Information

Volume XLV No. 9 September 1990

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Don't miss . . . Reflections on the eve Profile: Sir Hermann Bondi p. 2 Repentance, Prayer, Beneficence Review: Carl F. Flesch's book p. 3 n last year's editorial for the High Holy Days we due to impaired health or advanced age, are Tax aid for gifts recalled the C^omte de Mirabeau's words on the incapable of taking care of themselves. /;. 10 I eve of the French Revolution 'History has too It was for that purpose that the AJR originally often recounted the actions of nothing more than initiated the setting up of the Homes and the wild animals . . . now we are given hope that we provision of social service support programmes. are beginning the history of man'. Now, several decades later, we are engaged in a Thar editorial itself appeared on the eve of a major fundraising effort to upgrade these revolution - in Fastern Furopc — which rekindled institutions and services to a level commensurate expectations that Mirabeau's hope might at last be with contemporary needs. fulfilled. The £4 million AJR Residential Care Appeal has Whether this will, indeed, be the case is very now been running for over half a year. We have iinich in the balance. In the meantime we still live made a good start, which is gratifying, but the out the last phase of history shaped by the actions response has not been uniform throughout all of wild animals. We, who have come together in sections of our membership. We attribute this not the Association of Jewish Refugees, were fortunate so much to a lack of generosity as tp enough to have survived the most ferocious misconceptions based on false impressions. Just as predator without permanent injury to body or there is a notion that all Jews are rich prevalent in mind. This imposes certain obligations on us - the society at large, so many in our community appear chief being to provide succour for our fellows who. persuaded that there is no such creature as a poor refugee in need. Would that it were so! In the real world, alas, the situation of many elderly refugees is not far short of pitiful - even in material terms (!) - and it behoves the rest of us who have been spared such a fate to dip our hands deep into our pockets. Quite candidly, if our appeal falls on deaf ears the essential improvements adumbrated in connection with our fundraising drive will remain ciphers on a drawing board, and the neediest members of the refugee community will not have their needs met! Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish Calendar, approaches. The prayer for that day states that 'in confessing our transgressions we are reminded that Repentance, Prayer and Beneficence will avert the evil decree'. The commentary thereto in the Soncino Chumash runs thus 'Fasting in itself is not the fulfilment of the Divine command and purpose of the Day of Atonement. Teshuvo, tefillo and tsedoko - these can change the whole current of a man's life and destiny and lead to perfect atonement." Let us therefore, over the forthcoming Days of Awe, recall the commandment and be beneficent! AJR INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 1990

SBn. HW, H^L. « Contrasting tycoons Profile That happened to be the year of the Anschluss — signifying that Hermann Hermann Abs, a leading West German Bondi's coming to Britain resulted from banker is on the 'watch list' denying him Expanding universe 'puir rather than 'push'. entry to the United States because, as head Even so — and despite a near-vertical of the Deutsche Bank during the Third take-off into the world of mathematical Reich, he played a central role in the scholarship - he did not avoid the aryanisation of Jewish businesses. common fate of refugees, i.e. internment. Berthold Beitz, chairman of the Krupp He was taken to Canada, where in a Foundation, has been honoured as a camp on the Plains of Abraham he taught 'righteous gentile' by Yad Vashem. As Maths to fellow internees, and waited 15 head of the Beskides oil company in months to be released. Soon afterwards he Nazi-occupied Poland he saved 1,500 commenced research at the Admiralty Jews from certain death at Belzec by Signals Establishment. From work on claiming they were indispensable for his naval radar he eventually switched to enterprise. D aerial radar - the latter in a barbed wire entanglement on the summit of Snowdon. Anti-racist vigil One of his wartime colleagues was Fred Hoylc, who subsequently achieved a The daughters of two martyred heroes of worldwide, if controversial, reputation the 1956 Uprising, Imre Nagy and Pal with his Steady State theory of the Maleter, joined leading politicians of the expanding universe. Bondi worked with new Hungary, including Prime Minister him in the area of astrophysics for a Jozsef Antall, in mounting guard at the while, but abandoned cosmology in the statue of Raoul Wallenberg in Budapest. mid-1950s. The demonstration was called by the Hcriihiiiii Hiiiidi h.R.S. Since then he has pursued an academic Raoul Wallenberg Society in protest at career and occupied key posts in such desecration of Jewish graves and a rash of f the recurring waves of important agencies as the European Space antisemitic graffiti. D immigration into Britain, the Research Organisation and the Natural OCentral European one of the Environment Research Council. He has Reading matters 1930s was, it is widely agreed, the most also worked as Chief Scientific Officer, 'valuable'. What is not agreed is who Marga Minco, a Dutch-Jewish writer, Ministry of l^efence. The MoD among Hitler's refugees deserves credit for distilled her experiences as the solitary appointment prompted a question in having made the singly greatest survivor of her family in An Empty Parliament as to why no British-born contribution to this country. The Trustees House. The novel, which sold an scientist had been given the job; this. Sir of the Imperial War Museum had no astonishing half million copies in Holland, Hermann told me when I interviewed him doubt on that score. At the has now been published in English by in the Master's Lodge of Churchill Museum-sponsored reunion of prominent Peter Owen. D College, Cambridge, was his only personal ex-enemy aliens on the 50th anniversary experience of British xenophobia in 50 of internment earlier this year, they made years! He considers the academics and Expressis verbis Hermann Bondi, FRS, guest of honour. In civil servants he has always mixed with The Conference on Security an'd his 'acceptance' speech Sir Hermann quite devoid of prejudice - but does not Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), meeting observed wrily that in the 1940s he had hold the same sanguine view of members in Copenhagen, has unequivocally been put behind barbed wire not once, of the legal profession. condemned antisemitism, and called for but twice: first as an enemy alien, and As regards Jewish matters he is rather measures to combat it. In previous legal then, shortly afterwards because he was detached. Though keen on genealogical documents antisemitism was habitually doing top secret war work. research - the family name derives from covered by such general terms as 'racism' Vienna-born, Hermann Bondi had the Sephardi translation of Yomtov — he or 'persecution on religious grounds'. D grown up in a Jewish middle-class family, lacks a strong sense of Jewish identity. In the son of a scientifically inclined fact, his commitment to Humanism (he is For accidental tourists physician and a mother with strong anti- President of the British Humanist religious convictions. He showed amazing Association) predisposes him to a view of The New York office of the Deutsche aptitude for Maths early on, 'swallowing' all religions as divisive. At the same time Zentralc fiir Tourismus has issued a an introduction to Calculus at 12, and he esteems the Jewish tradition because of brochure entitled 'Germany for the Jewish answering questions designed for a two- the high value it places on education. Traveler'. The 40 page brochure contains hour exam in a fraction of the time. At Education is, in fact, the centre of Sir a summary of (ierman-Jewish history, 17, convinced that a course at Vienna Hermann's universe. Having just seen his addresses of Jewish institutions in the University would offer him insufficient autobiography - Science, Churchill & Me, BRD and a list of places of Jewish scope, he applied for a place in Pergamon Press, £17.50 - through the interest, from the site of Belsen to the Cambridge. He entered Trinity College as press, and on the threshold of retirement, former residence of the Kissinger family at a fee-paying 'commoner', but within a he is full of plans for the future, many of Fiirrh. n year was a scholarship-assisted 'scholar'. them pedagogical. D R.G. AJR INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 1990

Reviews granted by the children of famous people, Schnabel-Flesch-Piatigorsky Piano Trio is not least the equally famous friends who discussed, but inevitably left unexplained. visit the house, but also, as the title All this is well documented with carefully Monument to a '. . . and do you also play the violin^' selected letters, but the author's sense of indicates, the assumption by well-meaning humour, which gave much pleasure earlier famous father acquaintances that children 'ought' to in the book, finds little room here. follow in their parents' footsteps. D Marianne Ehrenberg ri Carl F. Flesch '... UND SPIELST DU Many pertinent questions are asked by AUCH GEIGE?' Der Sohn eines the author: Why is it taken for granted beriJhmten Musikers erzahit und blickt that a soloist plays from memory? Why is Warsaw hinter die Kulissen. Atlantis the same not expected of chamber music Musikbuch-Verlag, Zurich, 1990. players? Can one overcome stage fright? Walpurgisnacht (English language version to follow.) What is the value of applause and visits to the artists' room after a concert to say a few well chosen words? He not only Andrzej Szczypiorski THE arl F. Flesch, himself not a asked these questions to make us think, BEAUTIFUL MRS SEIDENMAN i musician, came to England as a but gives answers from his own (transl. Klara Glowczewska) Crefugee from Nazi Germany and observations and from his father's diaries. Weidenfeld, £13. has made a name for himself in the world As the author is in possession of of insurance, with particular reference to material not necessarily available to problems concerning musicians. biographers, we get interesting glimpses of istorical yet dernier cri, His father was Carl Flesch, the well- some of Flesch's pupils, who in their turn metaphysical and yet almost a known violinist and teacher, who lived have become outstanding violinists - Max H thriller, imbued with insightful from 1873 to 1944, mainly in Germany Rostal, Ida Haendel, Henryk Szeryng, forgiveness and yet sternly judgemental, and at the end of his life in Switzerland. Ginette Neveu, Alma Moodie and others. easy to read yet requiring contemplation Although this book is neither an There are chapters on debatable subjects to absorb its nuances . . . all these epithets autobiography nor a biography of Carl such as infant prodigies and music apply to Andrzej Szczypiorski's novel. Flesch, it does tell us much both about the competitions, and we are told of the As the title suggests, Mrs Irma father and the son, for which reason it attitudes of Flesch and his colleagues Seidenman, the young widow of a should appeal to a wide readership. The towards modern music and its place in the distinguished Polish-Jewish doctor, who is more fortunate older reader may be concert repertoire of the time. busy with her late husband's scientific reminded of concerts given by Flesch, My only quarrel with the author is his testament, is central to the novel. She, too, whereas others may associate the name chapter on the wives of artists. Surely the is Jewish, but looks and acts 'Aryan'. And only with the dreaded book of scales and partner of a successful performing artist so, when Poland is occupied by the arpeggios which they consult - or should must play a more important role than Germans she becomes, with ease, Maria consult - at the beginning of their daily keeping the children quiet and seeing to it Magdalena Gostomska, the widow of a practice of the violin. Quotations from that there is a clean shirt and a well- Polish officer. letters by Flesch and by a galaxy of great brushed suit in the wardrobe on the day With that we follow the author into musicians, together with many amusing of the concert! that terrible time. The book is not about anecdotes, give much information and The second part of the book is of a less the Holocaust as we understand it, though pleasure. general nature. It gives information about the hellish fires flicker in the background. There is, however, much of interest for well-known conductors, composers and The stage for this drama is Warsaw, and any music-lover who would like to know players like Schnabel, Kreisler, Maier, the scenes are set by a Gentile Pole, who more about the background of Mengelberg, Furtwangler, to mention but bravely balances the Jewish, Polish and musicianship. Who could be better a few. The tricky situations arising frt)m German experiences. qualified than a son to give an insight into pupils wanting to change teachers, and of Mrs Seidenman-Gostomska is spotted the life of a concert artist and his chamber music players wanting to replace by a Jew-hunter, himself a Jew, retained relationship with pupils and to describe members of the ensemble, were as by Sturmfiibrer Stuckler because 'he is the effects of this demanding profession problematic then as now. The unfortunate never wrong'. But at the sight of Irma, on the whole family. Much is taken for break-up of the outstanding Stuckler wavers despite her possession of

GERMAN BOOKS DAWSON HOUSE HOTEL DAY CENTRE BELSIZE SQUARE BOUGHT GUEST HOUSE I Free Street Parking in front of the Hotel Metropolis Antiquarian Books Can you spare an hour to > Full Central Heating • Free Laundry Specialist Dealers in entertain? 24 BELSIZE SQUARE, N.W.3 < Free Dutch-Style Continental Breakfast German Books Music - talks - demonstrations Tel: 071-794 4307 or 071-435 2557 etc. Any day of the week. If so 72 CANFIELD GARDENS Always Buying please contact Hannah Goldsmith Books, Autographs, Ephemera on Wednesdays between MODERN SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY Near Underground Sta. Finchley Rd, 9.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. ROOMS, RESIDENT HOUSEKEEPER Eric Brueck MODERATE TERMS, 115 Cholmley Gardens 071-328 0208 NEAR SWISS COTTAGE STATION LONDON, N.W.6 Tol: 071-624 0079 London NW6 or evenings 081-958 5080. Tel 071-435 2753 AJR INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 1990

a cigarette case with Ignacy Seidenman's later he married his employer's niece and initials. However, she has friends - the The roots of memory moved with her to New Jersey. She, a doctor had saved many lives - and her formidable lady, helped him to set himself chain of helpers range from a youthful up in business and to become successful admirer to a German settler in Poland and wealthy and American. He knows who hides his decency behind a swastika that the man to whom he owes his badge. He does not know her from Eve, survival and good fortune is the famous but swears that she is who she says she is, Billy Rose (the 'Bellarosa' of the title), a and Stuckler choses to believe him, Jewish multimillionaire showbiz tycoon of releases Irma and slaps his Jewish questionable morals and with shady informer about, giving him one inore connections who, on a whim, had chance 'because of his past good work'. organised an underground rescue Rightly does the author, through one of operation in Nazi Europe. Although normally craving publicity and ballyhoo. his protagonists, pose the question 'Would ,S.(/(/ Bctltiw: hy I'. Victor. anybody have done the same for some Rose had kept his altruistic activities a poor Rivka from the stews'? Saul Bellow: THE BELLAROSA closely guarded secret. Fonstein, on the Szczypiorski shuns no aspect of his CONNECTION. Pengu/n. 1989. other hand, had grown to be obsessed subject. Polish antisemitism finds £3.50 with a desire to thank his benefactor. The conflict comes to a head when Fonstein's expression, from the trivial to the Any book by Saul Bellow is a literary positively Nazi, but so does the life-saving wife confronts Rose in Jerusalem. feast. His 'new work of fiction' is no Years later, the narrator is called on to mercy of a nun who was once a peasant exception. It is a short book, a novella, girl with visions of Christ; an other- renew contact with the Fonsteins but fails. which can, and should, be read at one wordly academician who helps to save Instead, he writes their story as possibly sitting, and then again, and then once Irma; a partly crippled railwayman; a the last exercise of his special talents. more. For this slim volume from the pen once-thoughtless student who tries in vain What of the puzzle? Questions remain of one of America's most celebrated to help his Jewish childhood friend and tantalisingly unanswered. Why did Rose, Jewish writers is many things: fiction, of does save the friend's little sister with the the self-advertising organiser of Madison course; but also something of a puzzle, nun's help. The Jew dies fighting in the Square holocaust remembrance challenging the reader's powers of Ghetto; the Pole fights in the uprising and spectaculars, refuse to contemplate being detection; and, not least, a dissertation on survives. A Polish tailor and a Polish thanked by a survivor? Why did this judge both risk their lives, overcoming the psychology of immigration. refusal offend the survivor and cause his wife to act on his behalf? Why is the what prejudices they have. The tailor The narrative unfolds the life story of a narrator so fascinated by the chain of perishes, the judge survives to remonstrate Polish-Jewish refugee as told by a distant events? with the nun for her proselytising zeal . . . relative. He, the anonymous narrator, the she has made good Catholics of 'her' son of Russian Jews who settled in New And here the book turns into a lecture children, causing them severe identity Jersey, has made a good deal of money by on 'memory': inemory as a way to make a crises. One case, a bright boy who turns running a very successful 'memory tank' living, honestly or dishonestly, or as a heavy burden or a cathartic experience, iq into an ultra-nationalist antisemite, for which his prodigious 'capacity for The protagonists in the story become frightens even her. But only thus, she retaining after-effects of experience or demonstration models, figures drawn in holds, could she save them (in both sense stimulation' (as the Concise Oxford chalk upon the lecturer's blackboard. The of the word). Some young Jews make it to Dictionary puts it) qualifies him perfectly immigrant wishes to remeinber, but his Israel/Palestine, where a few of them act and which he now, in his retirement, descendant wishes to forget and moves as thoughtlessly and brutally as the Poles deploys to tell the tale of Harry Fonstein, from Jewish New Jersey to WASPish j, who had been their oppressors. refugee from Nazi oppression. Philadelphia into 'a diaspora within a Club-footed from birth and hence a Neither of those goes as far as the diaspora', yet stays in the immigrant certainty for extermination just as soon as Sturmfiihrer who, in a concise apologia, ambience of shows and promotions and proves to himself that in war cruelty is the German occupiers of his native ostentation and Mafia connections. He mercy, and that all civilisations have been I.emberg could get round to it, Fonstein hates reminiscences even if 'the God of his built on the enslavement of vanquished escaped and managed to reach war-time fathers still matters' to him. He may sell Untermenschen by superior victors. Italy armed only with false papers and a his memory skills in a respectable The Communist masters of Poland do head for languages and improvisation. In profession or pervert them in habitual not escape either. There is a gem of a due course his cover was blown and he gambling. In the final analysis, none of us meeting in a government office between was arrested and earmarked for can 'forget about remembering'. another former Jew-hunter, and a deportation. But a iniracle occurred: he Bellow is one of the rare masters of roughian who saved Jews for pay. Having was allowed to get away, to make his way short story writing. He can stand with the fought nearly to the death by the Ghetto to Genoa, to sail to Lisbon and then on a 'greats', the likes of Maupassant and walls before the Nazis vanished, they now refugee ship to New York. He was Zweig. He is their equal in the skilful use strike more sparks off each other in the detained at Ellis Island and sent to of prose (no less elegant for the occasional name of Marxist Socialism. It's all in a Havana, Cuba, where he found work as carefully controlled appearance of a four- book not to be missed. D John Rossall assistant to a sort of matchmaker for letter word) and he may even surpass Andrzej Szczypiorski is a deputy in the American ladies, whose object was them in the wisdom of his slick one-liners. Polish parliament and recipient of the matrimony, and Jewish refugees, whose This is a memorable book! Peace Prize of the German book trade. object was entry to the USA. Five years D David Maier . mamm ,M!^^.^,*,^w>^m

AJR INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 1990

let us give thanks that its co-author, Egon her Austrian counterpart 'Gefreiter Footlights in the Larsen, has recently celebrated his 86th Hirnschal' (Fritz Schrecker). blaclBerlin 2a Belsize Park Mews, 276 PRESTON ROAD, HARROW MIDDLESEX HA3 OQA f^^ housewife who under the guise of support London NW3 SBL for the Nazis spread vitriolic anti-Nazi (Emp Agy) TEL: 081-904 2202 V^ propaganda (written by Egon Larsen) and AJR INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 1990

join a Jewish congregation with the hope that their non-Jewish partner could and would convert. Quite a number of couples, often with children, have applied, wishing to be accepted into the Jewish fold. Regal Way Sam Smith Harrow, Middx MASS INTERNMENT REMEMBERED I think these facts should be mentioned to indicate the brutality used in dealing Sir - So far I have not seen any reference with Jewish refugees. JEWS IN WARTIME to the Special Advisory Committees. Barnet Lane Robert Landau Although I was Category 'C I was Sir - I have completed six years research Elstree, Herts referred to the local Committee by the and have commenced writing my first two Chief Constable: it appears I had aroused of six volumes. suspicion on account of strong criticism of I have some gaps to fill and seek help SYNCHRONICITY the Chamberlain Government (berating from those with knowledge of those who their appeasement policy and subsequent Sir — Your Message in a bottle is served: Commandos, Intelligence, inadequate defence effort) and was duly paralleled by my own story. Arnhem, Navy, scientists, industry and re-categorised 'A', and promptly interned. A little while ago a friend gave me a others who gave distinguished service. Marlborough Mansions Werner Levy copy of the Leo Baeck Bulletin. This I will also be publishing in 1992 a Cannon Hill NW6 particular issue, published about 2 years Remembrance Book which will include all earlier, was given to me because it those who made the supreme sacrifice Sir — I was sent to Prees Heath in contained an article about Shanghai, whilst serving with the British and Allied Shropshire together only with single men, which 1 had visited just then. On leafing Forces, including partisans who fell. USA including widowers. We were under through the journal my eyes fell upon an and USSR losses will be summarised. canvas in old, round army Bell Tents, acknowledgement that papers relating to (Forms for registration available.) where you sleep with your feet towards my family had been sent to the Leo Baeck Salisbury Hall Jack Lennard the central post and your head near the Institute. It turned out that my uncle had Park Road, Hull circumference. There was very little room given these papers (consisting of HUS 1TD for one suitcase. documents, photographs and letters Shortly after opening the camp we were written to and by members of my family) told to choose a camp leader. A few to a half-Jewish friend on the eve of his READING THE SMALL PRINT people put their names forward, but in (my uncle's) deportation, with the request t. one tent was a Herr Eisen, perhaps the that they be given to me after the war. Sir - May 1 add 3 comments to your July only non-Jew in the camp. He had the However, this friend, who also had issue? personality of a natural leader and the some horrific experiences during the war, 1. The Litfassaule on page 1 had an half dozen young men who shared the presumably forgot all about these advertisement for the film Menschen im ,n tent with him helped him to get nearly all documents, which were stored in his Hotel. The book of the film was written j. the votes with this famous ditty: cellar. When he died in the early 1980s, by Vicki Baum (1888-1960), a Willst Du besseres Essen speisen, his widow found them and sent them to Vienna-born Jewish novelist. Willst Du bald nach London reisen, the LBI in New York. 2. On page 12, about Australia, it is Willst Du hinter Tiiren schei . . . Randall Avenue Gerald A. Goodwin stated that 'they were exposed ... to Wdhle Eisen, wdhle Eisen! London, NW2 molestation from their Nazi Birmingham Adrian Croft shipmates . . .' I was a passenger on the Dunera and during the eight week long Sir - The article by DLM (June issue) is, WORLD RALLY OF CZECH JEWS journey 1 neither experienced nor heard unfortunately, far from complete. about any such molestations. We were all My father and I were late internees and Sir - Next to us at the festive opening in in the same boat, literally, and behaved sent from Kempton Park to Sutton Jerusalem sat a woman, silently crying, accordingly. Some of the 'real' Germans Coldfield. This was a camp entirely under tears running down her face. My wife, formed the 'Latrine Police', very canvas on the heath and subject to nightly who wanted to comfort her, spoke to her important when there were only about 10 air raids from German planes. The mainly first in F^nglish, then in German, but both for over 2,000 people. 'Drei Mann rechts elderly inmates were not allowed out of times she shook her head. But when ran zum pinkeln' is a call I vividly the tents during the night to go to the Judith talked to her in Czech, then she remember. toilets, as the guards were worried about said, still crying, that she was glad that 3. Unfortunately, the behaviour of the us giving signals to the planes overhead. she could talk with somebody from Jewish Archbishop Lustiger is not without This particular camp was mentioned in another country. She told us that this was precedent (see page 16). According to the parliamentary debate on the day we her first trip outside Czechoslovakia. Now Mayer's Encyclopaedia, the Spanish were moved to York racecourse. It is many Jews dare, for the first time, to Inquisitor General, Tomas de generally believed that revelations about declare their Jewishness. Most of the first Torquemada, was of Jewish extraction. the treatment of the internees there swung and second postwar generation have Woodhurst Lane A. W. Freud the scales in favour of the refugees. intermarried. Now many families want to Oxted, Surrey .,,.,-.,. AJR INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 1990

daylight hours all through the week, In Memoriam Rudolf Olden studying and discussing a wide variety of subjects with the help of coordinators. We ust 50 years ago, on 12 September crossed the Atlantic separately from her do not call them tutors or lecturers; they 1940, the ship 'City of Benares' left parents and thus survived.) are just ordinary meinbers with special Liverpool for America. When a German During his years in exile. Olden knowledge or skills, which they usually, torpedo sank the ship in mid-Atlantic, campaigned unremittingly for victims of but not necessarily, taught or practised J Nazi Germany. Moreover, in his position Goebbels claimed it had been because of before retirement. In this academic year Rudolf Olden's presence on board. of first 'provisional' secretary of the we offer 60 separate study groups, Rudolf Olden, and his young wife Ika newly-formed German P.E.N.-Club in covering 37 disciplines from Classical Exile, he succeeded in securing freedom who drowned with him, had had Greek to Tai-Chi via history, languages for a number of his fellow-writers absolutely no desire to leave England, and bridge. Once a year we meet for a strandi d in Nazi-occupied territory. Years their home since 1933. Olden had wanted weekend school at Easter (this year's later men such as Felix Langer and Kurt to contribute to the British war effort and overall subject is Aspects of the Romantic Hiller were still testifying to Olden's had been highly recommended for Movement). Every Monday we invite an extraordinary persistence on their behalf. propaganda work at the BBC, but his outside expert to talk to us, the only non- application had been turned down. After Olden was interned in June 1940, member to participate in our activities. Instead he had been interned, an a number of Englishmen and women We go on study tours at home and ,. experience which had left his health campaigned vigorously for his release as a abroad, and regularly visit a number of seriously impaired. Meanwhile anxious longstanding opponent of Nazism. More residential homes to talk to their guests. than 30 years later, another friend. Prince friends in America had managed to We have a unique telephone link-up Hubertus zu Lowenstein, was still arrange a post for him at the New School connecting house-bound members to a lamenting Olden's untimely death: 'Sein for Social Research in New York. coordinator for group readings or Tod war ein Verlust, der niemals ganz Reluctantly Olden applied for an discussions. We are building up our own Uberwunden werden konnte. Wie sehr American visa, still hoping that useful library. We go on countryside rambles; in hdtte ganz Deutschland ihn nach dem work would be found for him in Britain. short there is not much that we don't do Instead of this, the clause on his Kriege gebraucht!'. D Charmian Brinson/Marian Malet to keep mentally and physically active. Travelling Paper permitting his return None of us gets paid for anything, not the was struck out before his very eyes. In toilers in the office nor the coordinators; 1936 Olden had been expatriated by the they pay their membership fees just like Nazis; now he was being expatriated Learning for pleasure everybody else. Our only expenses are by the British, this time with fatal rents, postage, printing and the usual consequences. ive years ago I contributed an article administrative costs. For that reason we Rudolf Olden was born in Stettin in to AJR Information on the have so far always been able to keep our 1885, the third child of the Jewish actor- FUniversity of the Third Age which subscription low. Fees for participating in writer Hans Olden and his actress wife brought our organisation a number of any or all of our study groups and other Rosa. new members. Since then it has grown activities, are below those currently Olden studied law, served as a cavalry considerably, widening its activities and charged for attending a single Adult officer during the 1914-18 war, and was attracting many more students of our Education, or WEA, class. in Vienna when hostilities ceased. Here he particular origins, although of course our Anyone wanting to know more about was encouraged to enter journalism, enrolment comprises people of diverse our activities in London should write to writing initially for radical Viennese social, religious and ethnic backgrounds. or phone: U3A In London, 44/46 newspapers. Theodor Wolff, editor-in- For some it has become the main focus of Crowndale Road, NWl ITR. Outside chief of the influential Berliner Tageblatt, outside life and a major stimulus to prevent London and its immediate surroundings, engaged him as political editor, later those grey cells from atrophying. What is please, contact U3A National, 1 Stockwell making him his deputy. the U3A and what do they offer? Green, London SW9 9JF; telephone 071- Simultaneously Olden, working as a As Universite du Troisieme Age it 737 2541. D Ronald Stent defence counsel in the Berlin Supreme started its life in Toulouse more than a Court, became known as one of the few decade ago; it spread to this country in lawyers of the time prepared to defend 1983 since when it has shown continuous victims of political oppression and capable growth. We are not a university in the of winning such cases; he was also legal usual sense of the word; we are rather advisor to the increasingly beleaguered more like an academy as the ancient JACKMAN• Deutsche Liga fiir Menschenrechte. Greeks saw it. There are no compulsory Olden fled Berlin shortly after the essays to be written, no examinations, no SILVERMAN Reichstag fire, reaching London in awarding of degrees. U3A was created for CX)MMHRc;iAL PROPERTY C;ONSULTANT.S November 1933. His years in England the retired of all ages who want to refresh were productive ones: he published knowledge, study new subjects just for the biographies of Hindenburg and Hitler, pleasure of widening their horizons (or wrote two further books on the subject of proving to themselves - and others - that Germany and democracy, and contributed they are not yet ready to be put out to regularly to the Pariser Tageblatt and grass), break the isolation and loneliness 26 Conduit Street, London WIR 9TA other exile papers. Moreover, 1938 saw which ageing so often brings about and to Telephone: 071 409 0771 Fax: 071 493 8017 the birth of his only daughter of whom he socialise with like-minded people. Here in was extremely proud. (The little girl London we meet during 8 AJR INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 1990

PAUL BALINT AJR DAY CENTRE 7^ AIR cua^or^ 15 Cleve Road London NW6 ,mL Tel. 071 328 0208 Social Services Department: would have to be transferred to a new Morning Activities - Bridge, kalookie, hospital in Northampton. This would, of scrabble, chess, etc., keep fit, discussion group, Another success course, have meant a drastic reduction in choir (Mondays), art class (Tuesdays and the number of her visits, and the shock of Thursdays). very lonely lady, suffering from entering a totally new environment anxiety neurosis, has recently without full back-up from people with Afternoon entertainment — Ataken up residence in Osmond whom she was familiar. This, in the SEPTEMBER House. This is a fairly routine occurrence opinion of our social service personnel, Monday 3 Interlude of English & and would not normally warrant special would have resulted in a rapid Continental Songs - attention. However, the circumstances deterioration in her condition. Marguerite Rapp (Mezzo) in which she eventually came to It was at this stage that Samuel, aided and Irene Wallis (Piano) the attention of the AJR are slightly by Mary Copsey (Head of Care of the Tuesday 4 A Song For Everyone unusual. CBF Residential Care and Housing Brought To You by Jack This lady had been a resident in the Association), initiated a 'Case Conference' Harris Friern Barnet psychiatric hospital for on the lady's behalf. They argued that Wednesday 5 Hans Freund: Come & Join some years. Her only visitor (she has only placing her in the Continental Jewish Thursday 6 Queen Victoria At Home - one surviving relative, in the USA) was an atmosphere of Osmond House would A Talk with Slides, Music & elderly gentleman who had been a friend prove to be of great therapeutic value. Dancing - Carolyn James for many years. Unfortunately he passed After a number of meetings at which Songs For Your Delight - Monday 10 away. It was his son, an Israeli resident, proof of the ability of the Homes to cope Lilian Green &C Group who alerted the AJR to the lady's plight. with a patient of this type had to be Tuesday 11 (a) Outing to Ham House As he would be unable to continue the proved, it was agreed to allow the woman (b) Light Musical visits he asked the social services to reside at Osmond House on a 'trial Entertainment - Shirley Gurevitz (Soprano) and department here in the AJR office to 'keep basis'. Sylvia Cohen (Piano) an eye' on his father's friend. The lady is now a permanent resident at Wednesday 12 An Hour Of Your Favourite This was done. For the next three years Osmond House. She still gets her visits Songs - Barbara Lincoln; Samuel Wolf (Head of the department) and is sharing an environment with many Irene Sara, Rex Sara (Piano) visited the hospital on a regular basis. others who have shared similar Thursday 13 September Songs - A This situation continued until recently experiences and come from similar Delightful Pot Pourri - when ward closures meant that the lady backgrounds. D Daphne Lewis (Piano) & Sarah Duthie (Soprano) Monday 17 Shelly Weldon Entertains With A Pre-Rosh Hashanah Programme 43rd ANNUAL CHARITY CONCERT AJR Tuesday 18 Piano Recital - Jeanette Lin October 14th 'DROP IN' ADVICE SERVICE Wednesday 19 CLOSED AFTER LUNCH Our guest artists will be: Twice weekly advice sessions offering CLOSED Thursday 20 Raphael and Peter Wallfisch help with filling in forms, checking Monday 24 Four Strings Each - Light benefits received, checking entitlements, Musical Entertainment - Have you ordered your tickets? claiming benefits, fuel problems, money Lucy White (Violin) & Juliet matters, etc., etc., are being held as Avoid queues in the interval by buying your coffee follows:— Davey (Piano) vouchers before the concert from the desk in the Tuesday 25 Music from the music centre foyer. Our programme sellers will direct you. TUESDA YS 10 am-12 noon at - Gerard Tichauer and Fred 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 Dunston THURSDAYS 10 am-12 noon at Wednesday 26 The Blake Piano Trio Hannah Karminsl

inHHUII W NHH

Volunteers' Meetings, Tiie AJR Songsters Summer 1990

n June and July there were two Edie and the volunteers' meetings held in Hannah ctioir performing Karminski House. Miss Gwen James, during the Dijy I Centre's 'French former Haringey social worker and Week: founder of the organisation Voice for the Child in Care, spoke about her volunteers who work as Independent Representatives (IRs). IRs visit children or young persons who have been placed in secure accommodation because they are considered to be a danger to themselves or he only qualification required to programme. This proved to be an to others. Such young people need help join the AJR Choir is a love of unqualified success. from adults who are outside the system, Tsinging — auditions are out! Voices Since then the choir has gone from are really independent and will listen to tend to improve as confidence grows and strength to strength, making regular their point of view while, at the same members become more involved in the appearances at the Day Centre, time, keeping their confidences. company. performing always with great In the course of the discussion parallels Edie Klempner was doing volunteer enthusiasm. with the work done by AJR volunteers work at the AJR Paul Balint Day Centre Edie gets as much pleasure from the emerged. Whilst it is extremely important when she was asked to form the choir. choir as any of the members - as she puts to maintain confidentiality, sometimes Although unable to read music, she has it: 'I am constantly moved and amazed by dilemmas do arise. For instance, what done a lot of singing and jumped at the my singers and grateful too for the should volunteers do if they know that chance. With the help of a volunteer privilege of conducting them'. We too are someone is suicidal? pianist, and sticking to the familiar grateful, to Edie for giving of herself so Depression and aggression are very melodies, the choir organised a Chanukah unstintingly. D difficult to deal with. One visitor spoke of the fear of abandonment shown by the lady he visits and wondered how he could help to assuage these fears. Miss James The Executive and Staff of the AJR You can contact the AJR by made the point that one should not offer wish all members and friends Phone 071-483 2536 more than one can give. This is A Fax 071-722 4652 highlighted by the question, which arises Happy and Healthy New Year very often, as to whether home phone numbers should be given to persons being visited. It is generally felt that, if some Paul Balint AJR Day Centre distance is not kept, the involvement can become too demanding. However, NO HOLIDAY PLANS??? everyone agreed that in all voluntary The Paul Balint AJR Join us and make new friends. work regularity and commitment are vital. ,'.„-; Day Centre Monday to Thursday 10am-3pm Both AJR visitors and Independent NEEDS 15 Cleve Road, West Hampstead. Representatives try to reach out to other Tel: 071-328 0208 human beings who are in need. (1) A temporary (3/4 months) helper Volunteers offer a service which augments on Thursdays from mid-day to help and complements the work done by Social serve at tables In the dining room, clear up etc. Service Departments. It is the emotional AJR CLUB rewards that make doing this work so 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 worthwhile. (2) Drivers still needed to take people to and from the Centre. SUNDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER at 3 p.m. D L.H. Richard Grunberger will give a talk on Bernard Malamud, Jewish American author Admission 50p, incl. tea (3) Volunteer with First Aid training. ROOM AVAILABLE IN We welcome you and your friends on TUESDAYS - THURSDAYS - SUNDAYS ONE OF OUR HOMES 2 p.m.-6 p.m. FOR SHORT TERM Please contact Mrs Sylvia Mathus: Day Centre Entertainment tree on Club days. RESPITE CARE. 1 :••• You will enjoy the friendly atmosphere you can talk - play cards - play games. For further information 071 328 0208 One Sunday a month - live Entertainment. please contact:- 15 Cleve Road, NW6 Refreshments are available at nominal charges. Mrs Ruth Finestone Our Annual Membership fee is only E4. 071-483 2536 B.jY-->-;--T.- .:,fr^ in:,>v?:•-yj: •••*T •• IWMB*lWt^y..VJCTWgf»Wff^!W^

10 AJR INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 1990

Tax aid for gifts is spread equally amongst them, including KOOK'S TOUR also associated companies. Of significant relevance to this month's The necessary legislation will be DENMARK lead article is the following information introduced at the Committee Stage of the The Danes substantial kudos earn about new tax concessions: Finance Bill. The new relief will apply to From Rosenkrantz and Gildenstern, gifts made on or after 1 October 1990. But greater would their fame be far roposed in the Chancellor's 1990 Inland Revenue guidance for individuals Had Hamlet's pal been Kierkegaard. budget were a range of measures or companies making charitable covenants Pdesigned to encourage individual or donations is available from local tax FINLAND and corporate charitable donations. The offices, or the Inland Revenue Public Sibelius sung at Nurmi's speed proposals include the raising of the annual Enquiry Room on 071-438 6420. D (Who sometimes sprinted, sometimes limit on charitable gifts qualifying for skied) income tax relief under the payroll giving East German Compensation Can teach the Baits a lesson rare: scheme from £480 to £600. How to escape the Russian bear. Also proposed was 'Gift Aid', an The following was inadvertently omitted entirely new income tax relief for from Dr. Falk's article in our August FRANCE individual gifts to charities which equal or issue: Belle France, renowned for clarity exceed the new £600 ceiling for payroll 'Compensation for heirless property is Of thought, proclaims that charity giving. There will be a £5 million limit on sought by the Claims Conference, an Commence chez nous; gifts from any one donor. Such gifts will agreement to make global payments on Poor Machiavel, he had no clue! be made net of basic rate tax, on which the lines of the Hague agreement of 1952 charities will be able to claim repayment. made with the Federal Republic is hoped GERMANY If the donor is a higher rate taxpayer he for, under which a fair proportion is As warriors for mighty Thor will also be able to claim higher rate tax claimed for the social and cultural needs They finished sprawling on the floor, relief. Companies will also be able to of Jews from Gertnany. So on VE-Day they rebelled claim relief from corporation tax for Under the 'Equalisation of Burdens And swore henceforth to worship Geld. single gifts to charities. For those Law' (Lastenausgleichsgesetz) of the organisations which are not 'close Federal Republic some compensation was GREAT BRITAIN companies' the present relief of up to .3 paid by the FR to Nazi victims from East Though great no longer in the sense per cent of dividends will still be available Germany and this would have to be Of pink on maps, or Pounds and Pence, where it is more favourable. In the case of considered in the determination of any Remembering Nineteen Forty groups of companies, the £5 million limit individual claims.' D She has reason to be haughty.

Israel's AJR INFORMATION Very finest Wines Is now available on tape PONT FORGET

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CAMPS INTERNMENT-P.O.W.- Henry Ebner FORCED LABOUR-KZ DALLOW ROAD at I wish to buy cards, envelopes and folded post­ LUTON BEDS Myers Ebner & Deaner marked letters from all camps of both world wars. LU11UR 103 Shepherds Bush Road Please send, registered mail, stating price, to: London W6 7LP 14 Rosslyn Hill, London NW3 0582 22538 Telephone 071 602 4631 PETER C. RICKENBACK ALL LEGAL WORK UNDERTAKEN AJR INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 1990 II il!i[iilIUHUl!lliIlllttlililhbU:U[i,li[Li!i

Alice Schwab Academy, The Edwardians and After: ' cnf Paintings and Sculptures from the Royal SB's Column Academy's Collection 1900-1950 (until 21 October). The exhibition includes Full circle f pieces by Sargent, John, Sickert, Spencer, In Else, Motti Lerner's play about Else Lavery, Clausen, Orpen, Kelly, John Nash Lasker-Schiiler's lonely wartime exile in and many others. Jerusalem the poet's lament 'I want to go From 7 September to 9 December the home' elicits the reply 'You have no reat Britain is celebrating the Royal Academy is showing Monet in the home!' Now Else Lasker-Schiiler has had ninetieth birthday of that much- 90's, The Series Paintings. This exhibition a homecoming of sorts: Habimah G loved lady. Her Majesty Queen opened in Boston in February. All tickets performed the play at the Deutsche Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and a were pre-sold and the exhibition was Theater, Berlin, a stage which once display of fine photographs, one for each attended by half-a-million visitors. In boasted an array of Jewish talent decade of her life, is at the National Great Britain this exhibition marks an (Reinhardt, Moissi, Kortner, Granach and Portrait gallery, including portraits by Sir innovation, in that entry will be by Elisabeth Bergner). , Cecil Beaton and Norman Parkinson. advance booking only. Tickets are An unusual combination. Eutin near The opening of Innocence and available at Keith Prowse and the Royal Liibeck has held its annual summer Persecution: the art of Jewish Children: Academy. Some tickets will be available festival for 30 years in honour of Carl Germany 1936—41 at the Ben Uri each day for those prepared to queue. Maria von Weber, the city's most famous coincided with the resignation from the The Museum of London has recently son. The 1990 programme included government of Nicholas Ridley. The opened its new Second World War performances of Beethoven's Fidelio, exhibition was organised by Dr Wieland Gallery illustrating life in wartime Verdi's Force of Destiny and . . . the Koenig, director of the Stadtmuseum in London, and will be showing photographs musical Anatevka, also known as the ever Dusseldorf. Illustrated catalogues to mark the Fiftieth anniversary of the popular Fiddler on the Roof. (German and English) are still available at London Blitz (until 6 May 1991). The Bodemvieser Centenary. the gallery. Under Dr Koenig's direction Heinz Bergruen was born in Berlin in Celebrating the centenary of her birth, the Stadtmuseum specialises in art of the 1914 and has made a long-term loan from Vienna gave due recognition to Gertrud Holocaust and he has recently arranged his outstanding collection to the National Bodenwieser, a prominent figure in the with the Groningen museum to show Gallery, including pictures by Van Gogh, development and performing of dramatic works by the Dutch painter Hendrik Braque, Miro, Cezanne, Seurat and 40 by and lyric expression dancing, an art that Nicolaas Werkman (1882-1945), a non- Picasso. The National Gallery has also reached its peak during the Twenties Jew murdered by the Nazis who, amongst benefited by the bequest of Helena and when Gertrud Bodenwieser and Crete other things, illustrated Martin Buber's Kenneth Levy of paintings by Monet, Wiesenthal created Vienna's modern Die Legende des Baalschem. In September Corot, Jongkind, Boudin and Renoir. dance style. Featuring the ideas of the the Ben Uri has its annual Open Marlborough Fine Art and famous dance and choreographer, Vienna Exhibition where many old friends will be Marlborough Graphics are simultaneously State Opera devoted two matinees to the showing. showing paintings, drawings and acrylics, event. A Bodenwieser centenary exhibition Sharon Chazan, a gifted documentary and the complete etchings of Frank took place at London's Royal Festival photographer, was engaged on producing Auerbach (until 20 October). The Hall in July this year. a body of pictures of the Jewish East End exhibitions coincide with the publication Obituary. The death is announced of of London when she met a tragic death. of the first monograph on the artist by soprano Erna Berger. She was 89. The project was not completed, but many Robert Hughes. Dresden-born and an accomplished of her photographs were recently shown There may still be time to see the Naum Mozart singer, her long career extended at the Jewish Culture in Britain exhibition Gabo Centenary exhibition (until 29 well over 30 years; she visited London's at the John Hansard Gallery, University of September) at Annelie Juda Fine Art in Royal Opera House frequently during the Southampton, to coincide with the their new premises at 2.3 Dering Street. Thirties and even after the war. After her Preserving the Jewish Heritage conference Finally, for your diary. Modern Art and retirement in 1955 she devoted herself to organised by the Parkes Library/History Jewish Identity at the Barbican (10 teaching; her most successful pupil was Department of the University. October-6 January 1991), as well as the late Rita Streich. - It is belatedly The Camden Arts Centre is organising Israel: State of the Art - a season of learnt that Dr Rudolf Spitz died earlier an exhibition (November-December) to Israeli events (8 October-27 November). this year. Born in Vienna in 1906, he mark the centenary of the birth of Mark More to follow! D showed literary talents at an early age Gertler (1891-1939), prominent in a writing sketches and short stories. He was generation of Jewish artists in Britain, founder, author and compere at Vienna's including Bomberg and Epstein, in the Stachelbeere in pre-war days. After having early 1900's. Harry Weinberger's CLUB 1943 made his home in Britain, his exhibition at Duncan Campbell, Anglo-German cultural forum Meetings on qualifications as a lawyer involved him in mentioned in our last issue, is in fact in Mondays at 8 p.m. at the Communal Hall, work as a translator at the Nuremberg two parts: Part I: 4-22 September, Part II: Belsize Square Synagogue, 51 Belsize trials. At the BBC World Service he made Square, London NW3. 25 September—12 October. valuable contributions to the Austrian, Chairman: Berta Sterly, 4 Grey Close, and later to the German, department until The Edwardian Hotels are appropriate NWll 6QG. Tel: 081-455 1535. sponsors of an exhibition at the Royal his retirement several years ago. D ''wnFm'wmi«mmmm''^'mimimm

12 AJR INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 1990

life on equal terms'. For this reason, ritual Aspects of Religious Judaism in Britain worship of God should be so arranged that it can serve the purpose of imbuing 2. LIBERAL JUDAISM those who participate in it with the determination to act in kindness to all An interview v^ith Rabbi Sidney Brichto God's creatures — as Hillel's famous dictum, about not doing to others that hen, in 1902, a group of enable all religious sections to achieve a which is hateful to oneself, indicates. religiously committed English standard practice in those important Thus, as all human beings are entitled to WJews formed the Jewish areas . . .' {'Halakha with Humility'. The benefit from the common good, any Religious Union, their avowed purpose Jewish Law Annual, Vol. VIII, page 249). division between 'secular' moral values was to halt the seemingly inevitable drift This, too, is presumably his concern in his and 'religious' ones must be regarded as towards assimilation. By holding shorter proposal to the new Chief Rabbi that we artificial barriers best removed if services, at more convenient times, in a should 'love each other as Jews and Judaism's universal message is to be more intelligible manner they sought to respect each other's sincerity in working understood correctly. attract the habitual non-attender. Their to maintain the continuity of Jewish life in aim was to complement the existing the face of those influences which threaten No dogmatism structure of British Judaism rather than to its existence' {U.L.P.S. NEWS, April supplant it, and nothing was further from 1990). An absence of dogmatism also underlies their thoughts than the creation of a Anglo-Jewish Liberalism has. Rabbi the organisational structure of U.L.P.S. All break-away movement. Brichto maintains, never been dogmatic, its ordained rabbis are members of the Indeed, the idea of 'breaking away' was not least, perhaps, because it came about Rabbinic Conference; all serve on the then (and still is) anathema to Liberal as a spontaneous response to the needs of 110-strong administrative Council Judaism. What inspired those founders - the times. Its ultimate loyalty is to the alongside lay representatives of the Montefiore, Montagu, Abrahams and truth and to an enlightened and educated constituent synagogues. Three rabbis later, Israel Mattuck - was a passionate Jewish conscience. He is certain that, constitute the Rabbinic Board (the term desire to perpetuate the Jewish religion as unless it is allowed to remain a dynamic, Beth Din is deliberately avoided) which a faith which does not have to rely on constantly developing religion, Judaism meets to determine questions of religious what they saw as external trappings but will wither away. In this view, revelation, significance, such as those concerned with comes from the inner spirit of those who far from being a single unrepeatable event status and with marital matters. It is profess it. During the early years, services in the historic past, is with us now and noteworthy that, as a matter of principle were conducted by orthodox rabbis, as always, and we must not fail to exercise and in order to serve the interests of the well as lay preachers, until, in 1908, the an honest judgment upon it. Jewish people as a whole, re-marriage of then Chief Rabbi asked the former to divorced persons is not authorised without a generally recognised religious abandon their support of the renamed Halacha essential 'Jewish Religious Union for the dissolution of the marriage, if this is Advancement of Liberal Judaism'. The straightforward assertion that desired by either of the partners. In cases 'ossification does not amount to of genuine hardship, this condition will authenticity', this free-thinking search for not be imposed; but it is always Unity Commitment meaningful interpretations of religious recommended in order to avoid any Today, the Union of Liberal and values, must, he pleads, be accommodated problems of status which might one day Progressive Synagogues (U.L.P.S.) has within Judaism alongside the confront any of the children of the around 12,000 adult members and 25 unquestioning acceptance of all halachic marriage. There is equality of the sexes in constituent congregations. Rabbi Dr principles. Both views, says Rabbi Brichto, all matters, including that of parental Sidney Brichto, the Union's Executive are essential for our present and our Jewishness. Vice-President, is anxious to affirm the future: that which believes that only Young people have their barmitzvah or movement's continued commitment to the unswerving adhesion to established forms batmitzvah at the age of 13, and celebrate unity of the Jewish people. 'That which can keep Judaism together and that which kabbalat torah at 15 or 16 upon guided our leaders at the beginning is even holds that modern needs can only be completion of their course of religious more important now. We must make disregarded at the risk of eventual education. every effort to ensure that Judaism does disintegration. Rabbi Brichto values his own not, by default, drive away those who But, insists Rabbi Brichto, this does not American-Jewish Orthodox family remain after the Holocaust'. mean that Judaism's basic written law, background. Thus, while advocating It was not least this perceived danger and its traditional interpretations, can be change, in tune with the changing times, which prompted him to address himself to abandoned as no longer of any real he is concerned, as were his predecessors the question of bringing into concert, significance. 'Torah and Talmud in the leadership of British Liberal between the various strands of Judaism, constitute the greatest code of law which Judaism, with the preservation of the decisions concerning Jewish status, has ever been bestowed upon mankind. eternal roots of the Jewish faith. He is marriage and divorce. In a controversial They are the basis of our civilisation. The determined that the Jewish people shall article published a few years ago, he role of Judaism, as a life idealistic faith, is survive, not only for its own sake, but for courageously offered to Jewish Orthodoxy to proclaim the ultimate purpose of the good of all mankind. '. . . responsibility of finding the means to existence, namely that all must share in n David Maier •:\-< AJR INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 1990 13

Jews here is impossible. I got to know the Moscow's behest - supplied the fledgling Freedom Party's Galician Jews in the war. It would give Jewish state with arms. diabolical liberties the Viennese the shock of their lives to By 1952 Eduard Goldstiicker was in have those Peikelesjuden (Jews with jail, one of the many Jewish defendants in Austrian politics resemble those of Britain sidelocks) running around among them.' the Slansky show trial. Unlike some of his in that two large parties have exercised Challenged about this outburst Wimmer fellow accused, he escaped the hangman's long-term dominance and a third, smaller expatiated: 'Ostjuden are totally different. noose, presumably because he had never one, is trying to 'break the mould'. The They are incomprehensible to us held a high Party position. uniquely Austrian twist is that the would- Mid-Europeans. Dreadful - the way they Released, he returned to academe. As be mould-breaking Freedom Party (FPO) slaughter animals, without first stunning Professor of Literature at the Charles accommodates Liberals and thinly them!' University he convened the 1963 disguised Neo-Nazis — with the latter in To date the Austrian Freedom Party has symposium of Kafka — hitherto a non- person - which Party hard-liners the ascendant since Jorg Haider's taken no action against its top functionary subsequently denounced as having led appointment as Party leader. In the in Linz — the town in which Hitler, directly to the Prague Spring. After the leader's fiefdom, Carinthia, an FPO Eichmann and Kaltenbrunner spent their Soviet invasion of 1968 he - yet again — formative years. D council candidate quipped recently that escaped to England. Simon Wiesenthal would fit comfortably ii'i iiiifwi I iiimw«w"wwtww«wi«i«wfi»i« Now, after the Czech 'velvet into Haider's pipe. This stomach-turning revolution', Goldstucker, who gave his reference to the Nazi crematoria attracted A Czech that bounces back autobiography the kafkaesque title some adverse press comment, but the FPO Prozesse (Trials), has been invited back to dismissed it officially as a 'humorous ews in Slovakia used to practise a form Prague once more. The invitation came to lapse'. of orthodoxy that verged on the occult. him from that other great survivor, The Party is, however, affiliated to the Thus when scarlet fever threatened to Alexander Dubcek. D Liberal International whose executive J carry off three-year old Jizchak includes respected European politicians Goldstiicker the minyan praying for his like Count Otto Lambsdorff, president of life called him Schalom - by which ruse PARADOXftAORON the German FDP. Under pressure from the they claimed to have duped the angel of Dark it was Liberal International the FPO eventually death. This happened in 1916. The moon was bright'ning, dropped the perpetrator of the Wiesenthal When the lad, now called Eduard, grew When a car 'joke' from its list of candidates. up he studied literature and became a As quick as lightning. Meanwhile another scandal has Communist. In the late 1930s he escaped Slowly round the corner drove; erupted. The Viennese Burgomaster Zilk's to England. Back in postwar (and newly Inside sitting in deep silence. suggestion that Austria grant asylum to Stalinised) Czechoslovakia he turned People stood in fierce debate. fifty thousand Soviet Jews prompted an down Slansky's offer of a high Party post, Whilst a stone dead little rabbit. antiseiTiitic outburst by Raimund Wimmer, becoming a diplomat instead. He served On a sandbank had a skate. leader of the Linz FPO. 'To settle 50,000 as ambassador in Israel when Prague - at Translated by W. E. Abraham

FOR THOSE YOU CARE MOST ABOUT THE SONESTA Springdene A NEW LUXURY NURSING A modern nursing home with 26 yrs of excellence in health care to the community. Licensed by Bamet area health HOME IN GOLDERS GREEN authority and recognised by BUPA & PPP. HYDROTHERAPY & PHYSIOTHERAPY * Quality care from sympathetic and professional staff. provided by full time chartered * Long and short stays including convalescence or post operative cares • physiotherapists for inpatients and care. outpatients. * Glatt Kosher Cholov Isroel supervised under the Beth Din of [SPRINGDENE 55 Oakleigh Park North, Whetstone, London N.20 081-446 2117 the Federation of Synagogues. [SPRINGVIEW 6-10 Crescent Road, Enfield. Our completely new Shabbat observance. purpose built hotel style retirement home. All rooms with bathroom All dietary requirements catered for by our specialist chef. en-suite from £305 per week. 081-446 2117. Superb facilities from tasteful decor to specialist equipment. Rehabilitation and occupational therapy encouraged. Elegant conservatory leading on to a patio and landscaped WALM LANE NURSING HOME garden. Walm Lane is an establistied Registered Nursing Home providing the tiighest standards of nursing care for all categories of long and stiort-term For further details & brochure, please contact: medical and post-operative surgical patients. Lifts to all floors. All rooms have nurse call systems, telephone and colour television. Choice of menu, Veronica Gormley kosher meals available. Licensed by Brent Health Authority and as such recognised for payment by private medical insurance schemes. Matron For a true and more detailed picture of what we offer, please ask one of The Sonesta Nursing Home your fellow members who has been, or is at present here, or contact 797 Finchley Road [Matron directly at London NWll 8DP. 141 Walm Lane, London NW2 Telephone 081-450 8832 Telephone: 081 458 3459. »HCT«l«yitl^WW|g^..''»'.|''>«W!lBBH''''.''«'r'!S<"-7'a

14 AJR INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 1990

FAMILY EVENTS and remember her always. The AJR Electrician City and Guilds quali­ Personal Birth Club. fied. All domestic work undertaken Swiss widow (50's) wealthy, attract­ Anya Polly Nelki-Gopfcrt, born Wolfgang Erna Wolfgang my Y. Steinreich. Tel: 081-455 5262. ive, keeps tradition—would like to 5 January, daughter of Michael darling mother passed away peace­ Collector of old Jewish and remarry. Apply: Fisher Bureau, 45 Gopfert and Julia Nelki of 12 fully on 12 August, 1990 at the age Palestine picture postcards. Single Chalk Farm Road NWl. Tel: 071- of 9.5. She radiated love, kindness Egremont Promenade, Wallasey, cards purchased. David Pearlman, 267 6066. and compassion, her inspiration Wirral L44 BGJ. Granddaughter of 36 Asmuns Hill, London NWll. remains. May her dear soul rest in Elderly gentleman taking Erna and Wolfgang Nelki. 081-455 2149. everlasting peace —her loving son course at London University Seeking a reliable business contact Birthday Walter. requires a room 3-4 nights in Mexico. Tel. 0727 65588 during the week. Clay Walter (Kleeberg) from CLASSIFIED Boffzen. Congratulations and many Miscellaneous (Werner Mortimer). Must have easy access to Bloomsbury. Write to: happy returns to you on your 85th Nadja Wintrop A classmate from Rest home S.R.N, wide hospital and private experience accepts 164 Albany Manor Road, birthday - 18th August. From your the Lichtwarkschule, Hamburg is Bournemouth family and many friends. looking for her. She emigrated to retired gendefolk in need of care and England in 1933. Fred Lauer, attention to share her spacious and Phone 0202-55564. Deaths Panoramaweg 15, D-7263, Bad well appointed flat. Long or short Neustein Susi Neustein died Liebenzell, W-Germany. stay. Tel: 071-328 6631. AJR CLUB peacefully on 2 August, aged 88. She Visiting solicitor for general legal needs helpers for Sundays or will be remembered with love and advice wanted. Box No. 1178. Thursdays 3.30 to 6 p.m. to serve affection by her large family and Antique furniture repaired, re­ Situations Vacant tea and to w/ash up many friends. stored, French polished. Original Disabled lady seeks companion Please contact: Boas Florence Boas passed away Furniture Craft. Established since carer. Live in, comfortable house. HildeBaban 071-359 9951 peacefully at home on 1.3 August, 1947. Tel: 081-455 8420. Duties alternative weeks. Driver aged 9.3. Deeply mourned by Edda Kind mature lady seeks private essential. Tel: 081-452 8985. LADY SEEKS and all her many friends. night care work with elderly person. Kind hearted middle-aged lady CARING POSITION Tischler Use Tischler died sud­ No nursing. Excellent references. wanted to assist elderly gentleman. Monday-Friday daytime. denly on 11 July. She was our loyal Tel: 081-531 8484. Live in, own room and bathroom. NW London area. helper for many years. A very spe­ Manicurist Visits your home 08 1- Cleaning lady provided. Tel: 071- TeL 081-459 0509. cial lady, she was loved by all who 445 2915. 722 5652. knew her. We will miss her greatly SATELLITE INSTALLATION _j SALES & REPAIRS IRENE FASHIONS Television - Videos - Aerials - Radios - The AdR does not accept stereos - Electrical Appliances responsibility for the formerly of Swiss Cottage NEW & SECONDHAND TV's/VIDEOS standard of service Sizes 10 to 50 hips FOR SALE rendered by advertisers. MASSIVE REDUCTIONS 25-75% OFF Tel: 081 -909 3169 Answerphone Very large reductions on all goods AVIS TV SERVICE A. EISENBERG Come and see for yourself I ALTERATIONS For an early appointment kindly ring before 11 am OF ANY KIND TO or after 7 pm 081-346 9057. RELIABLE & CAPABLE LADIES' FASHIONS PLUMBER I also design and make children's clothes offers a complete 24-hour West Hampstead area ANTHONY J. NEWTON plumbing service. Small 071-328 6571 jobs welcome. Please ring &C0 JOHN ROSENFELD FOR FAST EFFICIENT FRIDGE SOLICITORS on 071-837 4569 & FREEZER REPAIRS 22 Fitzjohns Avenue, Hampstead, NW3 5NB 7-day service C. H. WILSON ^ All parts guaranteed With offices in: Europe/dersey/USA Carpenter /f^^T^ Painter and Decorator f>4424a) J J. B. Services ALL LEGAL WORK UNDERTAKEN French Polisher / TeL 081-202 4248 Antique Furniture Repaired until 9 pm Telephone: 071 435 5351/071 794 9696 Tel: 081-452 8324 Car: 0831 103707

MAPESBURY LODGE TORRINGTON HOMES 'SHIREHALL' (Licensed by the Borough of Brent) AUDLEY MRS. PRINGSHEIM, S.R.N., Licensed by the Borough of Barnet for ttie elderly, convalescent and partly MATRON REST HOME Home for the elderly, convalescent incapacitated. For Elderly, Retired and Convalescent and incapacitated Lift to all floors. (Hendon) Luxurious double and single (Licensed by Borough of Bamet} for Elderly Retired Gentlefolk ' Single rooms comfortably appointed rooms. Colour TV, h/c, central treating, • Single and Double Rooms. * 24-hour care attendance private telephones, etc., in all rooms. * H/C Basins and CH in all rooms. Single and Double Rooms with wasfi ' Excellent cuisine Excellent kosher cuisine. Colour TV * Gardens, TV and reading rooms. basins and central tieating. TV lounge lounge. Open visiting. Cultivated * Long and short-term stay • Nurse on duty 24 tiours. and dining-room overlooking lovely Gardens. Telephone * Long and stiort term, including trial garden. Full 24-hour nursing care period if required. Matron 081-202 7411 or 24-tiour care—long and short term. Please telephone From £210 per week Administrator 078 42 52056 sister-in-charge, 081-450 4972 081-445 1244 Office tiours Licensed by the Borough of Barnet 93 Shirehall Park, 081-455 1335 ottier times Enquiries 081-202 2773/8967 Hendon NW4 17 Mapesbury Road, N.W.2 39 Torrington Park, N.12 (near Brent Cross) AJR INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 1990

But in achieving this success postwar, Obituary Austria committed several grievous sins of 40 Years Ago omission - from the reluctance to invite Bruno Kreisky fugitive Jews back (Kreisky only returned this Month four years after the war), to evading the Bruno Kreisky was the greatest Austrian confrontation with the Nazi past; long Old Acquaintances statesman of the postwar period; soine before the Waldheim scandal Austrian Interlude: - Here are two quotations would say the greatest since Metternich. war crimes trials foundered on the jurors' from German newspapers: a man was Born in 1911 into a wealthy Jewish sympathy for the accused. punished for hiding a copy of the ill-famed family, he studied law and became active Bruno Kreisky was both Austria's alibi 'Jud Suess' picture. He has to pay 100 Marks as a fine. On the other hand, Veit in the Socialist movement. Underground for sweeping the past under the carpet, activity landed him in jail in the mid- Harlan, who directed this picture, starts and a proinoter of that development. He working on a new film with his wife Thirties, and the Anschluss drove him to took fonner Nazi activists into his cabinet Kristina Soederbaum in the leading part. Sweden. and, when reprimanded by Simon Postwar he rose through the Austrian Kortner's Answer: - People in Munich Wiesenthal, engaged in acrimonious have the habit to show every visitor from diplomatic service, playing a key part in debate with the Nazi hunter. He abroad their ill-famed Moehlstrasse, the negotiations for the 1955 State Treaty demonstrated his severance of all ties with street populated by D.P.s dealing in the that restored Austrian independence on the Jewish cominunity (which he had black market. They don't say it, but they do it in order to give a reason for the new condition of permanent neutrality. He forinally left as a young Socialist) by then became in turn Foreign Minister, Antisemitism. When they led Fritz Kortner cultivating cordial relations with Yasser through Moehlstrasse, he commented 'Let Socialist Party leader and Chancellor - Arafat and Colonel Gadaffi. us keep our black-marketeers, and you which post he held for a record thirteen Bruno Kreisky was not only a worthy keep your murderers, please. . . .' years. During his 'reign' Austria enjoyed successor to the Jewish-born Austrian unprecedented prosperity internally and Socialist leaders Viktor Adler and Otto A/R Information September, / 9S0. growing influence abroad; Kreisky Bauer; he also exeinplified the tradition of transformed Vienna from a diplomatic Austrian-Jewish self-hate pioneered by backwater into a vital link between East Otto Weninger and continued by Karl and West, and even North and South. Kraus and Egon Friedell. D Search Notices Channah (Hannerl) Zahler. Born 1/9/1940 in Vienna. Information sought by Cornelia Mamber, 51 I Lafayette Blvd, Long Beach, NY 11561, who nursed her until she was sent to Theresienstadt in 1941. BELSIZE SQUARE SYNAGOGUE 51 Belsize Square, NW3 JOIN US FOR TEA Information is sought about Robert Heyman (a.k.a. Heymann-Dvorak). Born SELiCHOT SERVICE at the Synagogue with Choir and Cantor at 28/2/1879. A journalist, his last known piece Address by Rabbi was published in the 'Freie Deutsche on SATURDAY, 15th SEPTEMBER at 10 p.m. OTTO SCHIFF HOUSE Jugend' in 1940. Any information to: Otto HIGH HOLY-DAY SERVICES 14 Netherhall Gardens, NWS R. Braun, Verein der Freunde der (at the Grosvenor Rooms, Volksliteratur, Lenneisgasse I 1-13/5/5, 92 Walm Lane, NW2) A-II40 Wien. Rosh Hashanah: Eve 6.30 p.m. Our residents would be delighted if you 1st & 2nd Day 9.30 a.m. could find some time to sit and chat Ruth Spyer-Holstein. Born 1920, (2nd eve service at BELSIZE SQUARE 6.30 p.m.) Koln-Mulheim. Doctor's daughter, sister Kol Nidrei: 7.00 p.m. over a cup of tea and delicious cake. Yom Kippur: 10.30 a.m. Suzannah, school Genovefa Street. Sought Volunteers are required any day from by school friend. Contact: 35 Blenheim For tickets of admission apply to the Hon. Secretary, 51 Belsize Square. t\IW3. 4.00 pm-5.30 pm on a regular basis. Gardens, Wallington, Surrey SM6 9PJ. Your visit could make our residents very Gerhard Max Israel Rosenthal. Born SERVICES WILL BE OFFERED TO INFANTS, happy. CHILDREN AND YOUTH approx. 1928 in Mannheim, Germany. Came (at the Grosvenor Rooms, to UK 1938/9 and lived with a family in 92 Walm Lane, NW2) For further details contact the AJR Vicarage Road, Coalpit Heath near Bristol. Infants (0-5) Volunteers' Co-ordinator on 071-483 Later moved to South West England and Rosh Hashanah from 9.30-9.55 a.m. 2536. Yom Kippur from 10.30-10.55 a.m. worked in the printing trade. Children (64-) Any information to Heather Salmon, Rosh Hashanah from 10.00 a.m. Administrator, CBF World Jewish Relief, Yom Kippur at 11.30 a.m. Drayton House, 30 Gordon Street, London Youth Mifgash Memorial Service WCIHOAN. Yom Kippur 5-5.30 p.m. There will be a professionally supervised day-time An interdenominational memorial service, Mala Laaser, married to Moyes. Last creche for under 6's during the Services organised by the North West London known address: 9 Canfield Gardens, London SUCCOT SERVICES Regional Council of AJEX and the North NW6. Any information to: Angela Genger, at Belsize Square Synagogue West County Metropolitan area of the Mahn-und Gedenkstatte Dusseldorf, Eve: 6.30 p.m. Royal British Legion, in memory of those Miihlenstrasse 29, 4000 Dusseldorf I, West Morning: 10.00 a.m. who died in concentration and prisoner of (Kiddush after each service in Succah) Germany. war camps will be held on Sunday 2 RELIGION SCHOOL September at the Prisoners Memorial, Did you know Ernst Altmann? Arrived Beginning of the New Term Harwich 2 September 1939 aged 27, Sunday, 2nd September at 10 a.m. Gladstone Park, Dollis Hill, NW2 at 3 p.m. Registration of new pupils 10 a.m. accompanying Kindertransporte, Berlin. All are Welcome Space donated by Pafra Limited Originally from Dantzig. Box No. I 179.

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Haven near Papa Doc Land Plaque - but no claque for Werfel n mid-1938, with the position of Sosua's origins other than some 'exotic' The centenary of Franz Werfel's birth was German Jews deteriorating daily, an street names - calte Dr Robitschek, calle marked by two events in Vienna, where I international conference to ease their David Stern - and an inconspicuous little the Prague-born author had spent his plight convened at Evian. The Evian synagogue. Though the latter lacks a most productive years. A memorial plaque Conference proved, alas, long on words rabbi it is still in use, some of the original was unveiled in the presence of a personal and short on deeds. None of the settlers having stayed on postwar when representative of the Prime Minister of the governments involved - with one bizarre the great majority proceeded elsewhere. Armenian Soviet Republic. (Werfel's Forty exception - showed itself ready genuinely This residue comprises about twenty- Days of Musa Dagh dealt with Turkish to facilitate the entry of refugees into its five families. They continue to run dairy genocide of the Armenians during the own country. farms as well as the thriving cheese and Great War.) The exception was the Dominican sausage factories set up in the 1940s on There was also an international Republic (which shares a border - as well co-operative lines. This summer they plan symposium on the writer's work at which, as a history of bloody misrule — with to play hosts to ex-Sosuans and their however, criticism outweighed acclaim. Haiti). The Dominican dictator, families who will be returning to celebrate Participants cited adverse comments by Generalissimo Rafael Trujillo, offered to the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of some of Werfel's contemporaries, such as take in thousands of refugees. He did this the town. The centre-piece of their Robert Musil's 'I have nothing to say to a partly as an image-building exercise vis-a- celebrations will be the opening of a world in which Werfel finds interpreters', vis the United States, but mainly because museum chronicling the early days of a and Ernst Bloch's 'After the War Werfel he wanted to 'whiten' his black subjects unique community - unique also in the swopped his abstract pacifism for a toy through intermarriage with German and sense that it owed its existence to the race trumpet'; Martin Esslin, former Head of Austrian Jews. mania not merely of one, but of two BBC drama, described Werfel's plays as Trujillo orginally talked about six-figure dictators.D R.G. 'kitschig Burgtheater ham on the level of immigration. In the event a mere five school broadcasts'. thousand visas were issued, of which, Monumental argument with war supervening, a derisory 740 got Poison, literal and taken up. The fortunate few who reached The Vienna Monument to the Victims of metaphorical the Caribbean island encountered virtual Fascism, sculpted by Alfred Hrdlicka, jungle ameliorated by a balmy climate. generated controversy fromt he moment 1. G. Farben, who manufactured the They knuckled down, cleared the jungle, of its inception. After its unveiling in 1988 Zyklon B gas used in the gas chambers, set up dairy farming and established a the bronze figure of a Jew kneeling to and ran their own slave labour operation small town along the coast. scrub the pavement had not only had on the Auschwitz complex, were broken The township of Sosua exists to this paint thrown at it, but was urinated upon up after the war on Allied orders. A day, when a nearby airport makes it a by countless dogs while their owners holding company with assets for ' potential growth point of the Dominican stood by. Now the sculpture has been compensating Jewish slave workers tourist industry. There is little to indicate embedded in bronze barbed wire. D continued a shadowy existence, however. The shadow looks like acquiring a substance now that West German firms | can reclaim property nationalised in the Annely Juda Fine Art Biicher in deutscher Sprache, Bilder DDR. This prospect has boosted Farben Has moved to und Autographen 23 Dering Street (off New Bond Street), shares, and attracted speculative interest London W1R 9AA sucht on the part of the City of London. By a Tel: 071-629 7578 A. W. MYTZE macabre irony the leading City firm 1 The Riding, London NWll. Fax:071-491 2139 involved is linked to S. G. Warburg, the CONTEMPORARY PAINTING merchant bank established by AND SCULPTURE Tel: 071-586 7546 German-Jewish refugees. D '' Mon-Fri: 10 am-6 pm Sat: 10 am-1 pm Ich bitte um detaillierte Angebote

pfanine §firnreicfi MARIGOLD HOUSE ^-^ Aa lAIPT(AIPTIhI ANTHONY J. NEWTON & CO Brighton, East Sussex THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE Solicitors Family run home adjacent to Sea Front AROMATHERAPY offers accommodation for elderly Jewish REFLEXOLOGY We have established contacts with leading people, with full care and attention. Good Berlin lawyers in preparation for property Jewish food, spacious, comfortable claims in East Germany. rooms with 'en suite' facilities. Easy access to shops and buses. Permanent 5. CHANDOS ROAD. For further enquiries or short holiday stays. For further WILLESDEN. information please Phone: 0273-771957. Tel: 071-794 9696 TEL: (0X1) 452 2924 LONDON NW2 4LS

Published by the Association of Jewish Refugees in Great Britain, Hannah Karminski House, 9 Adamson Road, London NWS 3HX, Telephone 071-483 2536/7/8/9 Fax: 071-722 4652 Printed in Great Britain by Black Bear Press Limited, Cambridge