a quite poor, with diminished Among the Piotrkower who walking and driving tour job opportunities in the new were at the Hasag operation of the site, including old Germany and new Europe. were Ben Helfgott, Zvi buildings and bunkers and Earlier, the Schlieben con- Mlynarski (Tsvi Dagan), the remains of factory centration camp functioned the Rosenblat brothers, and foundry deep in the pine in 1944-1945 as a sub-camp Isaak, Abraham, Sam, and forest. Uwe made a special of Buchenwald where slave Herman, Idel Gomolinski, effort to show Ron Rosenblat labourers were brought and others. the remains of the Gisserei, to work for the Hasag Recently, on April 17-18, or foundry, where his Company and manufactured 2009, there was an interna- father and uncles had slaved, Panzerfaust (hand-held anti- tional forum at the village on pouring liquid chemicals into tank weapons). About five the history of “Schlieben, a the grenade heads. Ron was

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agitated by the discovery, labour in the June-July, were put to work with the standing on ground deep in 1944. Uwe Dannhauer chemicals in the Geisserei. the forest where his father instructed about the camp’s Others worked inside the had been years earlier. layout and design. Uwe factory assembly, and Then on Saturday, April 18, Schwarz gave a history still others worked on the the forum took place in a of the men’s camp and transportation Kommandos, tightly packed town hall. Jean-Louis Rey spoke about lifting, carrying, unloading, Of special interest, Ron the women’s camp. and moving goods and Rosenblat spoke of his father Then, following a break, equipment. The youngest and uncles and played a Ron Rosenblat made it prisoners, like Ben Helfgott, portion of Sam Rosenblat’s possible for many Germans Zvi Hersh Mlynarski, and Shoah Visual History in the area to hear - probably Herman Rosenblatt worked Foundation videotape on for the first time, in his own in the Zuenderpackraum, Schlieben. I spoke about the words and own voice - the packing triggers. Other recent Holocaust memoir testimony of a former Jewish prisoners called it the fraud, Angel at the Fence, prisoner about the work and Kinderpackraum, because which focused on Schlieben. routine in the camp. Sam so many youths were Of course, there was no angel Rosenblat, who made the there. Ben Helfgott recalled: at the fence, and Schlieben tape in 1996, talked about “The workshop was warm, was anything but a place for the dangers faced by those the work was sedentary, young love to blossom along a who worked cooking the packing on an assembly camp fence. It was a brutal chemicals and pouring them line, and the German women place where prisoners were into the grenade heads that volunteers shared their forced to slave long hours, they would turn yellow from food with the boys.” day and night, without exposure and suffer internal Conditions in the barracks adequate food, were exposed organ damage from the toxic were also difficult. Sanitary to dangerous chemicals fumes. “We got yellow, lost conditions were terrible without protective equip- our appetite to eat, our and Helfgott remembered ment, and were tormented eyes popped out, it was the lice in the ceilings that by SS guards sent by indescribable, “he said, and dropped down on prisoners Berlin to make the prisoners the translator explained to in their bunks at night. sustain production. the audience. Many prisoners were Ron Rosenblat and I also Finally, I told the gathering covered in blood from took lots of pictures of the about Herman Rosenblat, constant scratching. former concentration camp Sam’s brother, and his search There was also insufficient and its ruins, of the Banhof for fame with a false story food at Schlieben and many where trains arrived, of and about how Sam in his prisoners weakened sharply. the barracks and kitchen final days stopped speaking “Forget it from food - we were buildings which have been with his younger brother. A starving, starving,” another recycled and are still used, few questions rounded out prisoner has told me, and of a mass grave and the gathering - then people complaining there were not memorial in the village spilled out and continued even leaves to eat in a cemetery, including 100 talking about the history camp set in a pine forest. At Jewish prisoners most who of a forgotten camp and times, additional food was died during an October 12, about future efforts to create available by barter with the 1944 explosion that is a promotional association, Italian prisoners, who were still unexplained. We also put up memorial signs, create permitted outside the camp. photographed Hasag para- a small museum/archive, They smuggled in vegetables, phernalia and Panzerfaust and win site designation. carrots and other things. weapons on display at the A second forum on the Other prisoners stole sugar town hail connected with camp is being talked about beets off the trains or the forum. for next year. organized potatoes from the At the forum, Holger For the Piotrkower who kitchen cellar. There was Worm, a German policeman came to Schlieben in late also some danger from the offered a history of the Hasag 1944, nearly six months after Allied air war at Schlieben, ammunition firm and its the camp was opened, things although the camp was deep connection with the camp, were quite difficult. The in the forest and was bombed which opened using slave stronger ones, Sam thought, apparently only once. Most

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of the prisoners took pleasure to, and most who did return, recently been in Piotrkow in the bombings which like Ben Helfgott, had after his father’s death. severely impacted nearby dangerous experiences. The trip to Schlieben was Dresden and Leipzig, slowed Subsequently, many younger rounding out the circle for night production in Piotrkower were part of Ron, and being with him Schlieben, and indicated the the group of “boys” taken meant that I got to share war was going poorly for the to Prague and flown in in it. It was also special Third Reich. British planes to Great to meet Uwe Schwarz and Finally, in the early spring, Britain. Among these were Jean Louis Rey after more 1945, as the Russians Ben Helfgott, Zvi Hersh than a year of virtual email approached from the east, the Mlynarski, and Herman friendship. They had taught Nazis evacuated Schlieben Rosenblat; Sam and Isaak us both so much about and took most prisoners Rosenblat, who were older, the camp. Finally, it was a in two transports in April accompanied the group thrill to see interest from to Theresienstadt. Most as counsellors. area Germans in the history prisoners, including most It was a special experience of the camp, the fate of the of the Piotrkower, were for me to be at the former prisoners, and the possibility liberated in May by the camp with Ron Rosenblat. to do preservation and Russians a short time after. Ron followed his father’s memorialisation at the site While some returned after footsteps from Piotrkow to and even to create s small liberation to Poland, most did Buchenwald with Sam when museum/archive. We have not have anything to go back he was alive and he had only just begun.....

Rudolph Kastner Martin Gilbert as Rudolf Kastner also prepared to have them a traitor to the annihilated. It is as you Jewish people, who wish.” Eichmann claimed he saWved a few friends while imminent mass deportation would save the Jews of allowing more than 400,000 of Hungarian Jews. Hungary - the only surviving Jews to be deported to Eichmann realised that large mass of Jews in Europe Auschwitz, knowing their Kastner - deputy chairman - in return for Brand going to fate, but refusing to warn of the Hungarian Zionist Istanbul and negotiating them? Films, plays, books Organisation - and his with the British and and articles portray his Zionist colleagues in Americans for a vast amount actions in this way. Budapest, would learn the of supplies and money. The truth is very different. truth the moment Kastner “Goods for blood” was the Kastner was not a villain, but next went to Bratislava, a phrase Eichmann used. journey he was planning to a victim, who was cruelly The deportation of make within the next few deceived by the mastermind Hungary’s Jews would still days. Realising that Kastner of mass murder, Adolf and his officials would then take place, Eichmann said, Eichmann. alert the Jews of Hungary, “but there would be no killing The story is this. On 7 April Eichmann acted without until the answer was 1944 two Slovak Jews, Rudolf delay, summoning to SS received.” But Brand must Vrba and Alfred Wetzler, headquarters in Budapest “hurry as the Germans escaped from Auschwitz, one of Kastner’s colleagues, cannot keep women and bringing out the news that Joel Brand, head of the children for an unlimited Auschwitz was a killing Zionist Assistance and period as it costs money.” centre. On April 25, the very Rescue Committee. In deportation, Eichmann day their report reached Taking Brand into his assured Brand “the treat- the Zionist leaders in the “confidence”, Eichmann ment would not be too harsh”. Slovak capital Bratislava, an masterminded the following But the Allies must agree to intercepted copy also reached deception with brilliance: give the SS more than 5,000 Eichmann, who was then “I am prepared to sell you lorries (“one lorry for 100 in Budapest preparing the all the Jews,” he said. “I am Jews,” Eichmann suggested),

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40,000 kilos of coffee, 10,000 Brand to negotiate. were Kastner’s friends, kilos of cocoa, 10,000 kilos Eichmann had made it clear most were not. They left of tea, two million bars of that the whole Hungarian Budapest on June 30. soap, and large amounts Jewish community could be Eichmann’s word, it seemed, of foreign currency - princi- saved. When the deportations was good as his bond. pally US dollars. began on May 15, they It was only in the first In 1960, when the decep- were therefore confident that week of July 1944 that tion was revealed by Brand no harm would befall the details of the actual murder at the Eichmann trial, deportees. Their overriding of Hungarian Jews at Hannah Arendt commented: concern was to get the Auschwitz reached the “Eichmann’s cleverest trick Allies to agree to the deal West, brought by two further in these difficult negotiations as quickly as possible. Jewish escapees, Czeslaw was to see to it that his men On May 24 Brand was Mordowicz and Arnost Rosin. acted as though they were driven from Budapest to Suddenly Eichmann’s deal corrupt.” Rudolph Vrba, who Vienna and then sent by was exposed as the grotesque had risked his life to try to air to Istanbul. Eichmann deception it had always warn Hungarian Jews of was in no hurry. The been. So swift was the their true fate, later called longer the negotiations were international outcry that the Eichmann’s deception “a drawn out, the more Hungarian Government clever ruse to neutralise Hungarian Jews were forced Eichmann to halt the the potential resistance of a reaching Auschwitz on a deportation from July 8. million people”. daily basis and being Of the 437,000 Hungarian Eichmann told Brand that murdered there, at times deportees, more than 350,000 while the negotiations with 10,000 in one day, while had been killed. There the Allies were taking place, the Hungarian-Jewish had been no holding camp the Jews of Hungary would leadership was convinced and no exchange of Jews be taken to a special holding that they were unharmed for goods and money. Those camp, and housed and fed, to awaiting the signing of the Jews in Budapest - 120,000 await the day that the “deal” deal and the safe transfer of in all - who were about was signed. Then they would all the deported Jews to a to be deported to their then all be taken to the neutral land. As proof that deaths in the following safety of neutral Spain or the deal was real and that he two weeks, were saved by the Portugal. Not one of the could be trusted, Eichmann international outcry. deportees would be harmed. offered, while the negotia- Not a crime by Kastner, But if the Allies rejected the tions were still continuing, but Eichmann’s cruel decep- deal they would all be killed. to send a train with 1,684 tion plan, had led to the Kastner and his colleagues Hungarian Jews to safety death of the majority of had no option but to send in Switzerland. A few Hungarian Jews.

Prague Conference on Holocaust Era Assets (German Statement in the Plenary Session) Germany name of the German people occasion of a visit to Prague, 29 June 2009 which engage a moral as well Jerusalem in April 2007 our as a material compensation present Chancellor Angela Mr. Chairman, Ladies and in respect of individual losses Merkel affirmed: “Only by Gentlemen, of Jews as well as Jewish fully accepting its ever property for which individual lasting responsibility for “The Federal Government claimants can no longer this terrible period and for and the vast majority of be traced.” the most cruel crimes in the German people are Those, Mr. Chairman, were its history Germany, my very much aware of the the words pronounced by country, will be able to shape immeasurable suffering that Konrad Adenauer, the first the future - only this way was caused to the Jews in Chancellor of the Federal and not through anything Germany and in the occupied Republic of Germany, before else.” territories... Unspeakable the German Parliament in These words remind us crimes were committed in the September 1951. At the that the Federal Republic

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of Germany has from the Government on the one hand very beginning acknowledged and in Israel as well as – Equally based on and will continue to stand among the Jews around the 2000 Agreement by its responsibility for the world on the other hand roughly EUR $300 million those immeasurable crimes that material compensation was paid in Holocaust committed against millions of of the Holocaust survivors insurance claims by victims of the Nazi regime. was not the only issue in German Insurance These victims include coming to terms with this Companies under the the Jewish people murdered catastrophe which was ICHEIC scheme. German during the Holocaust and afflicted by the Nazi regime Insurance Companies many others throughout to the countries and peoples have reaffirmed their Europe, in particular those and to the Jews in Europe voluntary commitment to in Central and Eastern and beyond. Nevertheless it honour legitimate claims Europe. When Foreign was important in order to of Holocaust victims. Minister Genscher signed the acknowledge responsibility Companies presently do German-Polish Border and to help the victims in and will continue in the Treaty in November 1990 in starting a new life after future to honour such Warsaw, he said this: “We do their previous lives lay in claims out of their own not forget what the name of ruins at the end of World funds over and above their Auschwitz means not only for War II and after all the previous funding of the the Jewish people. It remains horrible experiences they had German Foundation. a permanent reminder of gone through. the need to preserve human Recognizing the challenges Based on its experience dignity, to respect other of this situation the Federal Germany is well aware or religions, other peoples and Republic of Germany, the problems arising in the other ethnic groups.” And he starting in the early years context of compensation reminded the audience: “50 has, over time, built up and restitution. We engaged years ago the Polish people a differentiated and fairly in serious endeavours to became the first victim of embracing system of trying to implement the Washington the war launched by Nazi do some justice to the victims. Principles on Nazi Germany.” And later the Let me only mention a few Confiscated Art on all levels people in the former Soviet programs here: of Government. We have Union, the Russians, significantly strengthened Ukrainians and others, were – More than EUR 45 provenance research in killed and tortured, their billion have been paid out museums, libraries and homes destroyed. to survivors in pensions archives. In recognition of its special under the Federal We also acknowledge that responsibility Germany has Compensation Act. today, 64 years after the participated in the 1998 end of World War II, most of Washington Conference on – More than 2 billion the Holocaust survivors Holocaust Era Assets and it EUR have been paid and other victims of Nazi has taken an active role in out under the Federal persecution are at an the preparation of and the Restitution Act where advanced age, and many of participation in this Prague former Jewish or them find themselves in a Conference which will mark other victims’ property precarious economic and another crucial step in confiscated by the Nazis, social condition. They will addressing important issues could not be restituted. need all the attention of the related to the Holocaust era. countries where they live. On The declaration of – Following the the other hand my country Chancellor Adenauer, as Washington Conference will continue its support. quoted in my introduction, and based on the German- I would like to point out, opened the path towards American Agreement of Mr. Chairman, that overall the Luxembourg Agreements 17 July 2000, more than the Federal Republic of signed one year later in EUR 4.5 billion was paid Germany, by the end of 2008, September 1952 with the to victims of forced labour, has paid out EUR 66 billion Government of Israel. At most of them from Central in compensation to Holocaust the time it had been made and Eastern European and other victims of Nazi clear by the German countries. persecution. As of today,

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Germany is shouldering among them, who continue that Germany’s active more than EUR 600 million denying that the Holocaust support of this Declaration per year in compensation ever happened. Antisemitism does not in any way reflect payments, most of it and xenophobia are still on Germany’s position on either directly to Holocaust frequent phenomena in many other matters relating to survivors through BEG countries. It is, therefore, World War II or its aftermath pensions or by supporting the urgent as well as essential which have no bearing various funds administered that we address these issues on issues dealt with during by the Jewish Claims by giving this chapter of this Conference. Conference. Let me add: European history a firm We are confident that Everybody knows that place in our education money is important. Yet we systems, both at schools the Terezin Declaration also know that nothing and at universities, that we will contribute to focus we do can bring back promote research, and that international attention and the dead or heal the physical we encourage remembrance opinion and to encourage and psychological wounds in terms of commemorative national and international inflicted. days and memorial sites, institutions to deal with With all the importance such as former concentration them in a manner which due to the issues of camps. This will help to does some justice to the restitution or compensation keep alive the memory of victims of the past and for property losses and the victims and to anchor the helps to prevent such a of the social welfare of historical message among disastrous course of history Holocaust survivors who the younger generations: from ever repeating itself are still with us, the subject Never again! in the future. My country of Holocaust Education Mr. Chairman, when will not tire in keeping up and Remembrance will tomorrow we will all its efforts to draw the lessons additionally need immediate gather at Terezin and join of the darkest period of as well as long term attention in the Terezin Declaration, its history. of the States participating we will present a document in this Conference and that addresses these issues. In concluding, I would even beyond. Against the It aims at rectifying like to express my deeply background of what the consequences of Nazi felt gratitude to Chairman happened in the heart of acts of persecution against Milos Pojar and his team Europe only some 60 years individual victims of the and to the Government ago it cannot be accepted that Holocaust. For the record of the Czech Republic for there are still people in the and for the purpose of all their efforts in organizing world, and prominent people clarification I should add this extraordinary event.

My Perspective On The Jewish Dilemma IN MEMORIAM – HENRY GREEN Otto Grünfeld hese are my creden- Both were murdered in tials, in case you may Otto came to Britain with the Concentration Camps, my suspect me to be some Windermere group. He was a mother in Auschwitz, antisemiticT infiltrator poking my father in Mauthausen. teacher in music but he has his nose into Jewish affairs. had an abiding interest in psychology which led him, in That makes me a Jew by My mother was Jewish, birth, if not by practice. My his later life, to counselling. daughter of a Cantor in programme, in brief, Bohemia, originally from He has written his story attempts to throw some light Poland. under the title “The on the Jewish situation as I Survivor’s Path”. He has now see it, and, as a My father was Jewish, lived for most of his life in Holocaust survivor, have from Slovakia. North Yorkshire. experienced it, and still do.

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The Jewish dilemma, normally would not have ‘visitors’ in the country of generally speaking, appears survived, but refusing to our birth, dissimilar if not to be entwined in the quit the world stage. basically different from four-fold aspects of race, Despite appearances we are the rest of the population. religion, culture and social tough, enduring specimens position which hold Jewish who against all the disasters Yet, on another count, people captive, as it were, in our history continue Jews become ‘visitors’ determining their destiny. the struggle for existence, when they find them- like the rest of mankind. selves in the Displaced They are racially Jewish, And not unlike the rest of Person category, uprooted, look it or not, like it or not. humanity our gifts and. struggling to grow the adaptability present a vital roots for existence They are religiously dizzying spectrum of again in foreign soil. Jewish, even when - orthodoxy and liberalism, strangely - they profess to pernicketiness and freedom, Finally, the Holocaust be agnostic, atheist, an unholy materialism and Survivor, the one who nihilist or convert. wholesome spirituality, feels redundant, guilty, his artistic flair, philosophical past steeped in horror, They are culturally insight, psychological his present seemingly bar- Jewish, age-old tradition, acumen. By and large we ren, his personal future custom and know-how exercise a gentle form of apparently meaningless, having put their stamp on humanity. Our parenting the archetypal left-over. them. is permissive, but our marriages lasting. As social One might be tempted to They are socially Jewish creatures we resemble declare, categorically, that in because of their sense, the chameleon who is able this case the Jew-survivor more or less conscious, of to change the colour of his faces an insoluble dilemma, their Jewish skin if need be: but we do not a no-win situation. This identity. change our inner self. impression, vague but With such qualities in pervasive, was there when Obviously, for an Israeli hand, so to speak, we the first flush of being set citizen this makes no Jews are indeed survivors, free had its follow-up odds; but in the world the given the amount of practice interview with the world Jew calls the Diaspora life has thrown at us over outside camp. It was then these aspects are crucial the centuries. But sometimes that the battle began, one ingredients in the cocktail the will to live forsakes us I describe as ‘surviving we call society, where race, as overwhelming existential survival’. It took as many creed, custom and appear- insecurities assail the forms as were the numbers ances play a decisive part. It soul, wounded. and drifting of victims, and as many is, therefore, understandable with no haven in sight. outcomes. Nevertheless, a that the Jew tends to feel Then, too often and. sadly, modicum of accommodation an outsider; and is seen to the toughness disintegrates, has been reached, life be somewhat of an outsider; giving way to ultimate tending to compromise in so as well as virtually becoming despair. many respects, Jewish one under certain circum- For let us be clear: the life in particular; and the stances. Thus, he is being existential challenge which survivor has continued looked upon, at best, as each of us is inevitably to practise a more than acceptable and. OK; or, facing, is this: generous measure of psycho- generally, as one one can logical acrobatics to make tolerate; but then, so often, We are all visitors on this a go of it. as inferior, unpleasant, unde- earth, now we arrive, now There is, though, the need, sirable, grasping, and worse. we go... a bitter pill to greater today than ever It adds up to a persistent swallow, as we know. Not before, to edge our way sense of insecurity in the owners of our planet, towards a more inclusive Jewish psyche. merely its temporary humanity where Jewish, We Jews, like the gypsies keepers. Christian, Moslem etc. cease but more so, are history’s to collide like some casualties, remnants which As Jews we are also quasi monstrous tectonic plates

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causing global eruptions. what we ARE, how we ARE in believe to be in persevering Fundamentally we are all our intercourse with the as a witness to man’s alike, ‘visitors’ and victims world, that our duty lies; potential for evil and mad- included, subject to one in a daily struggle during ness, reconciliation and simple dictum: which bitterness, anger and. forgiveness. Thus here resentment, as well as we stand, hopefully not ‘Get on with each other, or appalling memories, need subject to racial, insti- else ....!’ be kept at bay, and hatred tutional, ideational or other avoided. Nor the dialogue be prejudice, but adding Not so much by our thoughts, broken before its appointed perhaps a measure of love beliefs, achievements, suc- end. And the meaning and compassion in aid of our cesses and honours, but by of survival I, for myself, mysterious NOW.

Teaching the Holocaust to Young Muslims ow do young Muslims Geoffrey Short broaching the Holocaust in British schools with their Muslim students. react to learning On the contrary, the students aboutH the Holocaust? discourse.’ Another factor generally responded very Until I carried out my recent likely to have a bearing on well and, in some cases, research we had no idea, the way young Muslims enthusiastically, notwith- although there were certainly relate to the Holocaust is standing the allegedly reasons for thinking they the nature of Islam itself. anti-Semitic culture that would react badly. In the first Specifically, there are a prevailed in two of the place, the conflict between number of passages in the schools and which is likely to Israel and the Palestinians is Koran where Jews are have been present in others. constantly in the news portrayed in a negative light. It would seem from this and Muslim students aged 13 They are, for example, paradoxical situation that and 14 (when the Holocaust deemed guilty of ‘falsehood’ such anti-Semitism as exists is taught in English and and ‘distortion’ and assumed in the schools stems from and Welsh schools) are very to have been transformed is restricted to the Middle likely to be aware of it. Their into apes and pigs because of East conflict. Whilst the sympathies, one assumes, the contempt that Allah felt students may be hostile lie overwhelmingly with for them. For these reasons, towards Israel, they bear no the Palestinians and they there has to be a degree of ill will towards Jews qua may well be reluctant to concern about how the Jews. The majority of schools learn about Jewish suffering Holocaust is taught and were genuinely committed to when the injustice (as how it’s responded to in Holocaust education as they see it) that befell their schools with a largely Muslim evidenced by the amount of co-religionists is effectively catchment area. In order to time they devoted to it in ignored both by Israel and by discover whether the concern history lessons and in much of the international is justified (and I assumed it other subject areas and community. Secondly, there would be) I carried out a by their involvement in appears to be an increase in small-scale study in 2007. I Holocaust Memorial Day. anti-Semitism among British interviewed history teachers That said, there are Muslims that is no doubt selected at random from a number of ways in related to the conflict in the fifteen comprehensive schools which the teaching was Middle East. According to the in south-east England where not as effective as it might 2006 report of the All-Party the student body was have been. First, only a Parliamentary Inquiry into predominantly Muslim few teachers took advantage Anti-Semitism, the growth or where Muslim students of the opportunity the of anti-Semitism might not formed the largest single Holocaust affords to probe be confined to extremist ethnic group. their students’ beliefs about groups, for the report states The results of the study Jews, an essential prelimi- that that ‘the views of confounded the main predic- nary undertaking if students radical Islamists do seem tion in that the majority of are to be convinced that to be entering mainstream teachers had no difficulty Nazism is an unmitigated

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evil. For this lesson to be hostile to Jews. These Holocaust Memorial Day. The learnt, the murdered Jews students may well come to Council has recently ended of Europe (as an ethnic reflect on their prejudice and its boycott and thus the issue group) have to be seen even abandon it in order to itself is no longer important. as entirely innocent of the make sense of the rescue. All the same, the lack of charges laid against them Alerting students to the familiarity is worrying and thus in no way deserving formation of an SS division in because it suggests that some of their fate. However, Bosnia is, of course, likely to teachers in schools with a if students subscribe to have the opposite effect, but substantial Muslim presence pejorative stereotypes of they should nonetheless be do not keep themselves Jews and these stereotypes made aware of the fact partly abreast of developments in are left unchallenged, in the interests of historical the wider Muslim community Nazi persecution becomes truth, but also because that may be relevant to understandable and quite students should know that teaching the Holocaust possibly acceptable, a ‘lesson’ the Muslim population of (and possibly other topics) in wholly at variance with the Europe was not at the time such schools. aims of Holocaust education. (as it is not now) a monolithic It is tempting to conclude Another respect in which entity in terms of its attitude on the basis of this the teaching could have towards Jews. In addition, all study that any concern been improved relates to the students should know that as to how the Holocaust is failure to discuss the role collaborators were to be taught in predominantly of Muslims during the found across Europe and Muslim schools is largely Holocaust. Providing infor- were drawn from a variety unwarranted. The study, mation about those who of religious and other however, was small-scale rescued Jews is important backgrounds. and highly localised and because of the likely impact Finally, it was noted that had it been conducted of such knowledge on approximately half the in another part of Britain, the minority of genuinely teachers were unfamiliar or in another part of anti-Semitic students who with the longstanding the world, the results are inclined to think of opposition of the Muslim might have been very Muslims as implacably Council of Britain to different.

Claims Conference Update Negotiations Fund and were not eligible of Claims Conference negoti- for payment under German ations. The Fund issues The Claims Conference government criteria will one-time payments of €2,556. negotiating delegation meets now be able to file a second The Claims Conference has regularly with representa- application. Most have never been pressing the issue of the tives of the German Ministry before received a Holocaust second application very of Finance and other era compensation payment. intensively with the German German government officials This agreement may affect government for a number of to press a number of issues 13,000 Jewish victims of years. Previously, once a of concern to Jewish victims Nazism in 36 countries, final decision had been made of Nazism. including the U.K., as well as on a case, a second applica- In its 2009 negotiations, Israel, the U.S., Germany, tion was not permitted under the Claims Conference Australia and Canada, the German rules based on attained two very significant resulting in more than changed circumstances. This breakthroughs regarding €33 million in additional decision affects Nazi victims compensation for certain payments directly to needy rejected by the Hardship Nazi victims. Nazi victims. Fund who are alive as of 19 The Claims Conference March 2009. Hardship Fund Second has approved more than In accordance with the Application Permitted 343,000 Nazi victims for German Government rules payment under the Hardship governing second applica- Jewish victims of Nazism Fund, which was established tions, persons who in connec- who applied to the Hardship in 1980 after five years tion with an application for

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one time assistance under be the same to eligible advocate on their behalf for the Hardship Fund Holocaust survivors living in as long as necessary.” Guidelines received a countries of the European Eligibility criteria for payment from the Claims Union and non-EU countries, CEEF payments are deter- Conference are not entitled a change from the current mined by the German to apply. German government regula- government. For detailed A second application is not tions. This will result in a information, see a guarantee of receiving a 35 percent increase in www.claimscon.org. Hardship Fund payment. monthly payments for CEEF The Claims Conference The eligibility criteria for recipients living in non-EU continues to negotiate with this program are determined countries, and an 11 percent the German government on a by the German government, increase for CEEF recipients range of issues relating to and applicants must meet in countries of the EU. Holocaust compensation and those criteria to receive Beginning in January assistance to Jewish victims a payment. 2010, all recipients of of Nazism. In recent years, Full eligibility criteria for CEEF payments will receive the Claims Conference has the Hardship Fund and €240 per month. Currently, prioritized obtaining funds applications are on the under German government for homecare for Nazi victims Claims Conference website, regulations, approximately around the world, and will www.claimscon.org. 7,580 survivors living in EU continue to press this point in This is one in a series of countries receive €216 per further talks. The Claims Claims Conference successes month but 5,340 survivors Conference also continues to in liberalizing the eligibility living in non-EU countries fight for equal rights and criteria of compensation receive €178. benefits for Jewish victims of programs including the The Claims Conference Nazism in Eastern Europe as Hardship Fund. For example, has been intensively pressing those given to victims in the in 2008, the Claims the German government West from Germany. Conference negotiated for a number of years to Hardship Fund eligibility for increase CEEF payments Prague Conference on additional approximately and to equalize all CEEF Holocaust Era Assets 6,000 Jewish victims of payments, as the cost of the Leningrad Siege. in living in the region has risen Seventy years after the 2003, the Claims Conference substantially. beginning of World War II, 46 negotiated an amendment to “We are very pleased nations gathered in Prague income restrictions for the that these survivors, double this year to examine and call Hardship Fund. victims of both Nazism and for action on outstanding Communism, will receive Holocaust-era issues, in Eastern Europe Pensions these increased payments. what was likely the last Increased With living costs rising international gathering of across Eastern Europe and its kind. Jewish Holocaust survivors elderly survivors often At the Prague Holocaust- living in need in Eastern lacking access to basic Era Assets Conference in Europe who receive pensions social services, the Claims June, the Claims Conference from the Claims Conference Conference has long and World Jewish Restitution will receive significant maintained that monthly Organization (WJRO) called increases resulting from pensions must be increased for the countries of Eastern negotiations with the to survivors in this region,” and Central Europe to German government. said Ambassador Stuart restitute property stolen or The increase in pensions Eizenstat, former U.S. lost in the Holocaust. will result in an additional Deputy Treasury Secretary, Numerous countries have estimated €60 million being who for the first time partici- yet to enact meaningful paid over the next 10 years pated in negotiations as legislation that could restore to approximately 13,000 Special Negotiator for the stolen properties to heirs Holocaust survivors in 22 Claims Conference. “These or Jewish communities. countries. increased payments will help Continuing efforts in this Furthermore, payments ease these last years of their area have brought some from the Central and Eastern lives, and the Claims progress in individual European Fund (CEEF) will Conference will continue to countries in recent years,

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showing us that though the perished. But as Claims ongoing funding for the social task is arduous, it can bring Conference Chairman Julius welfare needs of elderly Nazi results. Berman stated at the victims; property restitution The Claims Conference conference, regarding in Eastern Europe; and was responsible in Prague the restitution of Jewish obtaining pensions and for directing a spotlight property and looted artwork one-time payments for Nazi on the increasing social and Judaica, “Nazi victims victims who have not welfare needs of Jewish and their families should get yet received them due to victims of Nazism around back what was unjustly German government criteria the world and for the need to taken from them. No one governing Claims Conference obtain international funding here would demand any less programs. of vital social services for for themselves.” “Though all of these elderly, needy Jewish victims The Claims Conference challenges are great, so of Nazism in their final years. continues to monitor imple- are our strengths. The In reports presented at the mentation of the Terezin Claims Conference is an conference, the Claims Declaration, signed by the international coalition, Conference also noted that 46 countries participating in bound by common purpose, most participating countries the conference and calling driven by irresistible have made little or no for action in all the areas moral imperative and unified progress regarding looted highlighted by the Claims in a determination to art; called for the return or Conference at the gathering. succeed, with a resolute registration of items of understanding of what Judaica, especially Torah New Executive Vice President is at stake. Ultimately, scrolls; and pointed out the Outlines Priorities there can be no true need for international fund- amends made to Holocaust ing of Holocaust education, In July 2009, Gregory victims and nothing documentation, and research. Schneider was appointed the Claims Conference The Jewish groups repre- by the Claims Conference achieves can truly be sented in Prague reminded Board of Directors as called justice. Nevertheless, those countries that this Executive Vice President. we must strive to ensure issue is about history, not Mr. Schneider said that his that every Holocaust money, and about fairness, priorities will be negotiations victim lives their remaining not finances. Nothing with the German government years in dignity,” said will bring back those who to obtain additional and Mr. Schneider.

Widows’ Thoughts ’ve just returned from a By Maureen Hecht David (Herman) left us I funeral. Yes - another ‘phoned Olive to see how one. They are so frequent she was coping. She told me thesI e days. It is frightening. Over the years there that she just could not let go. This time it was sweet have been many widows left She knew there was no hope Charlie (Shane) who never in our crowd. We often but that was how she felt. On said a bad word about talk about Benny (Newton) the other hand, two days anyone. He fought for his and Frank (Farkas) who before Koppel died, Vivienne life in the camps, he fought loved a game of cards. wished that he could go to for Israel, but he lost his They were hosts and hosted sleep and not wake up, fight against cancer in the every weekend, sometimes because he was in such pain. end. The first time I went into the night. We remember Her wish was granted. Millie to see him in hospital and Bernard (Dreihorn) and (Graham) related the story saw the dreaded words Koppel (Dessau) - perhaps of a beautiful sunny day Cancer Ward on the wall, they are playing now when the children were I could not accept it. Death in Heaven! taking photos in the garden. came soon after. But what But recently I have been But someone was missing - of Anita, his wife of so listening to and thinking Monty. Anita has delighted many years? She is in a poor about the most current us at times on her courting state herself. bereaved spouses. Before days when her ‘friends’

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taunted her that Charlie All the boys are strong comes to them. They will would not come back characters and the spouses keep themselves busy from Israel - he did and have had to stay in the with their grandchildren brought up a wonderful background most of the time. and the rest of the family. family. A few weeks ago They have quietly got on with They will always be there they sat on their balcony bringing up the family and for them. surrounded by beautiful seeing that they have been flowers and imagined well educated, etc. They have ...... (phone rings) ‘yes.... they were on a cruise. a right to be proud because sorry to hear that - when did That was how their life they are wonderful children this happen? Give him our together ended. who will see that no harm love......

Sir MARTIN GILBERT Interviews 97 Year Old YOGI MAYER Leon Rogers MBE., JP ome 200 former mem- Corps and in the “Special bers of the well-known Operation Executive” (SOE) Brady Clubs in the He has no bitterness as a parachutist. SEast End of London and, as towards the Germany of his Yogi was awarded an MBE childhood in spite of evading well, members of the ‘45 Aid for services to young people arrest for political activities Society, met recently at the and also an Honorary Hendon Synagogue to hear and having to emigrate with his wife Ilse and child Doctorate of the University Sir Martin Gilbert CBE of Potsdam. In 2004, at the conduct an interview with Thomas to London in 1939. age of 92, he wrote the book 97 year old Yogi Mayer. After the war had ended, ‘Jews and the Olympic The theme of the evening they discovered that his wife was his life and times in had lost all of her family in Games’. He also makes Nazi Germany and his Concentration Camps. frequent visits to the country early days in Great Britain He spoke movingly of of his birth, talking to groups as a refugee and soldier, as a his times as a child - “a bit of students, as well as at parachutist member of the of a tear-away” - and his schools and conferences, Special Operations Executive adolescent days attempting about his experiences. (SOE) during World War II. to overcome many obstacles The evening was a great Yogi was born in 1912 and cruel oppression faced success and the audience and grew up in the by Jews in Nazi Germany. and Sir Martin Gilbert Rhineland-Pfalz region in He was an orphan and, as a paid tribute to Yogi for his Germany. He spoke of young student, took part in contribution to young people his time growing up as a the opposition to what through Brady and through very independent young was happening. He recalled the Primrose Club which man in Germany at a time stories about his attendance was established for the at the 1936 Olympic Games when it did not bode young survivors of the well for Jews exercising their and how he evaded arrest Concentration Camps. human rights as individuals during the 1938 notorious Yogi is looking forward and citizens of the country. “Kristallnacht”. This led to Yogi being Finally, Yogi spoke of to 2012 to celebrate his summoned before the the difficulties he had centenary and he will notorious Head of Gestapo, arriving in this country and probably be one of the few Chief Reinhard Heydrich, attempting to join the people who attended the “forbidding him to speak in Army which branded him 1936 Olympics, cheering on any public or closed meetings and many others as Aliens. competitors in London and of any kind”. This was in However, he gained a place being interviewed again. April 1935. eventually in the Pioneer

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SECTION IV SECOND AND THIRD GENERATION What the Journal has Meant to Me wish to thank the Journal By David Goldberg your work. You don’t have and those who make Son of Moniek & Fay material here to write one its publication possible. Goldberg article, you have three IIt certainly serves a wide different articles. You have so variety of needs to a good but the nuns who taught much to say that you have to many of its readers. But it the compulsory schools in decide which of the following has served me especially Poland would rap his hands you want to submit as well. It has enabled me with a ruler when he tried your first article”. Thus to know my father in a to write with his left began our collaboration. particularly meaningful way. hand. They succeeded. He Over the years we have Of course my parents were would henceforth write worked together on a number dutiful. They were always with his right hand but his of articles. The give and there for us. My father penmanship always left a lot take has given me priceless worked hard and long hours to be desired.) insight into my father’s but he was not an absent He told me that he wanted history, opinions and values. parent. He was engaged to submit an article to A few years after we started I and the family dinner table the Journal of the ‘45 Aid became briefly acquainted was our central meeting Society. I was familiar with with a Second Generation place. His presence was the Society and had seen the group associated with a felt in the house when he Journal in our house over Florida International was there (and when he the years. Needless to say, my University in Miami. One of wasn’t, “wait until your father’s formal education had the administrators told us of father gets home” was a been tragically interrupted. a project to establish an warning voiced by Mom more He was clearly a fast learner audio library of Survivors’ than once -and it created the of English. He had no trouble stories. I mentioned it to intended trepidation). speaking extemporaneously my father. He was aghast. I worked for my father when the occasion called for He looked at me with dismay, at his factory as a young it. He spoke concisely though “don’t you know me at all? boy and intermittently his grammar sometimes I would never speak to through my college years. We following the rules of some stranger about these were teenagers during the Yiddish more than the rules matters”? This was to change turbulent ‘60s and would of English but he had no later but it made me realize argue and debate issues problem presenting his that the kinship he shared expressing our thoughts and thoughts. He knew how to with the Boys and his learning his. But it wasn’t make his point. He had been landsleit was so very special until my family moved to set doing the crossword puzzles and private. His sense of up factories in Miami and in ink for years and his privacy extended to a Costa Rica that something vocabulary was very good. deep-seated aversion to happened that would permit But he had not written an seeking any psychiatric care me to form a special bond essay for a good many years. as a result of the trauma. He with my father. I was in He wanted me to edit what would cope with his pains graduate school in Michigan he had written down. Of and traumas by himself visiting the family in Florida course, I took the pages back and keep his stories to when my father asked if to Ann Arbor. himself for a good many I could do him a favour. “1 After about two weeks I years. The articles written know you’re very busy with transcribed his handwritten were no exception - they were your studies, but I was notes onto typewritten not about experiences in the hoping you could help me out sheets. (What I could have camps. They were about the with something”. He handed done with a computer or word person he became as a result me about 30 legal pad pages. processor back in the ‘70s.) I of his family upbringing, the Each line filled with his telephoned (what we could camps and his years in barely decipherable scrawl. have done with email back England with the help (That’s another story: My in those days) and said, “Dad, of the ‘45 Aid Society. The father was born left-handed I reviewed and organized articles, and his chosen

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lifestyle were an affirmation most of my adult years. I was other benchmarks: a simcha of Life - they did not dwell extremely fortunate in this planned by one his landsleit on the losses, death, and regard. He has since become or one of the Boys. He made destruction he witnessed very ill and is very reflective some but not others. It has and experience. They were about all phases of his life become clear to me how about the rebuilding of life and the lives of his ancestors important the ‘45 Aid Society and his gratefulness to those and progeny. and the Journal are to him. who helped along the way. I started writing this in His last request of me was My task as editor lessened August, 2009. About two to contribute an article. over the years. I found myself years ago, we were told that Unfortunately, he is too ill to offering fewer and fewer his condition was dire and his review it and be my editor. changes to his texts. But I time was to be measured in He has missed the ‘45 Aid also found myself becoming months (2, 4, 6...) He soberly Society reunion for the past more and more familiar with understood his position and issues and ideas that he started setting benchmarks two years due to his declining directed to men and women beyond the doctor’s range: health. But, even with a who had been friends since Six months to dance at recent turn for the worse, he their early adulthood. In his granddaughter Miriam’s set the 2010 reunion marking effect, I was becoming more wedding - he danced at her 65 years since his Liberation familiar with him - at least wedding. Fourteen months as his goal. He truly desires, on a level that went beyond to mark the 60th anniversary with all his heart, all his soul the intimacy learned growing of his marriage to my and all his might to be at the up with a father and being in mother, Fay. It seemed pretty reunion. His wishes are to business with him (I joined unlikely but he had a small attend the Reunion - next the family business shortly party at our shul marking year in London, next year in after graduation) throughout their 60th last March. He set Jerusalem.

The Exclusive Second Generation Club hat does being Daniela Becher not always listen! “Second Generation” As Second Generation we mean? It will mean My father already gives talks have a duty to listen to our diffWerent things to different to schools with tremendous parents and record their people but this is what it results and I have attended a experiences for once they means to me at this moment few, taped them and am now are gone, that’s it. It is a in time and I hope that some in the process of bringing his painful process but a very of my thoughts will resound life into the 21st century by necessary one. You may with you. My father’s and putting it all on computer. No have to cajole ever so slightly grandmother’s very lucky mean feat as my skills are with love and compassion but experiences whilst positive not technology based but I the knowledge you accrue have none-the-less impacted soon will be. comes from source and on my life and the way I view I am also acutely aware not from a watered down various issues. that as my life journey version that you remember, I am so extremely grateful proceeds new richness handed down recollections for the miraculous survival enters with new lessons and which will be further diluted of the lucky few and respect- realisations, some good by your children to their fully remember the millions and some not so good but children’s children. Who who tragically perished. I always embrace life with knows whether in ten How can I honour these optimism and dogged deter- years time the Holocaust individuals and how can I mination. I have from a very will be taught on the national show my gratitude that my early age sought the wisdom curriculum? We must be family was spared? of my elders, for through there to ensure that the Galvanising my father them I have often received an memory lives on and this is into writing his memoir accelerated experience and why we need to document and writing this article is a knowledge of life which has everything. This is our humble first step in the right for the most part stopped me respectful way of ensuring direction. We have been back from making some unwise that our dead are always a to Poland and the Ukraine. choices. Alas, not all, as I do symbol of the madness and

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evil humans are capable of committed and are still being hand. I never wanted to let when their hearts are filled committed by humanity my formidable mother and with hatred and prejudice. since the Second World War. grandmother down. This It is difficult for children to The lesson has obviously not inner strength and tenacity identify with six million but been learnt. The Holocaust has served me well and I they can understand the is fundamentally about the have been richly rewarded. story of one individual, one Jewish people but its implica- My prognosis is excellent. family and identify with it. I tions are far reaching “all l was blessed with the best have witnessed this myself persecution is abhorrent”. medical attention possible, for it allows children to feel No-one should be discrimi- a Syrian surgeon, and a compassion, love, and you nated against because of Jewish reconstructive sur- can see their brains working their creed or colour of geon who worked together in to distinguish the difference their skin. No child should the operating theatre, in between right and wrong. mourn the death of a parent harmony to save my life and They go away with a basic or loved one unless lost make me beautiful. These code of decency towards their through natural causes”. men are truly awesome and fellow humans. I was touched I remember a few years compassionate. Their love to see the love and respect back at a “45 Aid Society” of humanity goes beyond they had for my father and function, sitting next to our restrictive thinking. I how very sorry they were Pivnik who after a few love these two men more that the Holocaust ever glasses of wine became than words can say and happened. As my father says somewhat emotional. He always will. They have both in his book, children have a looked at me with tears in experienced prejudice but wonderful malleable mind his eyes and showed me his have none-the-less excelled and when confronted with tattoo. I have to confess and I want to live in a world prejudice they may well that my stiff upper lip and and contribute to a world remember his talk to them. carry on regardless approach which will be kind to their failed me somewhat and my gorgeous children. “You have got to spread eyes watered. The pain this Our survival has come at a the gospel because gentleman was carrying was huge cost and this is an Frank and I and a still raw after all these years. opportunity to ensure that few others are an May he rest in peace, now. I our children, indeed all endangered species. We held his arm in my hand and children grow up in a world are going to disappear. placed an ever so delicate in which they are not It is more difficult to kiss. He smiled back at me. discriminated against. Our present to adults as A year and a half ago I was responsibility is multi-fold, their attitudes will diagnosed with a ghastly it is historical, it is moral have crystallised and disease. Having enjoyed a and it is humanitarian. set. Children are more very healthy existence up to There are words and place susceptible to ideas then, both my dear father names that every child must and something might and I were utterly horrified. know about and cringe with stick.” We got through it. In fact, I horror at their mention. miraculously sailed through Ignorance is not an option. Going to schools will have all the draconian treatments a huge impact, not just on unscathed, but it was still a My mantra: current generations but horrid journey which I never “The ultimate ignorance on future generations and it want to repeat, nor do I wish and narrow mindedness is is within our power as Second it on anyone. When Ewa, a the rejection or blinkered Generation to do so. Our very dear friend of ours and a view of something you legacy is to turn tragedy into survivor, asked me: “How did know nothing about and hope. This despicable episode you manage to stay so posi- refuse to investigate fur- in history must never happen tive and strong throughout?” ther. Persecuting others in again to the Jews and in My answer was simple and to order to feel superior is the my humble way I will do the point: “After what you height of cowardice.” everything in my power to and others went through in educate and inspire so that Auschwitz and the other Who is laughing in the face this never happens again - camps, I did not dare to feel of Mengele, Himmler and ever! I am also greatly sorry for myself’. We looked Hitler and all that ghastly aware of all the appalling into each other’s eyes and she murderous mob, now?” Me cruelties that have been smiled at me and held my Me Me and you!

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Jennifer Rubin An introduction by Shirley and Joseph Zeller about one of the granddaughters, Jennifer Rubin. When Jennifer was 12 years old and in the 6th grade, she wrote a beautiful essay about her love of Israel and her dream to one day visit Israel. She was the only one chosen from her school, Solomon Schecter on Long Island, one of 50 children from around the world, including 6 from America, to go on a free trip to Israel. She was accompanied by our daughter, her mother, Gail. It was Israel’s 50th Anniversary. This was a B’nai mitzvah programme. All 50 children were Bar and Bat Mitzvah at the Kotel in Jerusalem. Jennifer said it was an experience she will never forget Jennifer wrote this article when she came home from her trip to Israel. It was published in the magazine Jewish Women. She has gone to Israel twice since then; once when she was in college with Birthright, and again as a staff member with Birthright. Jennifer, who will be 23 years old on April 9th 2009, is now at Hunter College in New York City getting her Masters in social work.

y name is Jennifer Michelle Rubin. I Haifa, the wildlife safari in Ramat Gan, live in Roslyn, New York, and I am 13. museums, and national parks. Recently I was fortunate to have gone My favourite part of Israel was Jerusalem. toMIsrael on a tour with my mother. I went The historic sites were amazing to see. All the with 40 other children and their parents from sites I’ve learned about in day school for the around the world. It was for Israel’s 50th past eight years of my life and I finally got to birthday and a B’nai Mitzvah program. see them. It is great to have touched and What a wonderful experience! I have kissed the Western Wall for the first time. always wanted to become a Bat Mitvah in Going to Israel is the best thing that has Israel and that dream became reality. I had ever happened to me. I look back on my trip always thought of Israel as my own country. and I wish that some day I will return. It’s on the other side of the world and I will Becoming a Bat Mitzvah at the Western always be welcomed. I have had a great love Wall was a great honour. It was a lot of fun for Israel ever since I was born, but actually and an experience that I will never forget. to be in Israel and to experience all the These are memories I will always treasure wonderful things that Israel has to offer is an and will be able to pass them on to my own amazing feeling. children. Israel is a very special place to There is no much to see and learn about: me and I hope all Jews will be able to go there Masada, the Western Wall, Yad Vashem, the for a visit. Knesset, the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi springs and waterfall, Israeli air force bases, Rabin Jennifer Michelle Rubin Square in Tel Aviv where Prime Minister 13 years old Rabin was assassinated, the Baha’i Temple in Roslyn, New York

The 60TH Wedding Anniversary of Joseph & Fay Goldberg his morning was my Efram Goldberg their experiences, strength grandparents, Joseph and hope. Efram is the grandson of and Fay Goldberg’s Despite what my grand- Moniek & Fay Goldberg. 60thTwedding anniversary. At mother may think, it is more the anniversary celebration than just her delicious soup the three generations present children, and finally, the 3rd which brings me to their included: the 1st generation generation, to which I belong. house once a week; it is of survivors who refer to As time inevitably passes, much more than that. I have themselves as “The Boys”, the survivors grow older and listened to the stories my the 2nd generation, their the world is at risk of losing grandfather told me about

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his experiences, before and different ways. While some experience to help guide me after the war. I have let the demons of their and try my best to walk heard many names, and the past take control of their in the spiritual path set people became faceless lives, this was not the case down by those before me. I legends in my mind. Having of my Grandfather. The have hope that by tapping the opportunity to hear anniversary today was much into the spiritual strength my grandfather’s narrative more than just a “simcha”, provided by my grandparents and then having met many celebrating sixty wonderful I can overcome any difficulty of these people at the years of marriage. It was a I face in my life. Just as anniversary party was an tangible testament to his my grandparents judge amazing experience. Putting victory over the atrocities themselves through the eyes faces to the names, and committed against him of their parents, and my encountering their personali- and our people. Each day parents judge themselves ties brought his stories to together is not only proof through the eyes of their life. Family friends that were of their victory over the parents, I also must judge at my father’s bar mitzvah Holocaust but also to his myself through the eyes of and watched him grow up, continuing triumph over my parents. are the same friends that cancer. The sixty year The real victors of World have watched me grow union of my grandparents War II were not only the up. My grandparents’ friends represents a unified effort Allies, but each and every belong to all walks of to perpetuate our Jewish Jew who not just survived, life: parents, grandparents, heritage and culture to the but had another chance great grandparents, Olympic generations to come. at living. My grandfather champions, successful Today was a day of hope. has a wonderful wife, four businessmen, doctors, and I recently asked my grandfa- wonderful children, ten active Zionists, all of whom ther to share his story grandchildren and one have amazing stories. with me, All I could do was great-grandchild. He worked My father told me that in listen. I could not relate. I for what he has, started his early post-war years, could understand but never and built up a clothes manu- almost all of his parents’ comprehend. My generation facturing company, worked friends, save for a few, were has its own struggles and hard all his life, is very survivors, and most of while I do not compare the spiritual, and has a charming them were “Boys.” Each of problems I have faced in life “neshama”. By all means them has dealt with their with what my grandparents I do not choose to call this experiences in the Shoah in went through, I use their surviving, I call it living.

Holocaust Education as an important step in changing the World’s view of the Shoah am the third generation Ariel Sherman legacy with us. We will be in a family of Holocaust their memory, but also their survivors. My grand- Ariel is the granddaughter of voice, their life. Judith and Robert Sherman. mother,I Judith Sherman, Due to my personal connec- was imprisoned in the tion, I sense the urgency Ravensbruck Concentration obvious that this view for Holocaust education, Camp at the age of fourteen. is not shared by all. As which is often severely This touches me deeply as I survivors pass on, the duty to lacking. I recently spoke am close to this age. She remember falls upon the to an eighth grader who recently documented her shoulders of children, and had never heard of Hitler, experiences in a book entitled especially the grandchildren. and another who had no Say the Name: A Survivor’s We will be the last generation knowledge of the Holocaust. Tale in Prose and Poetry. with living contact to I attended a Jewish middle A very powerful adage Holocaust survivors. We bear school where we devoted an among Jews is “Never for- the names of their murdered entire semester to learning get”. However, it is becoming loved ones and carry their how the Holocaust came

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about, the events that took Eastern Europe and saw the The Shoah wiped out entire place during the Holocaust, devastation of the Nazis’ cities of Jews, eliminating and its aftermath. While actions that I actually began future generations. The I realise most schools do to feel the horror myself. Holocaust against the not have the time or means My family started our unborn is just as devastating to teach the Holocaust journey in Germany. There as the loss of the living. so extensively, I believe it are reminders everywhere of Our generation must take should be covered more the madness that once ruled it upon ourselves to become thoroughly. I currently this country; the Gestapo educated on this subject. We attend a public high school. building, plaques, statues, must continue to remind the My sophomore year history and ruins of buildings hit world what occurred not so textbook contained but one by bombs. We began to make many years ago. History has single paragraph on the our way through Slovakia, a habit of repeating itself: Holocaust - one small para- the birthplace of my grand- witness Rawanda, Bosnia, graph to convey the murder mother, and the Czech and Cambodia. The countries of 13 million people, both Republic, specifically visiting change, names of the despots Jews and non-Jews alike. Jewish sites. We visited change, politics change, but Today my grandmother asks, synagogues that once served the victims’ suffering remains “world of ethnic cleansing - Jewish communities of constant. We can combat who is clean?” thousands. Now all that this by joining organizations Today, neo-Nazis and anti- remains is the ghost of the dedicated to tolerance, and Semites are becoming more life that once flourished campaigning against hatred vocal. Many people find there, a mere shadow of its and violence wherever it is comfort in the lies spread former grandeur. The most manifested. Justice Robert by these groups. I find powerful and disturbing Jackson described the myself having trouble with event for me was a visit to a Holocaust as being “so calcu- the notion that a civilized synagogue in Slovakia. The lated, so malignant, and so country could so easily be temple, once an essential devastating that civilization persuaded to participate in part of Jewish life, is now a cannot bear their being such barbaric acts. If I, warehouse. This once holy ignored because it cannot the granddaughter of a structure that housed the survive their being repeated.” survivor and avid student of sacred books of Judaism Yet here we stand over sixty the Holocaust, find compre- now houses chicken wire and years later facing the same hension difficult, how will a plywood. The patrons of this intolerance, anti-Semitism, generation of children with business paid no attention to and indifference. There is no limited education be able to the grand columns inscripted guarantee this hate will not understand? How easily will with Jewish text or the advance further. they be swayed by those who magnificent Magen Davids The Shoah is not just a disseminate lies, twist the that bedecked the ceiling. recollection of the horrors of truth, and rewrite the past? The only reminder of the the body, but of the darkness The spring of eighth temple’s former purpose was of the soul when the light grade coincided with the a small plaque on the of G-d’s world seemed sixtieth anniversary of the wall, surrounded by bullet extinguished by the brutality liberation of Ravensbruck holes, mentioning the of mankind. Too many people Concentration Camp. My number of Jews killed from feel that learning about the grandmother returned to the this village. Our guide told Holocaust is inconsequential camp with her two sons and us that the region is nearly and has no relationship to me. She returned with three devoid of Jews. Most them. However, Simon generations of life behind her, were deported, and the Wiesenthal urges, “For your an act of defiance against the few survivors had nothing benefit, learn from our Nazis. I had heard her story, to return to. This was fre- tragedy. It is not a written watched the interviews, quently the case as we law that the next victims and read extensively about continued our tour. The few must be Jews.” As the eyewit- Holocaust experiences. Yet, I functioning synagogues were ness generation vanishes, still found it challenging to lacking in funds, and the both teaching and document- comprehend the horrors small, ageing congregations ing the Shoah becomes these victims endured. It was almost guarantee their increasingly essential. It is not until I travelled around eventual collapse. said that a single person can

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change the world. I feel that The survivors have given memory belongs to everyone. dedicating more time to us their legacy. They have Through education, we can Holocaust education can act told their story. They empha- begin to combat the evil of as an important step in size the love of life over ignorance, the destructive changing the world’s view of destruction, hope rather than power of hate, and create a the Shoah, and encouraging despair, reconciliation rather world free of genocide and remembrance. than revenge, remembering ethnic cleansing. The more rather than forgetting, acting people who stand up to Today my grandmother rather than following. Now is hatred and violence instead writes: “We are old, our tale our time. We must work to of standing by, the more is told ensure these stories do not potent the force it will But you witness to witness become mere folktales. It is be. Jewish tradition states Be garbed in care our duty to make “never that while we are not again” a call to action, to required to heal the world, Be girded by strength make the slogan a reality. We neither are we free from can begin to make a change the attempt. The world And see to it by preventing indifference. must vow to never forget That our tale does not The Holocaust is part of the Shoah, lest history repeat human history, and the repeat anew.

Works Cited

Justice Robert Jackson, Chief U.S. Counsel to the International Military Tribunal, Nuremberg, Germany. 21 November. 1945. “Quotes”. Simon Wiesenthal Center. 21 April. 2009. http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/pp.asp?c=IsKWLbPJLnF&b=444 1355 Sherman, Judith. Say the Narne: A Survivor’s Tale in Prose and Poetry. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. 2005. Sherman, Judith. Telephone interview. 21 April. 2009.

“The Boys” Denise Pearlman hen Ben Helfgott as one extended family, recently asked me to (nee Pomeranc) to provide love and write a few words support to each other and aboutWThe Boys and my (“Pom”) and he simply said their respective wives reflections on being one of “the Germans took them and children. their second generation, I away and I never saw them When our father was ill hesitated and procrastinated. again”. Somehow, we never in hospital, for months on The task is too enormous: questioned why we had at end, every single day there The Boys are larger than least thirty uncles - they were was at least one or more of life and words alone cannot family and that was that! The Boys quietly sitting capture their essence. We grew up seeing our with him. When he was so ill Nevertheless, here are uncles and our second only family was allowed to some personal reflections generation cousins regularly visit, of course Harry Balsam which I hope will resonate and the support network was allowed in: “this is his with my fellow second gener- provided to our father brother” we told the nursing ation cousins and provide a over many difficult years staff, and it could not have hint of the importance of The cannot be over emphasized. been more true. Boys in all of our lives. I believe that this is the As little boys of no more When my brother Stephen essence of The Boys: as than 12 to 13 years, The Boys and I were little, we were children they had their experienced human suffering puzzled about the mysterious families torn away from and loss beyond belief. Every absence of grandparents on them and destroyed, but winter, my husband Michael our father’s side. We quizzed instead of despairing in and I are astonished at how our father Issaak Pomeranc isolation they came together they withstood the freezing

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temperatures in thin rags. typical example was given to their children would one Every Yom Kippur I marvel me by the much loved and day be so fortunate. It at how they survived years of recently departed Kopel is our inherited obligation starvation. The older I get, Kendall, who told me that to remain close and to the more I wonder. Most of Harry Balsam would call continue the work started all, I am amazed at their him up and routinely greet by the Boys. We must mental strength. They have him with “how are you, you also pass on this legacy to survived not just in body but drekman, why haven’t you our children. in spirit and that is the truly f...ing called me you little My father did not talk remarkable characteristic of b.....d?” Only when Harry much about the Holocaust, The Boys. called and said “Hello Kopel although as a child I Aptly named, they have is everything ok?” then Kopel remember him shouting in never lost their sense of would knowingly respond: German in his sleep. He fun or love of life. They tease “Tell me Harry, who died?” only gave me the briefest each other relentlessly, I feel a particular affinity insight. In recent years pulling each other’s leg and with the children of The The Boys have had the making mischief if they Boys, my second generation courage to speak about can. Naturally, as they were cousins. We have grown up their experiences and give boys, every one was given together; shared similar testimony. This is a truly a nickname - and those trauma and understand some invaluable contribution to names have stuck for the last of the hidden suffering of our future generations and a 65 years! parents. I remember sitting slap in the face to the At the last reunion, Krulik with my brother and Stephen Holocaust deniers. and Zigi were a double-act and Cohn Balsam at a The Boys and their worthy of Laurel and Hardy. glittering charity ball a little humour, their love of life and They did my later father while ago. As the opera singer their love for each other is proud when they repeatedly sang out, I looked around at limitless. For me, all I can challenged my daughter’s the opulent surroundings; say is that I feel privileged boyfriend Mike: “you the women in ball gowns and to have known them and to schmuck, what are you diamonds; the well fed men be part of their warm and waiting for? If I were a few in tuxedos and thought of loving family. They have years younger....!” Mike has our fathers huddled starving been an inspiration to me taken it well and is about in a bunk in Buchenwald and my brother when times to run the half marathon for and felt moved by the have been difficult. We the ’45 Aid Society. astonishing journey that have only to look to The Boys Their robust sense of had been travelled and as a shining example of humour extended at times to how they, at their lowest, how to keep our spirit and some colourful language. A could not have imagined that never lose courage.

Explore Through Artist viva Halter-Hurn had Aviva Halter-Hurn just finished her Honours Degree at Aviva is the daughter of CaAmberwell College of Roman and Susie Halter. Arts and Crafts when her father, Roman Halter, put on an exhibition of his work called ‘Remembering for the Future’ in 1988. This inspired her to produce a set of prints ‘Auschwitz through Lino-cuts’. “As a daughter of a Survivor I had grown up hearing about all the atrocities of the Holocaust. I

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tended to push it all to could find to draw on, I could the back of my mind, not glimpse into the horrors of really wanting to believe how what my father had been horrible one man could be to through and for the first time another. I found it hard to mourn my father’s family comprehend how my father who I never knew.” had managed to survive. A whole chapter of his life, that was so alien to me and played such an immense part of the man he is. “Through these prints which I took directly from the pictures drawn in the camps on scraps of paper, wood, or whatever else they

Latest News from 2ND Generation Israel, January 2010 Nina Hecht nd Generation Israel returned from Germany is the only English and the amount of informa- Nina is the daughter of Jack speaking Children of tion being held there is & Maureen Hecht. Holoc2 aust Survivors group astounding. He was given in Israel. Tricia Wermuth details and documents and I are always trying By including 2nd Generation pertaining to his parents that to raise our profile and who are not children of ‘The he would never have been increase our membership. We Boys’ a different perspective able to find otherwise. He therefore decided to open our can be seen. had first contacted them by membership to anyone who is Our major concern is, of email several months earlier. 2nd Generation and not course, the poverty that It takes that long for them to just children of ‘The Boys’. many Holocaust survivors gather the information as the This not only increases our in Israel currently live. archive is so vast. Once they membership but for some We would love to emulate have located what you have people this is the first the wonderful fundraising requested, you can either go opportunity they have had to both the ‘Boys’ and 2nd there in person to collect it or speak about being 2nd Generation have done and they can mail it to you. Generation. Myself, Tricia hope to have a fundraising As always I feel extremely and everyone who has event this year. proud and privileged to be a attended our gatherings have At our last meeting one daughter of one of ‘The Boys’. found it very interesting to of the things we discussed To me you are all my heroes! hear their parents’ unique was the archive at Bad Thank you also to Philip story and sharing their Arolsen in Germany. One of and the 2nd Generation 2nd Generation experiences. our members had recently UK team.

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SECTION V THE ANNUAL LEONARD G. MONTEFIORE LECTURE THE ROAD TO WAR – 70 YEARS ON William Tyler MA(Oxon) MA,MPhil (former Principal of The City Literary Institute, London) here is a slim but and democracy. Or, as Levi offered a crown ‘from the fascinating volume of Strauss wrote in 1988, gutter, disgraced by the history published in ‘The Revolution put into stink of revolution, baked of 194T6 by Harold Nicolson, circulation ideas and values dirt and mud.’ the author and diplomat. It which fascinated, first The 1848 Revolutions is a history of The Congress Europe, then the world at across Germany were of Vienna in 1814/15, large.’ crushed and thus Germany’s which sought to put Europe One result of this is that rise to nationalism was back together again after the German Confederation destined to be a darker story the ravages of Napoleon of The Rhine established of war. Firstly with Denmark, Bonaparte. by Napoleon to replace the then with Austria, and It is particularly moribund Holy Roman finally with France, in which interesting because Nicolson Empire was re-established at sweet revenge for Jena was was a junior diplomat Vienna. The truth is that obtained at the battle of in the British team at Napoleon’s political solution Sedan in 1870. Versailles in 1919 trying of a German Confederation Militaristic Prussia, not to do the job of rebuilding had been built upon the laid back Austria or German Europe all over again. military defeat of the most liberalism, was to prove the Finally, of course, having powerful German state, catalyst which brought a served in Churchill’s wartime outside of Austria, Prussia, united Germany into being. Government and having at the battle of Jena in 1806. It was proclaimed by lost his Parliamentary seat A humiliation that was to Bismarck at the conclusion of in the 1945 Election, Nicolson have appalling consequences, the Franco-Prussian War on wrote his book in the as in the aftermath of 18th January 1871, in of all following year when again Waterloo, itself part payment symbolic places, The Hall of Europe was picking itself of Prussian revenge, nation- Mirrors at Versailles. France up from a war that had alism took root in Germany was humiliated and the devastated the continent. without the concomitant loss of the province of Nicolson saw these three amelioration of democracy. Alsace-Lorraine to Germany events as linked. The manner in which was a particularly bitter pill What has all this got to do German unification arose to swallow. with ‘The Road to War’ is significant. It might For a hundred years after in1939? Well the broad have been thought, or Napoleon’s defeat at Leipzig brush of history tells us a at least hoped, that German in the battle of the nations great deal. liberalism, which in the revo- and his first abdication Modern Europe arguably lutionary year of 1848 looked and exile on Elba, Europe began on 14th July 1789, to bringing nationalism to had avoided a full scale when the Parisian mob Germany in tandem with European war. Bismarck’s stormed the Bastille prison democracy, would gain wars, the Crimean war, and and unleashed the the ascendancy. After all, other smaller conflicts were Revolution upon France, and meeting in assembly at nothing on the scale of the via Napoleon’s armies, the Frankfurt the representa- Napoleonic wars - more men twin ideas of nationalism and tives of the German States were present at Liepzig, for democracy were spread offered the crown of Germany example, in a single battle, 1 across Europe. So effectively to the Prussian king, over /2 million men, than spread that the diplomats Frederick William IV. What until the battles of The First and politicians assembled at would have emerged would World War. Vienna couldn’t, however have been a constitutional Europe was kept at peace hard they tried, reverse or Parliamentary monarchy. by the so-called Balance of even halt the flow of history. It never stood a chance. Powers, which after the The future of Europe was Frederick William wrote assumption of power in destined to lie with those to a relative in England that Germany by Kaiser Wilhelm twin ideas of nationalism he felt insulted by being II in 1888 and his dismissal

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of Bismarck two years later imposed on a defeated France with a question for which became a system of Alliances in 1814/15. there can be no definitive between two ‘blocs’. By This earlier European answer, would Hitler and 1914 The Austro-Hungarian, history is the context in Nazism have arisen in Ottoman, German bloc which to begin the signposted Germany if Versailles had versus the French, Russian road to war in 1939. At this been more accommodating and British bloc. War was point in our exploration of the of German needs? Writing almost inevitable given causes of World War Two, we eight years before Hitler’s Germany’s militaristic stance leave the minor roads and assumption of power, and the Kaiser’s own join the motorway - the Winston Churchill warned of attitude. He famously said at motorway to hell, to the the inherent dangers to a speech to the North Third Reich, and to world German stability of the German Regatta Association war all over again. harsh terms imposed at in 1901, that Germany must The Treaty of Versailles, Versailles. He wrote, ‘Let it have its ‘place in the sun’. which Germany had no not be thought for a moment War finally came in 1914, choice but to sign, can now that the danger of another over, as Bismarck had be seen not only as the end explosion in Europe is long ago predicted, ‘some of one war but the start of passed ...... the causes of war damn foolish thing in the another. The conditions have been in no way Balkans’ - in this case the imposed on Germany, in removed; indeed they are in assassination of the heir to addition to the loss of some respects aggravated by the Austro-Hungarian throne Alsace-Lorraine, the removal the so-called Peace Treaties by a Bosnian Serb terrorist of industrial German plant and the reactions thereupon.’ group, ‘The Black Hand’. to France, the heavy, This poses another unan- Within weeks Europe, nigh impossible, reparation swerable question, if it had including ourselves, was at payments placed on not been Nazism that used war. Almost by accident it Germany, a ban on any the terms of Versailles to seems we fell into this future merger with the stir up revolution in war. There is a revisionist new rump state of Germany and overthrow view favoured by some young Austria, an embargo on Weimar democracy, might it historians today that Britain Germany joining The have been Marxist-Leninism need not have gone to war in League of Nations, the loss instead? In other words, 1914. We hadn’t, they argue, of territory (especially the Versailles was a disaster gone to war in 1870, so why so-called Polish Corridor, waiting to happen. in 1914? This entirely, in my the temporary loss of the With hindsight it might view, misses the point that Saar and the demilitarisation have been more politic to Germany in 1914 was not of The Rhineland), the blame the Kaiser, perhaps Prussia in 1870. If we had restrictions placed on even bring him to trial. It not gone to war we should Germany’s military forces, might have been better to have been forced to war with ranging from no submarines have pushed on to Berlin and Germany at some point in the and aircraft to restrictions enforced an unconditional near future. on the number of weapons German surrender rather France seized back and men were heavy, than the Armistice signed at Alsace-Lorraine in 1918, onerous and, moreover, Compiegne. All this was to at the war’s end, and the dangerous. Nicolson, in be spun and used by the Nazi bitterness between the two retrospect, believed that propaganda machine; not countries simmered on. Not the terms imposed on least the surrender of France unexpectedly, given French Germany at Versailles were a in 1940 being conducted in Premier Clemenceau’s view contributory factor leading the same railway carriage as expressed at The Peace to World War Two - a point used in 1918. Conference in Versailles that now almost universally As Churchill warned in Germany should be made to accepted by contemporary 1925 the problems inherent pay for the war and that the historians. The argument in the Versailles settlement German economy should be is a simple one. Germany would emerge sooner rather reduced to the state of a was angered, embittered, than later. They did so ten medieval agricultural one. humiliated by the terms of years before Hitler came to The overall conditions Versailles and looked for a power. In 1923 The French imposed upon a defeated way of salvaging its pride. A and Belgians occupied the Germany by the victorious situation exploited to the full Ruhr. France sought German allies at Versailles were by Hitler and The Nazis. coal as recompense for the draconian. So unlike those However, one is still left non payment of reparations.

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Coal needed for French sinister. In 1940, at the time resolve, this tale stops.’ steel production. Post-1945 of The Fall of France, The final countdown this is to be the economic Churchill spoke of the danger had begun. In 1936 came building block upon which of sinking into the abyss of a Hitler’s Occupation of the the European Union is to new dark age. demilitarised Rhineland. It be constructed - The Iron In 1936, exactly halfway was a massive gamble for and Steel Community. The between Hitler’s assumption Hitler. It paid off because occupation itself was a fiasco of power and the outbreak there was, to use Churchill’s as the German population of The Second World War, phrase from his earlier essay, responded with wide-scale Churchill in an article no allied coordinated plan. strikes. It did however spark entitled ‘How to Stop War’, We now know that Hitler had riots against the German wrote: ‘The modern work given orders for immediate Government, most notably presents the extraordinary withdrawal if German Forces the Nazi’s Munich Beer Hall spectacle of almost everybody met opposition. Hitler said, Putsch. The French were wishing to prevent or avoid ‘If France had then marched forced to withdraw in 1925. war, and yet war coming into The Rhineland, we In addition to Versailles, remorselessly nearer to would have had to withdraw Germany had been caught almost everybody.’ Why with our tails between our up in an economic crisis, should this have been so? legs.’ There was no opposition and when hyperinflation set Churchill answered his own and the message given to in Hitler had another issue question, ‘The thinking Hitler was therefore a clear to exploit. Hyperinflation people in the different one. He could virtually do reached its peak in countries could not agree what he wished. November 1923 when a new upon a plan; the rest In February 1938 Hitler currency was introduced, continued to gape and chatter demanded of the Austrian the Rentenmark. Nazi spin vacuously at the approaching Chancellor concessions to blamed the bankers and peril until they were the Austrian Nazi Party. speculators for the disaster, devoured by it.’ He refused and Hitler’s and as many of these In the same year, Churchill armies invaded. In a were Jewish it fuelled Nazi enumerated the reasons for final broadcast, Von anti-Semitism. the coming war, ‘First stands Schuschnigg, the Austrian Now we have begun to the rapid and tremendous Chancellor, concluded by talk about Nazism even rearmament of Germany..... saying, ‘God protect though we haven’t reached The second is that the recent Austria.’ Having broken the 1933 and the assumption actions of Germany have conditions of Versailles with of power by Hitler. This destroyed all confidence in the Anschluss, Hitler next places quite another layer her respect for treaties..... sought to take up the on the whole question The third is that practically cause of Germans living of German nationalism, the whole of the German in the Sudetenland of expansionism and mili- nation has been taught to Czechoslovakia. Nearly a tarism. In the same 1925 regard the incorporation in quarter of the population was article already cited, the Reich of the Germanic German. Lord Runciman Churchill wrote, ‘The population of neighbouring was sent with a British campaign of 1919 was never states as a natural, rightful mission to the area. He fought; but its ideas go and inevitable aim of recommended that the marching along. In every German policy. The fourth country should be returned Army they are being is that the financial and eco- to Germany. His report explored, elaborated, refined nomic pressure in Germany contained this sentence, ‘I under the surface of peace, are rising to such a pitch that regard their [Germans in the and should war come again Herr Hitler’s government Sudetenland] turning for to the world it is not with will in a comparatively short help towards their kinsmen the weapons and agencies time have only to choose and their eventual desire prepared for 1919 that it between an internal and to join the Reich as a will be fought, but with an external explosion.’ This natural development in developments and extensions essay amongst others was the circumstances.’ Prime of these which will be incom- published in book form, Minister Chamberlain parably more formidable and ‘Step by Step’ in 1936. In an travelled to Munich to meet fatal.’ And once Hitler is in epilogue, Churchill adds, The Fuhrer, and with no power in Germany the whole ‘Here then, in an hour when Czech Government official prospect of war becomes ever all is uncertain, but not present, signed away the more real but also ever more uncheered by hope and Sudetenland to Germany.

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Again what messages are The Nazi invasion of at war with Germany.’ being given to Hitler? That Poland later the same year One consequence remains he can push and every time was to prove the spark that to be stated. Eight months the Allies will concede. In sent the whole of Europe and one week after March 1939, Hitler from the back to war. We went to Britain’s declaration of war, now occupied Sudetenland war on 3rd September 1939, Chamberlain was removed by invaded the whole of Chamberlain saying in parliamentary pressure as Czechoslovakia. Again no his national broadcast to Prime Minister and Winston action from Britain and the nation, ‘This morning the Churchill, he who had France. At this point British Ambassador in warned for so long and so Chamberlain changed his Berlin handed the German eloquently of this war, took position. Too little, far too Government a final note office. Margery Allingham, late to stop Hitler now. stating that unless we heard the writer, in her book Chamberlain asked in a from them by eleven o’clock written in 1941 for an speech, ‘Is this the last that they were prepared at American audience, wrote attack upon a small state once to withdraw their of Churchill taking office [Czechoslovakia] or is it troops from Poland, a on 10th May 1940, thus: to be followed by others? state of war would exist ‘...... whatever the outward Is this, in effect, a step in between us. I have to tell you danger, all was well and true the direction of an attempt that no such understanding again.’ to dominate the world by has been received and that And that is another force?’ consequently this country is story......

SECTION VI OBITUARIES Rabbi Simcha Lieberman abbi Simcha Lieberman This obituary appeared up in Theresienstadt, from was for many years in The Times which, in 1945, he was Rthe senior lecturer in rescued and brought to “Codes” at Jews’ College, Rabbi Simcha Lieberman, England through the good London. In this role he rabbinical scholar, was offices of Rabbi Dr Solomon provided a last link between born on December 29, 1929. Schonfeld, son-in-law to Jewish orthodoxy in the He died on June 28, 2009, the then Chief Rabbi of the UK and the lost world of aged 79. British Empire, Dr J. H. traditional rabbinic scholar- Hertz. ship that had flourished for Through the patronage centuries in Eastern Europe, (central Poland) in the of Schonfeld and of the and which the Holocaust mid-19th century. His early Talmudic scholar Rabbi destroyed. The manner education - steeped in the Yechezkel Abramsky, of his departure from Jews’ study of the Talmud and Lieberman completed his College became a cause its commentators - ended formal education at célébre within Anglo-Jewry, a abruptly with the Nazi the famous Etz Chaim defining moment that invasion of Poland in 1939. (“Tree of Life”) Yeshiva symbolised the ever-widening At first a prisoner in the (rabbinical seminary) in rift between orthodoxy Warsaw ghetto, Lieberman London and at the Gateshead and ultra-orthodoxy within was spared extermination Kollel (Institute of Higher Britain’s Jewish community. because as an able-bodied Rabbinical Studies). Simcha Bunim Lieberman teenager he was considered Abramsky recognised in was born in Warsaw in fit enough to be transferred Lieberman his own qualities 1929, into an illustrious to Majdanek, where he as a Talmudic expositor rabbinical family of Gerer worked as a slave labourer. able to synthesise and Hassidim - that is, followers His complicity in numerous analyse, with apparent ease, of the influential pietistic acts of sabotage earned the vast literature that movement founded by him brutal torture. In all, had accumulated over the Rabbi Yitzhak Meir Alter in Lieberman endured incarcer- millennia explaining and the town of Góra Kalwaria ation in seven camps, ending expounding upon the core

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Talmudic texts. There was Lord) Kalms. Sachs’s and In May 1985 Kalms, virtually no aspect of Kalms’s vision for the college Sacks and Jakobovits this literature with which was not shared by Lieberman agreed to have the matter Lieberman was not familiar. - in particular the widening decided by a Beis Din He added 20 volumes of his of the rabbinical training (rabbinical court) specially own to this canon, while curriculum. The college’s constituted for this purpose - earning a living as a rabbi president, Chief Rabbi the first time a British and Talmudic decisory. Immanuel Jakobovits, kept chief rabbi had consented to In 1971 Lieberman joined aloof from these simmering have his authority challenged the academic staff of Jews’ differences. In 1984 Sacks in this way. But the Beis College, the rabbinical became Principal of the Din never convened. An training academy established college. The following year, out-of-court settlement was in London in 1855. with Jakobivits’s approval, reached the night before it Lieberman’s appointment Lieberman was summarily was due to sit. was a coup for the institution dismissed. Lieberman retired to the (then an associate college of The “Lieberman Affair” northern Israeli city of Safed, the University of London), divided Anglo-Jewry, but in where he continued to teach and he attracted many the wider rabbinical world and to publish. His funeral, students who would other- the support was more on on the Mount of Olives wise have gone to study at Lieberman’s side. Lieberman (Jerusalem), was attended by more traditional yeshivot. had powerful and wealthy some of the greatest living But among Lieberman’s friends (most of them his Talmudic authorities. colleagues at the college was former students), and they His wife Chava (an Dr Jonathan Sacks, the pro- saw to it that he had the Auschwitz survivor) prede- tégé of the college’s then best legal advice money ceased him. He is survived chairman, Stanley (now could buy. by 11 children.

Arthur Poznanski here were many ways This article appeared in school and later senior in which Holocaust The Times master in a much bigger victims became school in another town that Tsurvivors. Even today the Arthur Poznanski, Holocaust had both Jewish and Gentile remnant of the Jews marked survivor, was born on children. His mother was a for murder talk about November 7, 1927. He died teacher of the violin. luck, about kind people on August 10, 2009, aged 81. In 1942, only a few days who took pity on them or before his 15th birthday, his how, through superhuman POLISH JEW WHO parents and the younger of endeavour, they managed SURVIVED THE the two brothers were taken to work their way through HOLOCAUST TO THRIVE away. He never saw them the death camps. Arthur IN THE UK AS AN again. The two boys had Poznanski put his survival AMATEUR SINGER not been arrested because down to a metal spoon. they were working at the Poznanski was in a train Hortensja glass factory near cattle car on the way to singer. The ambition did the ghetto of Piotrkow. Mauthausen and managed, not translate into great Artek was taken to with a group of other success. But he sang for Buchenwald camp and lost youngsters to jump and begin the rest of his life and it contact with his brother an escape - but not before was his voice for which he Jerzyk, whom he was con- being shot and wounded by will be remembered by many vinced had died. From an SS guard who left him in his local synagogue. Buchenwald he was taken to for dead. The bullet had He was born Artek Flossberg near Liepzig, been deflected by the spoon in Poznanski in 1927 in the tiny where he recalled being his pocket with which the Polish town of Praszka, “terrorised by bayonets and prisoners had been issued. close to the German border. rifle butts” as he was made After the war he was It was one of the first places to stand in the open air in able to come to England and in the country to be overrun freezing conditions. From begin what he hoped would in 1939. His father was there he and 30 others be a career as an opera the headmaster of a Jewish were packed together in a

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railway wagon to travel to productions. He had the Mauthausen in Austria. In starring role in I pagliacci Czechoslovakia a few jumped and was Mercutio in and were shot as they did so. Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet. Artek jumped and, though Not quite good enough to wounded, managed to drag make star status, he became himself into the woods a manager in a relative’s adjoining the railway track. textile company and stayed It was 1945 and he was taken in the trade until retirement. into the home of a family. He kept singing. He was They later arranged for him choirmaster at the Ilford to go to hospital where he Synagogue in London and was rescued by Allied troops. composed numerous pieces Soon afterwards Artek of music featured in the was shown a photograph services there. At his funeral of his young brother on the day after his death, a Jerzyk, who he was told friends for the rest of choir made up of singers from had survived, too. Jerzyk all over London performed their lives. was in Theresienstadt, one of his works, “as a kind They were placed in a which the Nazis had tried of requiem”, as his son to demonstrate as a model large centre near Lake Victor said. village, but which was, in Windermere, from which He was regarded as a fact, a transit station for the they eventually, with the standard bearer for the death camps. At the end of help of the Anglo-Jewish survivors and felt it was his the war he tried to get into community, began to pick up duty to retell the story. In a the camp, now in Allied new lives. Artek became BBC interview in 2007, he hands, but was told that it Arthur and for a time lived in said: “We have a lot of trouble was quarantined. He swam the East End of London at all over the world. Hatred, its moat and hid in the the Jews Temporary Centre, discrimination and violence sewers before getting into the which had been set up is still erupting and even hut where his brother was. for a different influx of genocides on larger and Later that year the immigrants at the turn of the smaller scales. By quoting two boys were among a century. Jerzyk (now George) what happened to us we can group of 732 young concen- went to live in Gateshead influence people to abandon tration camp survivors where he studied at the this type of pursuit and who came to Britain. They local Talmudical college and live in peace.” called themselves “The Boys”, trained as a watchmaker. In 1960 he married his although there were girls Intent on a singing wife Renee, who survives among the party and dozens career, Arthur toured the him. They had a daughter of them remained firm country in small-scale opera and son.

A Tribute to John Fox o say “he will be Lesley Testan at it until all avenues missed” is an under- and possibilities were statement. exhausted. He never gave up TThose four words seem had seen better days, on people who he thought entirely inadequate for a man Dad could always find were in need. He always who left such an impression something to fix. gave them his all. on so many lives. Dad fixed peoples’ lives The idea of caring for those He woke up with a purpose the same way. From the in need was in his core. His every day and went to sleep time he became active in parents had been role models knowing that he’d “fixed the union world; his daily for him and he took their something” or at least figured existence was to find jobs example to heart. He often out how to go about it. for those who needed told of stories from his Whether it was changing them or to have others childhood in Poland. These a light bulb or replacing rehired by reasoning with were stories of how those a broken gate hinge that their employers. He kept with more would always take

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care of those with less. was dad. I think that’s pushed through it with the The old were never why he never wasted a single strength of a man half his abandoned by the young. moment. age. It was impressive and Family always came first, Once we were older and heartbreaking at the same but the caring had to go had children of our own, he time because I knew that he beyond the inner circle of made sure that he shared all felt he was handing over his family and friends. of the stories that were inside legacy at this point. He In turn, dad set an example of him. He made us write was entrusting his children for all of us. To be charitable everything down. There was and grandchildren with the was to be honourable and an an urgent need in him to tell history of our family. The unquestionable duty in one’s us every detail so that importance of what he was life. He taught us that we nothing and no one be doing kept him going, when it should give and that the forgotten with the passage would have been so much rewards for giving were in of time. easier to stay home and rest. the act itself, not in what you In august of 2007, he The legacy that dad left would get in return. led our family on a journey behind seems to grow each The horror and the sadness back through Tuszyn time we run into someone of the Holocaust were never and Piotrkow-Trybunaiski, who knew him. He touched so welcome in our home when eventually making our way to many lives, more than we’ll we were young. As children, Thereisenstadt. We have 20 ever know. we knew why we didn’t hours of film, dad speaking What we do know is that he have any grandparents, and through almost all of it. left behind his loving wife of so little family from dad’s He told us both good and bad 56 years, Betty. She was the side, but we were never stories. We followed in the reason that the three (I was encouraged to dwell or fixate very same footsteps that he eighteen months old) of us on the cruel realities of how and his family did over moved to America in 1956. It that had come to be. Our 60 years ago. At the age of 80, might have been her idea, but family life was all about he successfully led over it was Dad’s destiny to make living and moving forward to 20 family members through his life there. He loved the bigger and better things the places that our family America and treasured the that life had to offer. had lived in. His ability opportunities that it offered The wonderful and fun to remember the smallest him. He was a true patriot in times that we all shared of details enabled us to every sense. together as a family made know the people that I, and my two sisters, for endless new memories for we would never know in our Lynne and Jacqueline, miss dad, for all of us. Good own lifetime. him each and every day. memories that he so deserved Even then, his illness was His five grandchildren have after all that he’d gone taking its toll on him endless memories of him to through and lost in his both physically and mentally. hold in their hearts. own youth. But he was so driven to As I said, “he If ever a person cherished accomplish what he had set will be missed” is an a second chance at life, it out to do on this trip that he understatement.

My Grandfather could not have wished for By Jesse Fox Brenner would always say how there a better grandfather. (age 14 years) are better things to worry Because I was the only 19th April 2009 about and I shouldn’t waste Igranddaughter, the other my time on the small stuff. grandchildren were boys, he Jesse is the granddaughter of Then he would finish it off always called me his ‘rose John & Betty Fox. with a joke. He told this one among the thorns’, and when joke that was so simple I was around him, I always could happen to you. He and had no point at all, but felt safe. always knew how to cheer somehow when he told it, it He always had a way of made me laugh. doing that to people. When someone up. I loved my grandfather you were with him, you I remember when I would very much. We were always just couldn’t stop having this be upset, he would always sit so close. He spoke at my feeling that nothing bad me down and talk to me. He school about the Holocaust

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and I still hear kids saying be recognized as John Fox’s eyes, the wonderful things how cool he was. Some kids granddaughter. To be he did and the wonderful say their grandparents recognized as someone’s way he acted. I feel confident passed away when they granddaughter who touched saying that no matter were 2 or 3 so they don’t so many people and what problems we are really remember them, or changed so many lives, is faced with or situations we they never saw them. an honor. find ourselves in, we will So when they did pass The five of us are the know how to handle it away they didn’t really get luckiest grandchildren alive. the right way because of upset or feel sad. I am Not just because he was our how we saw him act in happy that I don’t get grandfather, but because we problems or situations the chance to say that. I had the chance to know towards people and because once said to my brother him. We got the chance of what he stood for and Sam that I am proud to to witness, with our own believed in.

Eulogy for Moniek Goldberg David Goldberg Delivered August 31st 2009

I’d like to recite a poem entitled A man doesn’t have time. A Man In His Life by Yehuda Amichai When he loses he seeks, when he finds translated from the Hebrew: he forgets, when he forgets he loves, when he loves he begins to forget. A man doesn’t have time in his life to have time for everything. And his soul is seasoned, his soul He doesn’t have seasons enough to have is very professional. a season for every purpose. Ecclesiastes Only his body remains forever Was wrong about that. an amateur. It tries and it misses, A man needs to love and to hate at the same moment, gets muddled, doesn’t learn a thing, to laugh and cry with the same eyes, drunk and blind in its pleasures with the same hands to throw stones and to gather them, and its pains. to make love in war and war in love. And to hate and forgive and remember and forget, He will die as figs die in autumn, to arrange and confuse, to eat and to digest Shriveled and full of himself and sweet, what history the leaves growing dry on the ground, takes years and years to do. the bare branches pointing to the place where there’s time for everything

y father was born into they began to achieve a of those terrible times. The an orthodox home in modest measure of prosperity pain he felt was for the fate Glowaczov, Poland in following his birth. of his family; knowing and M1928 where This was all shattered not knowing of their suffering scholarship and singing when he was only 11 years and fate. The rage he had were treasured. They were old. Germany invaded Poland was against the world that observant of Jewish law. and their Jewish community allowed it all to happen. His father taught him the suffered the degradations He treated his personal reasons behind our devotion. and horrors of being forced travails as trivial against the He instructed him that into a ghetto. He was suffering of others. our teachings are all sent away to labor camps by The British Jewish built around developing a the time he was 13 while Community resettled those community that maintains his mother, father, and orphaned youths and, after a the dignity of the individual. three sisters remained in few months following his My father remembered the ghetto of Kozienice. They liberation, my father was how his mother and father were eventually packed living in the Loughton did their best to help those into cattle cars and sent, by hostel. It was there that he in need. His mother, who rail, to their deaths in was to establish dear and operated a small home based Treblinka. He survived the longstanding friendships. In business with his father concentration camps and was 1963 this group of survivors would tell him that he liberated 3 days after turning formed themselves into brought them good luck as 17. My father rarely spoke the ‘45 Aid Society and

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affectionately became known country with only a dozen “idealism”. He felt strongly as “The Boys” - of the 732 machines and meager that those who were who came to England only savings after he and our consumed by their need to about 100 were girls. Having mother sold the house in make money to the point no families, these survivors Michigan, and he built it, where they held no other became family to each other. after 20 years, to staff over interests might get rich as far It was there that he met our 1,000 people. These years as their bankers or neighbors mother, Fay, during a “mixer” were both difficult and were concerned but risked with her Habonim group glorious. His entire business remaining poor as menschen, from London. Last March career was often riddled as people. “Yes”, he agreed, marked the 60th anniversary with struggle: Good years - “money is not everything. of their marriage. Bad years; some years But, let me tell you”, he said My father’s faith in God teetering on bankruptcy - with a deep sigh of pathos, was profoundly challenged. some years earning a good “It’s better to be the one Where was the God of profit. He succeeded, in large granting the loan than the Justice when the righteous part, because customers, one having to ask for it.” suffered, crying out to him? employees, and creditors, In those later years, he Where was God while the admired his honesty and was fortunate to have sadists tormented the inno- industry and trusted him to friends, fellow survivors, and cents? I suspect that his be a man of his word. landsleit who were in a belief was incinerated in He took great pride in his position to help when his the crematoria along with management style and pride permitted him to ask. his mother, father, three the tremendous loyalty he He strived to build a sisters, countless aunts, instilled in his staff. He truly business and earn a good uncles, cousins, friends, believed in the value of every living. First and foremost, his and neighbors. person in the production commitment was always to But his faith in Jewish chain, particularly those at my mother and our family. teachings, in our people, and the lower rungs who kept the He remained engaged in Zionism, only waxed work flowing. He was a with his friends, loved stronger. Rather than compassionate businessman music, read vociferously, fall into despair he found who put a physician on staff and later wrote articles meaning in life and he came and worked to extend dental for the ‘45 Aid Society’s to mean a great deal to the care to people who had Journal on issues ranging people in his life. His family never seen a dentist in from debates about what had been destroyed but their lifetimes. He was he considered the obnoxious he and my mother made a deeply touched to learn that notion of “survivor’s guilt” to family: Three sons and a his former employees in travelogues, to panegyrics daughter. Later: 10 grand- Costa Rica had arranged of fellow survivors or of children; 5 granddaughters, prayer circles for him once those who showed them 5 grandsons and a great they heard he had contracted kindness during their years grandson. They had virtually cancer. in the hostels. My father and no money, no rich relatives I recall a conversation mother worked hard to or benefactors - yet they we had when we were attend the Society’s annual managed. My father’s formal driving home from our reunions marking their education stopped when he small factory in Detroit Liberation with events held was 12 years old but still he which we called The Shop. I in London and in Jerusalem loved learning, reading and was working for him and to mark Yom Ha’amtzmaut - arguing. He was a driven, attending University at the Israel’s Independence Day. aggressive, ambitious man time and we were talking It broke his heart not to who always worked hard to about life issues, earning a have attended for the past provide for his family, going living and so on. Being young two years. into business with a partner and caught up in the zeitgeist Generosity or Tzedaka was as a clothing manufacturer in of the late ‘60s early ‘70s, not something to be reserved Detroit when he was in his I was saying how earning for when you made it or early 30s. He later learned a lot of money was not a became rich. It was a lifelong Spanish from audio tapes goal of mine - that making responsibility and if, by good and set up a factory in Costa a difference or bettering fortune you are able to get Rica when he was almost society was a more worthy more you just give more. At 50 years old. commitment. My father the risk of sounding trite He established this as a didn’t object to this display superlatives I can say that family business in a foreign of what we used to call my father was certainly the

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most generous person I have word he was honored when friends can do likewise. ever known. He loved giving Martin Gilbert, a historian He lived a long, full life. He help, financial and otherwise who was knighted for his had time, 81 years, but like to his family and friends and biography of Winston the subject of our poem he institutions. He truly enjoyed Churchill and long associated didn’t have enough time for assisting his grandchildren with the ‘45 Aid Society, everything and it seemed like in any way he could. He wrote a book about this group he had to do everything all instructed a few of the entitled “The Boys”. at the same time. Like the children at our shul with Gilbert gave my father the subject of our poem he loved the chanting their Haftorah. last word in his book. I’m and hated at the same time. This was a labor of love. If he proud to mention that the He lived daily with the loving could help with time, with quote was picked up by the memories of his parents and money, with instruction he New York Times in their family emblazoned in his soul was happy to. This is what review. Understand that as he lived with nightmares gives meaning to life. This is Joe was known by the Boys, as vivid as the Auschwitz what it means to be part of landsleit, and my mother by tattoo B323 indelibly inked to the community. This was how his Polish name, Moniek. his left arm. He lived. he honored his parents, his Sir Martin concludes his book My father was not a quiet wife, children, grandchildren with these words: man. Even though he is gone and great grandchildren. “Moniek Goldberg, who now his words, teachings, He was not a quiet man by lives in Florida, wrote: and love will always be with nature. His voice was always ‘Fifty years on I reflect that I us. I can envision him singing loud and authoritative when could tell my father that with his family on erev we were young, especially I have not forgotten what I Shabbos in Poland. I can hear when he lost his temper. learned as a boy. I helped my him loudly - very loudly He couldn’t believe that fellow man when I could. I singing El Adon from our our sweet cousin, Helen, have seen man behave worse seats at our Shul in Sunrise. whom he loved, was a little than beasts, but the Jews I can hear him plaintively afraid of that booming remembered what Rabbi reprimanding us when we voice in those early years. He Hillel taught us, ‘If you find were children and barking was sharp with his criticism yourself in a place where orders when we were in and not too liberal with there are no men you must business together. I can hear his praise when we were strive to be a man’, We were him playfully teasing my growing up. But that was amongst the beasts, and I am mother or taking a line from the point: to have us grow proud to declare that we a song they danced to while up - not to coddle us. Our upheld the dignity of man.” dating and declaring it family business meetings He could have gone on to publicly at their 50th more closely resembled a report that he was true to his wedding anniversary: “Fay, David Mamet play than father’s other teachings as you are my everything”. anything heard in a corporate well. He lived with Derech I can see him bouncing my board room. We all, at times, Eretz as a devoted husband, daughters on his knees while employed the tactic of yelling dedicated father, loving singing a little ditty and see loudest so that our view grandfather, fair and caring him hugging my girls when would prevail. But nobody boss, loyal friend, trustee they graduated college. I can yelled louder, or with more at our synagogue, and an hear him davening shacharit righteousness than Dad. inspiration to us all. He services on the Yom Tovim. I We have a family joke: did his best to remain can hear him speaking “Yes! But how did he say?” faithful to the memories and extemporaneously at his 60th When my father recounted values of his family. He took anniversary party or 81st stories about how he set the commandment of Bikur birthday thanking everyone. someone straight, how he Cholim-offering comfort to I can hear his voice reduced gave them a piece of his the sick, seriously. He to a raspy whisper from his mind, how he shamed volunteered to talk to school bed last week. He has become them with logic, truth, and children on behalf of the quieter but never quiet. righteousness he would relive Holocaust Speaker’s Bureau. I look around and see, in his arguments. “Yes!” we He believed strongly in this room people that he truly would ask, “but what did Jewish continuity and loved, and on behalf of our the other person say?” No did his best to pass it on family, and if I may be so matter, he would just go on L’Dor V’dor from generation presumptuous, on his behalf, with his side. And like all of to generation. I only hope thank you for attending and us who enjoy getting the last that we, his progeny and showing him respect.

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Monty Graham’s Story n September 12th By his family After liberation Monty 2009, Monty’s grand- went to Lake Windermere son James, proudly shot dead climbing back into with other survivors to Osang Anim Zemirot. He had the ghetto with desperately recuperate. He spent three originally been practising for needed food. years recovering on farms Dad’s second age barmitzvah Not long after, Dad had in the South of England, but sadly this wasn’t meant to say goodbye to his until he met his wife Millie to be for Monty passed away father when he was taken on Bournemouth Beach. on June 21st 2009, aged 82. to Auschwitz, and then to They moved to Cricklewood However, in remembrance Heidebreck labour camp, and made a life together, for his beloved grandfather where he loaded limestone raising a family. James continued to practise for a year. He was then Although Monty’s story hard and sang it in Watford moved by wagon to of survival needs to be heard, Synagogue on what should Buchenwald. He no longer we feel it is also important have been Dad’s special day. did hard manual labour to talk as representatives Monty was a quiet, but but became a man of many of the second generation, warm and friendly man who talents - working the fields, to explain how having a had an immense strength learning French in order father who survived such to relay messages between and kindness and who human suffering has marked soldiers, wiring electrics and always made time to talk to our lives. even learning how to lag people. His passing means We grew up knowing pipes! In short, Monty survivor numbers continue to our dad was a “Holocaust taught himself any skill that dwindle and at this sad time would make him useful and survivor” and that his - our - our family has been reflecting so avoid the gas chambers. family had perished, but we on our history and looking For three years his strength did not really understand ahead to the future. of character, resourcefulness what this meant. On Yom As Monty was preparing and determination to survive Kippur Dad would talk about for his barmitzvah, he was kept him alive. his family and reflect on taken to the ghetto in his Towards the end of the his childhood, the times hometown of Sosnowic in war, along with thousands of spent in the camps. He would Poland. His mother and others, Monty was forced relay stories that paid youngest brother Benek, age on a Death March. In testament to his natural 6, were rounded up to go to temperatures below freezing, survival instinct and to the the gas chambers. Dad starving and with frostbitten charming, hardworking and recalled how he crept up to toes, he walked hundreds strong man he was. the fence one night where of miles across Poland Like the time he befriended they were being held and how from Buchenwald to Gross a dentist who hid him in his mother begged his little Rosen and then on to his cupboard to prevent brother to crawl through a Theresienstadt, watching him being rounded up for small hole in the fence. person after person collapse inspection. He also found Unsurprisingly, a terrified with exhaustion, only to be ways to earn cigarettes to young Benek would not let go shot where they fell. give to the soldiers to of his mother and there was a Predictably, he succumbed appease them and he talked painful and quick farewell as to illness by the time he about how a piece of meat his mother made my father arrived in Theresienstadt in which had been smuggled leave before he was caught: 1945 and so was unaware into the camp was hidden they both knew they would that the Russian liberators and cooked by sitting on it for never see each other again. had arrived. In fact, he was hours. At meal time, once a Dad continued to live with so ill the Russians thought he day, he would wait until his middle brother, Zelek, was dead and put him in a the end of the soup queue, as and father, Kalma in the cart heading for a mass he realised all the nutrients ghetto for a while. His grave. It was only when dad would congeal at the bottom brother Zelek used to jump groaned as one of the soldiers of the pot, which would over the fence to fetch bread checked the cart that their make a more satisfying and and water, until one day he mistake was discovered. He healthy meal! never returned. Years later was pulled out and put on a He lived through much Dad discovered he had been cart bound for hospital. hunger, suffering and perse-

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cution but always held onto So, how do we try to change Our father wasn’t able to hope; for him, the memory our own and our children’s grieve for either his family of his family and his futures? or the years he lost suffering Jewish heritage. Well, the obvious answer is in the camps and our Visits to Yad Vashem as education. Whether through only consolation is that he teenagers made us truly schools, communities, col- has finally been reunited understand the horrors of leges, politicians or, most with his loved ones. We try our father’s childhood. These importantly, the media, we to draw inspiration from weren’t just stories, but all need to somehow work his life. For even through actually had happened to our together to teach tolerance, his ill health in later years family and relations. But it understanding and respect he always had a smile and is not until we have our for each other’s colour, race an inner resilience to get own families can we really and religion. Our father through hard times. understand the feeling of the somehow through his The fact that dad was impact of dad’s family being suffering retained his faith able to live such a long ripped apart. in humanity and G-d and and happy life is a credit Working at West Herts this in itself is a lesson to to our mother’s love and care. College, Helen discovered be learnt. Together, they supported us, the real importance of our A few years ago, Kelvin taught us how to make the family history. The lack of and Helen retraced the knowledge of the 16 to 19 footsteps of our father most of life, the importance year olds about such a vital and his family and visited of family and instilled in us part of history stunned her Auschwitz. Only by seeing the values of honesty and as it’s this ignorance and the cattle sheds, which had hard work. lack of understanding that been converted into towers of My father’s indomitable contributes to anti-Semitism five high bunks, and feeling spirit lives on in his children, in the first place. the cold, harsh environment Kelvin, Lorraine, David and But have the lessons of the can you really truly begin to Helen and grandchildren Holocaust and Second World understand what the Jonathan, Naomi, James War been learnt? In recent Jews, blacks, Gypsies and and Danielle. In dad and his times we have witnessed communists - all those family’s memory, we have to Rwanda and Darfur, not to who weren’t of the Aryan tell his story as often as we mention the rising anti- race or disagreed with the can to ensure the horrors Semitism that is flourishing Nazi regime - went through. and lessons of the Holocaust throughout Europe. No, the It was a highly emotional are never forgotten in lessons do not seem to have visit, which every person the hope that it will never been learnt. should experience. happen again.

Eva Julia Graham va Julia Graham, Tony Graham time, before their own born Zilina 14 August deportation and murder, 1938, died London 21 Eva’s parents had placed DecembE er 2009. where they were ran a pros- her in the care of a convent in Eva Julia Folkmann was perous cheese-manufacturing the centre of Zilina, where born in Zilina in northern business. appropriate papers, including Czechoslovakia one month In March 1939, a German a baptism certificate, were before the notorious Munich puppet government under provided, and it was here Pact, which heralded the Josef Tiso was set up in that she was hidden until the dismemberment of that Slovakia. At first the same Soviet liberation in 1945. country. Her father, Geza, restrictions on Jews were Some of her mother’s was an engineer having put in place, but after family in Zvolen survived obtained his degree at the March 1942 the deportations the war, having moved to University of Brno; her started. In 1944, following remote mountain villages, mother ran a ladies fashion a national uprising, the and Eva came to stay business. Her family was Nazis took over the country, with her aunt, but as times called Wittman and were implementing even more were very hard for them, from the town of Zvolen rigorous policies. By this the opportunity to live with

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her maternal uncle who through life for the next helped cook meals for elderly worked for UNRRA in half century. congregants. London was seized. After a somewhat bumpy Above all, Eva was Three months after her start, romance soon able with others to make arrival, her uncle died (he blossomed, especially in the Alyth such a welcoming is buried in Hoop Lane, welcoming environment of place for members and where she was taken every the Fellowship Youth Group strangers alike. Sunday by her grieving aunt, at Alyth. Apart from her role in Gabriella Wittman). Eva was married on 8th raising Suzanne, David and She was a dressmaker September 1957 at the Peter, Eva was a life-long and, with a daughter of her West London Synagogue by supporter of the wider own, took the opportunity to Rev Dr Werner Van der Zyl. community. At Christmas send Eva to the home for She was given away by Rev each year she would help refugee children from Europe Andre Ungar, and Tony’s best Joyce Rose distribute meals which was run by the West man was Neville Sassienie. to the lonely old people in the London Synagogue at Eva started working London Borough of Barnet. Lingfield in Surrey. in the hotel industry as a She worked for many years Having started her English receptionist, but after her as volunteer in the early days education in Haverstock marriage she came to work of the RSGB, first at Seymour Hill, near her home in Howitt in Grahams busy radio and Place and then at College Road, Eva continued her television family business Crescent in Finchley Road. education at the local school located in Clerkenwell, where When the organisation in rural Surrey for the next she covered for Tony who moved to the Sternberg couple of years when, because at that time was in the Centre, Eva moved next door the number of residents had Air Force. to be the school welfare diminished and because of Eva’s first home was officer at the Akiva School. the remoteness from the at 19 Minster Road, NW2, Eva’s greatest achievement West London Synagogue (for the erstwhile home of Tony’s in recent years was as a Sunday classes), a property grandmother, but on her volunteer at the North was purchased at 42 The birthday in 1959 was able London Hospice, where she Grove, Isleworth, known as to move next door to Tony’s served for twenty years. Lingfield House, parents. This proved a great With sad irony, the day she Eva attended local primary benefit as the baby-sitters left two years ago the cancer school and later Acton had only to walk through a was at last diagnosed. She Technical College, where she gap in hedge. fought this bravely for two trained in hotel manage- At Alyth Gardens, Eva years, winning most of the ment. Apart from Sunday soon became a leading light battles. Only in the last classes, Eva at this time in the nascent Young weeks did she try to climb an became active in the West Marrieds Group adding new unsurmountable mountain. London Junior Membership, life-time links forged in the She had her family and thanks to her communication youth groups. friends by her side for skills coming to the attention Over the years Eva became the last weeks of her life. of Michael Goulston , then active in many aspects of Having been in synagogue the chairman of the youth Synagogue life. She sang in for the occasion of her section of the World Union the choir for about twenty grandson’s Barmitzvah, and for Progressive Judaism. years and was a regular having had herself the Eva became the Secretary of congregant for over fifty honour of reading from this group, and was asked to years. She cared for the old the Torah only two months attend the annual conference and sick people, and provided previously, she was content at Finhaut in Switzerland consolation for the bereaved. with her life’s work. She in 1956. She worked to promote died very peacefully in Her conference costs were adult education and helped the North London Hospice paid for, but Eva needed organise a major exhibition where she was lovingly to make her own travel of Jewish Art over thirty cared for during her last arrangements. She was years ago. She organised few days. Twenty of her introduced to two young men synagogue flowers, helped former colleagues met for from Alyth JM who had room with the embroidery which special prayers the following in their car for her. This was have adorned the Synagogue morning. the start of her journey for many years, and

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Judge Israel Finestein QC laine and I want The Chief Rabbi Lord together with his beloved to send our deepest Sacks Marion, so gracious in her condolences to the own right, and so sorely familyE of the late Judge Israel Finestein was a missed these last few years, Israel Finestein of blessed Vice-President of our Society. they were a living role model memory. We, like you, feel He took a great interest in our of Jewish values in action. bereaved. Judge Finestein - affairs and attended many Shmuel had unusual gifts. Shmuel as his friends always of our reunions and other He spoke not in sentences, called him - was a quite activities. He was highly but paragraphs, sometimes exceptional man, and the respected and much loved by even in complete chapters. whole of British Jewry was our members. This beautiful He could deliver a perfectly enlarged by his presence. eulogy was delivered at the constructed speech lasting an The outward Judge funeral on behalf of the Chief hour without a single note. Finestein was the man Rabbi and reflects very How he did it, I have no idea. we admired: President of well how we all felt about He could also tell you what the Board of Deputies, one Judge Finestein. you needed to hear in such a of Anglo-Jewry’s finest way that you could hear it: he historians, a leading member was the rarest of creatures, a of literally dozens of even more impressive. Here was a man of warmth and Jewish diplomat. And he organizations involved in cared. He cared for Judaism, the past, present or future generosity of spirit. He had a for the Anglo-Jewry whose of the Jewish community. wonderful sense of humour, People turned to him for which always took you by history he knew better than leadership because he had surprise, because its anyone, for its customs and in full measure the three approach was camouflaged traditions and tolerance. He qualities of a leader set out in by his judicial demeanour. I loved the United Synagogue, the first chapter of Devarim: cherished him as a friend, a and especially his beloved St. he was wise, understanding mentor, someone whose John’s Wood community. He and full of knowledge. He saw advice I often sought. I respected Rabbis and always leadership not as an ambition loved the clarity of his treated them with respect. but as a responsibility. mind and speech, the deep He was gentle, benign and He was a man of duty and historical sense he brought wise, and Elaine and I loved principle, integrity and to matters of the moment, him for these things. compassion. We were blessed and principled humanity of He wrote a distinguished by his leadership. everything he said and did. chapter in the history of the But the private man, He was a noble man, an edel community whose historian Shmuel Finestein was man, a gentleman and he was. It is conventional to say at such times: we will miss him. And we will. But on this occasion such words are not enough. I for one will set his memory before me, as I hope we will each do in our way. For this was a man who showed us what it meant when we say of Judaism, der- achha darkhei noam vekhol nectivoteha shalom ‘its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace’. He was one of the true shoftim, a judge who was also a leader and a role model. As we mourn his passing, may his memory inspire us that we may continue the history he wrote and the history he helped to make.

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Israel Finestein I have made tea. Let us Aubrey Rose C.B.E humour, uttering his words sit at the table.” This was D.Univ. soberly while a smile crept the usual request, made slowly over his features. He with“ innate courtesy, when had much support from fami- I visited him in the last Q.C. at the Bar to the Bench, ly members, particularly his years in his flat high up in how our multitudinous wife’s family. Shmuel was a St John’s Wood. I don’t Jewish bodies gloried in man of courage. Recent years think Israel (or Shmuel, as he him as President or had seen the accumulation was better known) was a Vice-President. His name of disruptive illnesses. He domesticated being, but he meant something, carried bore them and remedial always made me welcome. In weight, a marker of serious treatments with calmness, previous years, his wife endeavour. His efforts for whether at home or in Marion would be in charge, Jewish students, education, hospital, but he knew that but she had departed sadly Anglo-Jewish history, are something inside of him some time ago, and he missed noteworthy alongside his could burst at any time with her so much. They had fitted dedication to Orthodoxy fatal results, and this is together admirably. and learning, attending a what happened. As I sat at the table, Talmud class up to a month In recent years we I noticed the many manu- before his passing. have seen the departure of scripts at one end, and For three years I had another world, of notable the biscuits at the other weekly, almost daily, contact men and women, some of end. We began to talk, I with him. He was President The Boys themselves, dear began to listen. I loved to of the Board of Deputies. Frank Cass, active Simon hear his balanced, judicial I was his No.2. He was Reiss, munificent Sidney voice, expressing views often in Court and I had to Corob; so many men of with distinctive clarity and substitute for him, report to renown. Prominent among fluency, imparting a breadth him. We worked closely at them is my, our, outstanding and depth of knowledge in an gathering after gathering, friend, Israel Finestein. Our ordered fashion. I intervened whether with Cardinal community, and so many, only occasionally. Being Hume, or leaders of other miss you, Shmuel, but we with him was a pleasure, faiths, other minorities, and, have gained so much from an education. of course, with those who your wisdom. Look in Who’s Who or the came from Israel. Always In the world ahead you Jewish Year Book and you he was respected, just as deserve an honoured place, will see how he developed he respected others. He just as you have had here from his native Hull to possessed a natural dignity. with us. become Prizewinner at He possessed, too, a Trinity in Cambridge, from delightfully dry sense of 25 November 2009.

Charles (Chaim) Shane harles (Chaim) Shane Michael Shane spent much of his time passed away on 29th educating as many people as October 2009 - he will possible about the Holocaust Cbe sadly missed by his telling his story. He had darling wife Anita whom devoted the last 4 years he adored and shared caring for Anita who will miss 59 wonderful years with, his him terribly. two Sons Michael and Chaim was a survivor in Elton, their wives Linda and every sense of the word and Susan and his wonderful this was typified by his last grandchildren Daniel, days at Michael Sobel House, Katie, Samantha, Georgia during which time he touched and Sarah. the lives of everyone he came Chaim like most of ‘The into contact with, teaching Boys’ had in recent years both humility and generosity

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- everyone loved ‘Charlie was going to do things his honorary member of Hatch Boy’ as they called him. way. End Masorti and when Chaim’s book ‘Memories’ was Chaim was a determined recently asked by nurses if he published in October 2009 and driven man - some may was religious, he responded and all the staff read his most even say stubborn, but “I believe in the Almighty amazing story of survival and with this he was both with all my heart and all my his life from childhood to now. kind and generous and soul”. As one would expect, he Despite his suffering in the finished whatever he started. was admired deeply by his early years and although At 75 he taught himself children and grandchildren Chaim did not relish his how to use a computer and but that admiration suffering at this time, he Microsoft Word and with stretched far beyond his close placed no blame and started minimal help spent five years family. Chaim means Life what was to become his remembering and writing and Chaim certainly knew a final fight. Time after time about his life - culminating in thing or two about life and he defied medical opinion to his 199 page book. how to live it. All we can now such a level until staff had He was a member of Pinner say is “L’Chaim - To Chaim, to admit that ‘Charlie Boy’ United Synagogue and an To Life”.

SECTION VII MEMBERS NEWS 2009 Compiled by Ruby Friedman

BIRTHS: the birth of their grandson Ronny Meyer, born to Debs and David. • Mazeltov to Nigel & Angela Cohen, daughter of Lottie Malenicky and the late • Mazeltov to Olive Herman and the late Moshe Malenicky, on the birth of a second David Herman on the birth of a grandson, grandson Jack Sonny. Luke David, born to Sarah & Paul.

• Mazeltov to Marie & Bob Obuchowski on BARMITZVAH: the birth of a great-granddaughter Amelia Gia, born to Louise and Ben, • Mazeltov to Pauline Balsam on the daughter of Susan and David Bermange. barmitzvah of your grandson Jack, grandson of the late Harry Balsam and • Mazeltov to Pauline Balsam on the birth son of Amanda & Colin Balsam. of a great-granddaughter Macey, born to Mazeltov to Sheila Wino on the Natalie and Marc. Natalie is the barmitzvah of her grandson Ben, son of granddaughter of the late Harry Balsam Karen & Robert. Ben is and the daughter of Rochelle & the grandson of the late Ray Wino. Stephen Balsam. • Mazeltov to Marion and Meir Stern on • Mazeltov to Nechama & Menachem the barmitzvah of their grandson Dotahn, Sylberstein on the birth of a son of Lelia and David. great-grandchild. • Mazeltov to Tina and Victor Greenberg • Mazeltov to Arza & Ben Helfgott on the on the barmitzvah of their grandson Joey, birth of their grandson Noah, born to son of Janie and Alan. Laura & Nathan. • Mazeltov to Shirley and Alfred Huberman • Mazeltov to Thea and Isroel Rudzinski on on the barmitzvah of their grandson the birth of several great-grandchildren. Sammy, son of Susan and Maurice.

• Mazeltov to Anna Jackson and the late BATMIZVAH: Ray Jackson on the birth of a granddaughter, born to Ruti & Oren. • Mazeltov to Pauline & Harry Spiro on the batmitzvah of their granddaughter • Mazeltov to Tina & Victor Greenberg on Hannah, daughter of Roz & Leslie.

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• Mazeltov to Arza & Ben Helfgott on the • Helen Lazar batmitzvah of their granddaughter Lucy, • Martin Lampert daughter of Thea & Michael. • Herbert Elliot • Mazeltov to Pauline Balsam on the • Monty Graham batmitzvah of her granddaughter Emily, • Marcus Klotz daughter of Amanda & Colin and the • Simcha Lieberman granddaughter of the late Harry Balsam. • Arthur Poznanski • Moniek Goldberg • Mazeltov to Beatrice and Leon Manders • Monty Burgerman on the batmitzvah of the granddaughter • Kopel Kendall Kylie in Israel. • Joe Moskowtiz • Chaim Shane WEDDINGS: • Eva Graham • Leo Frischman • Mazeltov to Beatrice & Leon Manders on • Martin (Moniek) Buki. the marriage of their grandson in Israel. • Sincere sympathy to Ivor Weider and • Mazeltov to Moshe Nurtman & Jessie family on the loss of his wife Marion. Nurtman on the marriage of their son Condolences to Alan and Justin on the Saul to Melanie. loss of their mother Wendy

• Mazeltov to Evelyn & Aron Zylberszac on • Sincere sympathy to Victor Breitburg on the marriage of their granddaughter the loss of his wife Lucille. Natasha, daughter of Fiona & Armon, to Daniel. 3RD GENERATION NEWS: Congratulations to Katya Farkas on passing • Mazeltov to Jeanette and Ziggy Shipper her A levels and will be taking up a place on the marriage of their grandson Robert, at Oxford University, and to Violet Farkas son of Michelle and Marcus, to Claire. on gaining 6 A* in her AS examinations. Katya and Violet are the granddaughters DIAMOND WEDDING of Carol and the late Frank Farkas and ANNIVERSARY: daughters of Emma and Alan Farkas.

• Hearty mazeltov to Faye & Moniek Congratulations to Leron Vellerman on Goldberg on this special occasion. receiving an A* in Ivrit GCSE. This is a great achievement as he took the examination DEATHS: two years early. Leron is the grandson of • Mayer Bomsztyk Hettie and Alec Ward and the son of Lyla and • Rubin Orzech Barend Vellerman. • Daniel Falkner • Leah Goodman Many congratulations to Laura Friedman and • Nat Pivnik Paul Wilder on completing the 2009 London • Johnny Fox Marathon in record time.

SECTION VIII MANCHESTER NEWS 2009 Compiled by Louise Elliott

irst of all I must apologise to our Alice Rubinstein’s granddaughter Suzanne Manchester readers. Each year I keep a gave birth to a baby girl, a little brother for Fnote of events but unfortunately, through a her son. Suzanne is the daughter of Rosalind computer glitch, it was wiped off so I can only and Robert Nathan. go from memory - so here goes: Marita Golding’s granddaughter Amy March 2009. We have three Mazeltovs - became engaged. She is the daughter Rhona, the wife of Jack Aizenberg, reached of Marita’s son Dr.Jonathan Golding and the young age of 70 years with a celebratory his wife Lesley. ladies lunch.

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Arek Hersh was presented with an MBE for G Brodie said Kaddish in unison and there all the work on Holocaust education and we were 60 seconds of silent reflection. Finally, all wish him a hearty Mazeltov and hope he the National Anthem and the Hatikva, continues with this work for very many years after which the huge crowd dispersed in a to come. very orderly fashion. The Chairperson of the Yom Hashoah was Tania Nelson (daughter of The son of Anthony Sommers and his wife the late Mendel and Marie Beale) and thanks has been awarded a place at Oxford must be given to her and her secretary Jacky University to carry out his clinical work which Field (Mayer and Lily Bomsztyk’s daughter) will lead to becoming a doctor. A hearty for all the hard work they are putting in Mazeltov to his parents and to his and for taking over the responsibility not Grandmother Hynda. Grampa David would only with Yom Hashoah but with arranging have been so proud of him. the annual Shool service to commemorate the liberation of our members with a Kiddush Some of our members attended a presentation thereafter and also arranging the annual at the Manchester War Museum, organised by visit to the Cemetery where we have laid the A.J.R, when presentations were made a stone for the six million who perished in by Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and others, the Holocaust. For the time being, I am of a Memorial Book containing details of continuing to let our members know of these deceased families who died in the Holocaust. events but hope that they will continue their The occasion was well attended and a very good work for very many years to come. nice reception was provided. 9th May 2009 The service at Steincourt April 2009 The Yom Hashoah gathering took Shool to commemorate the liberation of our place on the 21st April and it was very well members took place and as usual most of the attended. I would think there were about 550 members were able to attend. Reverend people present which included many children Brodie spoke eloquently as usual and the who had to sit on the floor through lack of service was followed by a Kiddush to which all space. To start with, the Standards of the the congregation were invited. Association of Jewish ex-servicemen and women were received and Shalom Goldblatt 16th May 2009 We heard that Toby, the gave the call of the Shofar. A very moving grandson of the late Sam and Elaine performance of Schindler’s List was given by Walshaw, and the son of Brenton and Karen the violinist Oliver Morris. This was followed Walshaw, was barmitzvah and we send hearty by the lighting of six Memorial Candles by congratulations to all the family. four generations - Reszika, Stephen, Lawrence and David Fruhman and by Talia June 2009 - Marita Golding’s granddaughter and Zack Leinhard Sammy Bomsztyk (the Amy (the daughter of her son Dr.Jonathan grandson of the late Mayer and Lily Bomsztyk Golding and his wife Lesley) was married. gave the D’var Torah and then a Tribute to Mazeltov to all the family Mayer Bomsztyk by his granddaughter Natasha Field. The Survivors Legacy was by 2nd June 2009 Herbert Elliott, the husband Sam Gontarz and the Pledge to Remember of Louise, passed away. by his son Adrian. Dorca Samson gave a very moving speech about her life ably June 2009 - Rochelle, the daughter of Estelle assisted by her granddaughter Aleesha Gould and Clive Fisher and the granddaughter of and by Sophie Mechlowitz. Similarly, Arek Sam and Hannah Garden, became engaged - Hersh spoke, assisted by Liora Tamam (his Mazeltov from all. granddaughter) and Menachem Portnoy and, finally, Rachel Kahan, assisted by Kayley June 2009 - Mayer Hersh was awarded the Kahan (her granddaughter) and Janina Ann Frank Life Achievement award and he is Isaacs. As usual, Chazzan Michael Isdale invited to a lunch by Penguin Press, followed sang Keli Keli, assisted by the B’yachad choir by a tour on the Thames, then to the Houses from King David School and later the of Parliament. The presentation will be at the Chazzan sang El Maale Rachamim. Reverend House of Commons by Lynn Featherstone and

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the presentation will end with a reception on On the 13th September 2009 the wedding the day that Ann Frank would have been 80 of Lauren Golding, the daughter of years old. Dr.Jonathan and Lesley Golding and granddaughter of Marita and the late July 2009 There was a production of Maurice Golding, took place and we wish all Dr.Korczak’s Example produced at the the family a hearty Mazeltov. Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre which was well attended and was very emotional. On the 13th Sept 2009 we had the annual After the show finished, Dorka Sampson Memorial Service at Agecroft which was very spoke of her experiences during the war and well attended even though many Second Tania Nelson the Chairperson of the 2nd Generations had gone to weddings, but there Generation also spoke. were quite a few new faces. Reverend Brodie, as usual, conducted the service and was July 2009 Robert, the husband of Alice assisted by Dayan Berger and several other Rubinstein’s granddaughter Suzanne, is a Ministers. Chaim Ferster was very emotional teacher at a Church of England School in when the Survivors’ story was read by him Bury and Alice was invited to speak to the and his son Stuart responded to him with the pupils as to her experiences since arriving in Pledge. The sun was shinning down on us all this country with the Kindertransport.. She and New Year’s greetings were given by and was made very welcome by the pupils. to our gathering.

Aug 2009 The wedding of Adam, son of Paul Sam Gardner has won second prize in a and Suzanne Levy and grandson of Adash and painting competition at Heathlands, the home Zena, took place in London. Mazeltov to all where his wife Hannah lives. No one knew the family. he had any artistic talent, but he has now painted some wonderful scenes. He came Aug 2009 The Barmitzvah of Joshua, the son third in the same competition last year but of Gillian and Peter Swead and grandson has surpassed himself this year. of Sam and the late Blanche Laskier, took place in London and some close friends and October 2009. Brenda Wertheim, the daugh- members of our Society travelled down to ter of Marie and the late Martin Wertheim, London to join in the festivities. Mazeltov to who is very involved with the 2nd generation all the family. in America, has just been promoted to the board of the Next Gen and is now On the 6th September 2009 there was Vice-President Advertising/Programming the unveiling of the Memorial stones for the Next Generation. Well done Brenda, carry late Mayer and Lily Bomsztyk. There was on the good work. For further information, a huge gathering of friends and family go on to www.nextgeneration.org. It’s very and Jacqueline their daughter made a very interesting. moving eulogy. Reverend Brodie also spoke and said it was so very strange not to see October 31st. Dorca Samson’s granddaugh- them walking to Shool on Shabbos. There ter Elisha gave birth to a 7lbs 6oz baby boy, were many Second Generation present and a first great-grandchild for Dorca and her late we all said goodbye to our very fond friends husband Nat. Hearty mazeltov to all. and Kaddish was said by their two sons, Brian and Warren. November 2009. Mazeltov to Karl and Estelle Kleinman on the birth of their first Adash & Zena’s granddaughter Zoe, the granddaughter in Australia, born to their son daughter of Frances and Neil, achieved in her Andrew and his wife Lauren. 1 exams 9 /2 A* - a very good result - Mazeltov

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SECTION IX

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

The annual Leonard G Montefiore lecture will take place on Tuesday, 23rd February 2010 at The London Jewish Cultural Centre, Ivy House, 94 – 96 North End Road, London NW11 7SX. The title of the lecture is “Evaluation of the year 1940 – 70 years later”. Speaker – William Tyler.

* * *

YOM HA’SHOAH

The communal Yom Ha’shoah Commemoration will take place on Sunday 11h April 2010 at 11am at Hyde Park. Further details will be announced in due course..

* * *

2008 ANNUAL REUNION

The 65th anniversary of our reunion will take place on Monday 3rd May 2010 (Bank Holiday) at The Holiday Inn Hotel, Regents Park, Carburton Street, London W1.

As always, we appeal to our members to support us by placing an advert in our souvenir brochure to be published by the Society.

Please contact:- Zigi Shipper 57 Oundle Avenue Bushey Herts WD23 4QG 020-8420 4035

* * *

We look forward to many of the 2nd and, perhaps, 3rd generation joining us for all or any of these events.

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SECTION X

THE ANNUAL OSCAR JOSEPH HOLOCAUST AWARDS

The ‘45 Aid Society offers up to two Awards of £600 each to assist successful candidates to participate in the Holocaust Seminar at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, which is held from 1st - 22nd July 2010.

Applications are invited from men and women under the age of 35 who have a strong interest in Holocaust studies and a record of communal involvement. After their return, successful candidates will be expected to take a positive role in educational and youth work activities so as to convey to others what they learned and gained from their participation in the summer seminar at Yad Vashem. However, before applying for these Awards, candidates should obtain permission from Yad Vashem to participate in the seminar.

Those interested should write, enclosing their CV and other details, not later than 28th March 2010 to: Ruby Friedman 4 Broadlands Hillside Road Radlett Herts WD7 7BH

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Aron Bulwa Cyglbaum Julek Silberger Bergman Chil Brauner

Moishe Glajwitzer Max Lewkowitz Bela Shamo Frajman Victor Breitberg

“THE BOYS” IN WINDERMERE AUTUMN 1945

Moniak Etkind Sam Young Lolek Weinstein Ray Winogrodski Haskel Rosenblum

Harry Susskind Mietek Sternfeld Samul Szhirlet Danek Szurek Leon Rosenberg

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ALKHAM I NV E STMENT S

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YOM HA’SHOAH 2009 Annual General Meeting 2009

The Boys in Cardross in Scotland in 1946

Chaim Liss and Michael Preston in Lodz Cemetary

1st and 4th Generation at the Annual Memorial Event Photography by John R. Rifkin