VOLume 15 NO.6 JUNE 2015 journal The Association of Jewish Refugees

Jews, minorities and anti-Semitism in Britain today ecent events in some European remember that many people considered it , hostility towards on account countries have created something of well-nigh unthinkable that British Muslims of their alleged identification with Israel and a climate of fear among those Jewish would ever undertake a terrorist outrage on the policies of the Israeli government. I do so communitiesR that now feel themselves under home soil – until 7 July 2005, the day of the even though the two forms of prejudice often threat. Both the terrorist outrages in Paris in Tube and bus bombs in London. overlap and cannot always be disentangled. January 2015, which began with the attack But what of anti-Semitism among the I would argue that anti-Semitism is a on the magazine Charlie Hebdo, and that in ‘native’ British population? Overt levels of particularly ugly excrescence that feeds Copenhagen in February 2015, which began anti-Semitism are low in this country when on a larger body of hatred and prejudice with an attack on a group discussing art, compared to, say, France or , where against ethnic minorities in general. The blasphemy and freedom of expression, ended hostility to Jews has historically been stronger Jewish refugees from Hitler who fled with attacks on Jewish targets – a kosher and more deeply rooted. This is not to deny to this country after 1933 sometimes supermarket and a respectively. that anti-Semitism exists in Britain, but experienced the raw reality of this poisonous In particular, in the Jewish communities of physical attacks on Jewish people by ‘native’ brew. An example was the young Charles France and Belgium, where four people were British aggressors are mercifully rare, while Hannam, born Karl Hartland in Essen, who killed in an attack on the Jewish Museum in the derogatory term ‘Jewboy’, commonplace described in the second and third volumes Brussels in May 2014, the rate of of his autobiography, Almost an emigration to Israel and elsewhere Englishman and Outsider Inside, the has increased to the extent that the intense and vicious racial prejudice future of those communities has he encountered when serving with been called into question. the British Army in Burma and Those atrocities were carried out India. Hannam’s fellow soldiers by Islamist extremists. The Muslim appear to have harboured a visceral, communities in France and Belgium deep-seated hatred and contempt are largely composed of immigrants for everything connected to the (and their descendants) originating native population. from the countries of north Africa, Writing of himself in the third which also contained substantial person, Hannam states: ‘Both the Jewish populations until the end of officers and the men he lived with French colonial rule, in Morocco had attitudes towards the Indians, and Tunisia in 1956 and in Algeria their civilization and their customs in 1962. The Jewish population that contained the same mixture then left, much of it joining the exodus of even in polite society in the 1930s, has all of contempt, hate and ignorance that the the French non-Arab population (the Pieds- but disappeared from public discourse. Nazis had shown towards the Jews.’ When Noirs) to France. As the Jewish and Muslim Anti-Semitic feeling appears to arise mostly he gave a lecture to his comrades on famine communities had lived in close proximity to where Jews have a high profile as outsiders in India and ended by asking them ‘And you one another in cities like Algiers and Oran, the or are perceived as an exotic, alien presence. don’t want the Indians to starve, do you?’, he tensions between them that had already been That is especially the case in areas with received the loud and unanimous response in existence there were transferred to France, substantial Orthodox or ultra-Orthodox ‘Oh yes we f****** do!’ All too aware that this following the substantial emigration to that communities like Stamford Hill in London, reservoir of racial prejudice might easily be country of Muslim Arabs from north Africa scene of a recent attack on a synagogue by a redirected against Jews, Hannam was at pains that created a community now numbering group of drunken young people. With the to conceal his origins from his comrades several million. British National Party, the repository of such throughout the years of his wartime service. In Britain, the Muslim community is swastika-waving anti-Semitism as remains That kind of crude, lower-class racial largely drawn from Pakistan and Bangladesh, in Britain, currently at an all-time low, prejudice has continued to lurk below the countries with little or no historical tradition the threat to Britain’s Jewish communities surface of British society since the war, of anti-Semitism. Relations between the from that quarter would appear to have only partially driven underground by the Jewish and Muslim communities in this diminished significantly. race relations legislation that has been country are accordingly less fraught than I should make it clear that for the enacted since the 1960s, and erupting in France, and there has been no equivalent purposes of this article I am distinguishing periodically into public view. In April to the murderous attacks on Jewish people between anti-Semitism as hatred of Jews pure 1968, London dockers demonstrated in and institutions launched by French-born and simple, which has existed for millennia, support of Enoch Powell with the chant or French-domiciled Islamists. One should, long antedating the founding of the state of ‘Paint them black and send them back.’ of course, beware of over-optimism: we all Israel, and what has become known as anti- continued on page 2  journal JUNE 2015  Jews, minorities and anti-Semitism in Britain today continued REGIONAL Earlier this year, video footage appeared of recognised this phrase as one of the most EDINBURGH English football supporters, Chelsea fans, potent founding myths of Nazi propaganda, WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE 2015 apparently preventing an African man by which took up with fatally telling effect the force from boarding the Paris metro, while false claim that Germany had never been Our keynote speaker proclaiming their pride in their racist views. defeated on the battlefield in November Agnes Hirschi, Shortly afterwards, another group of football 1918 but had been ‘stabbed in the back’ by the daughter of Carl Lutz, is coming supporters, West Ham fans, were reported to Jews and Socialists on the home front – the from Switzerland to join us have shouted highly offensive anti-Semitic Novemberverbrecher (November criminals) The title of her talk is chants while heading to a match against on whom vengeance must be wrought. ‘Swiss Diplomat Carl Lutz Tottenham Hotspur, a team with strong Some AJR members will also remember on Dangerous Missions’ Jewish associations. Again, the potential for how the argument that immigrants are the racial prejudice prevalent among such taking scarce resources from native British groups to be targeted against Jews, rather people – in itself a not unreasonable point than against more visibly ‘alien’ minority of view – can, in unscrupulous hands, be groups, came to the fore. given a racist slant and turned against Jews. Prejudice against minorities flourishes at In autumn 1945, anti-Semitic groups of the times of febrile and inflamed nationalism. In far right sought to use the housing shortage the general election campaign of May 2015, in the then Borough of Hampstead to rid the foreign affairs played a notably small role area of its large contingent of refugee Jews. but, when the outside world did intrude on A petition was launched, demanding the the parochial concerns of the British media, repatriation of German and Austrian refugees Carl Lutz, Swiss Vice-Consul in Budapest it was mostly presented in such figures as to their countries of origin, in order to free up from 1942 until the end of WWII, is credited workshy migrants exploiting the National accommodation for British people returning with saving over 62,000 Jews, the largest Health Service (a service that would collapse to the borough from war service. What rescue operation of Jews of the war. overnight without its immigrant doctors, became known as the ‘anti-alien petition’ Please bring along your family nurses and cleaners) or as an indistinct but was signed by over 2,000 local residents Lunch will be provided threatening horde gathering to menace ‘our’ but eventually collapsed ignominiously There will also be discussion groups and borders. Such views seem to stem from a in face of determined resistance from the the opportunity to socialise with friends curious combination of a loudly trumpeted liberal elements prominent in the borough. old and new sense of British superiority over other, lesser That did not stop similar arguments being For full details and an application form, breeds and a deep-seated insecurity bred deployed, and against similar targets. In please telephone Agnes Isaacs by the long decline in Britain’s power and 1953, opposing the admission of East on 07908 156361 standing in the world and its problematic European Jews, the Fascist leader Oswald or email [email protected] adjustment to its post-imperial situation. Mosley wrote in Union, the publication of Though Jews have not been the prime targets his Union Movement: ‘They will make no of the xenophobia latent in these attitudes, better citizens of Britain than the flood that that is no reason for complacency: people reached our shores in the 1930s. Let us put who go around shouting ‘We’re racist, we’re the British people first.’ racist and that’s the way we like it’ are hardly Anthony Grenville Eastbourne likely to form the most solid bulwark against Lansdowne Hotel any future wave of anti-Semitism. Sunday 5 July The political discourse of the May 2015 NORTHERN REGIONAL to Sunday 12 July 2015 election was also not always reassuring Come and join us for a week to Jews. Some will have been alarmed to LEEDS Make new friends and meet up hear a minister of the Crown attacking the TUESDAY 21 JULY 2015 with old friends Leader of the Opposition by claiming that Our keynote speaker will be £425pp for twin/double he was prepared to ‘stab his country in the £450 for single room back’. Any with a passing knowledge Dr James Smith, Co-Founder of the Beth Shalom Sea View rooms an additional £15 per room per night of modern European history would have Price includes transport to and from National Holocaust Centre and Eastbourne from Jubilee House, Stanmore, Museum, who will speak on and Finchley Road (behind Waitrose); AJR Chief Executive Michael Newman ‘Cultural Genocide: Did the World Sandwich Lunch on journey to Eastbourne; Dinner, Bed and Breakfast; Cards and Finance Director Learn from the Destruction of Entertainment David Kaye Germany’s Jews?’ Theatre Outing: Thursday Matinee Heads of Department Karen Markham Human Resources & Administration The day will include refreshments The Sound of Music £32 pp Sue Kurlander Social Services Carol Rossen will be among those Carol Hart Community & Volunteer Services and lunch, discussion groups and an opportunity to meet and socialise with accompanying the trip AJR Journal Space is limited so book early Dr Anthony Grenville Consultant Editor friends old and new. Dr Howard Spier Executive Editor For further details, please telephone Andrea Goodmaker Secretarial/Advertisements For full details and an application form, Andrea Goodmaker or Lorna Moss please contact on 020 8385 3070 Views expressed in the AJR Journal are not Wendy Bott on 07908 156365 or at necessarily those of the Association of Jewish Refugees and should not be regarded as such. [email protected]

2 JUNE 2015 journal

Vive la différence!

ome months ago I spent That I am sitting here in front of my are carers. Ernst arrived in Britain a few days with friends in computer, that I wasn’t gassed, shot from Germany at the age of 13 in SAugsburg and I soon became or starved to death in the 1940s, is 1936 and was joined by his parents aware that something was missing. due not to the compassion of the and younger brother a year later. What was it? Of course, there were British government for someone in He did well at school and got a only white faces! A city without mortal danger but solely to the fact scholarship to Cambridge and immigrants. Much as I loved my that the middle class was desperately eventually became a professor of friends’ company, I was glad to get short of domestic servants. mathematics. Of the five women, back to the diversity of multi-ethnic Do you remember Gordon Brown’s only one, Jeannie, Ernst’s gardener, London. ill-fated proclamation ‘British jobs was born in Britain, of an English- As I am writing this, we are a for British workers’? Well, according Jewish father and a Catholic-Spanish month away from a general election to two BBC documentaries, British mother. I, as I believe you know, and, along with the NHS and the workers are, for instance, totally was born in Vienna and the third economy, immigration is supposedly unwilling to pick fruit or wait at guest, Marsha, a psychologist, is an one of the issues that concerns tables in restaurants. If employers American Jew. Of the two carers, voters most. Consequently, rattled want the jobs done they have to look Nesa comes from the Philippines by the rise of UKIP, the two main elsewhere. and Jan is South African. parties are vying with each other in Let me just describe one fairly So, as you can see, there isn’t a their promises to stem the flow of ordinary day in my life. I get on a true Brit among us. Yet I think that people settling in Britain, despite bus. The driver is black. I shop in a none of us has ever been a burden on the findings of several independent supermarket. At least half the staff this country. I worked from the day I enquiries that immigrants benefit are of Asian or African/Caribbean arrived in to the day I retired; this country. origin. Even at the bank, I have Ernst had a brilliant career and, by all Well, I can only speak of London, an interview with a young Polish accounts, became an outstanding but how would this great city fare woman. In the evening I visit a teacher; Jeannie and Marsha are without migrant workers? dear friend who, sadly, has been still working incredibly hard; and Closest to home, neither I nor in a wheelchair for well over three would Ernst get such excellent care any of my friends would have a years. There are six of us: one man if it weren’t for people like Nesa and cleaner. There are certain jobs the – our host Ernst – and five women, Jan? Of all the agency carers he has British simply don’t want to do. three of whom are guests and two had, not one was British. Of course, not all immigrants are saints. There are spongers, criminals

Visit to the and yes, let’s face it, terrorists among them and I abhor some of London Canal Museum the practices they have imported, Thursday 16 July 2015 such as forced marriages and FGM. But, on the whole, I think, whether Visit to Brooklands they have come here as asylum Museum, home of seekers or for a better standard of Concorde living, they are prepared to work At the London Canal Museum you can see hard and are trying to assimilate. Tuesday 30 June 2015 inside a narrow boat cabin and learn about And, quite apart from the fact The first UK meeting between Great Britain the history of London's canals, the cargoes and France to discuss Concorde took place carried, the people who lived and worked on that – to give just two examples at Brooklands and more than 30 per cent of the waterways, and the horses that pulled – the NHS and public transport in every Concorde airframe, British and French, their boats. London would collapse without was manufactured here. Peer down into the unique heritage of a huge foreign workers, this great city Now her flying days are over, Concorde G-BBDG Victorian ice well used to store ice imported would be so much less interesting from Norway and brought by ship and canal is at Brooklands Museum. The first aircraft boat. without migrants. Even my great- ever to carry 100 people at twice the speed of niece, born and bred in Paris and sound – 1,350 mph – she arrived at Brooklands This unique waterways museum is housed in a former ice warehouse built in about 1862-3 who loves her native city, admitted in 2004 and, after a two-year restoration, that London was more exciting largely by volunteers, was officially opened for Carlo Gatti, the famous ice cream maker, and features the history of the ice trade and by HRH Prince Michael of Kent in July 2006. than Paris. ice cream as well as the canals. Give me multicultural, Join us for a visit to the Museum. Sit inside Following on from this visit we will have lunch Concorde. Lunch and refreshments included. multilingual, vibrant London any in a nearby restaurant. time, and you can keep uniform, For further details, please contact For further details, please contact boring places like Augsburg. Susan Harrod on 020 8385 3070 or Susan Harrod on 020 8385 3070 or at Yes, vive la différence! at [email protected] [email protected] Edith Argy

3 journal JUNE 2015 MEMORIES OF HILDE y mother, Hilde Schueler, Mandel, catering for bar née Susskind, escaped to and weddings. Most of her work was MEngland from Cologne on at weekends so my father took over a domestic permit in 1939. She left my mother’s role as child minder behind her mother, two brothers and cook at home. On reflection, and everything she ever knew. She this must have been quite unusual never saw them again! Her position for those times. One of my earliest as cook and home help, which memories is the incongruity of living enabled her to leave Nazi Germany in a post-war slum with no bathroom and come to England, was a tribute or running hot water and a shared to her resourcefulness. She always toilet with three other families, claimed to us that she had ‘never and mum coming home on Sunday even cooked an egg’ before her evenings with lots of luxurious food arrival in England! and left-overs. I am recorded as On the day she left Germany uttering the immortal line ‘Oh, not her mother presented her with smoked salmon again!’ on one such two recipe books – ‘one for best frozen vegetables turn to mush under evening. cooking’, the other for ‘everyday’. my mother’s strict regime. She was To me, Mrs Mandel seemed such They became her bible, though it convinced that current-day pesticides a sophisticated wealthy lady. She must have been a huge culture shock used in growing vegetables were originally came from Vienna and to be cooking for English palates. I dangerous and was determined to ran the catering company from her still have her ‘everyday’ book. ensure they were properly destroyed. smart one-room flat in Marble Arch. Food became a defining element Once cooked though, everything This room was multi-faceted. It was in my mother’s life after the war. was doused in butter so, if we didn’t her office (complete with telephone), Visits could rarely be spontaneous succumb to the chemicals, our arteries her sitting room (two armchairs because meals needed to be planned took the strain. and coffee table arranged around – her table always overflowed Hilde was expert in cooking duck. a two-bar built-in electric fire), and and no one was allowed to leave No one – not even her daughters – her bedroom, with a huge double remotely hungry. If anything was could cook duck as well as she could bed with lots of soft cushions and left on the plate they would be and she didn’t hesitate to tell us fringes. It took up the majority of chastised: ‘What’s the matter – are so – often! Many a time I tried to the room. She was the epitome of you on a diet?’ Woe betide you if prove I could match her expertise but sophistication to my child’s eyes. you announced you were full: ‘Oh somehow, whenever I tried, the duck I was fascinated by the full-sized no, what am I supposed to do with just didn’t work. Either too tough or crocodile skin (body and head) all this food!’ It never occurred to too dry or any of a long list of failings. lying on her bed, her very smart her to cook less. Even now, over eight years since her clothes and wonderful furs. Looking She had a disdain for ‘English death, I hesitate before buying duck, back, I realise that her lifestyle and cooking’, as she called it. Based no still hearing her voice in my head. the ‘company’ were all faux. The doubt on her refugee memories Throughout her life in England ‘company’ was merely a collection when she first arrived in an England budgets were tight, especially when of part-timers who, like my mum, suffering war rations, everything my father took early retirement due to were all refugees looking for pin seemed watered down and tasteless. ill health. However, mother was very money. They were all paid in cash Even in the last months of her life, fussy about where she shopped. She and occasional tips from grateful when she lived in her very grand had a repertoire of different outlets customers. I later learned that Mrs nursing home, she managed to for different food products. Marks M had assumed the title of Mrs complain about the menu and the and Spencer was top of her list and because she felt it would be better blandness of the food – voicing again even Selfridges Food Hall. She thought for business. So far as we know, her mantra ‘The English can’t cook!’ nothing of bussing up to Oxford Street there never was a Mr Mandel. It was I was never aware of mum to buy a challa from Selfridges. nevertheless quite a brave thing for a measuring anything – she either As children we were taught to single lady to do in the 1950s. guessed, or used a table spoon, appreciate everything that was put in Mum’s main role was to decorate though the results were usually front of us and were in serious trouble and design the hors d’oeuvres, delicious. Chicken soup and broiled if we made a fuss or refused to eat salads and open sandwiches for Mrs chicken were our comfort foods and something. It was served up again the M’s creations. She quickly became medicine for all ills, physical and next day, and even the next, until we an expert in the use of slices of emotional alike. It had to be kosher summoned up the courage to eat it!! cucumber to create flowers which chicken, mind you! We never kept a And pudding certainly did not feature sat on potato salads. Under mum’s kosher home, but she was adamant on the menu if the main dish was not deft hand, a buffet table was quickly that nothing less than a proper eaten up! transformed into a mouth-watering kosher chicken would suffice and At the end of the war my parents gourmet display. Even in her 80s, would travel miles to obtain one. moved to London and mother she still loved to show her culinary She firmly believed that vegetables supplemented the family income skills, helping to prepare teas at the needed to be boiled to extinction. throughout the 50s by taking a part- St John’s Wood Synagogue in Abbey This was always a constant source of time job. She joined a small catering Road. conflict between us as I watched even company run by the formidable Mrs continued on page 5 

4 JUNE 2015 journal REMEMBERING HANNERL hat a week of Holocaust was too late.’ with the crowds I mixed in. We went programmes on TV it was And I was overcome by a sudden to the seaside for weekends, sharing Wback in April! Just when we deep flush of guilt as I thought of a double room and big bed, giggling felt we had been sated with black-and- Hannerl. like schoolgirls, talking about boys and white footage of living skeletal figures I was 17, she 30, when we were dates. We went to the cinema and moving like ghosts across our screens, introduced to each other. She hadn’t discussed silly film stars. I was never came another horrific testimony from long been in England and her elderly aware that she was not an ordinary, a survivor – and more footage of the father had been looking for company carefree young girl like me. I did know barely living and dead. for her, young people to go out with. I that Hannerl was excessively attached Why do we keep on watching, knew very little about the family, other to her father, careful of his health reading, listening? and well-being, concerned about his ‘You shouldn’t – it all happened so heart condition. At some point during long ago!’, cry our grandchildren. For I sat with Hannerl over his flight from Vienna and settling in them it was all back in the Middle London, he had acquired a companion, Ages. My partner Frank Beck and I coffee one afternoon and asked a kindly and competent Viennese are nevertheless compelled to bear her, tentatively, why she had never lady who looked after him well, witness once again, even if only to told me what had happened to her. ‘You so that Hannerl was able to go to hold hands and remind each other work and go out. once again how lucky we were. know, darling,’ she said gently, ‘when I The age difference between us How easily it could have been us. first needed to talk, nobody wanted to never mattered. We moved in a The televised film and listen. And after a while I no longer largely Viennese refugee circle and documentary of the Eichmann trial even went dinner-dancing on double was one such reminder. It packed a needed to.’ dates. When I went to New York at powerful punch although not a whiff the age of 19, I left behind not only of Hollywood went into its making. my dear Hannerl but also my Viennese One of the last scenes in the production than that her father had escaped to boyfriend. When I returned to London was a recreation of an interview with a England from Vienna, leaving his after a six-month absence, Hannerl had Belsen survivor living in Israel. There was family to follow. It was only after become engaged to an older Viennese a close-up of the tattoo on her forearm, the war that Hannerl was able to man and I was able to attend their the number which had been given her do that, having lost her mother and wedding. when she no longer had a name. younger sister in Theresienstadt. I At some point during the later post- ‘After we were released and I came was never told, nor had I asked, the war years, when we were both married, out to live in this community,’ the circumstances of her coming over. She I with children, there had been another Belsen survivor tells the interviewer, never volunteered information, nor spate of Holocaust literature. I sat with ‘no one seemed to want to know had I encouraged it. Incredible now, Hannerl over coffee one afternoon and where I had come from, where I thinking back. asked her, tentatively, why she had had been. When the media finally We fell into an easy friendship, an never told me what had happened to opened up, years later, and the world intimate relationship, based on the her. was flooded with films and books, fact that I was the youngest of a large ‘You know, darling,’ she said gently, when there was television in people’s family, three of my siblings having ‘when I first needed to talk, nobody homes, then suddenly there was a recently left home to live abroad. For wanted to listen. And after a while I no big interest in stories like mine. It me Hannerl became a confidante, longer needed to.’ became almost chic to be associated never a rival, but a loving friend. And I, I am still deeply ashamed that I with . Survivors vied though it was years before I realised it, never asked her directly, thinking, in with one another to tell their tales. must have been a sort of replacement my ignorance and mislaid sensitivity, What had been rather distasteful – (albeit, I fear, a poor one) for the sister that it seemed better not to broach not to be discussed in public – was she had lost. the subject. almost shouted from the rooftops. Outwardly Hannerl was always Even though Hannerl has been dead The unbelievable suddenly became cheerful, agreeing to come to parties, for over 40 years, I still regret it. believed. But for me,’ she finishes, ‘it concerts and dances with me, popular Mary Brainin Huttrer

 Memories of Hilde cont. from p.4 Mum survived separation from all became much narrower. However, she story of remarkable bravery or heroic that she knew and made a life for continued to cook and bake every day acts, but her refusal to be cowed by herself (and us) in a strange land. She for herself and her visitors. We cannot circumstances and her determination then nursed her husband throughout eat apple strudel or smoked salmon to make a life in the face of much a long illness before enjoying the role without her ghost making sure it is hardship stand as a testament to of grandmother to my own children. prepared properly …. those unheralded refugees who Until the last year of her life, she still Throughout her life, she remained merely ‘got on with it’. lived in the flat in Maida Vale she positive and sought only the good. We miss her terribly: Hilde Schueler, and Alfons had made their home When asked why she employed as née Susskind, 29 September 1911 for most of their married life. Her a cleaner a young girl who couldn’t – 4 March 2007. eyesight and hearing deteriorated speak English so well, she would Yvonne Susan Maxwell considerably and her food repertoire simply say ‘I remember!’ Hers is not a (née Schueler)

5 journal JUNE 2015 on a far superior level of entertainment – some real talents there! I remember many of the businesses mentioned. So strange to see all those names of long ago come to life again as it were! Mr Breuer, the typewriter repair man, used to come to our office at the Yugoslav Government-in-Exile, I recall. He was Croatian-born himself. The Editor reserves the right As for that fur shop, I’m not sure if it to shorten correspondence was the one my mother used to take her submitted for publication furs to each spring to be repaired and taken care of till the winter – a good idea. The shop was near West Hampstead Tube Station. PRESERVING THE MEMORY OF THE HOLOCAUST I also remember seeing the name Hallgarten advertising German wines a lot. Sir – I was both saddened and shocked There is a great deal of ignorance – Margarete Stern, London NW3 by the letter from Bronia Snow (April) especially among young people – about regarding the government’s commitment the terrible events which particularly, but Sir – I was interested to read Anthony of £50 million to preserve the memory not exclusively, affected our people, and Grenville’s very good article ‘The joys of of the Holocaust. unfortunately racism and anti-Semitism advertisements’ on the front page of your This gesture, supported by all parties, are again on the increase. Any resources March 2015 edition. He references my to commemorate the greatest crime used in combating this is money well grandparents’ chocolate shop Ackermans, in the history of the world is to be spent. saying the first shop was opened in greatly welcomed, especially by all those Bronia Snow’s suggestion that the Kensington High Street (in fact, I think directly affected by it. The purpose of £50 million would be better spent on it was Kensington Church Street) and the proposed National Memorial and increasing our defence budget would the second in Goldhurst Terrace. I always Learning Centre is not only to remember have an entirely negligible effect – much thought it was the other way round. I what happened but also to ensure that more could be achieved in this respect was wondering if Anthony had a particular nothing similar can ever happen again by more efficiency and better allocation source for this? to any group of people simply because of resources. Michael Rose, London NW6 of their religion, race or colour. George Vulkan, Harrow Anthony Grenville: Michael Rose is right that the shop was in Kensington Church this country. Obviously it was impossible ‘PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT’ FOR Street. But I’m right in saying that the for my wife to be described as ‘German’ NATURALISATION OF EX-REFUGEES Kensington branch came first. I obtained in the UN booklet so eventually her name Sir – In Anthony Grenville’s interesting all my information from the ads in the appeared as the only one without a article (April) on the treatment of previous back issues of AJR Information, where nationality behind it. I had tried to press general elections by AJR Information, in December 1956, page 3, Ackerman’s the War Office to accelerate the granting he also refers to the naturalisation of Chocolates of 43 Kensington Church Street of my application for naturalisation, but ex-refugees. I should like to add that at announced the opening of their new without success. the end of March 1946 an Army Council Hampstead branch in Goldhurst Terrace. Instruction was issued according to which Fritz Lustig, London N10 ex-refugees from Germany and Austria Sir – My sister Ann Stanton and I wanted to who were in the Army would be given ‘THE JOYS OF ADS’ express our appreciation, albeit belatedly, ‘preferential treatment’ if they applied for Sir – George Vulkan (April) claims to have of Anthony Grenville’s including our late naturalisation. lived in a boarding house at 3 Adamson father Mac Goldsmith (Max Goldschmidt) Special forms were issued by the Army Road during the Blitz. He must obviously in his interesting article. authorities, which we had to complete have meant Boarding House Sachs, which Metalastik was already ‘of national and which then had to be counter-signed was at 4 Adamson Road (later converted importance’ during the Second World by the Commanding Officer. I was still in into the Swiss Cottage Hotel) and an War and became the largest European uniform, serving with the BAOR (British additional house just across the road at producer of specialised metal to rubber- Army of the Rhine) in Germany, and of number 9 (later taken over by the AJR). I do bonded components in the 1950s until course filled in the application form. Even remember the delicatessen shop Kallir too. taken over by Dunlop. so, it took until May 1947 before my As for Francis Steiner’s letter, Dr John D. Goldsmith, naturalisation came through. Michaelis certainly did practise as an Pfaeffikon, Switzerland At that time, married women could orthopaedic specialist or bonesetter here not be naturalised in their own right, in Swiss Cottage. My mother used to swear WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE FOR YOUNG and my wife, who had been in the ATS by him. I remember him too as well as his JEWS IN NAZI GERMANY from 1943 to 1945, had to wait until I middle-aged German-born Jewish nurse Sir – It may be of interest to some of your became a British citizen before she was quite clearly. Such a friendly place! readers to know that an interview with also naturalised as my spouse. This delay As for Anthony Grenville’s front-page me by Mark Lucas has been made into worried us a lot as she was employed by article ‘The joys of advertisements’, I a film. My eldest granddaughter, Joanna the Preparatory Commission of the United found it interesting to read that Peter Gibbons, organised the film so that my Nations in London, who issued a booklet Herz returned to his native Vienna as family (I have 11 great-grandchildren) can with the names and nationalities of all long ago as 1953. I never found him learn what life was like for young Jews their staff. The British Government did not funny or entertaining with his standard under the Nazi government in Germany. recognise the Nazi decree depriving us of ‘Ich wünsche Ihnen eine Peter Herzliche A short version of the film can be seen our German nationality, so officially we Unterhaltung!’ (I wish you Peter Herz-ish on YouTube. were still considered ‘German nationals’ in Entertainment). I used to find the Laterndl I am now nearly 94 years old and my

6 JUNE 2015 journal four children and nine grandchildren are great-grandchildren. retire. is already an extension all very involved with our history. The parents of many children did not of Mea Sharim. Tel Aviv and Haifa must I came to Scotland with my mother as survive. Some managed to get to this hold out. domestics. We were fortunate not to be country and work as domestic servants. And, while writing about the ultra- arrested in Germany and to be able to start The varied adventures of those who orthodox, I must mention the Bushey a new life in a tolerant country. managed to get out of Austria and eruv. There was very recently a nasty Ruth Young, Sidcup, Kent Germany also make fascinating reading. anti-Semitic letter in the Watford Observer Some went to France, Holland and attacking the eruv but I understand the SHARING CHILDHOOD Belgium thinking they would be safe, objections. The Bushey RECOLLECTIONS only to be caught in the trap once again. is attempting social engineering by Sir – I have just returned from a Pesach Some travelled to Russia, across Siberia to tempting more Jews, particularly ultra- break in Brighton, where I met many Vladivostok, and boarded a ship to get to orthodox ones, into Bushey with this eruv. friendly people, but I was especially Japan or China. This could well cause anti-Semitism in the delighted to find quite a number of AJR The book is enthralling on every level small Hertfordshire town. members with whom to reminisce about and very attractive to look at. On a happier note, personally I am our childhood years. I can remember so Bronia Snow, Esher delighted with the UK election results. At many songs from those early years like least we have a prime minister who is not ‘Kommt ein Vogel geflogen’ or ‘Es klappert WHO IS A JEW? siding against Israel as his opponent was. Sir – I refer to Professor Brent’s recent die Mühle’, but the one that really always Peter Phillips, Loudwater, Herts unites us is ‘Hänschen klein ging allein’. review of Shlomo Sand’s book How I It must be a curious sight indeed to Stopped Being a Jew in your journal. I SECOND-CLASS SOLDIERS see a number of elderly people singing agree that Mr Sand’s views lack intellectual Sir – As additional information to the children’s songs but it does bring back rigour as he dislikes Israeli policies but will review ‘Second class soldiers’ by Edward happy memories before the Nazi years not divest himself of citizenship while yet Timms (April), it may be of interest that my destroyed our youthful innocence. attempting to divest himself of . father, Julius Hirsch, a journalist and junior It always gives me great pleasure Who is a Jew has been and remains a colleague of Theodor Herzl in the Neue to meet fellow AJR members. I feel we recurring topic. Freie Presse, was the Austro-Hungarian have a great bond and it gives me the Why is it that people who dislike the press representative at the German happy opportunity to share many of my idea that they are classed as Jews and want headquarters with, I believe, the honorary childhood recollections. to be dissociated from them have such an rank of major. In those days there were not (Mrs) Meta Roseneil, obsession with the wrongs in Israeli society many war correspondents about. I am in and are ever ready to join the UN Human possession of his book, Aus der Mappe A PUBLICATION FOR EX-REFUGEES? Rights group (a misnomer considering its eines Kriegsberichterstatters (From the Sir – In your May issue, Henri Obstfeld members), and anti- Semites in general, in Folder of a War Reporter), published in accuses me of misrepresentation for my their strictures against Israel while totally Gothic print. statement that the AJR Journal is produced ignoring the awful wrongs and literally Frederick Hirsch, Pinner by ex-refugees for ex-refugees. This thousands of deaths in other parts? There gentleman confesses never to have been a are many things wrong in Israel but words FRIENDS‘ SCHOOLS refugee – which is, or was, his good luck. such as genocide and apartheid so freely Sir – Besides the Friends‘ School in Saffron As for the Second Generation of used are really beyond the pale. Walden, the Friends‘ School in Great Ayton AJR members, whom I am accused I feel that what should always be borne (Yorkshire) had a number of boys from of overlooking, they are simply the in mind is that no one, whether a Christian Vienna and I attended it as a day girl, descendants of ex-refugees – no more convert or not, had the luxury of resigning being fostered in the area for the first year no less. from ‘Jewry’ – whatever it means – during of my arrival in the UK. As my brother, E. G. Kolman, Greenford, Middx the Holocaust or the expulsions from two years my senior, had already left the France in 1182, from England, from Spain, 300 KINDER school with School Certificate he visited Vienna in 1670 or St Petersburg in 1891. It it for their open day, which happened to Sir – Leslie Baruch Brent, in his review therefore appears that the world will judge coincide with the day all ‘enemy aliens’ at of Michele Gold’s book Memories That who is a Jew and treat them as they will the school were interned. Won’t Go Away, regrets that only some and we can discuss this question endlessly. Following the Anschluss the Quakers 300 Kinder were mentioned and wonders Hans-W. Danziger, London W4 were deeply involved in helping Jewish how Michele Gold selected these Kinder. children. They apparently arranged for Two or three years ago, I came across MATTERS OF ORTHODOXY some to come on the , her request in the Kindertransport section Sir – My respect for Benjamin Netanyahu though I have no detailed information of the AJR for Kinder to contact her as is disappearing fast, as is my love of about this. she intended to write a book. I replied Israel. The cabinet he has put together in Eva Frean, London N3 and sent her my story. I assume that is his new coalition government frightens how she acquired most of the names. In me. Members of the two ultra-orthodox A MUST FOR FOOTBALL FANS some cases, she was only able to produce religious parties – Shas and United Sir – Stephen Brownstone’s review in your a name and dates. – have now been joined by Jewish Home, May issue of Dominic Bliss’s biography The book is a wonderfully original the party of the ultra-orthodox settlers, in of Ernö Egri Erbstein, the Jewish football one and a fine addition to the many important ministerial positions. manager, reminded me of an absolutely Kindertransport accounts we will all have Herzl envisaged Israel as a secular state fascinating and entertaining book: read. Looking at the beautiful young and prime ministers like Ben-Gurion and Does Your Know You’re Here? faces pictured in the book, one feels an Golda Meir ran it as such. As we all know, by Anthony Clavane. This is the story enormous sense of gratitude to the many Netanyahu will do anything to keep power. of the involvement of Jews as players, kind people who gave the children a Now he is in danger of turning Israel into administrators and owners in English home, thus saving them from Hitler’s gas a religious fundamentalist state just as professional football. I was given a signed chambers. Most of these children went his Arab neighbours have done in their copy by my son, who is a friend of the on to forge very successful careers and lands. Israel could have an ‘Ayatollah’ – an author, but it is a must for any of you who contribute to society. They married and ultra-orthodox rabbi – taking over from are football fans. had children and grandchildren and great- Netanyahu when he finally decides to Peter Gildener, Truro

7 journal JUNE 2015

and after the Civil War he returned there, joining a painters’ guild in Middleburg near Zeeland. Despite the toughness of the REVIEWS Dutch art market he succeeded and died a wealthy man. ‘Second-Generation ART There is a subtlety about his work and Syndrome’ his ability to capture likeness makes him SPLINTERS FROM KRISTALLNACHT: NOTES an accessible artist even to modern eyes. TWO YOUNG JEWS IN HITLER'S No Set Rules GERMANY GLORIA TESSLER (to 15 June 2015) includes the Ben Uri’s own collections plus edited by Ann Bradshaw and works from the Philip Schlee Collection Stephen Kaufmann 2014, 123 pp. paperback. ornelius Johnson (Cornelis and features artists working in Britain Janssens van Ceulen, 1593-1661) between 1920 and 2004. Nearly 50 The print version and a Kindle version was called Charles I’s forgotten leading artists, from Frank Auerbach, (without photographs) are available at C David Bomberg, Jane Joseph, Leon Amazon.co.uk painter but now the National Portrait Gallery is rehabilitating him with its first Kossoff, Michael Rothenstein, Glenn his slim volume is self-published exhibition devoted to his work (to 13 Sujo and Edward Toledano to Gillian and contains many photographs, September 2015). The Gallery has trawled Ayres, David Hockney, Henry Moore and which are mostly interspersed Graham Sutherland T through its collection to include portraits of , cover subject matter, among the text. The editors are Charles’s children, his successor Charles II, technique and practice, from figuration to children of the couple Gerda Just abstraction, monochrome to colour. I loved the future James II, and Mary, later Princess and Hans Kaufmann, who tell their revisiting Leon Kossoff’s monochromatic of Orange-Nassau, all painted in 1639. life stories, and Ann Bradshaw has In 1657 Johnson painted the future tumbledown Christ Church – more ‘shtetl’ than Spitalfields – and Frank Auerbach’s written quite a long introduction William III of Orange, only son of Charles (24 pages) in which she describes I’s widowed daughter Mary, and the young Study for Mornington Crescent, which shares their attitude to each other and to man’s lugubrious face beneath his shoulder- that fragile quality, but a few tenuous slabs length dark hair betrays a grimly striking of colour somehow lend it permanence. the world around them. She also resemblance to his doomed grandfather. states that ‘we, the children of these Cornelius Johnson’s reputation was German Jewish refugees, have our overshadowed by that of his contemporary, own life-long psychological scars’. It Sir Anthony Van Dyck, who came to is perhaps worth pointing out that London as royal painter in 1632 only to this does not apply to all ex-refugee have his own British career trounced by families – my two sons, for example, the Civil War. But Johnson’s gifts should do not suffer from what might be recognised in their own right. More be called the ‘Second Generation than 350 years later we see how clearly Syndrome’. he captured the siblings’ similarity and Ann Bradshaw makes it clear that lovingly recreated the lavish fabrics, the lace and voluminous sleeves of his royal her mother came from a somewhat sitters as civil war loomed. The almost higher social background than her deathly pallor of their skin contrasts with father: ‘she maintained all her life that the lushness of the materials which clothed she was interested in classical music them and seems, in retrospect, a metaphor and opera, perhaps to distinguish for the royal family – a doomed species on herself from Dad, who was definitely the edge of war. not a “cultured person”.’ Gerda came Johnson portrayed other nobles too, from a town called Crossen an der like Thomas, first baron of Coventry, Oder (now Krosno Odrzanskie in appointed Lord Keeper of the Great Seal by Poland), her father from Lichtenau, Charles I, in lavish velvet robes. a small village in Bavaria. Hans One particularly striking image is that of a notorious society beauty, Frances, Leon Kossoff spoke German with a Bavarian Countess of Somerset (1590-1632). Christ Church, Spitalfields, Spring (1992) accent whereas Gerda had no accent. Divorced from Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl Hans was from an Orthodox Jewish of , in 1613, she married Robert Carr, family, which kept the Sabbath and Earl of Somerset, but the pair were later a kosher household. After he arrived imprisoned on charges of poisoning Sir in England he continued to go to the Thomas Overbury, who had opposed their Annely Juda Fine Art local synagogue although professing marriage. In this painting, Johnson pays 23 Dering Street that he was an atheist. His daughter great attention to her dress, her stiff lace says ‘to him, his religion was his ruff, but does not shrink from suggesting (off New Bond Street) personal link with his forefathers and the femme fatale in her wryly conniving Tel: 020 7629 7578 his former life in Lichtenau.’ Gerda expression. We shall never know the truth as the pair were later pardoned but, in Fax: 020 7491 2139 refused to run a kosher household: typical cherchez la femme fashion, she was for her these food laws were outdated blamed for having brought her husband CONTEMPORARY and were introduced only because of so low. PAINTING AND SCULPTURE the hot climate in Palestine. Johnson trained in the Gerda and Hans’s children

8 JUNE 2015 journal persuaded them to write down their Pioneer Corps and stayed in the army life stories mainly for the benefit for six-and-a-half years. On his release of their grandchildren but also as he worked for a year as an employee historical evidence and a warning of a painting and decorating firm to posterity. Gerda did so when she and established his own business in was in her fifties, in 1976, going as the same trade afterwards. At about OUTING TO far back as joining the ATS in 1943, that time he married Gerda. REGENT’S PARK and completed the story, after a long In the last chapter Ann Bradshaw OPEN AIR THEATRE interval, in 1988. Gerda’s story is very describes very briefly – in barely two THURSDAY 9 JULY 2015 much longer than Hans’s – over 70 pages – conditions at the French pages and 11 pages respectively. camp Gurs, where her father’s mother 2.15-5.00 pm Gerda writes in great detail about had been sent shortly after the war ‘The Seagull’ their extended family and friends started. She survived but nothing is by Chekhov said about her later fate. and about her pre-school years As guests assemble at a country house for and also life at school, which she The lives Gerda and Hans relate the staging of an avant-garde open-air did not enjoy as she was not an are similar to those of most refugees play, artistic temperaments ignite a more and their stories do not include any entertaining drama behind the scenes, with academic type. She came to Britain romantic jealousies, self-doubt and the with the Kindertransport and became extraordinary events or experiences. ruthless pursuit of happiness confusing lives, a student nurse, which she also I wonder therefore whether potential loves and literature. hated. Following the outbreak of war readers who are not connected Directed by Matthew Dunster and featuring with the family, and particularly Olivier Award-winner Janie Dee, ‘The Seagull’ the ex-refugee girls at the hospital was the first of Chekhov’s great works and were told to leave as the hospital AJR members, would find the is celebrated as one of the most important was turned into a military one. She book interesting. Unfortunately plays of the nineteenth century. the reproduction of most of the then took a job in a private nursing Tickets £22.50 pp photographs is rather poor – if there home but never qualified as a nurse. In the event that the performance cannot Subsequently she became a nanny, are groups of people you cannot be completed owing to bad weather, looking after an 18-month-old boy. see their faces and on the numerous tickets will be exchanged for an alternative photos of documents you can hardly performance. If you are unable to make the When she was called up for war work alternative date arranged by the AJR there in 1943 she chose to join the WAAF read a single word. Because the book is no time limit on exchanging your tickets: but, unaware that the RAF did not is self-published no professional as long as you keep your original tickets you editor was involved and this is can attend another performance, even a year accept ‘aliens’ at the time, found later, at a date to suit. However, no refunds herself in the ATS. There she trained noticeable: the punctuation could be will be given. improved and there are some factual as a cook and worked as such, first in For a booking form, please contact Bulford on Salisbury Plain and then in errors and misprints. Susan Harrod on 020 8385 3070 or at in north Devon. She was Fritz Lustig [email protected] medically downgraded in 1945 and then worked as a clerk until she got out of the ATS. AWARD NAMED IN HONOUR OF Hans’s story can be summarised PROFESSOR LESLIE BRENT very briefly. He and his twin brother were the youngest of five siblings. he Transplantation Society the Transplantation, TTS Tribune (TTS) has announced two and TTS website at www.tts.org By the end of 1934 their two elder new prestigious prizes to be Professor Brent, a member of sisters and brother had emigrated to T awarded annually to the best basic the AJR and a frequent contributor other countries. Hans’s twin brother science and translational science to the AJR Journal, is considered obtained a job as an apprentice published in the journal a pioneer in the field baker some 70 miles away and Transplantation. of tissue and organ Hans became an apprentice painter The Leslie B. Brent transplantation. He and decorator, remaining in that Award will be for the was the co-author with business for four years. But - as a most outstanding P. B. Medawar (Nobel Jew - he was not allowed to take the paper published in Prize Laureate 1960) and examination making him ‘officially’ Transplantation in the R. E. Billingham a trained decorator. During the field of Basic Science of a very influential Kristallnacht pogrom he was arrested research. The Anthony publication in the J. Monaco Award 1956 Philosophical and sent to Dachau concentration will be for the most Transactions B of the camp, where he remained for two- outstanding paper Royal Society, a paper and-a-half months. His mother was published in Transplantation in that was recently selected by the able to get him released as he had the field of Translational Science Society as one of the 17 most obtained permission to come to research. influential papers published in the Britain as a member of the advance The Awards comprise a 350 years of its existence. At the party refurbishing Kitchener Camp at certificate and $1,000 USD to the age of 90, Professor Brent continues Richborough. first author(s). to be invited to international In January 1940 Hans joined the The winners will be featured in conferences.

9 journal JUNE 2015 ‘CONSULTANT FOR HUMAN HAPPINESS’ Otto Neurath and post-war housing in Britain n 27 November 1945, the in the artistic circles of a small social and exhibition in a Viennese mathematician, economic elite. local shop in Ophilosopher and sociologist In 1932, just two years after the Bilston which Otto Neurath wrote what was to be Werkbundsiedlung opened, both Frank made use of his final letter to his dear friend, the and Neurath would be forced to flee the Neurath’s architect and designer Josef Frank. increasingly volatile political situation trademarked The two men had collaborated since in Austria. Frank emigrated to Sweden pictographic the early 1920s, when Neurath invited and enjoyed success with Svenskt Tenn, language Frank to be the exhibition architect the famous interior design company in Isotype, and Ella Otto Neurath, for his Museum for Settlement and Stockholm. Neurath’s escape from Austro- Briggs, who had 1882-1945 City Planning (1923), later renamed Fascism was not as straightforward – after worked closely with Neurath and Frank the Museum for Society and Economy time spent in the Soviet Union and the in inter-war Vienna, would become the (1925). Just weeks before his sudden Netherlands, in 1940 he arrived in Britain, chief architect behind the Stowlawn death from a heart attack at his where he was interned on the Isle of Man Estate (1947). The exhibition Bilston’s Oxford home on 22 December 1945, for six months before settling in Oxford. Happy Housing: Otto Neurath’s Vision Neurath expressed his desire for Frank The two maintained a close friendship and for Post-War Modern Living ran at the to come to England and embark on corresponded regularly, although sadly Bilston Craft Gallery from March 2015 an enterprise that would be similar they were never to meet again. and closed on 2 May 2015. It presented in style and spirit to what they had In 1945, Dr Robert Abbott, the the stories and objects of the Viennese accomplished in ‘Red Vienna’. He Chairman of the West Midlands legacy in the Black Country and looked was particularly excited to share the Development and Reconstruction at how Neurath’s ideas on ‘happiness’ news that he had been invited to be a Committee, commissioned Neurath to could continue to shape the future of ‘Consultant for Human Happiness’ in organise an exhibition on ‘housing and British housing. the Black Country town of Bilston, just happiness’ in Bilston. Located in the Dr Sabrina Rahman outside Wolverhampton. geographical centre of the Black Country, Northumbria University Neurath’s ideas on ‘happiness’ Bilston provided a unique opportunity evolved out of his central role in creating to apply Viennese social housing to a new housing estates to accommodate new context. The landscape was derelict the working-class residents of inter-war and essentially uninhabitable due to the ARTS AND EVENTS Vienna. In the late 1920s, he and Frank long history of coal mining and heavy JUNE DIARY became the chief planners of the Austrian industrialisation. In November 1945, Werkbund estate (Werkbundsiedlung), Neurath received a formal invitation to 3-27 June ‘Now This Is Not the End’ To coincide with the 70th anniversary of the a project intended as a critical response be a consultant for the re-planning of Holocaust, Rose Lewenstein’s play receives to the Weissenhofsiedlung in Stuttgart, Bilston and the following month he was its world premiere. The author explores the executed by members of the German appointed by Abbott to be a key advisor meaning of legacy, identity and our sense Werkbund in 1927. It was in the writings on the town’s Health Committee, where of belonging through the eyes of three generations of Jewish women. At Arcola around the Werkbundsiedlung that he would work on issues of health Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL, Neurath began to talk about a ‘maximum education and rehousing. This was box office 020 7503 1646. All tickets £12 of happiness’ (Glücksmaximum) in ‘real’, a situation not unlike that in Vienna using code PARTNER12 as opposed to ‘ideal’, homes. This could following the First World War, and so Wed 3 ‘Helen Fry with Melanie McFadyean’ be accomplished only by encouraging Neurath, given his ground-breaking In this illustrated talk, journalist Melanie McFadyean discusses her family’s residents to engage actively and work with urban planning initiatives, 70-roomed house Herbertshof, one of the thoughtfully with the furnishing of their was an exceptionally suitable candidate grandest and most beautiful houses in own homes, with an emphasis on the to guide this programme. Potsdam, Berlin. The house and its paintings, power of colour and ornament to bring Neurath’s untimely death meant which belonged to her grandfather, Herbert Guttman (a founder of the Deutsche Bank), ‘happiness’ into everyday domestic life. that his activities in Bilston could never were confiscated by the Nazis. At JW3, 2.00- Neurath and Frank called for modern be fully realised; nevertheless, his ideas 3.30 pm. Tel Immanuel on 020 7433 8988 architecture to be deeply integrated on ‘housing and happiness’ made their Wed 24 ‘Double Exposure’ Dr Bea into society, far away from the abstract mark on the town and paved the way for Lewkowicz’s film, shown here in the UK concepts of modernity that until 1932 future projects. Neurath’s widow Marie for the first time in its entirety, explores the lives of 25 Jewish refugees from had only been developed and explored Reidemeister curated a ‘happiness’ Austria who emigrated to Britain as young adults and children. Plus post-screening Q&A with the director. In association with the AJR. At JW3 Cinema, 2.00 pm. Tel ‘Memories That Won't Go Away’ Immanuel on 020 7433 8988 To 2 Oct 2015 ‘Humanity After the he speaker at our April windows of ceramic train carriages Holocaust: The Jewish Relief Unit, 1943- Kindertransport Group monthly created by artist Gabriella Karin. 1950’ This newly curated temporary lunch meeting was Michele Michele’s mother was a Kind from exhibition at the Wiener Library marks the T 70th anniversary of the liberation of Bergen- Gold, author of Memories That Won’t Germany and Michele, who now lives Belsen. The exhibition focuses on the Go Away: A Tribute to the Children of in the USA, is a Board Member of the Library’s outstanding collections relating to the Kindertransport (reviewed in the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, the post-war relief and rehabilitation work AJR Journal’s March 2015 issue). The where she works as an educator, of the Jewish Relief Unit in Bergen-Belsen book tells the stories of many Kinder speaking mainly to young people. and elsewhere. 10 am-5 pm Monday to Friday and until 7.30 pm on Tuesdays. whose photographs were put in the David Lang Admission free. Tel 020 7636 7247

10 Yom HaShoah 2015 JUNEJUNE 2015 journal Out of the depths: 70th anniversary of liberation of Bergen-Belsen A commemoration of the liberation of the was honoured to be part of a concentration camps in 1945 delegation of over 100 people Iwho took part in international his emotionally fraught commemorative concert took place commemorations to mark the in Temple Church in the Inns of Court on 21 April. It was 70th anniversary of the liberation Tmeticulously and lovingly organised by the Temple Music of Bergen-Belsen. It was an Foundation and the Temple Church, in close collaboration with the incredibly moving day and a West London Synagogue. Two women sang prayers and privilege to be there on what intoned blessings. The Temple Church Singers and the choir of the was probably the last significant West London Synagogue had joined forces and, supported by soloists anniversary of the liberation that and the magnificent church organ, performed a number of works. will be marked with survivors The event focused largely on the liberation by British troops of and liberators present. Former Bergen-Belsen inmate Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Before the concert the names On arrival at Bergen-Belsen, Eva Behar expresses gratitude to of hundreds of those who had died were solemnly read out and, we attended a commemoration Bernard Levy, one of the British at the end, those who had survived were likewise remembered. at the site of the Jewish memorial, Army liberators of the camp We were first shown a video prepared by British cameramen at the where we heard addresses from time of the camp’s liberation, accompanied by Richard Dimbleby’s German President Joachim Gauck and UK Chief Rabbi . contemporaneous commentary. The effect was devastating, even We also heard a moving recital of the Jewish memorial prayer led though we had seen these horrendous images of the dead and the by the Shabbaton Choir in a ceremony also attended by the Duke skeletal survivors before. Towards the end of the evening we were of Gloucester. This was followed by a service led by the Association shown further footage of the rehabilitation of the survivors and it of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women (AJEX) alongside Holocaust was heartwarming to witness the joy and relief on many of the faces. survivors, dignitaries and delegations from across the world. Some of the very moving music had been written in the camps, Later there was an extremely moving commemoration at the especially in Theresienstadt, and the songs by Pavel Haas, who was Jewish cemetery at the British Bergen-Hohne Garrison, originally killed in 1944, were especially memorable. The choir also performed the site of a Displaced Persons’ Camp. The Jewish cemetery is where De Profundis by Arvo Part and the ‘Sanctus’ from Verdi’s Requiem. almost 14,000 people who could not be saved in the weeks following Extraordinary as it may seem, the Requiem had been performed in liberation were buried. Theresienstadt under the leadership of Rafael Schächter on some Part of our delegation included Bernard Levy and Eva Behar. Bernard 20 occasions, including the infamous visit of the International Red Levy was one of the British liberators of the camp. What he discovered Cross Committee. Tragically this did not save the lives of the singers when he arrived at Belsen shocked and horrified him so much that or of Schächter himself, as they were all sent to Auschwitz. The he only felt able to speak about it 68 years later. Eva was liberated at concert ended with a performance of the touching final movement Bergen-Belsen and this was the first time she had returned since her of Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, sung of course in Hebrew. liberation. She thanked Bernard for all the British soldiers had done Interspersed in the programme were readings of an account from to restore her freedom. the Vilna Ghetto, a chilling 1933 prophesy by General Ludendorff, Carol Hart extracts from a letter sent by R-H. Hoeppner to Adolf Eichmann ‘on Head, AJR Volunteer and Community Services the solution to the Jewish question’ (1941), bloodcurdling speeches by Hans Frank and Heinrich Himmler (1941), and the protocol of the Wannsee Conference (January 1942), at which the fate of ‘Unexpectedly finding a brother’: European Jews was decided. Included too was the testimony of Eva Yom Hashoah Commemoration in Oppenheimer, a camp survivor. My wife and I left Temple Church in a deeply sombre and reflective n the eve of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of mood, regretting that the event had not been advertised in the AJR Bergen-Belsen by the British Army, AJR First and Second Journal. OGeneration members from Glasgow and Edinburgh joined Leslie Baruch Brent the 200-strong Jewish community at this year’s Yom HaShoah commemoration at Giffnock Synagogue. Guest speaker from Israel Eli Oren spoke about ‘Unexpectedly Newcastle upon Tyne service: finding a brother’. His parents, who were from Poland, thought each had perished, as well as the children, only to discover many ‘The Jewish community in Germany post-1945’ years later that both had survived and lived only a short distance embers of the AJR Northern Social Work Team, led by away. A most moving story. Head of Social Services Sue Kurlander, attended a Yom Agnes Isaacs MHaShoah service at the Newcastle upon Tyne United Hebrew Congregation synagogue. The service was dedicated to the memory of Andrew Frankel, a former inmate at Mauthausen who Yom Hashoah Remembrance Evening had been the last remaining camp survivor in the congregation. at Pinner Synagogue Keynote speaker Rabbi Yitzchak Mendel Wagner spoke on the subject ‘The Jewish community in Germany post-1945’. Rabbi n Wednesday 15 April Wagner, who studied at the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies – 70 years to the day in Jerusalem, is the first and only rabbi to have served in Krefeld, Othat Bergen-Belsen near Düsseldorf, since the war, as well as being the first German- concentration camp was born rabbi to be ordained since that time. liberated by British troops – Rabbi Wagner said that Krefeld had had an illustrious Jewish Pinner Synagogue held its community, dating back to Napoleonic times, until it was annual Remembrance Evening decimated during the war. The city did not again have a significant in a packed hall of close to 400 Jewish community until the 1980s with the arrival of a Jewish people. businessman followed by a large influx of Jews from the former In addition to the speaker, Soviet Union which began in 1989. There is now in the city a Tania Freiin von Uslar-Gleichen, Jewish community which exceeds 1,000, many of them Russian- representing the German Freddie and Freda Knoller with Embassy, in attendance were the the Austrian Ambassador, speaking immigrants. HE Martin Eichtinger Jim Sutherland Mayor of Harrow, the Hungarian AJR Social Worker for North and Austrian Ambassadors, continued on page 16 

11 journal JUNE 2015 HARROGATE/YORK 3-Hour-Plus Epic BRIGHTON & HOVE ‘SARID’ Library Our little group, meeting at Inge Facilities on Offer Little’s home, became a 3-hour- Ben King of Brighton Library Services plus epic. The discussion became told us about the projects currently surprisingly animated as topics ranged run by the libraries – computing, from our favourite films – e.g. Fiddler exhibitions, creative writing, dancing INSIDE on the Roof – to Inge’s amateur and many others. He urged non- dramatics, to Israel. All this followed members to join the library of their the by home-made goodies supplied by choice and take advantage of the free Inge and Rosl. cultural activities on offer. AJR Suzanne Ripton Ceska Abrahams

GLASGOW Recollections of the HGS ‘30 Years of Photography’ ‘UNSUNG HEROES’ Kindertransport A fascinating talk by Paul Lang on the Several members attended the changes in wedding and barmitzvah An Incredible Event Scottish Jewish Archive Centre Open photography over the years. With At JW3 Dr Susan Cohen spoke about Day to hear Michele Gold discuss her digital photography and technology, Eleanor Rathbone, who made such an new book on the Kindertransport. anything can be achieved. important contribution to the lives of Following a clip from a TV programme Hazel Beiny many refugees in so many ways. Mike of some years ago of Esther Rantzen Levy of Keystage Arts and Heritage in interviewing Sir Nicholas Winton, Cambridge spoke about Greta Burkill, Michele invited Kinder present to RADLETT Cartoon Class who set up the Cambridge Refugee stand up and they were applauded Martha Richler the cartoonist paid a Committee to find homes for every enthusiastically. Renee and Henry second visit to our group, bringing child brought them and even filled her explained that shortly after arriving some of her drawings. These were own home with Kinder, three of whom on the Kindertransport, they were hilarious and very clever. Better still, were with us and spoke of her warmth uprooted again – evacuated from however, was her attempt to teach and kindness. A group of wonderful Glasgow to the countryside. us how to draw. This was not hugely children aged 7 to 17 movingly enacted Anthea Berg successful but it did demonstrate her the stories of several Kinder. A most amazing wit and artistic skill. Please incredible event. Susan Zisman ILFORD In Search of Jewish Ancestry come again, Mart! Although British-born, Anthony Fritz Starer Joseph joined the AJR to honour a MANCHESTER The Delights of Jewish Humour refugee who had been a close friend. LEEDS CF A Most Interesting Budding comedian and klezmer This started his interest in genealogy Afternoon performer Ian Stern revealed to us and over the years he has traced his We were treated to a presentation by much of the humour with which family on both sides back to the 17th Philippa Lester, who had recently co- Jewish performers have delighted century. A very unusual talk but full written a book on Leeds Jews entitled the world. We laughed at video clips of interest. From the Leylands to Leeds 17. A of the likes of Mason and Borge. A Meta Roseneil typically scrumptious tea provided delightful afternoon. Werner Lachs by Barbara Cammerman finished ESSEX (WESTCLIFF) The Holocaust off a most interesting afternoon Education Trust (HET) excellently! KENT Favourite Poems HET’s Karen Van Coevorden explained Wendy Bott We read/recited a favourite poem, the work they do with government which led us to remember other backing to educate children and BRISTOL Beyond Right and Wrong favourites, and learned something of their teachers about the Holocaust. the lives of the poets. We thought it Southend survivor Lesley Kleinman Due to building works our venue was changed to our speaker’s house, with would be a good idea to do this again. gives talks about his experiences in Josephine Singer Auschwitz to two schools a week Lisa Saffron kindly offering her home across the country, while former to our small gathering. Following a delicious lunch we watched an excerpt Kind Otto Deutsch, who saw Hitler in IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM Vienna, also gives testimony. from the documentary Beyond Right Larry Lisner and Wrong, which provoked a lively Insight into the History of discussion. Conflict Kathryn Prevezer Our visit to the Imperial War WOMAN IN GOLD Museum provided us with a most A Very Moving Film Children of the interesting insight into the history Hazel and Esther arranged for a Holocaust of conflict. The Museum has few of us to see Woman in Gold. We had a presentation by Kath recently had a £40 million facelift, Starring Helen Mirren, this very Shackleton from Fettle Animation including the interactive First World moving film is about the restitution on their multi-award-nominated War galleries. Several members had of the Klimt paintings, which were Children of the Holocaust. We were provided material for the section seized by the Nazis in Austria. It was all overwhelmed by how much an on the Holocaust. We were also very poignant to me as it brought animated film could portray such introduced to the art section and back all the memories. difficult subject matter so effectively. learned about the effect of war on Gerda Torrence Wendy Bott ordinary people. Janet Weston

12 JUNE 2015 journal MARLOW CF Many Topics of Interest EDINBURGH CF Smiles All Round Discussed NEWCASTLE ‘A Family’s It was smiles all round at our get- We are fortunate in having a fixed venue Escape’ together at the home of Eva Baer. Funny for our meetings: the beautiful home stories of moments, some from long of Alan Kaye, whom we thank for his ago, brought back happy memories hospitality. During the delicious lunch for both First and Second Generation Hazel had prepared for us, we discussed members. A good way to break the ice many topics of interest, including the for first-time visitor Pat. The comradely general election, the recent Israeli atmosphere carried on over a most election, and the ‘Mediterranean boat scrumptious tea. Agnes Isaacs people’. Arthur Mayer

EDGWARE ‘The Truly Indomitable WELWYN GC Lively Chat Judith Montefiore’ It was good to return to Monica’s Judith Montefiore, David Barnett told house for an afternoon social. We had Writing competition runner-up us, was one of 10 children and home- a lively chat on many subjects, ranging Betty Weiner schooled. She was fluent in several from our experiences of the NHS to languages and an accomplished singer how supportive families are when old Our very own Betty Weiner was and musician. She and her husband age beckons. Leonora Koos runner-up in the Memoirs section of the 2014 Fish Anthology writing travelled extensively, including a 4-month journey to Jerusalem. In her NORTH WEST LONDON Nutrition competition and her 4,000-word entry on her family’s journey from later years she wrote the first Jewish Demonstration cookery book. Hazel Beiny Nutrition therapist Sarah Walford Vienna in 1938 was selected for demonstrated quinoa burgers and an publication. Betty read us excerpts aubergine cake. Along with delicious from her entry. Her talk, entitled salad, her explanation of healthy ‘Writing about a Family’s Escape’, CORRECTION was well attended and followed by and non-healthy food was most The Radlett Group report in our April informative. A delicious meal and a a sit-down tea. Agnes Isaacs issue should have read ‘The Bank of welcome change. Hazel Beiny England’s Tim Pike believes that the most favourable development would result from limiting the involvement JUNE GROUP eventS of the public sector and encouraging the growth of private enterprise ….’ Ealing 2 June David Barnett: ‘Daniel Mendoza’ Kensington and Notting Hill 2 June Social Get-Together Ilford 3 June Debbie Pearson: ‘London and the Wine Trade’ CONTACTS Bromley CF 4 June Lunch Pinner 4 June Susan Cohen: ‘Six Point Foundation’ Hazel Beiny Southern Groups Co-ordinator HGS 8 June David Barnett: ‘Jewish London in 1815’ 07966 887 434 [email protected] Essex (Westcliff) 9 June Annual Lunch and Visit to Porters St John’s Wood 9 June Naomi Games: ‘The Work of Abram Games’ Wendy Bott Didsbury 10 June Group Discussion Northern Groups Co-ordinator Wessex 11 June Annual Outing 07908 156 365 [email protected] Brighton & Hove ‘Sarid’ 15 June David Barnett: ‘A Truly Indomitable Victorian Susan Harrod Woman: The Story of Lady Judith Montefiore’ Groups’ Administrator Edgware 16 June David Barnett: A new talk 020 8385 3070 [email protected] Kent 16 June David Barnett: ‘The Story of Joseph Nathan’ Agnes Isaacs Leeds CF 16 June Group Discussion Scotland and Newcastle Groups Radlett 17 June Andrew Roth: ‘Hungarian Roots’ Co-ordinator Scottish Regional 17 June See page 2 07908 156 361 [email protected] York CF 17 June Meal out Kathryn Prevezer Cambridge 18 June Simon Garnham, Deputy Head of /Harwich High School, will speak Southern Groups Co-ordinator on his experiences in Afghanistan and Iran 07966 969 951 [email protected] Edinburgh 18 June Judith Passow Exhibition Esther Rinkoff Kingston and Surrey Southern Groups Co-ordinator (Joint Meeting) 21 June Social Get-together 07966 631 778 [email protected] Bradford 23 June Salt Beef Tea KT-AJR (Kindertransport) Birmingham 24 June Outing to Blenheim Palace Andrea Goodmaker Wembley 24 June Debbie Pearson: ‘London and the Wine Trade’ 020 8385 3070 [email protected] North London 25 June Kathryn Prevezer: ‘My Trip to the WWI Battlefields’ Child Survivors Association–AJR Cheshire CF 29 June Group Discussion Henri Obstfeld North West London 29 June Lesley Wolfe, Reflexologist 020 8954 5298 [email protected]

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family  anouncements KINDERTRANSPORT LUNCH Wednesday 10 June 2015 Death at 12.30 pm Marianne Leavor, wife of Rudi for 59 Please join us for our next lunch at North West Reform Synagogue, Alyth Gardens, years, died peacefully on 15 April aged Finchley Road, London NW11 7EN 81 surrounded by all four children, two Are you, or is someone you spouses and Rudi. She will be very much PHILIP GOODMAKER missed. know, a Jewish Holocaust ‘The Jewish Community survivor in financial difficulty? under Castro‘ Six Point Foundation gives grants to help with To book your place please phone Andrea Goodmaker all kinds of one-off expenses such as home Books Bought on 020 8385 3070 adaptations, medical bills, travel costs and Early booking essential temporary care. Modern and Old We help UK-resident Jewish Holocaust survivors/refugees with less than £10k p.a. in income (excluding pensions/social security) and less than £32k in assets (excluding primary residence/car). Eric Levene For information please contact The Association 020 8364 3554 / 07855387574 of Jewish Refugees on 020 8385 3070. [email protected] In Need of a Friendly Voice? Want to chat to someone who cares? I also purchase ephemera Call The Silver Line [email protected] www.sixpointfoundation.org.uk The national helpline for older people Any time, day or night LEO BAECK HOUSING ASSOCIATION CLARA NEHAB HOUSE From your landline: 0800 4 70 80 90 CLASSIFIED From your mobile: 0300 4 70 80 90 Joseph Pereira (ex-AJR caretaker RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME over 22 years) is now available for Small caring residential home DIY repairs and general maintenance. with large attractive gardens No job too small, close to local shops and public transport WHY NOT TRY AJR’S very reasonable rates. 25 single rooms with full en suite facilities. MEALS ON WHEELS Please telephone 07966 887 485. 24 hour Permanent and Respite Care SERVICE? Entertainment & Activities provided. Ground Floor Lounge and Dining Room The AJR offers a kosher Meals on Wheels • Lift access to all floors. service delivered to your door once a week. spring grove The meals are freshly cooked every week by For further information please contact: London’s Most Luxurious The Manager, Clara Nehab House, Kosher to Go. They are then frozen prior to delivery. RETIREMENT HOME 13-19 Leeside Crescent, London NW11 0DA The cost is £7.00 for a three-course meal 214 Finchley Road Telephone: 020 8455 2286 (soup, main course, desert) plus a £1 London NW3 delivery fee.  Entertainment Our aim is to bring good food to your door  Activities  Stress Free Living without the worry of shopping or cooking.  24 House Staffing Excellent Cuisine switch on electrics For further details, please call  Full En-Suite Facilities Rewires and all household AJR Head Office on 020 8385 3070. Call for more information or a personal tour 020 8446 2117 electrical work or 020 7794 4455 PHONE PAUL: 020 8200 3518 [email protected] Mobile: 0795 614 8566 PillarCare Quality support and care at home www.fishburnbooks.com  JACKMAN . Hourly Care from 4 hours – 24 hours Jonathan Fishburn  Live-In/Night Duty/Sleepover Care buys and sells SILVERMAN  Convalescent and Personal Health Care Jewish and Hebrew books, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS  Compassionate and Affordable Service ephemera and items of Jewish interest.  Professional, Qualified, Kind Care Staff He is a member of the Antiquarian  Registered with the CQC and UKHCA Booksellers Association. Call us on Freephone 0800 028 4645 Contact Jonathan on Telephone: 020 7209 5532 PILLARCARE 020 8455 9139 THE BUSINESS CENTRE · 36 GLOUCESTER AVENUE · LONDON NW1 7BB or 07813 803 889 [email protected] PHONE: 020 7482 2188 · FAX: 020 7900 2308 www.pillarcare.co.uk for more information

14 JUNE 2015 journal Obituary Hans Egon Schafer, born Vienna 18 June 1915, died Toronto 11 October 2014 ans was born in and taken to the Rivesaltes Hans had established a close friendship with Vienna, a city camp. His parents and sister the Governor General, a most wonderful where culture and survived but he never forgot person. Through him they obtained shelter, Hknowledge mattered and these those who did not. a huge relief as Kitty was six months were integral to his life. He In 1938-46 Hans lived and pregnant, and a visa for England. They left spoke six languages fluently, worked in Aden. He opened with just the clothes on their backs together loved business and finance, trade with Abyssinia, Eritrea, with a few personal items. and was never without India and Palestine – and Always an entrepreneur, Hans soon a project. He formed the became a walking ‘history started up his own business and they joined Vienna Junggeselligkeitsklub, book’ for anyone wanting to the émigrés who frequented the Dorice, a youth group that met for outings and know about these countries. During the war played bridge and enjoyed cultural activities. dances. All his life he looked to see which he organised paramedical teams to deal with Hans and his wife were both ardent Arsenal members of this group had survived. attacks by Italian planes from Abyssinia: fans and belonged to the founding group of Hans’s heart was set on learning English there were 12 such teams consisting of Arabs, the Gunners’ Supporters Club. so in 1933 he set off for England for a year. Hindus, Somalis and Jews, all without any Hans had one daughter, who married On returning home, he was restless and did friction. After the war he received a war medal and moved to Toronto. On retirement, not like what he saw going on in Europe. for his efforts. he and his wife moved to be near her and Through his father, who was President of the In 1946, in England on business, Hans their two grandchildren and, undaunted, B’nai B’rith Lodge Eintracht (Harmony), met his boss’s daughter Kitty. It was ‘love at they made a new life. His involvement led he met a businessman who employed him first sight’ but he had to return to Aden. They to scholarships being set up in his honour to go to Aden (then a British colony, now had planned to marry the following year but at Rotary and the University, where they Yemen) in the export business. the next day he persuaded British Airways to took lectures. As the only one out of Vienna, it fell to issue a second seat for Kitty. They decided Hans was proud of his Jewish heritage, him to help. He obtained a visa to Aden to marry immediately - with the meal at the intelligent, charming, a storyteller and for his boss, who was then able to get to reception organised through ration coupons always with a joke to tell. He lived to be England. His parents and sister sought to - and three days later they left for Aden. 99 and was lucid almost to the end. He is follow but were stopped by English officials In December 1947, with the vote for the survived by Kitty, his wife of 68 years, his and were fortunate to make it to Paris. state of Israel imminent, riots erupted across daughter, two grandchildren, and three Other family members joined them there the Arab world, including Aden. They fled great-grandchildren in Israel and the US. and, after moving south, were rounded up from their home and were fortunate that The family of Hans Schafer

probably in , working in a hotel or The grave of a Dr Carl Nachmann Nathan Search Notices hostel. He arrived in the UK in mid-1939 and (9/11/1858-11/2/1929) is to be found in Eutin. went to New York on the SS Samaria from He apparently had a daughter, Raymonde Weil, I would like to contact Joachim Lothar Liverpool on 12/4/40 to rejoin his parents and who in 1965 was in correspondence with the Auerbach to obtain information on a relative sister. The contact person listed for him on the town authorities re repair of her father and of mine who stayed with his family in Berlin ship’s manifest was Mrs L. Phipps, Bloomsbury aunt’s gravestones. Raymonde then lived until her deportation to Auschwitz. Joachim House, London. Any info pls to Barry Klein, at 41 Kingston Mill, Kingston on Thames, came to England by Kindertransport and MD, Agoura Hills, California, USA, at Surrey, and was legally represented by Dr in 2012 he still lived in Manchester. Any [email protected] Paul Sulzbacher of 50 Barn Rise, Wembley information please to Eva Bonfil, Jerusalem, Park, Middx. Re issues of ownership of the at [email protected] My cousin Helga Loewenstein, born graves, could descendants of the family Krefeld 23/11/28, was apparently put on a please contact Rabbi Dr Walter Rothschild at I am conducting a local history project on Kindertransport from Berlin in 1939. Her [email protected] the Jews in my home town of Chesham, mother, Carola Loewenstein, escaped to Brussels in 1939 with her husband Dalbert Buckinghamshire. There were many Jews My grandparents, Jack and Evelyn Angel, deVries. If you have any info, pls contact Gwen here during the war and they had an Orthodox fostered a boy from Berlin named Victor Solomon, New York, at [email protected] synagogue in the cricket pavilion. If anyone (Viktor?). He went to America and would has info, memories and photos of that time, be in his late 80s now. My grandparents pls contact Neil Rees at [email protected] I am searching for those who survived in lived in Windermere Avenue in London. If Budapest because they had a Schutzbrief you have any info pls contact Jenni Angel at Harald Hechter came to the UK by issued by Swiss Consul Carl Lutz or [email protected] Kindertransport and stayed with my survived in one of the 72 houses under grandfather, who had sponsored him. Harald Swiss protection. Pls contact his daughter at had been registered to go to Bolton School but [email protected] Has anyone information on the Victoria went to stay with a relative (an aunt?) by the Tools Company? During the war, my father name of Fuchs in Manchester. If anyone has My mother Margaret Mason (née Elliott) Hermann and many other refugees from any further info on Harald, pls contact Jane was a mentor and friend in Sheffield to Germany worked in the factory, which was owned by Bruno Frey. If you have any info Freer at [email protected] Ruth Salinger, a refugee schoolgirl from Germany. Any info on Ruth please to on the factory or Mr Frey, pls contact Helga [email protected] Kurzchalia at [email protected] In 1939-40 my parents took in for a while two refugees named Jackie and Siggie During the war my grandparents, Harry (Siegfried?). We lived in Brighton, Sussex, at Morgenstern: William, Caroline, daughters and Elsie Young, lived in St Peter, Norfolk, the time. Any info on these refugees pls to Marie Antoinette and Antonirisu, born near Lowestoft, Suffolk. A Kindertransport Mike Simmons at [email protected] Cologne. Had connection with Talbot Hotel, Richmond, Surrey, 1880-ish. Any info pls arrived in Lowestoft just before the war to Marie Antoinette’s great-granddaughter and several of the children stayed with my My father, Heinz (Herbert) Klein, born 13/6/24 Carol Haworth on 01254 813910 or at grandparents. Any info pls to Timothy Wright at in Vienna, spent about a year in England, [email protected] [email protected]

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is generally not Hebrew, which puts the child at a disadvantage in their first years at school. Much of the work of the Centre involves bringing children into line with the level of Dorothea Shefer-Vanson their peers in basic subjects such as reading, writing and arithmetic, as well as providing them with the basic concepts that are learned An admirable enterprise: The Kagan Learning Centre by Israeli-born children even before they start elena Kagan was born in 1889 in In 1968, with the aid of WIZO UK and the school. Uzbekistan, where her father, who Jerusalem municipality, the Kagan Community The Centre’s devoted teachers and was originally from Lithuania, had Centre was established in Jerusalem’s Katamon administrator maintain contact with the Hbeen sent as a chemical engineer to establish Tet neighbourhood in honour of Dr Kagan’s parents of the children who attend and and supervise the construction of glass- 75th birthday. Within that framework the Kagan are always willing to help resolve problems manufacturing plants. In 1914, after qualifying Learning Centre enables youngsters to spend connected with the child’s schooling. The as a physician, she settled in Jerusalem and time in a warm and friendly environment where Centre originally provided its services to the was a pioneer in tending to the health of both they can receive help in subjects with which they children of the Katamon neighbourhood, Arab and Jewish children, establishing clinics are having difficulties at school. many of whose parents had immigrated from and pediatric centres throughout the region. When I visited the Centre I found a large, the countries of the Maghreb and were unable She died in 1978, having devoted her life to modern, well-lit building, set back from the to provide their children with the head-start improving the health and welfare of Jerusalem’s dingy street in one of Jerusalem’s less salubrious that these children often required. Today children. areas. Inside it are rooms in which tutors, some the children who attend the Centre live in Among her spheres of activity was the of them volunteers, provide one-on-one teaching the neighbourhood as well as coming from prevention of juvenile delinquency and she for youngsters who are having difficulties at elsewhere in Jerusalem. was instrumental in providing an environment school, as well as a library, a computer room, As is usually the case with such institutions, where youngsters could find a positive and a recreation room for teenagers, and a general the Centre is chronically short of funds: its supportive atmosphere rather than roaming the atmosphere of relaxed and positive activity. basic upkeep is provided by the Jerusalem streets, providing them with coaching in their Most of the children attending the Centre municipality, but it is the Kagan Fund that pays school work and thereby reducing delinquency today come from families that have immigrated for its staff and equipment, including computers and school drop-out rates. from Ethiopia, where the language used at home and enrichment activities. For further details on this admirable enterprise, visit its website at ‘Keep the memory alive‘ – 2015 and beyond www.israelgives.org/amuta/580126605 n 27 January this year displayed on public screens in city Holocaust Memorial Day centres across the UK. Yom Hashoah Remembrance O(HMD) commemorated We also worked with sculptor Sir  Evening at Pinner Synagogue 70 years since the liberation of Anish Kapoor to design a candle for continued from p.11 Auschwitz-Birkenau. This year was 70 Candles for 70 Years, which drew the most marked yet with 3,614 attention to the range and diversity and senior representatives from the Dutch, commemorative activities taking of HMD activities. Lithuanian, Polish and Romanian Embassies, place across the UK in memory of HMD Trust also drew on the as well as numerous local (Harrow) councillors. the millions murdered during the power of the media. This year we Following the candle-lighting ceremony by Holocaust, under Nazi persecution and in generated over 1,000 pieces of media, from youth and Bergen-Belsen survivors together subsequent genocides. Communities and around 4,000 mentions of HMD in the press. individuals from Stornoway to Southampton We worked with the BBC to bring the UK with Pinner Youth and an introduction by and from Neath to Norwich ‘kept the Commemorative Ceremony in Westminster Committee Chair Gaby Glassman, the Chargé memory alive‘. to an audience of over 1.3 million on BBC d’Affaires of the German Embassy, (acting HMD brings hundreds of thousands of Two. We were delighted that Their Royal Ambassador) Tania Freiin von Uslar-Gleichen, people together across ages, faiths and Highnesses The Prince of and The expressed her lack of understanding of how backgrounds to learn about the Holocaust Duchess of Cornwall joined the Prime Germany, a nation priding itself on its cultural and its lessons for humanity, marking the day Minister and other leaders to show their advancement, could have sunk so low. in numerous ways. This year our education commitment to keeping the memory alive. The evening’s guest speaker, 94-year-old resources were viewed 45,000 times online, Independent opinion polling shows that Freddie Knoller, himself a survivor of Bergen- bringing HMD to the classroom and other 83 per cent of people in the UK say they have Belsen, spoke of his experiences, which learning environments. We supported 38 now heard of HMD (up from 77 per cent in began during the horrific period between HMD Youth Champions who organised 2014) and 31 per cent of British adults report the Anschluss and Kristallnacht. Freddie took their own activities for their peers, ensuring that they know HMD well (up from 21 per the audience on a journey from the comfort these important messages reach the next cent in 2014). of his home in Vienna, through escape to generation. But HMD doesn’t stop with one day. Its Belgium, thence to France, to capture and Memory Makers helped to bring the powerful messages reverberate throughout incarceration in Auschwitz. As the Russians stories of survivors to new audiences when the year. Last month we launched our theme approached that camp, he was forced onto a group of British artists, including Stephen for HMD 2016: ‘Don’t stand by‘. a death march, briefly in Dora-Nordhausen, Fry, explored the life stories of Holocaust ‘Don’t stand by‘encourages people to and then onto Bergen-Belsen, where he was survivors through film, illustration, essay consider their individual responsibilities not and collage. to be bystanders to hate crime and prejudice, liberated. Moving Portraits used photography to nor to international threats of genocide. The evening ended with the playing of the tell survivor stories by picturing survivors If you would like to find out more about our BBC recording of the singing of the Hatikvah holding objects that have deep significance to work please contact Communications Officer led by army chaplain Rev Leslie Hardman them. These beautiful images were projected Alice Owen at [email protected] shortly after the liberation of Bergen-Belsen. onto the Southbank’s Royal Festival Hall and or call 020 7785 7029. Brian Eisenberg

Published by The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), a company limited by guarantee. Registered office: Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL Registered in England and Wales with charity number: 1149882 and company number: 8220991 Telephone 020 8385 3070 Fax 020 8385 3080 e-mail [email protected] For the latest AJR news, including details of forthcoming events and information about our services, visit www.ajr.org.uk Printed by FBprinters LLP, 26 St Albans Lane, London NW11 7QB Tel: 020 8458 3220 Email: [email protected]

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