VOLUME 17 NO.5 MAY 2017 JOURNAL The Association of Jewish Refugees

Rosencrantz A YEAR OF MILESTONES and Guildenstern A 75th anniversary, an office move and Brexit. Just some of the events that are Fifty marked a momentous year for the AJR. Despite the upheaval, the range of programmes and services delivered by AJR staff and volunteers has increased significantly. We were also responsible for managing and distributing record amounts of funding, which paid for – among other things – almost 400,000 hours of homecare and hundreds of individual grants.

We played a leading role in many national initiatives and commemorations throughout the year, and supported dozens of regional events and activities each month.

Read our annual report and accounts on pages 9-13.

Tribute to Ricci Horenstein...... 4 John Stride and Edward Petheridge as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in the 1967 production Letter from Israel...... 5 Letters to the Editor...... 6 – 7 Born as Tomáš Straussler on 3 July 1937, Sir Tom Stoppard left Art Notes...... 8 Czechoslovakia as a child refugee, fleeing imminent Nazi occupation. AJR Annual Report...... 9 – 12 He settled with his family in Britain after the war, in 1946, having spent Treasurer’s & Finance Report...... 12 – 13 the previous three years in a boarding school in the Indian Himalayas. Reviews...... 14 – 15 After being educated at schools in Nottingham and Yorkshire, Stoppard Around the AJR...... 16 – 17 became a journalist, a drama critic and then, in 1960, a playwright. Looking For...... 18 Obituaries...... 19 News...... 20 One of the theatrical events of the 1960s attempts to determine whether his uncle, was the 1967 production of Stoppard’s the King, is guilty of the murder of Hamlet’s breakthrough play, Rosencrantz and father, whose throne (and wife) he has AJR Team Guildenstern are Dead, by the National appropriated. The fiftieth anniversary Chief Executive Michael Newman Theatre Company at the Old Vic Theatre production, also at the Old Vic, stars Daniel Finance Director David Kaye in London. The play starred John Stride Radcliffe and Joshua McGuire. Heads of Department and Edward Petherbridge in the two HR & Administration Karen Markham leading roles. Graham Crowden gave a Stoppard’s inspiration was making Social Services Sue Kurlander Community & Volunteer Services Carol Hart consummately rascally performance as the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern – Player, the leader of the troupe of travelling two attendant lords at the court of AJR Journal actors who, in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Shakespeare’s Denmark – central to Consultant Editor Dr Anthony Grenville Acting Editor Jo Briggs perform the play-within-a-play The Murder the drama. The two hapless courtiers, Secretarial/Advertisements Karin Pereira of Gonzago; this forms part of Hamlet’s Continued on page 2

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Rosencrantz and It can therefore watch the proceedings from a considerably more comfortable Guildenstern are Fifty vantage point of superiority over the continued… unfortunate courtiers. archetypal bit-part players, thus take From the very start of the play, Stoppard centre stage, while the complex plot of makes it plain that the laws of rationality Shakespeare’s play whirls incomprehensibly that normally govern human life have around them. It is at times hilariously funny, been suspended. When Rosencrantz and a demonstration of verbal fireworks that Guildenstern first appear, they are wagering Stoppard has never quite been able to on the toss of coins which land heads equal since. up ninety-two times in succession. The more intellectually inclined Guildenstern, Generations of students who have toiled Sir Tom Stoppard betting on tails, attempts to confront over the thankless task of analysing this manifestation in philosophical terms, Hamlet’s mental condition will enjoy unpredictably onto the stage, speaking only to be defeated by the persistence of Stoppard’s take on the vexed question of their original lines, which, bereft of all irrationality: Hamlet’s madness. For example, starting context, make no sense to the baffled pair. from Hamlet’s enigmatic comments on his Stoppard was plainly following on from the Guildenstern (Flips a coin.): The law of own condition, ‘I am but mad north-north- plays of Samuel Beckett, whose Waiting for averages, if I have got this right, means west: when the wind is southerly, I know a Godot – which also presents two characters that if six monkeys were thrown up in the hawk from a handsaw’, Stoppard proceeds on an almost bare stage searching for air for long enough they would land on to fashion the following exquisite paradox: some meaning in existence – had first their tails about as often as they would land been staged in London at the Arts Theatre on their – Rosencrantz: ‘Hamlet is not himself, outside in 1955 under Peter Hall’s direction. It Rosencrantz: Heads (He picks up the coin.) or in. We have to glean what afflicts him.’ introduced Britain to the theatre of the Guildenstern: ‘He doesn’t give much away.’ absurd, in which human existence is The two courtiers cannot orientate Player: ‘Who does, nowadays?’ stripped down to its essentials and shown themselves in their situation, remembering Guildenstern: ‘He’s – melancholy.’ to be devoid of all logic. only very dimly that they have been Player: ‘Melancholy?’ summoned by messenger to appear at Rosencrantz: ‘Mad.’ There is, however, one major difference court. As they are none too confident of Player: ‘How is he mad?’ between Beckett’s and Stoppard’s plays: recalling even their own names and past, Rosencrantz: ‘Ah. (To Guil) How is he whereas the audience of Waiting for their attempts to make sense of the plot of mad?’ Godot is as much at a loss as the two Hamlet fail comprehensively: Guildenstern: ‘More morose than mad, main characters when it comes to making perhaps.’ sense of the proceedings, the audience Rosencrantz: To sum up: your father, whom Player: ‘Melancholy.’ of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern is at an you love, dies, you are his heir, you come Guildenstern: ‘Moody.’ advantage, since it knows – or should know back to find that hardly was the corpse Rosencrantz: ‘He has moods.’ – the twists and turns of the plot of Hamlet. cold before his younger brother popped Player: ‘Of moroseness?’ onto his throne and into his sheets, thereby Guildenstern: ‘Madness. And yet.’ offending both legal and natural practice. Rosencrantz: ‘Quite.’ Now why exactly are you behaving in this Guildenstern: ‘For instance.’ extraordinary manner? Rosencrantz: ‘He talks to himself, which Guildenstern: I can’t imagine! might be madness.’ Guildenstern: ‘If he didn’t talk sense, which At Elsinore, they first encounter the faintly he does.’ sinister Player and his troupe, before Ros: ‘Which suggests the opposite.’ Hamlet, Ophelia and the court of Denmark Player: ‘Of what?’ march unheralded onstage, injecting the Guildenstern: ‘I think I have it. A man action of Shakespeare’s high tragedy talking sense to himself is no madder than a into the two lords’ otherwise mundane man talking nonsense not to himself.’ existence. The King instructs them to ‘glean Rosencrantz: ‘Or just as mad.’ … whether aught to us unknown afflicts Guildenstern: ‘Or just as mad.’ him [Hamlet]’, an order that the two, Rosencrantz: ‘And he does both.’ having no idea who Hamlet is or how he Guildenstern: ‘So there you are.’ has been behaving, cannot comply with. Rosencrantz: ‘Stark raving sane.’ Instead, the players stage The Murder of Gonzago; this greatly upsets the guilty king The play’s action, such as it is, consists of and leads to his decision to send Hamlet to the two lords’ bewildered involvement England, accompanied by Rosencrantz and in the plot of Hamlet. From time to Guildenstern who, unknown to them, are time, Shakespeare’s characters erupt The original 1967 poster bearing the order for Hamlet’s execution.

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The third and final act of the play finds occurs in the final scenes of Shakespeare’s AJR COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE them on board the ship to England, and play, before Rosencrantz and Guildenstern TO HONOUR SIR RUDOLF BING Stoppard extracts some melancholy make their final exit. humour from the topic of England: THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL In contrast to the high-octane slaughter SUNDAY 27th AUGUST 2017 Guildenstern: What a shambles! We’re just of Hamlet, the deaths of Rosencrantz not getting anywhere. and Guildenstern are notably low-key, Rosencrantz (mournfully): Not even marking little more than the absence of England. I don’t believe in it anyway. somebody who had formerly been present. Guildenstern: What? As they slip into the enveloping darkness, Rosencrantz: England. Rosencrantz accepts his fate with a mixture Guildenstern: Just a conspiracy of of resignation and indignation, before cartographers, you mean? disappearing:

Or: Rosencrantz: That’s it, then, is it? The sun’s going down. Or the earth’s coming up, Following on from the dedication of a Rosencrantz: Are we all right for England? as the fashionable theory has it. Not that commemorative plaque at Glyndebourne last Player: You look all right to me. I don’t it makes any difference. What was it all summer, AJR hopes to unveil a further special think they’re very particular in England. about? When did it begin? commemorative plaque in honour of Sir Rudolf Bing at the Edinburgh Festival on Sunday 27th Hamlet, however, is abducted by pirates, Guildenstern, the intellectual, finding August. After his role at Glyndebourne, Sir leaving Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to himself alone on stage, utters his final lines: Rudolf went up to Scotland where he was continue on their way to England and Well, we’ll know better next time. Now you instrumental in the set up and running of the ultimately, to death. The troupe of players, see me, now you – (And disappears) Edinburgh Festival. who have fled onto the same ship to escape the King’s wrath, reappear and The theme of mortality, at the heart of the Following the unveiling, AJR members are form a menacing circle around the two play, is neatly rounded off by the closing invited to attend a performance at Usher protagonists. Guildenstern, attempting to exchanges from Hamlet, in which an Hall, to mark Sir Rudolf’s contribution. This convince an imaginary King of England ambassador from England arrives to tell the 70th anniversary celebration concert will be that they are bona fide emissaries from King, now dead, that ‘his commandment a mixture of music, archive film and filmed Denmark, opens the King’s letter, only is fulfilled,/ that Rosencrantz and interviews, with the BBC Scottish Symphony to read the instructions for his and Guildenstern are dead’. Orchestra conducted by Martyn Brabbins, and Rosencrantz’s immediate execution. The will include two pieces of music played at the players proceed to act out the carnage that Anthony Grenville first Festival in 1947.

Tickets are priced at £47.00 each. AJR will provide transport from the Glasgow area.

Tickets for the concert are limited; however the Giant unveiling of the plaque is open to the public.

For more info/tickets: [email protected] tear needs Tel: 020 8385 3078 backing

Six Million Plus is an exciting new WHY NOT TRY AJR’S project to create a Holocaust memorial MEALS ON WHEELS sculpture and Educational Centre at the SERVICE? University of Huddersfield. The AJR offers a kosher Meals on Wheels service delivered to your door once a week. The Educational Centre will work The meals are freshly cooked every week with schools on issues including the by Kosher to Go. They are then frozen prior Holocaust, Genocide, Nazism and to delivery. Persecution. The memorial sculpture will The cost is £7.00 for a three-course meal be covered with six million buttons and The organisers are looking to raise (soup, main course, desert) take the form of a giant tear drop. It is £1 million towards the project, plus a £1 delivery fee. designed by Leeds artist Antonia Stowe, preferably through one major funder. Our aim is to bring good food to your door who has already created a travelling See more details on www.6millionplus. without the worry of shopping or cooking. exhibition of buttons at venues ranging org or contact Nigel Grizzard at For further details, please call from Brent Cross to Ripon Cathedral. [email protected] or 07798 855 494. AJR Head Office on 020 8385 3070.

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in APPRECIATION OF Ricci

Her most successful film was a travel “Ricci’s memory will live documentary about Malaga, in May 1965, which was nominated at Cannes. long among AJR colleagues Ricci’s interest in film eventually came and volunteers. We enjoyed to fruition in a 4-part television series her star turns at several ‘The Amateur Pianist’. of our annual volunteers’ gatherings and she enriched Meanwhile, Ricci separated from Lipa the discussion at many and settled in North-West London in 1965 where her performing career social and cultural events. relaunched, with concerts with her We are also grateful for her piano and wind ensemble, Riccordell. foresight and generosity in During the 1970s Riccordell gave many bequeathing a gift that helps classical and popular performances. the AJR to further deliver our services.” Ricci continued to forge close friendships with artists, writers, pianists Michael Newman and composers who dedicated works to her. From the 1980s her Belsize Park Chief Executive, AJR studio attracted students of all ages and backgrounds, and appreciative testimonials highlight the power of her A moving Concert in Memory German-French Lyceum in Bucharest. In holistic approach to piano tuition. of Ricci Horenstein (1924-2015) 1941 she underwent a harrowing journey, attracted a capacity audience to on foot, trucks, trains and ships, to British In her final years Ricci found warmth Mandate Palestine, settling with her and friendship though the AJR and her Burgh House, Hampstead on 30 parents in Tel-Aviv. Ricci studied at the local synagogue in South Hampstead. March 2017. The programme, Hess School and Tel-Aviv Conservatoire of One of the last happy occasions was in support of Marie Curie Music and married Dr Siegfried Seidner, a Ricci’s 90th birthday party in her Charity, traced Ricci’s tastes in fellow Viennese émigré musician who had elegant garden flat in Belsize Park Chopin, Brahms, and Schubert, been oboist for the Vienna opera as well Gardens, with pupils past and present, with Israeli works dedicated as a medical doctor. One of his patients friends and colleagues performing for was Bronislaw Huberman, who invited the celebration. to her in the 1950s, and a Seidner to join the newly formed Palestine poignant Gershwin song to Orchestra in 1936. It saved Seidner’s Several of those performers gathered close. life. Ricci and Dr Seidner had a daughter, again for her Memorial Concert, joined Yehudit, who later moved to the UK, by Ricci’s daughter Yehudit Morell and Ricci Horenstein was a glamorous where she still lives. grand-daughter Leora who each sang grand dame of the piano, a much eloquent Hebrew songs. Amongst loved teacher, writer and film-maker, Between 1946 and 1950 Ricci was a the performers were Julian Jacobson whose colourful personality impressed private student of the illustrious Leo and Mariko Brown, and Ricci’s former in its mix of continental culture, Kestenberg, Artistic Director of the Israel pupils Thomas Kaerchner, Diederick Israeli-Jewish chutzpah, and inimitable Philharmonic Orchestra. During those Potgeiter and Anousheh Bromfeld, who piquant humour and joie de vivre. exciting times, Ricci regularly gave recitals performed piano works by Chopin, Throughout her multi-facetted, much- and broadcasts, and was introduced Brahms and Schubert; I played two travelled career, Ricci held a firm belief to leading Israeli pioneer generation works from Ricci’s Israeli manuscript in music as a power for creative self- composers whose works she premiered, collection. Gershwin’s ‘Our love is renewal and self-realisation. performed and broadcast. here to stay’, sung by the baritone Robert Haberman, formed a poignant Ricci Horenstein was born Renée Haas Following divorce from Dr Seidner, she conclusion. in Vienna on 15 December 1924, married the baritone Lipa Horenstein, the daughter of Oswald Haas and and the couple settled in South Africa. Ricci’s signed music manuscripts have Anna Kohen Haas, and attended the Soon after, Ricci turned to film making, been donated, thanks to the AJR, to Sperrlgymnasium in Vienna from 1936- studying from 1961 at the London School the National Library of Israel, for the 1938. A family trip to Romania saved of Film Technique, where she made two enrichment of all. them from the Austrian Anschluss documentaries, then in 1964 setting and she continued schooling at the up Productions Costa del Sol in Spain. Malcolm Miller © 2017

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LETTER FROM ISRAEL BY DOROTHEA SHEFER-VANSON

MATHEMATICIAN that have come to light during the sifting piece together produce an effect process (coins, seals, tools, etc.) are that is as beautiful as it is impressive, TO KING HEROD’S stone fragments, many of which have undoubtedly adding to the majestic been identified as part of the tiled floor effect created by the Temple’s ornate MASON of the Second Temple built by Herod architecture. in the first century B.C.E. Ms. Snyder’s mathematical background has enabled Equally fascinating is the lecturer’s The intriguing her to piece together what is essentially own life story. Ms. Snyder was title of the a giant puzzle, with geometric patterns brought up as a Catholic, and only lecture given by based on triangles and rectangular forms at a relatively late age did she realise Frankie Snyder that combine to form squares, using that her mother and grandmother had to our group of contrasting colours that are aesthetically Jewish roots. The Catholic religion English-speaking pleasing. emphasises prayer and attendance at women brought services, while actual reading of the out a large number of members This technique, known as opus sectile Bible, both Old and New Testament, despite the pouring rain (which usually (cut work), employed the Roman foot is discouraged. Ms. Snyder’s curiosity keeps Israelis at home). of 11.6 inches as its basic measurement, led her to delve into those texts, and each tile was cut with great however, and she eventually decided Originally from the USA, where precision to fit within the square that that she wanted to know more about she graduated in mathematics, Ms. surrounded it and sit snugly alongside the history of the Jewish people. Her Snyder has been working for the last the adjacent tiles. These kinds of floors objective was to make contact with a few years on the Israel Antiquities were popular throughout the Roman Jewish community but she was unable Authority endeavour known as world, and were considered superior to to do so as her husband’s work took the Temple Mount Sifting Project, mosaic floors. her to locations such as Guam, Alaska whereby archaeologists have been and South Dakota, where there was analysing the debris dumped by In his historical record, Jewish virtually no Jewish community. It was the Waqf authorities when they Antiquities, Josephus wrote that the only after moving to Boston in the removed hundreds of tons of earth courtyard of Herod’s Temple “was USA that she was able to connect from the Temple Mount in order to paved from end to end with variegated with a synagogue, whereupon she construct a subterranean mosque. paving of all manner of stones.” The discovered that she was in fact defined patterns on the tiles that Ms. Snyder as a Jew and did not even need to Among the many priceless items and her associates have managed to undergo conversion.

SURVIVOR’S HANDBAGS GO ON SHOW

When war began Judit interrupted an outstanding designer of distinctive her studies in London to help bags was sealed in 1953 when Mamie her family at home. She started Eisenhower carried a Judith Leiber work in a handbag factory which handbag to the inaugural ball. Since was closed in 1944. Judith and then countless celebrities – including her immediate family gained Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush and Sex temporary refuge in a Swiss and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw – have protected house before being been seen with her creations, which forced to move to the Budapest are often made from exotic leathers ghetto. One of the ways they or fabrics or covered in semi-precious survived was by sneaking out to stones. For any AJR members living in or cut meat off the dead, frozen horses lying visiting New York, a new exhibition at on the street. Judith, now 96, and Gerson recently the Museum of Art and Design is an celebrated their 70th wedding absolute must. It celebrates the life and Soon after the end of the war Judit started anniversary. The exhibition ‘Judith work of celebrity handbag designer making handbags herself. In 1945 she Leiber: Creating a New York Story’ will Judith Leiber, born Judit Peto in 1921 met Gerson Leiber, a soldier and left be on display until August. More info at into a middle class Budapest family. with him to America. Her reputation as www.madmuseum.org

5 AJR Journal | May 2017 Letters to the Editor The Editor reserves the right to shorten correspondence submitted for publication.

LOVE FOR LIVERPOOL AND LEO rarely try to assimilate to a Western culture. are numerous aerial photos of Germany In view of the fact their Arab Muslim after air raids and one can see hundreds of Sir – I have just enjoyed hearing the latest neighbours like Saudi Arabia, The Emirates, craters in the middle of fields, a total waste AJR number. I always enjoy the issue but Iran and others have made no attempt of resources and (often) lives. The losses of I think the March edition is particularly to take in their Muslim brothers (children USAAF 8th Air Force bombers and crews interesting. or adults) in spite of the fact they have were appallingly heavy (www.taphilo.com/ immense wealth and land. I have to ask the history/8thaf/8aflosses.shtml). I note you are arranging a visit to Liverpool question “why should Europe take on the which is where I was born in 1913 (I am responsibility and possible terrorist danger The Mosquito Mk VI had a range of 1,120 now 104). of admitting these migrants?” miles – of course that includes getting back Bob Norton, Nottingham again! Let us not forget, there were other My grandfather came to England around camps much further west, much closer 1886. He was en route to America but BOMBING THE RAILWAYS and more accessible – Belsen, Dachau, probably ran out of funds so remained in Buchenwald – than the camps located far Liverpool, as did many others. Sir – As a railway historian I should like to to the east. None of these had railway respond to Frank Bright’s letter in the April access lines that could be easily cut. Life for my mother’s family centred around issue. One hears again and again that ‘the the Liverpool Hebrew School as well as the Allies should have bombed the railway In the circumstances one can understand old Shul which was nearby. My mother lines to Auschwitz’ or some variant on this that destroying weapon production and relations were all born in Liverpool and theme. I was not there at the time so can facilities, mining the Danube to disrupt fuel attended this school. only say – No, they probably could NOT supplies, hunting and destroying V2 rocket have done this, or at least, not effectively. launch sites were much more vital military My mother was married at Princes Road priorities. Synagogue. I have memories of attending Yes, in the latter stages of war it was Services where the Reverend Framplon was possible to bomb the industrial complex of So – my conclusion – hindsight is always the minister for 25 years. Monowitz, but the fact is that Auschwitz good. But there are so many other factors (Oswiecim) is a junction with railway lines to take into account. Had Hitler not fatally Regarding your description of the late going in four directions – to Katowice, delayed the Me262 jet fighter programme, Rabbi Dr. Leo Baeck in the March issue, I to Krakow Plaszow, to Trzebinia on the the formations of Allied bombers would am a member of the Leo Baeck Lodge of main line to Krakow or westwards into have been totally cut to pieces. The end the B’nai B’rith. I remember meeting this Bohemia. Unless one cut off all four lines, of WWII was a much more closely-fought remarkable man at Upper Berkeley Street simultaneously, the trains would have got and risk-laden undertaking than is often Synagogue shortly after WWII. through. The area is mostly flat with some presented – do not forget that plans were Kitty Freund river bridges but nothing that could be being drawn up to drop the first atom (widow of the late Dr. Hans Freund) dramatically destroyed – for example, a bomb, not in Japan but on Berlin, and the big viaduct or tunnel – that would have Allies were seriously expecting years of BIG DIFFERENCE – THEN AND NOW blocked the line for more than a few hours. resistance and sabotage from the defeated Germans. We should be simply grateful Sir – I refer to the leading article in April’s The USAAF bombers of the 8th Air Force that the war ended with an Allied victory, Journal. The refugee children and refugees could plaster areas, but even the RAF’s even though the post-war period, the in general of the 1930s to1946 era were famous 617 (‘Dambuster’) Squadron with disruptions, the cooling and then Cold War the result of centuries of religious and its Tallboy and other bombs and high- followed. later racial hatred by Gentiles against their precision bomb-aiming needed several Rabbi Dr. Walter Rothschild Semitic Jewish neighbours. This hatred attempts to destroy a viaduct at Bielefeld. was whipped up into a political tool by WHAT IS MODERN? a fanatical dictator and ultimately led to For some periods of the war it was possible the ‘Final Solution‘, resulting in desperate for bombers to fly from Britain, drop their Sir – I will admit that the letter posted by attempts to emigrate. bombs then continue to Italy to land and Simone Simon and Danielle and Danny refuel – but not to turn round and get back Feuer in your April Journal issue is well The present day migrant and refugee crisis to Britain. The distances were simply too thought out but methinks the family is not one of racial origin or persecution. great. Fighter escorts were impossible at “doth protest too much”. Also, there are The problem today is Islamic internal such long ranges. After late 1944, some a couple of holes in its logic that need turmoil, partially being politicised and air bases in conquered territory could be filling. By living within the Jewish bubble partially by financial migrants drawn to used – but it was winter and Auschwitz was the strongest ideology influencing them Europe for a better life. Those that come liberated by the end of January 1945. There has to be their religion. Nationality takes

6 AJR Journal | May 2017 second best and therefore it must follow Slovakia adopted the Nazi laws against venue for the 1935 England v Germany that British values cannot be as important the Jews in 1938. Jews were robbed of all match, when the England team politely to them as their own Jewish culture. They their valuables and prevented from carrying gave Nazi salutes to their opponents and cannot comprehend the British way of life on with their employment or business the Nazi swastika fluttered above White as well as they do the Jewish one. enterprises. With no income they were Hart Lane, until one brave supporter seen as a financial burden, so the Slovak (who was subsequently fined) tore it Many of the Orthodox members of the government paid 500 German marks for down. United synagogues have started calling every Jew deported, ignorant that they were Gary B, Stanmore themselves “Modern Orthodox”. Would sending them to an almost certain death. someone please explain how the word “modern” is used in this context? On 25 March 1942 the first consignment www.fishburnbooks.com Peter Phillips, Loudwater, Herts. consisted of 999 women aged 16 to 30. Jonathan Fishburn My two cousins aged 18 and 20 were buys and sells Jewish and Hebrew ESSINGER TRIAL supposed to join this transport, but our books, ephemera and items of family decided instead to send them to Jewish interest. Sir – I am always glad to receive the relatives in Hungary. My parents and I soon He is a member of the Antiquarian AJR journal and know there will be both followed my two cousins to Budapest, Booksellers Association. interest and even new information for where we lived until spring 1944. Contact Jonathan on me. I was particularly intrigued by the Gerta Vrbova 020 8455 9139 or 07813 803 889 tale about Anne Essinger’s Sekretair (April for more information 2017) as I taught a boy, Charles Essinger, LET’S RECYCLE several decades ago at an excellent boys’ grammar school in Leicester. He was Sir – With the launch of the new version of Psychoanalytic brilliant and I believe went on to one of the journal, it would be a good opportunity Psychotherapist UKCP the Oxbridge colleges, I do not remember to change the awful plastic cover to paper Registered and BACP (Accred) which. I heard that he had produced envelopes which can be recycled. How I offer a safe and confidential several books. I met the parents at about it??? setting where you can talk about parents’ evening and realised that Charles Ben Lachmann, London NW11 your thoughts and feelings and E’s father had indeed come from Swabia, NOTE FROM EDITOR: Thanks for this things that are worrying you such as depression, anxiety, as the name indicates. I came to know the suggestion, we are looking into this. bereavement, anger, relationships. mother, Mary E., (an English woman) after Rebecca Aharon tel 07904 115 795 she was widowed and she seemed truly KITCHENER CAMP REUNION email [email protected] interested in her husband’s background and told me that Anna Essinger was either Sir – Thank you for publishing my search a sister or a cousin of his. notice in your April issue, I received several replies. We are now organising an event on PillarCare Thank you for your good work. I like the Sunday 16 July in Sandwich for families of Quality support and care at home new format with colour, it is very successful people who started their lives in England in  Hourly Care from 4 hours – 24 hours I think. the Kitchener Camp. The event will include  Live-In/Night Duty/Sleepover Care Ruth L. David the chance to view the Sandwich archives  Convalescent and Personal Health Care (and share your own documents) and a  Compassionate and Affordable Service  CYNICAL, TOI? special tour around the town. Please email Professional, Qualified, Kind Care Staff  Registered with the CQC and UKHCA [email protected] if you would Sir – Referring to David Wirth’s Opinion like to attend. Call us on Freephone 0800 028 4645 PILLARCARE Piece ‘The Sound of Silence’ in your April Stephen Nelken THE BUSINESS CENTRE · 36 GLOUCESTER AVENUE · LONDON NW1 7BB issue, without the views expressed in PHONE: 020 7482 2188 · FAX: 020 7900 2308 paragraphs 4 through 8, the article would NEW HOME FOR THE LILYWHITES www.pillarcare.co.uk have been a truly thought provoking piece. For me, the cynicism (even bitterness?) of Sir – As Tottenham Hotspurs near the end those paragraphs added nothing to the of what looks set to be its most successful spring grove London’s Most Luxurious deeper feelings expressed in the rest of season for 50+ years, it seems fitting that the piece, rather it detracted from the real it is also its last in the current stadium. RETIREMENT HOME 214 Finchley Road message. London NW3 Mike Saunders Thanks to its popularity among Russian  Entertainment refugees, the mighty Spurs have long  Activities 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE been associated with Jewish support.  Stress Free Living NIGHTMARE In the 1930s a third of fans at a typical  24 House Staffing Excellent Cuisine home game were Jewish, many of them  Full En-Suite Facilities Sir – In March it was exactly 75 years since travelling to White Hart Lane on the Call for more information or a personal tour the first transport of Jews from Slovakia ‘Shabbat-compliant’ electric tram from 020 8446 2117 to Auschwitz. An independent republic the East End. How ironic then that the or 020 7794 4455 [email protected] with Catholic priest Josef Tiso as president, stadium was chosen by the FA as the

7 AJR Journal | May 2017 ART NOTES: Scotland Regional by Gloria Tessler Monday 5th June 2017 in Edinburgh While the Royal Academy celebrates depletion of prairie life and family unity, so We are delighted to be joined over lunch by the Russian Revolution in its main movingly expounded in John Steinbeck’s novels. One million farmers fled the Jonathan Arkush galleries (see our March issue), the President of The Board of Deputies of British Jews once fertile prairies of Oklahoma, which as our Keynote Speaker Sackler Wing features America after became the Dust Bowl as the cities filled His talk is entitled the Fall: Painting in the 1930s. with European migrants fleeing fascism. Our community under pressure Several paintings portray the brashness – can we cope? Both concern massive historical upheaval, and isolation of city life as in Edward and have a strange synchronicity. Russia’s Hopper’s New York Movie with its lonely Jonathan is a Barrister collective farms led to broken dreams and usherette. Wood’s Death on Ridge Road specialising in property, probate impoverishment. America’s Depression foretells an accident between two cars and and commercial law. led to mass migration from the country an oncoming red truck, while the warning He was elected Senior Vice President of the Board of Deputies to the towns, destroying the Great symbolism of a pylon recurs in the shadow in May 2009 and chaired American Dream in the wake of the of a cross. the Board’s Defence Division until 2015. His Wall Street Crash. In both the USSR and responsibilities included defending the community the US, artists depict the machine that Many artists record the growing against anti-Semitism, discrimination and any threat impoverishes humanity, and look back industrialisation which brought even to Jewish faith and practice in the United Kingdom, with nostalgia to a rural idyll. less hope, epitomised by the smoking and to forging deeper understanding between chimney of Charles Sheeler’s Ford Factory British Jews and other faiths. – a painting devoid of human beings, He was elected as President of the Board on referencing the thousands laid off work. 17 May 2015. There are uglier manifestations: Joe Jones’ We will also be joined by horrific lynching scene, American Justice, Michael Newman CEO of AJR and Thomas Hart Benton’s starving black Transport will be provided from Glasgow and cotton pickers. A dystopian vision of surrounding area humanity at the crossroads is expressed in Georgia O’Keefe’s Skull with Calico For further details contact Roses and Philip Guston’s Bombardment [email protected] 07908 156 361 with its deathly imagery or Alice Neal’s portrait of a union organiser gripping a newspaper headlining strikes in the coal and gas industries. Abstract Expressionism Annely Juda Fine Art glimmers on the horizon with Jackson Pollack’s violent Untitled, or Peter Blume’s 23 Dering Street darkly cynical Eternal City, as it was (off New Bond Street) easier to express artistic doubt this way Tel: 020 7629 7578 Grant Wood’s American Gothic than arouse national suspicion against Fax: 020 7491 2139 communists. CONTEMPORARY Violence is evident even in garish PAINTING AND SCULPTURE paintings of American urban life, like Philip Evergood’s Dance Marathon and Paul Cadmus’ The Fleet’s In with its drunken Paul Sample’s Church Supper shows sailors and raucous girls. With President sanctimonious women serving dinner Roosevelt’s New Deal of the 1930s US to their menfolk, who leer instead at a properties doubled and the government blonde interloper. It contrasts with another became the largest employer and investor painting showing the austerity of a Thomas Hart Renton’s Cotton Pickers in the country. But the American Dream Thanksgiving Dinner. John Steuart Curry’s was not working. Alexandre Hogue’s Hogs Killing a Snake, could be read as Probably the most famous painting to Mother Earth Laid Bare reveals the rural a bitter invocation of the biblical serpent emerge in 1930s America is Grant Wood’s barrenness in the form of a nude woman during the Depression. Until June 4. American Gothic. Against a church or in a shifting sand dune. Gothic homestead, a dour-faced couple, Ben Uri’s two exhibitions of German he brandishing a pitchfork, glare into The exhibition offers a raw and cynical refugee artists will be reviewed in our an uncertain future. They are facing the view of American disorientation. June issue.

8 AJR Journal | May 2017 2016 Annual Report 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

Highlights and key events Crossing. Our thanks too went to Sir Eric by relocating our Head Office We were delighted to organise a series Pickles, the UK Envoy for Post-Holocaust from Stanmore, where we had of events to mark our 75th anniversary Issues, for sharing his thoughts and to enjoyed 13 happy years, to Finchley last year culminating in a two day the Jewish Community Secondary School Central, to the northern end of the seminar at JW3 that explored the choir for their performance. As ever, our Finchleystrasse! The new office is of rich heritage, culture and traditions gratitude went to Rabbi Stuart Altshuler similar size and layout to Stanmore but of the Jewish refugees and their for officiating and to the Belsize Square with more of an open-plan feel. Please remarkable contribution to Britain. Synagogue for their hospitality. do drop in on us if you are in the area. We were grateful to members who shared their fascinating life histories Our annual concert and lunch once again Umbrella Group financial and to colleagues from across the provided a glimpse into the past and assistance Jewish community and beyond who the world that our members and their The AJR continued to act as the gave unique insights on a spectrum of families came from. As always, we were lead agency of the Umbrella Group subjects ranging from Jewish life in pre- beautifully entertained by Glenys Groves managing the welfare programmes of war Europe to the future of Holocaust and her colleagues from the Royal Opera, the Claims Conference, support that education as well as the thoughts of the who performed an ensemble entitled was further supplemented by Six Point second and third generations. Gold and Silver Celebration featuring Foundation. music by Schubert, Strauss and Lehar. It was my great pleasure to announce Following successful negotiations with the installation of a special plaque Thanks to the great efforts of Peter the German Government significantly in honour of former AJR Chairman Hedderly and the people of Harwich, more funding for Homecare Hans Reichmann and his wife Eva at some 25 Kinder were able to participate was achieved, and although the a reception at the Wiener Library last in a poignant commemoration last administrative burden became more summer to commemorate the founding July of the 77th anniversary of the onerous, grants made from Claims of the AJR in July 1941. Among our Kindertransport and to mark the date of Conference funding increased by £1m guests, we were deeply honoured the last transport brought to Britain by Sir to more than £4m. to welcome His Excellency Dr Peter Nicholas Winton. Ammon, the German Ambassador. Some £3.5m was paid to individual World events also impacted our work. beneficiaries to support their care and It also gave us great pleasure to In the wake of Brexit, we received – and other urgent essential needs, including unveil an AJR plaque in honour of continue to receive – a steady flow funding 377,000 hours of homecare. Sir Rudolf Bing at Glyndebourne last of enquiries from people exploring August when members from across the the possibility of restoring German This grant activity was further country enjoyed a performance of Le citizenship, in accordance with Article 116 supplemented by SPF which Nozze di Figaro and dinner at one of of the German Basic Law. contributed a further £463,000 to Glyndebourne’s famous restaurants. members of the Umbrella Group We are excited to be planning a A group of members greatly enjoyed a agencies. Altogether, we managed second plaque for Sir Rudolf, as part of fabulous five-day trip to Yorkshire with £4.5m of grants of which some the 70th anniversary celebrations for outings to some iconic places across £739,000 was paid to AJR members. the Edinburgh International Festival, the county, including York Minster, The While the Claims Conference continues this coming August. Chocolate Experience, Brontë Parsonage, generously to provide support for our Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, Harewood social work and volunteer activities, for We were equally thrilled to unveil an House, Harlow Carr Gardens, Bettys and which we are most grateful, we also AJR plaque to mark the contribution The Thackray Medical Museum. wish to express our deep gratitude to of the industrialist Lord (Frank) Schon SPF for the transformative role they at the house in Whitehaven, Cumbria, Our thanks too went to Edwina Currie, played in enhancing the lives of many where he and his family lived. who was the guest speaker at our of our members. Kristallnacht commemoration in Liverpool As part of our Holocaust Memorial when congregants also heard from AJR Self-Aid Day commemoration, we were grateful Lauren Klyne, who gave an account Further, it gave us great pleasure to broadcaster and newsreader of her grandmother, Ruth Edwards’, to award above inflation increases Edward Stourton, who interviewed recollections of Kristallnacht. We were totalling £598,000 to those members AJR member Joan Salter about her grateful too to Chazan Edward Marks for with the greatest need through the experiences as a child fleeing Nazi- leading the service. AJR’s Self-Aid programme. We aim to occupied France over the Pyrenees to make their lives more comfortable in Spain, as included in his book Cruel We also marked our 75th anniversary Continued on page 10

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2016 Annual Report during the past year. Our newest project, Community and international My Voice, which tells the stories of our affairs continued… members through the production of We participated on a series of communal individual life story books to be kept as bodies and initiatives, including playing the years ahead. treasured memories, started as a pilot in a leading role in the organisation of the Manchester in conjunction with the FED national Yom HaShoah commemoration Social and welfare services and is now being offered to our members at Allianz Park which more than 4,000 As a result of increasing our in London and Leeds. guests attended. We also participate complement of social workers and on the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s strengthening our administrative We are delighted that the team behind the collaborative. support, we were able to contact and project was named as Volunteer Team of support new members throughout the the Year at the sixth Jewish Telegraph and Our Chief Executive, Michael Newman, country. Jewish Volunteering Network Manchester chaired the Communications Working Jewish Community Award ceremony. Group of the International Holocaust Many AJR members benefitted from Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) as a individual grants and were provided The telephone befriender project has also member of the UK delegation. with specialised computers through grown significantly and we more than the SPF Connect programme with doubled the number of volunteers who Regional groups, outings and members now able to request music, make regular contact with our members. holidays books and films as well as being able Our Northern Regional Get-together to view interesting internet resources We continue to arrange for volunteers took place at Stenecourt Synagogue in such as many JW3 events and Belsize to befriend our members throughout the Manchester. Discussion groups in the Square Synagogue services. Members country; in some instances these visits morning and a beautiful catered lunch were also able to use Skype to the offer companionship and an opportunity were followed by a presentation on the amazement of their grand-children for our members to talk about current SPF Connect project. To round off the and great-grand-children! affairs or sport, or their families, while day, members were treated to a harpist’s other volunteers offer more practical performance and tea. Critically, we continued to provide support giving computer and iPad Homecare support to enable first lessons. In Scotland, we partnered with Giffnock generation members to help them Synagogue and the Glasgow Jewish remain in their own homes and lead We are also able to place volunteers with Archives to invite Barbara Winton to independent lives, and continued to members suffering with memory loss and address members, who also heard from offer advice and support in decision- dementia. Having recently appointed a Holocaust survivor Ben Helfgott as part of making regarding sheltered housing volunteer coordinator in Scotland, these the Yom Hashoah commemoration. Edward and residential care. Support was also projects are now also available to our Green, former jeweller to the Queen, gave provided for relatives and also to our members north of the border. a most fascinating presentation. second generation members. Sobell Members in Scotland also visited the We also worked with community Over three years have passed since National Holocaust Centre and the home organisations to meet members’ our AJR Centre members joined the of golf at St. Andrews as well as at the needs and develop relationships with Jewish Care family at the Sobell Centre magnificent Dumfries House. Olivia Jewish organisations that are not in Golders Green, on Tuesdays and Marks-Woldman, Chief Executive of the London-based. Although assessments Thursdays, joining the original members Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, was the and applications now require a much who transferred to Sobell when we keynote speaker at the annual Scotland greater level of detail, as well as the closed our facility at Belsize Square Get-together. involvement of medical and care Synagogue. professionals, and local authorities, In the South we started two new groups, we continued to make life-changing Our members socialise, play Rummikub a film club and an AJR card and games interventions to improve members’ and Bridge, join in the exercise classes club, proving popular with members with welfare. and numerous other activities offered at a regular growing attendance at both Sobell, including the wonderful art and groups. As in previous years, colleagues from pottery room. The hairdressing salon and the social work department supported manicurist are added bonuses. It gave us great pleasure to arrange members on holidays to Eastbourne cultural outings throughout the year, for a week and as part of the trip to Sadly, during the year we have lost some including a chance to meet Mona Yorkshire. of our regulars who played an active Golabek, writer and performer of The part in the life of AJR at Cleve Road and Pianist of Willesden Lane, and a visit Volunteers Belsize Square clubs. They are sorely to St Albans for a tour of the Cathedral The reach and impact of the volunteer missed but remembered with great followed by a lunch and tour of the department has continued to grow fondness. Synagogue.

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Ahead of the Brexit referendum, we the essence of the Journal established testimony collection, which will were grateful to Barnet MP, Mike Freer, by Howard and his predecessors, while have increased to 225 interviews at for participating in a debate at Alyth also introducing a more contemporary completion. Thought has already been Synagogue with Sir Bernard Lewis, the look and feel to this vitally important given to presenting and profiling the former Mayor of Birmingham. Alyth communication channel, in line with the archive in an interactive website. also kindly hosted our London regional AJR’s new corporate identity. groups’ Chanukah party. It gave us great pleasure to support Kindertransport the establishment of a PhD Scholarship We also organised outings to Kenwood We continued our excellent monthly in the name of former AJR member House, Hitchin Lavender Farm and to Kindertransport lunches at Alyth Clemens Nathan, at the University of the National Portrait Gallery to see an Synagogue when we were delighted to Sussex, and again be supporters of the exhibition on Jewish artists. One group welcome, among other speakers, His Holocaust Memorial Day programmes visited Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre to Excellency The Austrian Ambassador, Dr organised by the Finchley Reform and see a production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Martin Eichtinger, Dame Esther Rantzen, Northwood Synagogues. Members also had the opportunity to fly who spoke about her role as the founder a Spitfire simulator at the British Airways of Childline and Silverline, and Jonathan We also sponsored the Holocaust Aviation Museum. Arkush, the President of Board of Deputies Memorial Day events at the Universities on the issues facing our community. of Sussex and Glasgow and were a A group of our members enjoyed a prominent supporter of the national very sunny week in Eastbourne with It is a source of great pride that, Yom HaShoah commemoration in entertainment, trips to the theatre and among other members, Kindertransport London. outings to local places of interest. Chairman and my fellow AJR trustee, Sir Erich Reich, advocates for the plight We were also delighted to renew our AJR Journal of refugee children fleeing persecution support to Belsize Square Synagogue The AJR Journal, which celebrated its today. One of his letters to former Prime for their welfare and outreach officer. 70th anniversary last January, reflected Minister David Cameron was quoted at many of the major changes in the wider Prime Minister’s Questions. Membership world during a particularly eventful year. To our ongoing pleasure we continued Articles touching on the implications Child Survivors Association to enrol the first generation with of Brexit for refugees from other EU We supported many of our child survivor 39 former refugees becoming AJR member states, or the similarities members with their applications for the members last year. An additional 56 between the modern refugee crisis and historic one-time compensation payment new members came from the second Nazi Europe, for example, appeared administered by the Claims Conference generation. prominently alongside our regular and financed by the German Government, features of refugees’ stories, letters, and which also resulted in finding new At the end of last year, our total our regional reports. members. membership stood at 2,041, including 551 second generation. We continued to publish fascinating The Child Survivor Association social articles from our Consultant Editor events continued with gatherings in On 1 January this year, our database Anthony Grenville each month, covering each other’s homes and all members showed 590 members aged 90 or over topics as diverse as Bob Dylan and receiving the bi-monthly newsletter, and a further 27 who have reached politically motivated murders. These which keeps members abreast of events. their century but not yet declared! appeared alongside monthly contributions The experiences of child survivors are from our arts correspondent Gloria now recognised as an integral part of As ever, please do share with your Tessler and our Jerusalem correspondent Holocaust education with many members friends and family the great benefits of Dorothea Shefer-Vanson. Almost 40 engaged as speakers in schools. The CSA AJR membership and we look forward different books were reviewed, and more also remains a member of the European to welcoming more joiners this year. than 40 obituaries of some of our late Association of Survivors. members were published. Personnel Having sold over 7,000 copies, the CSA We said a fond farewell to popular social There have also been major changes book, WE REMEMBER, an anthology of worker Michael Flannery who ended his internally. In November our long-standing 30 of our members’ experiences during contract with us last December to return editor Howard Spier commenced a period the Holocaust, went into its fourth reprint to his native Australia. of protracted leave due to personal reflecting the high demand, particularly reasons. While Howard continues to be within secondary schools. We welcomed Ros Hart to augment in our thoughts, we recruited an acting the administrative support in the social editor, Jo Briggs, to pick up the reins. Grants and Holocaust work department, an appointment Working in close partnership with Anthony memorialisation that will help cover Christine Jones’ Grenville, our printers and some of our With thanks to Dr Bea Lewkowicz, we reduction in hours. We were delighted volunteers, she is managing to retain greatly expanded our Refugee Voices Continued on page 12

11 AJR Journal | May 2017 2016 Annual Report

2016 Annual Report 2016 TREASURER’S REPORT continued… Our financial picture at the end of During this past year we also to promote Rebecca Webb to senior 2016 reflects the growth during the witnessed a solid improvement in our administrator. year in social work activity resulting financial performance measured in from more generous funding made sterling, much of it reflecting the fall Eva Stellman joined the Outreach available to welfare programmes and in the value of the pound following team in January and has been to our wider educational initiatives. the Brexit vote. This has enabled welcomed by members for her us to further improve the delivery enthusiasm and kindness. We were Much of the core financial support we of services to members as well as also happy to welcome Jennifer provide has been funded by Claims support educational initiatives. We Aizenberg to the Volunteers team in Conference programmes financed by have also agreed to offer help to May, to work with volunteers who the German Government and by Six those who previously might have befriend clients with dementia. Point Foundation [SPF]. In both cases looked to SPF for assistance, subject the AJR not only administers the grants always to their meeting our own Samantha Cohen resigned from her of those organisations towards its criteria for Self-Aid. position in the accounts team at own members but also the end of last year with Josephine for those of the other Legacies provide Once again inflation- Dayan appointed on an interim charitable organisation beating increases basis until a permanent replacement of the Umbrella Group a vital funding were given to our can be found. which the AJR leads. source to enable most needy members our critical services – recipients of Self- Thanks Last year was particularly to be maintained Aid – while our social Delivering our life-enhancing active as the German and enhanced work establishment support and our unique services is a Government increased was further increased pleasure and a privilege but cannot its support by about a and our Refugee Voices happen without the dedication and third whilst SPF activity accelerated testimony archive was enlarged. professionalism of our wonderful in anticipation of the closure of that We also piloted the “Holocaust staff to whom I, and my fellow organisation. While not all of that Generations” project. Our grant trustees, owe a debt of gratitude. activity is reflected in our accounts, activity to other organisations which do not reflect funding from increased from 2015 but remained My thanks go in particular to our these sources to other agencies and below historical run rates. We senior managers, ably led by our their clients, members should be aware anticipate that during 2017 Chief Executive Michael Newman, that the overall funding managed and our significant commitments to but also to my fellow trustees distributed in this regard increased by organisations whose work we have whose counsel and guidance, and about £1m, an increase of 25%. pledged to support will crystallise. skills and knowledge, create the best possible shape to steer our Our own accounts reflect a £223k It is once again my great privilege to great organisation. increase in funding from the Claims express my gratitude to our former Conference and SPF and we remain members whose legacies in 2016 Marking our jubilee is a timely very grateful for their generosity and supported the organisation by more juncture to reflect on our great very appreciative of the work they do than £700,000, and respectfully achievements, not just this past year, on behalf of all survivors and refugees. encourage our members to remember but in the course of our history. that legacies provide a vital funding These developments necessitated source to enable our critical services It is also a suitable point to recall additional social work and to be maintained and enhanced in the that we are first and foremost administrative resource to manage way that we have been able to achieve an association – a membership the changes, including meeting the in recent years. organisation – founded by refugees increasing financial safeguarding for refugees, and it is you, our standards required by the Claims As always, I offer my thanks to the members, who drive us in our work. Conference. finance team for their continued dedication in relation not only to My colleagues and I greatly look The relocation of our head office to our own administration but also in forward to seeing you, hearing from Finchley following the expiry of our carrying out the increasingly complex you, and supporting you in the lease in Stanmore along with the administrative requirements of the years to come. inevitable moving costs and legal and programmes we manage. professional fees resulted in expenditure Andrew Kaufman in 2016 which we do not expect to David Rothenberg Chairman repeat in the foreseeable future. Treasurer

12 AJR Journal | May 2017 2016 Annual Report

WHY NOT CONVERT AND FINANCE REPORT YOUR OLD CINE FILMS The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) AND PUT THEM Summary Income and Expenditure Accounts ON DVDS Year ended 31st December 2016 (unaudited) FREE OF CHARGE? Contact Alf Buechler at Income: 2016 2015 [email protected] or tel 020 8554 5635 £ £ £ £ Claims Conference, Six Point & Other Grants 1,308,478 1,085,134 Subscriptions/Donations 68,982 76,328 JACKMAN . Investment income 705,168 657,074 Other Income 4,016 5,114 SILVERMAN

2,086,644 1,823,650 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS Legacies 800,573 708,704 Total Income 2,887,217 2,532,354

Less outgoings: Self Aid, Homecare and Emergency Grants 1,336,025 1,357,527 Social Services and other member services 1,090,403 997,640 Telephone: 020 7209 5532 [email protected] AJR Journal 112,937 116,407 Other organisations 61,443 41,830 Internal Educational Initiatives 86,359 11,993 Relocation 23,595 0 Administration/Depreciation 1,129,523 973,845 Eastbourne 3,840,285 3,499,242 Lansdowne Hotel Sunday 11 June to Net operating deficit for the year -953,068 -966,888 Sunday 18 June 2017 Surplus/-Deficiency on realised Come and join us for a week Make new friends and meet up and unrealised investments 2,591,397 -777,284 with old friends Net movement in funds 1,638,329 -1,744,172 £425pp for twin/double £450 for single room The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) Sea View rooms an additional £15 per room per night Carol Rossen will be among those Summary Balance Sheet accompanying the trip Year ended 31st December 2016 (unaudited) Space is limited so book early For further details, 2016 2015 please telephone Lorna Moss on 020 8385 3070 £ £ £ £ Fixed Assets and Investments 24,548,503 21,903,844

Current assets 4,774,414 6,102,951 Current liabilities 1,011,162 1,333,369

Net Current Assets 3,763,252 4,769,582 10-DAY VISIT TO ISRAEL Net Assets 28,311,755 26,673,426 NOVEMBER 2017 The AJR is considering organising a 10-day trip to Israel in early November this year. Reserves brought forward 26,673,426 28,417,597 The cost of the visit is not yet decided. Carol Rossen will be accompanying the trip. Net movement in funds for the year 1,638,329 -1,744,171 If you would like to join the trip, please contact Lorna Moss Reserves Carried Forward 28,311,755 26,673,426 on 020 8385 3070 or at [email protected] as soon as possible.

13 AJR Journal | May 2017

of women who all adopt a brazenness and of the Nobel Prize in 1981. Although REVIEWS outspokenness generally not associated sharing the fate of exile, the careers of with women, defying societal restraints to two authors could hardly have been more EXILE & GENDER 1 overcome the status quo (Hiltrud Arens, different. by Margaret M. Dunlop pp. 146-160). Children’s literature, so Edited by Charmian Brinson far neglected especially when written by As promised by the editors, this volume and Andrea Hammel women, also offers insight into how gender goes a long way towards correcting the and age can influence the experience “gender distortion” of early exile studies. The German TV channel ZDF recently of exile and its depiction. When, as in However, more work is needed and the showed “Landgericht”, the two-piece Lisa Tetzner’s “Children’s Odyssey”, an upcoming publication “Exile and Gender II” adaptation of an award-winning novel adventure story unusually centres on a will take a closer look at politics, education by Ursula Krechel that follows the fate girl, genre-typical stereotypes are broken and the arts. of a German-Jewish judge and his family and expected gender roles subverted: the through the National Socialist 1930s, gang of children, left alone, succeeds in Ines Schlenker exile and the young Bundesrepublik. negotiating categories of gender, class and Krechel based the family’s experience of ethnicity anew (Wiebke von Bernstorff, pp. exile on Ruth Barnett’s autobiography 207-219). KASZTNER’S CRIME “Person of No Nationality”. Barnett is by Paul Bogdanor among the small number of émigrés The influence of gender on exile life writing who, in writing their life’s story, pass the is especially palpable in cases of married Rezso (Rudolf) Kasztner was a leading knowledge on to younger generations. couples of writers where shared experiences member of The Zionist Defence Committee How the experience of exile is reflected lead to remarkably divergent texts that during the final and worst months of the depends on a number of factors, among can be directly compared. In their novels Hungarian Holocaust. them the gender of the author. The “Als wär’s ein Stück von mir” (1966) and recently-published volume 17 of the “Farm in den grünen Bergen” (1949) Carl He rescued thousands of Hungarian Jews, “Yearbook of the Research Centre for and Alice Zuckmayer both reflect on the but was accused, after the war in Israel, German and Austrian Exile Studies”, harsh years on a remote farm in Vermont of favouring the rich and betraying the edited by Charmian Brinson and Andrea (Birgit Maier-Katkin, pp. 60-75). Gender poor. By the time the Israeli Supreme Court Hammel and entitled “Exile and Gender lines get blurred in the private sphere of reversed the verdict in Kasztner’s favour I”, focuses on this so far neglected life on the farm. While Carl is motivated by he had been assassinated by right-wing aspect as expressed in literature and the the long-established male role of providing fanatics. Long controversy followed, with press. for his family, he also displays a romantic one side insisting he was a hero, the other love of animals and nature, usually seen he was a villain. The book throws light on many different as a female trait. Alice, by contrast, does aspects of gendered authorship. It not particularly like animals but is willing to In the last few years Kasztner and his looks, for example, at two of the few work with them and takes a rational and committee’s efforts have been officially newspapers aimed at German-speaking scholarly approach to farming, normally recognised and his papers accepted into women refugees in England during perceived as a male feature. Yad Vashem so it seemed appropriate that WWII, allowing a unique glimpse a balanced, impartial review be produced of into the reality of their everyday lives. For Elias and Veza Canetti exile in England the events in those terrible months. The short-lived “Österreicherin im also turned traditional gender roles on Haushalt” (Veronika Zwerger, pp. 220- their head (Rosa Marta Gómez Pata, pp. It could be hoped that Paul Bogdanor’s 236) provided advice for the Austrian 76-87, Ester Saletta, pp. 88-104). Veza, a book would provide such an overview. refugee domestic on matters ranging respected author in the 1930s, vanished Unfortunately Mr Bogdanor has missed from legal questions to recipes for basic from the public’s perception. Concerned that opportunity by producing a totally British dishes and kept its readers up to for her husband’s work and wellbeing, partisan and biased work. The book date with news from their homeland. she became the couple’s breadwinner in claims to be a history, but fails to provide The Communist-influenced newspaper exile, taking on translations and living a balanced picture of the prevailing “Frau in Arbeit” (Charmian Brinson, a secluded life in the house of Father conditions at the time, or the characters pp. 237-247) aimed to be the point of Milburn in Chesham Bois which she or the pressures facing them. Instead contact, support and entertainment for fictionalises unsentimentally in the short it becomes a diatribe against not only all German-speaking women refugees, story “Toogoods oder das Licht”, revealing Kasztner but also against members of the promoting the struggle for women’s her criticism of the lack of equality of committee in general and the head of the equality. men and women that runs through her Hungarian Zionist Federation, Otto Komoly, oeuvre. Veza’s sacrifices enabled Elias to in particular. Sometimes the extraordinary experience concentrate on his writing, always done in of exile offers the chance to break with German, finding inspiration in a busy social It is perhaps fortunate that Mr Bogdanor gender stereotypes. In his 2009 novel life and an Austrian mistress. His path to manages to find a sinister, indeed evil, “Exil der frechen Frauen” Robert Cohen recognition was interrupted by emigration interpretation of each and every of fictionalises three very different stories but eventually culminated in the bestowal Kasztner’s actions (either ignoring or

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glossing over courageous rescue action) Although attempts to persuade the based Holocaust Education, and then and in this way loses any possible claim to American and Canadian governments looks at what young people can providing an impartial overview, but also all to permit the entry of the Jews failed, learn about and from the Holocaust credibility. Captain Schroeder refused to return to to increase their understanding of Nazi Germany, where the fate of the contemporary citizenship. The following By making Kasztner an ogre, Mr Bogdanor passengers was clearly imprisonment chapters look at very important issues rekindles a bitter and barren argument, and death. Eventually several European such as how to define antisemitism, which if not accepted as settled by all sides, countries (England, France, Belgium, the the importance of language, and has at least become dormant. Mr Bogdanor Netherlands) agreed to take a certain different shapes and forms for might do well to accept that, apart from number of passengers, but the invasion Holocaust remembrance, memory and being totally misguided, his reigniting such of many of those countries by Hitler only commemoration. differences of opinion is the last thing the a few months later instantly put those Jewish, but especially, the Israeli community refugees in renewed danger. Only half One chapter I found particularly needs. of the six hundred Jews who returned to fascinating was ‘Pedagogy’ which Europe survived. looks at how to deal with the many George Donath controversial issues surrounding the The novel describes the heroic attempts to Holocaust. For example, it offers build a new life by two young couples, one strategies for responding to antisemitic THE VOYAGE; A Holocaust Novel that is able to leave the boat in Cuba due sentiment from students, especially in by Roberta Kagan to the self-sacrifice of another passenger, culturally diverse classrooms (depending and one that returns to Europe to eke on the mix, it recommends focusing on The voyage of the liner MS St. Louis from out an existence while evading capture human rights issues, celebrating modern Germany with some 900 Jews on board is by the Germans. Alex, a concentration day cultural diversity and/or recognising well-documented. In May 1939 the vessel camp survivor, and Anna disembark in Muslim rescuers of Jews in North Africa). set sail for Cuba, where the passengers had Havana, and are eventually able to move It also advises teachers to highlight the been promised refuge. The ship’s captain, to America. Life is not easy for them there, Yad Vashem’s list of ‘Women of Valour’ Gustav Schroeder, faithfully discharged his as Alex joins the US army and is sent to as role models for young women, and to responsiblity for the welfare and safety of fight in Europe, where he is wounded in use the Nazis’ murderous intent towards the passengers. the battle for Normandy, but ultimately gay people to encourage tolerance and reunited with Anna. The other young equality. Roberta Kagan has woven the stories couple – Viktor, the Gentile crew-member, of several imaginary passengers into a and Elke, the beautiful, Aryan-looking There is one chapter devoted towards novel which attempts to bring to life the Jewess – return to Europe, where Viktor primary schools, and another looking at experience of that voyage, the interactions obtains false papers for Elke and she different classroom teaching approaches. between passengers and crew, and above assumes the identity of a good Catholic. It stresses the need for teachers to be all the concern for the passengers displayed judicious in using Holocaust fiction in by Captain Schroeder (who was eventually The book begins and ends with the real their teaching, advising them also to recognized as one of the Righteous or imagined gathering of survivors of incorporate survivor and eye-witness Among Nations at Yad Vashem). In those that voyage and their descendants in testimonies. It highlights the huge days of the Third Reich, it took a man of modern-day America, which is apparently opportunities for students to view exceptional character and courage to insist an annual event. The son of one of the online testimony, especially as the era that while on board ‘his’ ship, Jews were couples meets the wife (now a widow) in which there will be no one with a to be treated with all the civility, courtesy of the other couple, thereby closing the living memory of the Holocaust is fast and consideration afforded to any Gentile circle of suffering and separation which approaching. It also advocates the use passenger. has characterized so many survivors of that of role-play and simulation strategies, terrible time. providing these are used with caution, Most of the passengers had obtained visas forethought and reflection. Finally it allowing them to disembark in Cuba, but Dorothea Shefer-Vanson looks at the powerful lessons that can be were prevented from doing so by a sudden learned from visiting Auschwitz or other upsurge of anti-Semitic feeling in that sites associated with the Holocaust, but country, stirred up by Nazi propaganda. UNDERSTANDING & TEACHING questions whether school groups should This led the Cuban government to revoke HOLOCAUST EDUCATION be more diverse in terms of ethnicity, those visas, whereupon the captain and by Paul Cowan & Henry Maitles ability, social disadvantage and even various Jewish organizations endeavored subject specialisms. to find an alternative haven for the Jewish As a lay person, I was intrigued to see how passengers. Ms. Kagan describes these something as seismic and complex as the All in all a fascinating read – even if events through the eyes and emotions Holocaust can be structured into a topic for one is not preparing a Holocaust lesson of her fictitious characters. Undoubtedly, school children. plan. much of what she has written has a very sound basis in fact. The book begins by justifying school- Jo Briggs

15 AJR Journal | May 2017

and games tables for a fun afternoon. Glasgow CF: Politics in Scotland David Lang Jackson Carlaw Around MSP, Deputy Cheshire: Leadership Discussion Leader of the We met at the home of Ernie & Vivienne Conservatives Hunter. We discussed what attributes are in Scotland the AJR needed to be a good leader. Newcomer Laura spoke about his was welcomed. involvement in Book Club: OPPOSITES ATTRACT Wendy Bott support of Israel A visit to the Book Club always has the promise at the Scottish of a pleasant afternoon. We read The Marriage Didsbury: good conversation Parliament, the of Opposites by Alice Hoffman which we all The subject was Where would you live, given implications enjoyed. the choice? Suggestions ranged from the of Brexit for Jill Pivnik and Rhoda Robinson Pennines to Vancouver. Scotland and the prospect of a second Scottish Wendy Bott independence referendum. Bradford: Café Outing Agnes Isaacs We met at the wonderful Café in the Opera Ealing: Now we know who did it at Salts Mill, Saltaire, where we talked nonstop Nick Dobson spoke on the life and work of OUTING TO for nearly three hours. Agatha Christie and on her main characters, 2 WILLOW ROAD Wendy Bott Hercule Poirot and Jane Marple. Leslie Sommer Colin Davey, a volunteer London Guide, CHILD REFUGEES escorted us round this amazing modernist THEN AND NOW East Midlands: WARM WELCOME house (now part of the National Trust) Our first meeting of 2017 was well attended, built in 1939 by the Hungarian émigré Our guest at the Kindertransport Lunch and we welcomed Esther Rinkoff from the architect Erno Goldfinger. The many was Laura Griffiths from Safe Passage AJR and Kathryn, our AJR social worker. We windows have outstanding views onto UK, the charity supported by Lord Dubs also wished one of our members a happy Hampstead Heath. Rooms can be to help child refugees trying to reach their 94th birthday. extended as required; all the built-in families in the UK. Laura told us about her Bob Norton furniture is compact, with space-saving work in the Calais camps, where some pivoting drawers in Erno’s desk. stories had happy endings. Some former Edgware: Treason in high places Meta Roseneil Kinder voiced strong opinions on the Philippa Bernard spoke on Roderigo Lopez, current situation compared to their own physician to Queen Elizabeth I. He was a stories. This event was covered by a film Portuguese Jew converted to Christianity, Glasgow: A great day out crew working on survivors’ stories for Yom accused of poisoning the Queen at a time We travelled through the Clyde Valley for a HaShoah. when Jews were not allowed to live in wonderful day at Garrion Bridges Antiques and Susan Harrod Britain. He was convicted of high treason Garden Centre where we enjoyed the huge and hanged, drawn and quartered in displays of fashions, leathers, crafts, ceramics, 1594. jewellery, plants and antiques. Brighton: Jewish Nonagenarians Sylvia Ring Ruth Ramsey Lawrence Collins spoke about inspirational Jewish nonagenarians (who make up 1.6% Essex: Memories of East End Harrogate: MANX TALES of the Jewish community) including a dental Ronnie Schwartz, born in Hackney in 1932, At the lovely home of Inge we met her surgeon drafted to Singapore in WW2, spoke about the East End and working in daughter, Ruth, who told us about life on the a survivor of Auschwitz and a consultant Petticoat Lane for 30 years. He told us that Isle of Man, its inhabitants and its indigenous geriatrician who (for the purposes of Mile End is so called because it is a mile from animals…specifically, the Manx cat. longevity) recommends “choose your parents the City of London. He knew the Krays Wendy Bott carefully”. (whose mother was Jewish). Shirley Huberman Larry Lisner Ilford: A slice of Jewish history Kathryn Prevezer and Colin Davey spoke Bristol: Refugees Today Film Club: ELEPHANT HUNT about Jewish Soho. There were once three We liaised with Bristol Refugee Support and We saw “Hunting Elephants”, a charming, synagogues, now none remain (the last one invited refugees to join us for lunch and hilarious and also moving Israeli comedy in Dean Street was converted to a theatre). discussion. Central themes were “leaving” about a bank robbery carried out by a group There were many Jewish shopkeepers and and “arriving”. We heard from Atil, a Kurd of retirement home residents. even a Jewish-owned pub. who came to the UK over 20 years ago and Eva Stellman Meta Roseneil also from Irene who came from Uganda just one year ago. Glasgow Book Club: “40 Rules of Love” Leeds: Life in a Russian Shtetl Hazel Rank-Broadley This book was not everyone’s cup of tea so Ruth Bell, curator of the “Russian shtetl” built we had a lively discussion. Our next book will some years ago by Leeds Jewish Heritage Cards & Games Club be The Proposal by Tasmina Perry. Centre, spoke about the ‘village’. We were After a lovely lunch we adjourned to the cards Agnes Isaacs able to wander round it, accompanied by the

16 AJR Journal | May 2017 sound of livestock, and could enter the various Norwich: Trauma of 2ND GEN Pinner: Treasured Mementoes buildings including a Shul. Clinical psychologist Andrew Sluckin spoke Fellow-members each brought along an Barbara Cammerman on “The Trauma of the Holocaust on the 2nd item or interest for discussion. They varied Generation” (of which the speaker is one). from paintings and a powder compact Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester The sense of loss and grieving for murdered made in Lodz to children’s books produced groups meeting grandparents was transmitted via their parents during the war by the parents of a hidden After a delicious lunch we enjoyed watching and had great impact. child. “Woman in Gold” and thanks are due to Frank Bright Henri Obstfeld Ernie Hunter for providing all the equipment needed. Oxford: Lunch and Discussion Radlett: Jewish Nonagenarians Wendy Bott Our newest member told us about himself Lawrence Collins interviewed members of the and three members showed us a treasured Jewish community aged 90+, many of whom Muswell Hill: Inaugural Meeting possession, each item being part of a much had achieved some distinction and all with Over tea and Hamantaschen a new AJR larger story. fascinating memories. group was born. Thirteen people met at the Kathryn Prevezer Fritz Starer Muswell Hill Synagogue and spoke briefly about how they had become AJR members. We look forward to stimulating monthly programmes. Patricia J. Tausz MAY GROUP EVENTS

N.W.London: Two speakers Claude Vecht-Wolf, the AJR information As the exact timings of these events are often subject to last minute changes we do not technology expert, spoke about his work include them in the AJR Journal and suggest you contact the relevant regional contact as well as his current training to be a Rabbi. for full details. Also, Sacha talked about her dissertation on Austrian and German Jewish refugees in Book Club 3 May Discussion and Tea London for her Master’s Degree at UCL. Birmingham 3 May Lunch – Sturgeon Queen Film David Lang Bradford 9 May Social get-together Brighton 15 May Harvey Bratt UJIA Cardiff 15 May Colin Davey – Stories of the Law CONTACTS Cheshire 8 May Social get-together Didsbury 17 May Social get-together Susan Harrod Lead Outreach & Events Co-ordinator Ealing 2 May Frances Long – The history of Opera 6 June David Barnett – The Story of Joseph Nathan 020 8385 3070 [email protected] Edgware 16 May Dr David Barnett – ‘E Moses & Son, the most Wendy Bott famous Jewish business in Victorian Britain’ Northern Outreach Co-ordinator Edinburgh 18 May Social get-together 07908 156 365 [email protected] Essex (Westcliff) 9 May Michael Newman, CEO of AJR Agnes Isaacs Northern Outreach Co-ordinator Glasgow Book Club 11 May Social get-together 07908 156 361 [email protected] Harrogate 11 May Social get-together

Kathryn Prevezer Ilford 3 May Nick Dobson – An Underground Guide to Historical London Southern Outreach Co-ordinator 07966 969 951 [email protected] Ilford 7 June Film – The Sturgeon Queen

Esther Rinkoff Kensington 2 May Social get-together Southern Outreach Co-ordinator Muswell Hill 18 May Social get-together 07966 631 778 [email protected] Newcastle 14 May Social get-together Eva Stellman North London 18 May Kathryn Prevezer and Colin Davey – A Virtual Tour Southern Outreach Co-ordinator of Jewish Soho 07904 489 515 [email protected] Pinner 4 May Myleen Goodman – Fight and Flight – A story of KT-AJR (Kindertransport) two women painters during the French Revolution 8 June Diana Barnett – the Portuguese Consul De Sousa Susan Harrod Mendes who saved so many Jews. 020 8385 3070 [email protected] Prestwich 15 May Social get-together Child Survivors’ Association-AJR Henri Obstfeld Radlett 17 May Tim Pike – Bank of England update 020 8954 5298 [email protected]

17 AJR Journal | May 2017 LOOKING FOR?

The AJR regularly receives SS Nyassa for New York, but is keen to learn signed on the reverse but in no particular messages from our members and by what means they travelled across Europe. order. He would like to hear from people who [email protected] others looking for people or for could share their experiences (or those of help in particular subjects. Here are their family members) of this route at about Freeman or Friedmann some of the most recent requests – this time. David Rothenberg would be grateful for [email protected] any information regarding Fela Klugman please get in touch directly with the nee Friedmann or Susannah Friedmann, person concerned if you can help. Faces to Names the daughters of Berthold Freeman [Friedmann] and Regina nee Sheinberger, or Senta ‘Secret Agents’ needed! Freeman [Friedmann] nee Wall to Wall Media is seeking men and Ehrmann. women (18+) to take part in a BBC2 Living [email protected] History programme on secret agents during WWII. Participants who would like to If you would like to place challenge their mental, physical and practical a search in a future issue aptitude would ‘train’ as 1940s secret of the AJR Journal, please agents. This is not an acting job. email [email protected] [email protected] including the words SEARCH REQUEST in the Marcel Lorber title of your email. Musicologist Joseph Toltz wishes to find the estate of the composer Marcel Lorber David Harris hopes someone is able to help in order to obtain permission to arrange put faces to names in this much-published CLASSIFIED his music for a festival of Jewish music and 1942 photograph of a section of 249 JOSEPH PEREIRA theatre to be held in August in Sydney, Company, Pioneer Corps. He has the original (ex-AJR caretaker over 22 years) is now Australia. Any information to: copy (his father, Willi Reissner, is in the back available for DIY repairs and general [email protected] row, on the far left) which everyone has maintenance. No job too small, very reasonable rates. Stolpersteine Please telephone 07966 887 485. Information sought on Daniel Samuel Books Bought Goldstein and his mother, Frieda Goldstein, Modern and Old in order to lay Stolpersteine for them in Berlin. The mother perished in Chelmno, the Eric Levene switch on electrics son came to the UK in 1939. 020 8364 3554 / 07855387574 Rewires and all household [email protected] [email protected] electrical work I also purchase ephemera PHONE PAUL: 020 8200 3518 Singer, Leopold Mobile: 0795 614 8566 Researchers from Austria seek information about Dr Leopold Singer (petrochemist), born Vienna 31 July 1869, died June 1942 in AJR CARD AND GAMES CLUB London. Leopold Singer and his wife Jenny, Please join us at our new Card and Games Club née Beck (1877-1941), are assumed to Monday 8 May 2017 at 1.00pm have left Austria in March 1939 for the UK. at North Western Reform Synagogue, Christian Klösch ([email protected]) Alyth Gardens, Temple Fortune, London NW11 7EN and Regina Zodl ([email protected]) Open to all levels Bridge players – come and join us We also offer card games, backgammon, scrabble. You decide. Getting to Lisbon Games are dependent on numbers being sufficient – the more the merrier A sandwich lunch will be served upon arrival with tea, coffee and Danish pastries. In May 1941 Oliver Marshall’s grandparents £7.00 per person were given permission to leave Germany for Booking is essential – when you book please let us know your choice of game. the USA. He knows that they travelled from Please either call Susan Harrod on 020 8385 3070 or email [email protected] Frankfurt to Lisbon, where they boarded the

18 AJR Journal | May 2017

OBITUARY Mayer Hersh 31 August 1926 – 8 October 2016

up now, the war is virtually finished.’ That the Gates of Hell’. made me carry on.” Hersh was awarded an MBE in 2013, After liberation, Hersh came to Britain but was even prouder of the honorary with a Jewish refugee group and lived doctorate he received in 2012 from initially in the Lake District, where 300 Edge Hill University in Ormskirk, young survivors of the camps were taken Lancashire, where for many years he to recuperate. “For the first time in five had advised trainee teachers on how years we were treated with dignity and to discuss the Holocaust with young In the last 30 years of his life respect,” he said, “and this by local people. Mayer Hersh became one of the people who didn’t really know who we were.” Bearing witness – not with anger but foremost UK-based witnesses to with compassion – had become his the Holocaust. That he had lived Jakob, meanwhile, went initially to vocation. “In spite of what he had to tell his story at all was little the US and then settled in Israel. The been through,” said Rabbi Jonathan brothers remained close, and Mayer was Guttentag at Hersh’s funeral, “he short of miraculous. a frequent visitor to Israel until Jakob’s was not bitter or negative – he was death in 2003. positive and faith-filled; he was wise, Hersh, whose family name was he was inspirational … By constantly originally Herszkowicz, was born in Mayer had grown up in a Yiddish- sharing his story, he was upholding the Sieradz, near Łódz, in central Poland. His speaking household, and also spoke memory and the dignity of his family, father, Isaac, who was a tailor, mother Polish and German, but now had to learn his friends, his community and his Riwka (nee Szczukowska), four siblings, English. He picked it up quickly, settled in people.” and his entire extended family were all Manchester, trained as a tailor and built a murdered in the Holocaust. Only Mayer successful bespoke business. I met Hersh in 2005 for an article and his elder brother, Jakob, survived, to mark the 60th anniversary of the taken from Sieradz in 1940 to be slave He was active on behalf of Jewish causes liberation of Auschwitz. “In 1944,” labourers. – looking after survivors and collecting he told me, “I was daydreaming – money for the new state of Israel – and when I had a chance to daydream The brothers were separated and Mayer, in 1965 married Judith Cooklin, whom – that maybe I’ll get through and who was 13 at the outbreak of WWII, he had met at a Jewish social club in the survive, knowing by that time that was taken from camp to camp. In May city, and who survives him. Like many not many people would. I thought 1943 he found himself in Auschwitz. Holocaust survivors, in the 1950s and 60s how wonderful it would be if I do A few months later, he met Jakob in he said little publicly of his experiences in survive, how people will put me on a the camp and advised him to ask for the war. But from the 70s on, especially pedestal. You know how the childish a transfer to the coalmines in Silesia – once he had retired, Hersh became an mind works. Well, I am on a pedestal, advice that probably saved Jakob’s life, increasingly significant voice in Holocaust I am given certain honours, you although the job was desperately hard. education. come to interview me. To me, this is a fulfilment. Mayer did not leave Auschwitz until He toured schools – sometimes up November 1944, when he was taken to three a week – giving talks on his “But why is it a fulfilment? Because I’m to Stutthof, then to Stuttgart, and experiences, and his friend David Arnold, talking about my family, whose lives then to Gotha, where he worked who helped plan the visits, believes he were extinguished and whose voices in an underground bunker loading addressed 100,000 schoolchildren. Many were obliterated. The perpetrators also ammunition on to trucks. The day corresponded with him after his visits, wanted the memory of these people before the allies arrived, the workers and some became lifelong friends. to be obliterated, and that’s something began a forced march to Buchenwald, I don’t want to happen. I want their the last part of it through the mountains. As a survivor of nine camps, Hersh memory to be preserved for eternity.” “Anyone who stopped got a single was much in demand to verify archival bullet through the head,” said Hersh. material and record his testimony, most Stephen Moss “They didn’t waste a bullet. For the notably in 1997 for the University of first time, I had lost all hope. I was in Southern California Shoah Foundation. In This obituary is reprinted with grateful total despair, but the man next to me, a 2003 Hersh cooperated with the author thanks to The Guardian, who first complete stranger, said: ‘You can’t give Colin Rushton on a book called ‘Beyond published it on 17 October 2016.

19 AJR Journal | May 2017

New Educational LAST TRAIN TO ARRIVE SECOND GENERATION IN MAIDENHEAD Network Grants Advisor Members of Maidenhead Synagogue The Second Generation Network has Alex Maws, will be staging a production of Carl Davis two interesting events coming up at previously Head OBE’s Last Train to Tomorrow on 17, 18 JW3. On 14 May the psychologist of Education at & 20 May. The piano accompanist will and psychotherapist Gaby Glassman the Holocaust be Carl himself – who lives in Windsor will lead a workshop for the children Educational – while John Dunston, the child of of Holocaust survivors and refugees, Trust, has refugees, will conduct. exploring how their own lives have joined the AJR been affected. A similar session for Third in-house team Admission by ticket only. Generation (grandchildren) will be held to develop a Contact Barbara Grossman on on 11 June and facilitated by David strategy for our 01628 541017 or email Polak. https://www.jw3.org.uk/event/ institutional [email protected] second-generation-their-past-our-future. grant giving in the field of Holocaust memorialisation.

Alex said “The field of Holocaust education Thanks mike! October 1994. We are delighted and memorialisation is at a critical juncture. that Mike’s assistant Celeste Flugel is It’s so important right now to support The AJR would like to wish a long taking over the helm, to continue to innovation to ensure that this topic remains and happy retirement to Mike Levine, deliver the high quality publication relevant for future generations, and the MD of FBprinters LLP, who have been that Mike has helped us create for the AJR is in a unique position to take a leading printing our monthly Journal since past 23 years. role. I am honoured to have been asked to help the AJR move in this direction.”

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For mor informtion cll 020 8457 2333 For mor informtion COMMUNITYFUNRUN.ORG cll 020 8457 2333 COMMUNITYFUNRUN.ORG 4817 MGB CFR 2017 Charity Flyer_v18.indd 4 19/04/2017 11:56 Published by The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), a company limited by guarantee. 4817 MGB CFR 2017 Charity Flyer_v18.indd 4 Registered office: Winston House, 2 Dollis Park, Finchley, London N3 1HF 19/04/2017 11:56 Registered in England and Wales with charity number: 1149882 and company number: 8220991 Telephone 020 8385 3070 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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