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A Conversation with Inge Kutchins February 17, 2019

HISTORY & INTRODUCTION

On April 1, 1933 Hitler declared a national boycott of Jewish businesses and the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service passed on April 7 forcing all non-Aryan civil servants to retire from the legal profession and civil service. Similar legislation soon deprived other Jewish professionals of their right to practice, and on April 11, another decree stated anyone who had even one Jewish parent or grandparent was considered non-Aryan. As part of the drive to remove Jewish influence from cultural life, members of the National Socialist Student League removed from libraries any books considered un-German, and a nationwide book burning was held on May 10.

The regime used violence and economic pressure to encourage Jews to voluntarily leave Germany. Jewish businesses were denied access to markets, forbidden to advertise, and deprived of access to government contracts. Citizens were harassed and subjected to violent attacks. Many towns posted signs forbidding entry to Jews.

In November 1938, a young Jewish man requested an interview with the German ambassador in Paris and met with a legation secretary, whom he shot and killed to protest his family's treatment in Germany. This incident provided the pretext for a against the Jews beginning on November 9, 1938. Members of the SA (Hitler’s original paramilitary force) damaged or destroyed synagogues and Jewish property throughout Germany. At least 91 German Jews were killed during this pogrom, later called , the of Broken Glass. Further restrictions were imposed on Jews in the coming months – they were forbidden to own businesses or work in retail shops, drive cars, go to the cinema, visit the library, or own weapons, and Jewish pupils were removed from schools. The Jewish community was fined one billion marks to pay for the damage caused by Kristallnacht and told that any insurance settlements would be confiscated. By 1939, around 250,000 of Germany's 437,000 Jews had emigrated to the United States, Argentina, Great Britain, Palestine, and other countries. Many chose to stay in continental 2

Europe. Emigrants to Palestine were allowed to transfer property there under the terms of the Haavara Agreement, but those moving to other countries had to leave virtually all their property behind, and it was seized by the government. Inge was born in Freyberg Germany in 1931, her father, Dr. Julius Neuberger, died soon after she was born. Inge spent the first 8 years of her life in Freyberg with her sister, Doris, who was 2 years older, her mother, and a loving extended family. And now, 80 years later, Inge has graciously consented to share her story with us. Because her life experiences include her Jewish heritage, the Protestant Methodist tradition, and Unitarian Universalism, Inge considers herself to be a bridge builder, which is one of the many reasons she as been such a valued member of this spiritual community since the beginning.

Reading: A Short History of the UU Community of Casper, by Jim Brown

Barbara and I moved to Casper from Denver in May, 1979. At that time there was no Unitarian Universalist Congregation here, an earlier UU group having disbanded in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s

Sometime in 1982 we received a call from Richard Warvi, a Unitarian, who had moved to Casper from Laramie. Dick was in his mid-40’s and a successful architect. He invited us to join a meeting at his house for the purpose discussing formation of a UU fellowship in Casper. After a few more meetings around his kitchen table, we anointed ourselves as the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Casper.

In the fall of 1982, the UUA welcomed us into the fold. There were 15 members. We were the 1,006th congregation. Notwithstanding our size, within two months we received a visit from Russel Lockwood, who at that time was involved in the UUA Extension program, and a visit from a young lady from UU headquarters in Boston. I believe she had relatives in Casper. Needless to say, our small group felt important.

Initially, we met in the Women’s Club House on 6th Street between Wolcott and Center. One of our charter members, Jane Armstrong, had served as a religious education coordinator at a UU Church in Buffalo, NY, so we started with a full-fledged RE program. 3

There were five children. I think we met on Sunday evening twice a month for a service and potluck and our services were all homegrown because we had no minister at the time.

We did not hold services in the summer of 1983 but organized three outings I can remember: a campout on Muddy Mountain, and picnics at Alcova and Ayers Natural Bridge.

Beginning in 1984, a series of corporate moves kept Barbara and me away from Casper for 15 years. Upon our return in the fall of 1999 I was delighted to learn that our little UU fellowship was still in existence.

Sunday bulletins indicate the fellowship moved from the Casper Women’s Club House to the Senior Center in January 1999. In early October, 1999, Barbara and I attended our first service. Seven people attended, including us. It was a discussion group. The next Sunday, I first met Jug Brandjord a retired Presbyterian minister, who during our absence had become affiliated with the Fellowship and was leading services, perhaps three a month.

I think our meetings in the Senior Center began at 10:30 AM. The venue wasn’t very satisfactory because oftentimes our space was occupied by a group running late, so our services started late. I guess for many Unitarians this may have been convenient.

The first time we met at the United Church of Christ on Melrose was in the spring of 2001, when we gathered in the Fellowship Hall for an “experimental” service to see how the surroundings felt. Forty-one attended. I guess we liked what we saw, because in the fall of 2001 we began meeting at the UCC and continued to do so for 14 years. During this period our average attendance varied between 43 and 25. For the first few years we met at 11 and our hosts met at 9 o’clock. Reverend Kee became our minister in the fall of 2011 and in March of 2015, we left UCC and moved into our own building.