VOLume 13 NO.9 september 2013 journal The Association of Jewish Refugees

Across the divide to Eastern Europe (Part 2)

efore 1918, the eastern territories was Martin Buber, born in Vienna in for considerably longer than Galicia and of the Austro-Hungarian Empire 1878 but raised from the age of three were correspondingly closer culturally B– those that were after 1945 to by his grandfather in Lemberg. The to Austria. This was reflected in the be situated behind the Iron Curtain second largest city in eastern Galicia fact that their Jewish population was – contained some of the largest was Brody, a major commercial centre largely German-speaking. The jewel concentrations of Jews in the world that became known as ‘Trieste on the in the crown of Bohemian Jewry was outside the Pale of Settlement in Russia. continent’, offering an opening to Russia Prague, whose Jewish community has The Jewish communities of acquired almost mythical the Dual Monarchy, spread status. Prague was home to across the present-day states Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, of Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, creator of the legendary figure the Czech Republic, Slovakia of the Golem, to the thirteenth- and Romania, were far more century Old New Synagogue diverse than those of the and to the celebrated Old German Empire discussed Jewish Cemetery. Franz Kafka, in last month’s issue of the probably the most influential Journal. Jewish writer of modern times, No area of what was once was born in Prague in 1883; the Austria-Hungary is more city can be sensed in seminal redolent of Eastern Europe’s works like The Trial and vanished Jewish past than Metamorphosis. Galicia (Austrian Poland). Part The Dohány Synagogue in Budapest Brno (Brünn), the capital of the Austrian half of the Dual of Moravia, also has a long Monarchy, Galicia came under Habsburg just as Trieste gave Austria-Hungary an association with the Jews. The city’s rule in 1772 and took its nineteenth- outlet to the Mediterranean. Brody was most famous sight is the Villa Tugendhat, century form under the settlement also known as the ‘Galician Jerusalem’ constructed in 1929-30 for a Jewish couple reached at the Congress of Vienna in since Jews formed over 80 per cent of its of that name by the modernist architect 1815. It was a crescent-shaped territory population and it was an important centre Mies van der Rohe. Moravia contributed stretching from Cracow in the west to the of enlightened culture and of Judaism; for notably to the high culture of the Habsburg Romanian border in the south-east; the a time the founder of Hasidism, the Baal Empire: Sigmund Freud was born in western part, around Cracow, now forms Shem Tov, had lived there. Příbor (Freiberg) and Gustav Mahler was part of Poland, while the eastern part, The principal city of Polish-dominated brought up in Jihlava (Iglau) on the border around Lviv (Lemberg), is in Ukraine. western Galicia was Cracow, capital between Moravia and Bohemia. A Torah At its western extremity was the small of Poland until the early seventeenth scroll from Moravská Ostrava (Mährisch- town of Auschwitz (Oświęcim), which century. Following the foundation of Ostrau) is on permanent loan to Kingston became part of Poland in 1918 and was Kazimierz in 1335 by King Casimir upon Thames synagogue, a memorial to annexed to the Third Reich in 1939. In its the Great as an outlying settlement for the region’s lost Jewish past. far south-east were towns like Tarnopol, Jews, Cracow became a major centre of At the eastern end of the Austrian Buczacz, Kolomea and Stryj, with a mixed Jewish life and culture though its Jewish half of the Dual Monarchy lay Bukovina, population of Poles, Ukrainians and Jews. residents also suffered periodic bouts of where the original Romanian majority was Lemberg, perhaps more than any other persecution. Much of the cultural and increasingly diluted by Ukrainians, Poles, Habsburg city, was associated with the intellectual elite of other towns in western Hungarians, Germans and Jews. Under rapidly expanding urban communities Galicia, such as Tarnow or Rzeszów, was Habsburg rule from 1775, Bukovina of eastern Jews, hard-working and Jewish. Around Przemyśl the Austrians passed to Romania in 1918. Its northern aspirational, eager for cultural and constructed one of the largest defensive part, annexed by the Soviet Union educational self-improvement, but also fortresses in Europe but in 1914 it failed to in 1940 and re-occupied by Romania conscious of the values, traditions and stem the advancing Russian armies. The between 1941 and 1944, now forms part religious practices of their birthplaces. atrocities of the Holocaust have, perhaps of Ukraine. Though it was the capital of a The arrival of the German-speaking understandably, obscured historical small, remote province, Czernowitz (now bureaucracy of the Habsburg state gave memories of the brutal treatment meted Chernivtsi) occupied a special position in the city a German-Austrian character and out by the Russian armies to the Jewish the artistic and intellectual world of the appearance in its orderliness and in the communities in the Austrian territories Habsburg Empire, a ‘little Vienna’ on the popularity of its coffee-houses. By 1910, occupied in 1914-15. River Prut where a prodigious appetite for 28 per cent of the city’s population was The Austrian crown lands of Bohemia culture led to a remarkable flourishing of Jewish. Among its celebrated residents and Moravia were under Habsburg rule continued overleaf  AJR JOURNAL september 2013

Across the divide to Eastern Europe (Part 2) continued ‘German and Austrian Refugees: Their Impact German-language literary and intellectual anti-Semitic political party to compare and Personal Legacy’ life. The Jews, who came to form one with Lueger’s Christian Socials in Austria; third of the city’s population and spoke only after the defeat of Austria-Hungary Tuesday 10 - Wednesday 11 a Viennese German spiced with Yiddish in 1918, and Hungary’s loss of some two September 2013 and Ukrainian words, dominated the city’s thirds of its territory under the Treaty of The AJR is once again joining forces cultural institutions. Czernowitz was the Trianon, did anti-Semitic resentments with the London Jewish Cultural Centre birthplace of the celebrated poets Paul come to the fore. (LJCC) and Sussex University’s Centre Celan and Rose Ausländer and the novelist The Jewish communities in the other for German-Jewish Studies (CGJS) to Aharon Appelfeld, Holocaust survivors regions of pre-1918 Hungary fared poorly, convene a seminar, which will take place who continued the city’s tradition of as minorities amidst ethnic groups that at the LJCC, Ivy House, on Tuesday 10 and Jewish high culture into the post-war era. were themselves subject nationalities Wednesday 11 September 2013. The Jews in the Hungarian half of the under Magyar domination. The large Building on presentations, discussions and Dual Monarchy were a case apart, insofar Jewish community in Slovakia, Hungarian lectures in the past two years, the three as they tended to speak Hungarian in until 1918, included a cultured, German- organisations have come together to reflect on the lives and culture of the Jewish German and preference to German. In those parts speaking middle class in western cities Austrian refugees who fled Nazism. of the pre-1918 Kingdom of Hungary like Bratislava (Pozsony in Hungarian, As well as hearing from eminent historians and where Hungarian was spoken, the Jewish Pressburg in German), but tended to the reflections of some of the refugees, this year’s population tended to assimilate into be poorer, more traditional and Yiddish- seminar will focus in particular on the refugees’ Hungarian society, since the Magyars speaking in eastern cities like Košice personal legacy and the effect on subsequent were the ruling ethnic group. Despite (Kassa, Kaschau), with Nitra and Banská generations. We are also delighted to include a long history of discrimination and Bystrica in between. a greater contribution from the second and persecution, the Jews of Hungary In distant, impoverished Transylvania, third generations and feature the thoughts and repeatedly displayed their patriotic which passed to and fro between perspectives of three generations from one family. allegiance to the country in which they Hungary and Romania in the period As ever, we encourage you and your lived. In the revolution of 1848-49, Jews of the World Wars, the presence of a families to participate. Full details of the joined with the insurgent Hungarian German community, the Siebenbürger event are on the AJR’s website at forces fighting for liberation from the Sachsen, complicated the ethnic situation www.ajr.org.uk with information on how Habsburg yoke. The revolutionaries further. Most of the region’s principal to book on the LJCC’s website at www.ljcc.org.uk promised equal rights and freedom from centres of population, such as Brasov discrimination for all; Jews were granted (Brasso in Hungarian, Kronstadt in full civic rights by the National Assembly German), Cluj (Kolozsvár, Klausenburg), in July 1849. But the revolution was also a Sibiu (Nagyszeben, Hermannstadt) and national uprising; the upsurge of inflamed Oradea (Nagyvárad, Großwardein), had nationalism that it provoked led to an substantial Jewish communities, which outburst of anti-Semitic feeling and to ugly suffered from the ethnic rivalry between atrocities against Jews. The crushing of Romanians, Hungarians and Germans, as Sunday 20 October 2013 the revolution in 1849 (two weeks after did that in Timişoara (Temesvár) in the the legislation granting citizenship to neighbouring Banat region. In Ruthenia 12 noon to 4.30 pm Jews) halted the democratic movement (also known as Subcarpathia), one of for a decade, but the reforms of the 1860s the Empire’s most remote and backward at the Hilton Hotel, culminated in the lasting emancipation areas, Jews were largely concentrated in of Hungary’s Jews. They proceeded the main towns, Mukachevo (Munkács) Watford to establish a prominent, sometimes a and Uzhhorod, centres of Hungarian- dominating, position in commerce, the speaking culture surrounded by a rural If you wish to attend, please professions and the country’s cultural and population of Ruthenians (Ukrainians). complete the enclosed form intellectual life. The region became part of Czechoslovakia and return it to us ASAP Though Hungary was largely ruled in 1918 and is now part of Ukraine. by its landowning elites, Jews were Anthony Grenville mostly protected, at least until 1918. This allowed the Jews of Budapest, PHOTO: JONATHAN ROSE the largest by far of Hungary’s Jewish communities, to flourish. The city was the birthplace of many eminent Jews, including Theodor Herzl, founder of Zionism, and it boasted the monumental Dohány Street Synagogue. Other cities such as Miskolc, Debrecen, Györ and Szombathely also contained sizable Jewish communities. Seven of the ten Nobel Prize winners born in Hungary were Jewish. The Jewish proportion of the capital’s population reached 23 per cent, Art Class earning it the back-handed compliment of at AJR Centre being renamed ‘Judapest’ by Karl Lueger, the anti-Semitic mayor of Vienna. Before ALL WELCOME (SEE PAGE 14 FOR DETAILS) the First World War, Hungary had no

2 AJR JOURNAL september 2013 Reflections on the Kindertransport Reunion An occasion to remember by Ruth David ar to Nuneaton, train to Euston and, haunting and moving. after some confusion, Metropolitan One of the remarks that was Baroness Hanham (Parliamentary CLine to Wembley Park, then one slight let fall casually was that we Undersecretary of State for Communities hop to Kingsbury on the Jubilee Line. A Kindertransportees were the group and Local Government) gave a moving route I should have known from my student address too. James Libson of World days when I lived behind Finchley Road of immigrants that had done Jewish Relief also, but less moving. What Tube Station and played hockey for Bedford more for Britain than any other could they all say on the same topic? Not College at Stanmore, the terminus then of immigrant group ever in the UK. surprisingly, we heard, of course, that the old Bakerloo Line and, half a century Our skills apparently were ‘caring’ there had been a considerable input by the later, of the Jubilee. Quakers of the time. We walked as directed to the school skills such as medicine, education, We continued with a re-enactment through what seemed suddenly to be called social work. of the House of Commons debate of 23 ‘Kenton’ and I realised I had been there November 1938, the night it was decided before, when the refugee hostel girls had We sat waiting quite patiently for the to let child refugees enter Britain. Philip their 50th anniversary and our first reunion conference to commence. The school is Noel-Baker and Samuel Hoare were the at Margot’s (Dykierman) pretty but modest a fine modern building but the hall was heroes of the day/night. house (1989). It was generous of her to like most other school halls, built for the A welcome break followed. I escaped to provide hospitality for 11 of us who had purpose of assembly with a podium and find a bathroom but on my way a woman, gathered to celebrate. Margot must have large windows down one side, which clearly waiting, accosted me saying ‘I know lived minutes away from where we were enabled good light to flood in. Andrew you!’ I was blank – must have looked now meeting. Kaufman, Chair of the AJR, introduced aghast as I don’t like to admit ignorance. There seemed to be masses of us everything that was going to happen – a I admitted I couldn’t remember her but 1st-generation people, though there lot. Sir Erich Reich, Chair of the KT, also looked at her name tag and found the label were some 2nd and 3rd generations addressed us. The topic being what it ‘Boomgaarden’. The wife of the German too who appeared quite active in the was, the ambiance was emotionally highly Ambassador, who with her husband had organisation. My companions from Market charged. been so very kind to me at the German Bosworth, Ruth and Jürgen Schwiening, Candles were lit – as so often six to Embassy last September when I was were accompanied by their granddaughter represent the six million dead. At that awarded the Verdienstkreuz, the Order known as George, though in fact Georgina. point, we had a short service, part Hebrew of Merit. Her husband appeared beside A delightful girl, well aware of what was and part English. I understood little but her and also recognised me. It cheered going on. Her parents, Christoph and recognised the Kaddish, the prayer for the me a lot as I was finding the proceedings Anthea, had brought her cross-country dead. The only time we all stood. A girl from Cambridge to join us. student sang ‘Eli, Eli’, which I find inevitably continued on page 11 

A tale of two Reunions by Gina Burgess Winning

ive years ago I attended the AJR’s 70th Five years later, returning to the JFS, a trip to Uruguay to visit my mother’s Anniversary Kindertransport Reunion I realised how much had changed since only surviving cousin; two visits to newly F– my first Reunion and, as I have since my last visit: attending synagogue for the discovered relatives in Israel; and, hardest discovered, one of the first steps on a first time; learning German and Hebrew; and most important of all, saying Kaddish harrowing, intense, almost all-consuming four trips to my mother’s home village, in Majdanek, Sobibor and Treblinka. but immensely rewarding journey. where I met three of her school fellows At the 70th Anniversary Reunion I had The Reunion experience began on the been desperate to learn my family’s story. Jubilee Line: an elderly couple got on soon This time, to my delight, I was able to after Green Park and I immediately sensed share part of the story I had uncovered they were going to Kingsbury. When they thanks to the Wiener Library’s exhibition started to look at papers identical to those Child Refugees: Five Portraits from the I had received, I knew and we were soon Kindertransport and to Michael Newman in conversation. Thus I met my first ‘Kind’. for the inspired idea to arrange such an (Of course my mother had been one but exhibition. It included a panel devoted the term was then unknown to me.) I soon to my mother and her family and the realised this gentleman was the age my brochure contained a reference to the uncle would have been had he survived tragic story of her brother, my poor dear beyond 19. Thinking ‘this is what you uncle. I still don’t know why he of the nine might have looked like if you had lived’, I of my great-grandparents’ grandchildren was soon in tears and spent much of the The author at Second Generation Special was the only one not to escape from rest of the day weeping. Reception, held at the Wiener Library. Germany but at least he is no longer As Shir began to play and I heard In the background is the panel relating forgotten – the story of his pencil case that klezmer for the first time, I felt a deep to her mother, Lore Freudenthal, at the my mother had kept has now been told. Kindertransport exhibition sense of connection and more tears As David Miliband so tellingly observed, flowed. I sobbed throughout much of ‘memory is about my story and it is about Richard Attenborough’s moving speech. and three people who had been at school identity’. Having unearthed my own family’s I queued in the ‘Ladies’ alongside Berta with her brother; two trips to Berlin; 13 story, I now have a clearer, deeper sense Leverton, only learning later who she was. Stolpersteine, a new gravestone for my of what being the child of a Kind means. It was overwhelming to be surrounded great-grandfather and his son to replace There were fewer tears this time: much of by people who had shared a part of my the graves destroyed on Kristallnacht; two my repressed grief has been released. And, mother’s experience, one she had never exhibitions in Germany relating to my although I was there alone, my mother and felt able to discuss openly. family; telling their story in two schools; uncle were participants nevertheless.

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The following is a reproduction in full of an article by Anshel Pfeffer which appeared in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz on 4 July 2013, shortly after the events marking the 75th anniversary of the Kindertransport. The AJR does not take any particular view on the issues the article raises, which have previously been discussed to varying degrees in the Journal, and invites readers to contribute to the ongoing discussion (Ed.). On 75th Anniversary of the Kindertransport, British Jews finding it hard to ask questions The narrative of Britain selflessly opening its doors to the Jewish refugees is compelling but “It takes more self-confidence to say that British Jews weren’t always so wonderful.”

ast [Monday] a moving event was take a particularly violent outbreak of found sanctuary in Britain, holding their held at St James’s Palace in London. state-sanctioned anti-Semitism to get experience up as an example of what LPrince Charles held a reception for a the British government to change its British society is all about. large group of elderly Jewish men and policies and allow the victims of Nazism Professor Geoffrey Alderman, the women in their 80s and 90s born in into Britain? Why were the children of leading chronicler of the history of Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia who the Kindertransport allowed in but their Britain’s Jews, says that it is no had been allowed into Britain as refugees parents consigned to extermination? The coincidence that in the official events for in late 1938 and 1939 right up until the Germans would have allowed the adults the Kindertransport’s anniversary “several outbreak of World War II. out, it was Britain’s refusal to give them facts were conveniently omitted. The first The atmosphere at the reception was visas that damned them. What was the of these facts was that the initiative of solemn but also festive, as the children of influential British Jewish community doing bringing unaccompanied child refugees the Kindertransport lined up to greet the about this in the 1930s? was undertaken despite the established prince and thank the United Kingdom for Other major Jewish communities organs of British Jewry and not because giving them a haven, saving their lives just have been debating these questions for of them.” before the Nazi empire closed its gates decades. American Jews have been asking According to Alderman, the leaders and began enacting the Final Solution themselves for many years why they didn’t of British Jewry in the mid-1930s were for the extermination of Europe’s Jews. do more to raise awareness and lobby not in favor of allowing large numbers of That is the accepted narrative of the the Administration in the 1930s and even Jewish refugees into the country and did Kindertransport. On its 75th anniversary, during the Holocaust. The accusation that little if anything to lobby the government the nine-month operation that saved the the Zionist leadership and Jewish yishuv in to change its immigration policies. The lives of nearly 10,000 Jewish children Palestine did not do enough for European man who organized efforts by the Jewish was celebrated last week with a series Jews was a burning political issue in Israel, community on behalf of European Jews in of events; a shining example of British even before the state was established the 1930s was the banker Otto Schiff, who kindness to poor refugees and the local and certainly in the years after. In Britain had been decorated by the government Jewish community’s mobilization on though, outside a small academic circle for his work with Belgian refugees during behalf of its brethren. this issue has barely been heard. World War I. Schiff was trusted by the The Kindertransport is taught about in Last month, veteran journalist Michael government, says Alderman, “because he schools, noted routinely at Jewish events Freedland wrote what can be certainly brought to bear their prejudices that only and immortalized by a poignant memorial described as a rare column in the Jewish a certain type of Jew should be admitted outside London’s Liverpool Street train Chronicle headlined “When we did not do to England.” station: the statues of five wistful children enough.” Freedland highlights the stories Thousands of Jews were allowed in, with their meager belongings. of non-Jewish families who opened their but only those who were guaranteed In the elegant Jewish Museum in homes to lonely Jewish refugees while not to be a “financial burden,” and in Camden there is a small exhibition at the same time lamenting “for every many cases the arrival of German Jewish devoted to the Kindertransport, which non-Jew who said yes, there were Jews refugees in the mid-1930s was stymied by contains a few clues to uncomfortable who said no,” and “that Jews in the street organizations such as the British Medical questions not usually asked. The caption here were worried about having these Association and the Association of on an information board says that “After strangers among us.” University Teachers, who were anxious not Kristallnacht, the British government He tells the story of the Jewish to allow Jewish doctors and academics, agreed to relax immigration laws for community in the coastal town of who had all been forced out of their jobs Jewish and other non-Aryan children,” Bournemouth, who when asked to by the 1934 Nuremberg anti-Jewish laws, and that “adapting to life in Britain provide homes for Kindertransport to enter Britain. without their parents was difficult ... Most refugees decided that rather than risk Schiff and his Jewish colleagues of the children never saw their families the good relations they had with local including Neville Laski, a judge and at again.” residents by harboring alien citizens, to the time the president of the Board of Letters of guarantee for 50 pounds give each of the children 10 shillings and Deputies, the main representative body of that were necessary so the children could send them away. “It is a disgrace that British Jews, supported the government’s receive a visa are also on display, as is needs thinking about” he writes, but few policies. “Laski accepted the view that the small suitcase carried from Berlin by British Jews seem capable of doing so. Jews by their very presence in Britain 15-year-old Martin Thau. We are told that The narrative of Britain selflessly caused anti-Semitism,” says Alderman, his stepmother, who packed his case, and opening its doors to the Jewish refugees “and having accepted that, he was fearful his sister also applied for visas but could is too powerful for these question marks, that the more foreign-speaking Jews you not leave Germany, and Martin never saw and recently it has been boosted afresh allowed in this country, the greater anti- them again. by the most senior Jewish politician in Semitism there would be.” These short captions hint at some the land, leader of the Labour Party Ed The prevailing view within the Jewish thorny issues that are not mentioned in Miliband, who often speaks of being establishment only changed following polite British-Jewish society. Why did it the son of Holocaust refugees who the annexation of Austria in March

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1938, following which thousands of 10,000 souls were saved from almost self-confidence and maturity because the Jews were humiliated in the streets of certain death. current narrative is an overwhelmingly Vienna, and the widespread pogroms of And it is easy to excuse many of the more assuring one, that Britain did Kristallnacht in November 1938. Following failings in a program that was launched everything it could. It takes more self- Kristallnacht a high-level delegation of in a matter of days, was run by different confidence to say that British Jews Jewish leaders met with Prime Minister and often competing organizations and weren’t always so wonderful." Neville Chamberlain, urging him to had little if any time to locate suitable change the refugee policy. The delegation, accommodation and families for all the headed by former minister and first children. And yet, it is hard to avoid 75th Anniversary British Commissioner to Palestine Herbert the conclusion that the Kindertransport of Kristallnacht Samuel, who according to Alderman narrative has paid little attention to these should be seen as “the great hero of the failings, and glossed over the children’s November 2013 Kindertransport,” tellingly did not include hardships and trauma, partly because Commemorative Events Schiff, who it was feared would not argue of the uncomfortable fact that the only in favor of accepting more refugees. reason their parents were left behind AJR In a matter of days, the government was that the British government refused Wednesday 6 November agreed and parliament voted in favor them visas. at Imperial War Museum North, Manchester of allowing unaccompanied children to Thursday 7 November enter Britain as refugees. In the 1930s, Collective amnesia at Belsize Square Synagogue, London fear of a wave of anti-Semitism in Britain The lack of attention to these issues is not was not unfounded, but that hardly due to a lack of information. In addition Liberal Jewish Synagogue explains the reluctance today of British to Professor Alderman’s research, other Jewry - without a doubt one of the most historians have written critically about Saturday 9 November well-integrated and successful Jewish the Kindertransport and other aspects Further details will appear communities in history - to ask itself of Britain’s pre-war immigration policy some tough questions. for years now. One of them, Professor in next month’s issue of the Journal Professor Alderman has a lecture he Tony Kushner, believes that they are sometimes gives on “Why British Jewry beginning to be heard within the wider stood aside during the Holocaust,” but Jewish community. Befriending Service says that “it has caused an uproar in the Kushner, who has written extensively for Members with Dementia past when I gave it to Jewish groups on the way the Kindertransport narrative The AJR, together with The Six Point Foundation, - they found it too uncomfortable, highlighted the “escape” from Germany has a new Department to meet the needs of upsetting and incredible,” and once (though they were all allowed out legally) members with dementia/memory loss who would he was even disinvited from an event and the gratitude toward the British benefit from a specialised volunteer befriender. when he proposed the subject to the government while glossing over the If this is of interest to you or to a family member, organizers. negative aspects, says that “immediately please contact Lesley Another issue conveniently brushed after World War II British Jewry was on 020 8385 3070 or 07985 422 372 or at [email protected] over is the reason the children had to struck by collective amnesia, probably come over on their own, leaving behind caused by the guilt of those who had their parents and elder siblings (16 was survived. The official line was that ‘we did ‘SUITCASE’ the age limit) and the resulting trauma, everything we could have done,’ but that Did you or your parent come to guilt and often ill-treatment of the was simply untrue. They tried to convince Britain on the Kindertransport? surviving children. Not all the children themselves that ‘wasn’t it wonderful’ and ‘Suitcase’, a theatre project marking the who arrived were lucky enough to be it was wonderful, up to a point. Legally 75th anniversary of the Kindertransport, sheltered by warm families - some were to be performed at train stations, they needn’t have to admit a single child would love to hear from you. exploited as child labor by their foster and they admitted 10,000. But except for families, there were cases of sexual a handful of individuals, no one lobbied If you’re willing to share your memories, exploitation and in many cases the the government to admit large numbers please contact children were sent to families clearly of refugees from Nazism.” Ros Merkin on 07779 583 185 or at unsuitable for them (in some cases And while the main events [email protected] after the war there were ugly fights commemorating the Kindertransport over children who had converted to anniversary last week were celebratory, Christianity under the influence of their Kushner gave talks along more critical ‘HYSTERIA’ foster parents). lines at two smaller events. “I raised But by and large, the children’s there the fundamental question of by Terry Johnson stories that have been widely published was it the right thing to separate them Wednesday 2 October 2013 as part of the official commemoration from their parents and why were they at 2.30 pm process have been positive and grateful. alone, and since much of the audience It is natural for those whose lives were were members of the second and third at HAMPSTEAD THEATRE saved to be grateful, as it is for many, generations, they were more probing Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, if not most British Jews, who are the and willing to criticize, whereas the older London NW3 3EU descendants of refugees who arrived generation feel a bond of gratitude. Seats are premium seating at the greatly in Britain throughout the previous Slowly, there is a more open view of reduced price of £16.50 per seat. There is centuries, to focus on the positive aspects the Kindertransport and what was an an additional charge of £6.00 per person of their immigration and integration. alternative narrative is starting to become for refreshments. And of course, there are a lot of more mainstream." Please note that this play contains positives in the Kindertransport story: Kushner acknowledges that this scenes of an adult nature. British people from all walks of life, is still happening mainly outside the Jewish and non-Jewish, who opened central forums of the Jewish community, For further details please contact their homes and helped lonely children, and that for the discussion to be more Susan Harrod on 020 8385 3070 aside from the basic fact that nearly widespread “takes a greater degree of or at [email protected]

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hind legs’ is what my mother once said in Slovene to a friend of my sister, meaning ‘on my last legs’ (auf meinen letzten Beinen). She was surprised by the puzzled look she was met with. Margarete Stern, London NW3

‘DEGENERATE ART’ EXHIBITION The Editor reserves the right to shorten correspondence Sir – I work for the radio programme submitted for publication Witness at the BBC World Service, telling the stories of historical events through interviews with the people who were there. Recently I’ve been looking into a KINDERTRANSPORT REUNION Sir – My mother, daughter of a cattle dealer programme about the ‘Degenerate Art’ ‘A GREAT EXPERIENCE’ in Oberhausen (Ruhr district of Germany), exhibition staged by the Nazis in 1937. Sir – I fell ill on my return from the Reunion overheard a customer complaining to her Is there anyone connected with the AJR and had no chance of writing or thanking dad: ‘Ich hab jetzt die Nase voll’ (I’m fed up). who might have seen the exhibition or be anybody for the magnificent organisation. Fascinated, she asked the customer: ‘Kann in some way connected with it? Maybe I am writing to you now to thank you, ich mal sehen ob Ihre Nase voll ist?’ (Can I their parents were artists whose art was also in the name of my daughter Franziska, see if your nose is full?) We both laughed at confiscated, maybe they or their parents for the great, great deal of work you and this reminiscence from an innocent little girl. bought something from the auction which your colleagues put in to make the Reunion I was an anxious child, sensing the followed, or maybe they’re not connected such a success: the organising of finding a problems of the world tumbling around to it themselves but they know someone venue and seats for us all; the lunch and me. Maybe I was seven years old when who was. later the dinner; the excellent speakers; the our good old cook Ida noticed my worried If anyone can suggest any leads I’d be brochure (what a document!); and, later, the countenance. She tried to reassure me, very grateful – they can reach me on tel reception at St James’s Palace. It all went so saying ‘Nichts wird so heiss gegessen als es 020 3614 1900 or at lucy.burns@bbc.co.uk smoothly. I am most impressed and I want gekocht wird’ (No need to eat your meal till Lucy Burns to thank all those involved. It was a great it’s cooled down). BBC World Service News, London W1 experience and I am most grateful. With I also remember hearing the expression Witness – Winner of Sony Radio Academy many good wishes for your further work. ‘Papier ist geduldig’ – i.e. on paper you can Award for Best Speech Programme 2013 Elisabeth Reinhuber-Adorno, say what you like. The English saying ‘Actions Oberursel, near Frankfurt/Main, Germany speak louder than words’ is longer but apt. NO JOKE Laura Selo, London NW11 Sir – Anthony Grenville’s article ‘Across Sir – May I, through your pages, thank HRH the divide to Eastern Europe’ was, as Prince Charles for his most kind hospitality to Sir – Theobald Speyer (1872-1956) was usual, well researched, informative and the former Kindertransportees on 24 June. a wise and successful German-Jewish enjoyable. I wonder if he has ever heard A great experience! lawyer. On Kristallnacht the front door of of Berlinchen/Neumark, now known as Gerda Mayer, Chingford his private home was forced open by a Balinek? When I lived there in the 1930s gang of uniformed SA and he was taken it boasted 8,000 inhabitants, including SAYINGS FOR OCCASIONS to Buchenwald. He managed to escape to five or six Jewish families. It wasn’t a Sir – My mother too had many pithy sayings, England almost penniless in May 1939 and particularly pretty place but it was situated including the three in Meta Roseneil’s letter was able to return to his wife and home by a magnificent lake and a beautiful (July). Many were parodies of quotations only in 1948, having been blitzed twice in forest of spruce and oak. It also had a from Schiller, e.g. ‘Oh dass sie ewig grün London. He led a charmed life – not so his famous Jewish resident named Emanuel bliebe, die Wurzel mit der gelben Rübe.’ This sisters, Clara Speyer and Lina Schwabe, the Lasker, who, at the time, was the world should be ‘die schöne Zeit der jungen Liebe’ last of his six siblings, who were deported chess champion. My friends always think – ‘Would that it could remain green forever, in 1942 to Theresienstadt and effectively the name Berlinchen is a joke – well, now the root with the yellow carrot’ – instead of murdered. they know! ‘the beautiful time of young love’. It is apt to remember Theobald’s Marianne Hasseck, London NW4 One of my prized possessions is a book sometimes philosophical sayings such called Worte von Juden, Worte für Juden as ‘Erstens kommt es anders – Zweitens EASTBOURNE ‘A WONDERFUL by Eugen Tannenbaum, who collected and als man denkt!’ (First, things turn out HOLIDAY’ classified many sayings that used to belong differently – second, than you think they Sir – Due to my protracted medical to the everyday conversation of German will!). condition, my wife and I were unable to Jews. If Mrs Roseneil and I ever get a chance George Speyer, Barnet, Herts have a holiday for four years until Carol, to meet up I will show it to her. Andrea and Annie organised a most Rachel Mendel, Leeds Sir – My mother, whenever asked to memorable holiday in Eastbourne. The do someone a favour she considered weather was good and the company Sir – My sister and I have been remembering unwarranted, would say ‘Hätt’st mi’ outstanding. Nothing was too much for and writing down our mother’s sayings – I vorig’s Jahr dunga, wär’ i’ heuer dei’ Maad’ these three wonderful ladies to do for have to confess, in my not very correct written (standard German: Hättest du mich voriges us to make it a wonderful holiday. On German! For instance ‘Wenn schon, denn Jahr gedungen, wäre ich heuer deine Friday night candles were lit by the ladies, schon’; ‘Wie schön muss das Arbeiten sein Magd; English: Had you hired me last year, appropriate songs were sung, and Kiddush wenn das Zuschauen so schön ist.’ It would this year I would be your maid). was recited by myself. be great to edit a collection so that ‘second’ The list of sayings I can think of is My wife and I are looking forward to a and ‘third’ generation members don’t endless but I’ll close with an example similar holiday next year and to meeting completely lose their German knowledge! of what can happen when proverbs are again the friends we made on this holiday. Cordelia Grimwood, London N19 translated incorrectly. ‘I am walking on my Alec Ward, Elstree, Herts

6 AJR JOURNAL september 2013

Sir – We just thought we’d drop you a sent to Riga in December 1941. Frau the Kempinski Hotel on the corner of line to tell you how much we enjoyed the Johannsen, our middle-aged ‘sewing’ Kurfürstendamm and Fasanenstrasse which holiday in Eastbourne. It was all beautifully lady, accompanied her as far as possible reads ‘On this spot a Kempinski Restaurant organised and Carol, Andrea and Annie did in Hamburg; for her trouble she was stood from 1928. It was a symbol of the a terrific job with everything – including the incarcerated for two days. world renowned Berlin hospitality. Because weather. We also had a lovely room. On 16 January 1939 my brother Hans the owners were Jewish this famous It was the first time we had come with and I left for England on the Kindertransport establishment was ‘arianised’ in 1937 the AJR to Eastbourne. We hope to come and landed at Southampton after travelling and sold under duress. Members of the again next year. Again, many thanks. on the Normandie. I have never seen any Kempinski family were murdered; others Anne and Gerald Goodwin, reference to this voyage although I believe were able to escape. The Bristol Hotel London NW2 there were 186 ‘Kinder’ on the ship. Does Kempinski, which opened in 1952, desires anyone remember the Kindertransport that the fate of the original family should Sir – I feel I must write to thank AJR staff on the Normandie which arrived in not be forgotten.’ for the wonderful way you organised Southampton on 17 January 1939? My visit was in conjunction with the our week’s holiday in Eastbourne. I really We were sent to the small, lovely Carmel 20th anniversary of the re-opening of the enjoyed the time spent there and the Court school in Birchington. I was very Jewish secondary school in the Grosse company and fully appreciate the work happy there. Sadly our ‘posh’ guarantors Hamburger Strasse – it was closed in and nervous energy you put in to make it moved us to a very oppressive school 1942 and reopened after the Wende in such a success. nearby. Does anyone remember those 1993. It was recently renamed the Moses Having organised communal functions days? Mendelssohn Gymnasium. Moses’s grave is and arrangements all my professional life, I Susanne Graham (née Susi Burghardt), adjacent to the school in a small cemetery know what is involved and I quite like being Welwyn Garden City devastated by the Germans but now organised for a change! beautifully restored. I also gave a workshop Heinz Skyte, Leeds ‘CRUEL CROSSING’ in the Jewish Museum, which has two Sir – In connection with my forthcoming artefacts of mine on permanent display Sir – We would like to say a very big THANK book Jewish Nonagenarians, I wonder and many on occasional exhibition, as well YOU to Carol, Andrea and Annie, who did if any AJR members survived the war by as many papers. a fantastic job of caring and looking after escaping over the Pyrenees? I read Edward Rudi Leavor, Bradford our group of over 30 ‘oldies’. Not always an Stourton’s recently published book Cruel easy task! We had good company, a lovely Crossing (reviewed in your July issue), but BERLIN SCHOOL REUNION location and glorious weather. What more its two main Jewish characters, Joan Salter Sir – I recently attended a reunion of could one ask! Thank you again. and Lady Swaythling, are not yet over 90! my Jewish school in Berlin’s Grosse Ursula and John Trafford, Edward couldn’t think of any other Jewish Hamburger Strasse. It was founded by Wembley Park, Middx people who would ‘qualify’ as yet in that Moses Mendelssohn in 1778 and closed in respect. 1942, when students and teachers were LAYING STOLPERSTEINE Lawrence Collin (address not supplied) sent to Auschwitz. Sir – More German towns appear to be It was reopened 20 years ago as the showing interest in laying Stolpersteine GERMAN BOOKS – A GOOD HOME first Jewish grammar school in Germany in memory of their deported citizens, but NEEDED since the war and renamed Jüdisches they are not always making contact with Sir – George Vulkan (August, Letters) won’t Gymnasium Moses Mendelssohn. I was descendants, particularly if they have find it easy to dispose of his German books. informed that a Stolperstein was to changed their names as we discovered When I tried to downsize my library by be erected to commemorate the last recently. 2,000 volumes, from standard 19th-century headmaster in 1942. Seeing his name, I May I suggest that you google the name fare in collected editions to 20th-century realised he had signed my leaving report. of your town to check if stones have already non-fiction, many of them inscribed I left the school in 1938. The Jewish been laid or if there is a programme for the to me, I drew blanks – both stares and Museum in Berlin was delighted to add my future. Ceremonies can be found when you potential takers. The experience with Sussex leaving report to its archives. I am still in google ‘Stolpersteine-ceremonies’, where University's German Department, one of the touch with one school friend in Israel who there are a number of YouTube videos to biggest in the country, was painful. The first survived Auschwitz. Why? Due to the music watch. person I talked to hadn’t heard of Thomas teacher making her practise the piano, in The countries and their towns Mann; moving up the ladder, I discovered Auschwitz she found pieces of paper, wrote with Stolpersteine are listed on that the library was short of space and, music and formed an orchestra. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolperstein or anyway, few students (and not all teachers) Gisela Feldman, Manchester google ‘stolpersteine in (your town)’. were able to read old-style gothic type. The names frequently have very well I fared little better in the trade. Dealers BRINGING BACK MEMORIES researched personal histories, which could were willing to pick out the raisins – signed Sir – Margarete Stern’s letter ‘The Spirit be very interesting for emigrants who Mann, Hauptmann, Hofmannsthal, Freud, of Swiss Cottage’ (June) brought back may have been too young to learn family etc – but for the rest, the skip loomed. Mr memories. I lived at 120 Goldhurst Terrace histories. Some of my family will soon be Vulkan could try the Wiener Library with and Broadhurst Gardens from 1938 taking part in the ceremonial laying of four Judaica or the Freud Museum with relevant to 1940. I wonder whether anybody stones for my immediate family and several works. If all else fails, I am still in the market remembers Sewek Tykocinski, Pinkusiewicz, more for deported cousins. for the occasional pearl: 20th-century the late Matti Spiegelman, Larry Licht Peter Hallgarten, London NW3 showbiz, politics, biography, if signed by Koppelmanas – all refugees. author or subject. Alex Lawrence (né Lewnsztajn), Marlow DOES ANYONE REMEMBER? Victor Ross, London NW8 Sir – I read the review of The Jews and HORTHY AND THE HOLOCAUST Germans of Hamburg (July) with great KEMPINSKI RESTAURANT PLAQUE Sir – Contrary to an assertion by your interest. Sir – On a recent visit to Berlin, I saw correspondent Francis Steiner (February My grandmother, Hedwig Weiss, was (again) the large brass plaque outside continued on page 16 

7 AJR JOURNAL september 2013

view, the artist appearing as a voyeur. In the 1920s Knight famously painted actors and dancers backstage REVIEWs A rt at the Ballets Russes, gypsies and circus performers. Her dancers contrast Notes strongly with Degas’s Impressionist A disputed legacy vision, though one, with long red hair, A JEWISH ORCHESTRA IN NAZI Gloria Tessler recalls Vermeer. A rugged-faced gypsy GERMANY: MUSICAL POLITICS AND who appears to be wearing everything THE BERLIN JEWISH CULTURE LEAGUE she possesses stares out at us as if by Lily E. Hirsch there’s nothing in life she hasn’t lived. ears before Photo-Realism, the Although very much in the tradition University of Michigan Press, 2012, rapt intensity in Dame Laura of Realist painting, Knight ventures 258 pp. paperback, available from YKnight’s portraits of war-workers further, catching a sudden change of www.eurospanbookstore.com and military personnel has a rare mood or expression in her sitter. Typical he author, an American musicolo- immediacy. Her group portraits of is her 1926 profile of the pianist Ethel gist, deals mainly with the music women members of the auxiliary air Barlett, caught in mid-conversation, lips Tdepartments of the Jewish League force are part of the National Portrait pursed, one hand grasping the other. of Culture in Berlin, leaving the theatri- Gallery’s first major exhibition of I was particularly struck by her 1914 cal performances and lectures virtually Knight’s work (until 13 October). portrait Rose and Gold, a strikingly pretty untouched. She discusses in depth several Some subjects, like the portrait of Ruby girl with a halo of shimmering red gold composers whose works were performed Loftus in green hairnet and blue overalls hair. Tragically the beautiful model was by the League’s orchestra: Weill, Schoen- screwing a breech ring, have gained murdered by her jealous lover soon after. berg, Bloch, Schubert, Handel and Verdi. immortality through her art. There are And now for something really dif- The League was founded in 1933 airmen preparing for a sortie, their faces ferent. Looking In: Photographic on the instigation of Kurt Baumann a study in concentration. Undoubtedly Portraits by Maud Sulter and Chan- (1907-83), a former director’s assistant Hyo Bae at the at the Berlin Staatsoper, Volksbühne and Ben Uri is the Municipal Opera, and Kurt Singer (1885- Gallery’s take on 1944). The latter, having studied medicine migrant artists and musicology, became a neurologist; from other com- his musical accomplishments later earned munities. Ben Uri him the post of Assistant Intendant of the Chairman David Municipal Opera in Berlin and, in 1930- Glasser refutes 31, Intendant. The first historian of the the concept of League, Herbert Freeden, described him as Jewish art and this ‘a man who could lead people, and a born show examines orator who could enthuse an audience’. other immigrants Seeking to interest the Nazi authorities equally seeking in their plan, Singer eventually met Hans identity in an Hinkel, who worked in the Prussian adopted home- Cultural Ministry. They negotiated terms Dame Laura Knight Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech-Ring (1943) Imperial for the creation of the League, including War Museum, London © IWM (LD 5928) land. The young, sadly late artist the requirement that all artists in its these unusually honest portrayals are a Maud Sulter examines her Ghanaian- employ must be Jews; that it must be social documentary of the British at war. Scottish roots in historical costume por- financed by its all-Jewish audiences; and But Knight, one of the leading artists traits on the theme of the Greek Muses. that its programmes must be submitted to of the 20th century, departs slightly But, rejecting the female passivity which Hinkel for approval before performance. from Realism in her large courtroom she finds implicit in classic Western This meant that the composers whose painting of The Nuremberg Trial, which imagery, her Muses are powerful and as- works were to be played had to be Jewish she covered in her late sixties as a war sertive. Chan-Hyo Bae’s work is entire- or the composition had to have a Jewish/ correspondent. While the defendants, ly self-portraiture. His severe, whitened Old Testament theme. including Hermann Göring, Rudolf face under huge wigs or hats is a lavish, In May 1933, the terms having been Hess, Albert Speer and their lawyers, are though ultimately self-indulgent, blend agreed, the League began to operate. all clearly depicted, there is a surreal war of Tudor courtliness and Japanese ritual. The idea was to provide employment image of a city burning in the background, for the many Jewish artists dismissed a reminder that this is no ordinary trial. AJR Chief Executive from their jobs in April 1933, when Aged 13, Knight was the youngest Michael Newman the Law for the Reconstitution of the student at the Nottingham School of Directors Civil Service was enacted – members of Carol Rossen Art. With her artist husband Harold David Kaye municipal orchestras and opera houses Knight, she moved in the early part Head of Department were considered civil servants – and to of the 20th century to an art colony in Sue Kurlander Social Services provide a means for other Jews to support Cornwall, where she painted landscapes AJR Journal them (the prohibition on Jews attending in an Impressionist style. Her most Dr Anthony Grenville Consultant Editor non-Jewish places of entertainment Dr Howard Spier Executive Editor famous painting from this period is a Andrea Goodmaker Secretarial/Advertisements came into force only after Kristallnacht). self-portrait, in which Knight, in red coat The League’s official opening was a and black hat, appears with her artist performance of Lessing’s play Nathan Views expressed in the AJR Journal are not model Ella Naper. It is a landmark of the necessarily those of the Association of Jewish the Wise in October 1933 (the last time exhibition in that both she and her model Refugees and should not be regarded as such. continued opposite  (also mirrored) are shown only in back

8 AJR JOURNAL september 2013 this play, exemplifying religious tolerance, regarded as ‘Jewish’ due to his back- A memoir not a novel was performed in Germany during the ground, although he was baptised, was THE BOY WHO WORE WHITE Third Reich). never performed until late in the League’s STOCKINGS: FROM HITLER’S AUSTRIA Soon other local branches of the existence. The first occasion on which TO PATTON’S THIRD ARMY League were formed in towns and cities one of his symphonies was played was by David Hutt with substantial Jewish populations – by in April 1939. Das Lied von der Erde 1935 there were 46 branches, which the was never performed, probably because Matador, 2013, 208 pp. paperback, Nazi authorities put under the umbrella Mahler requires a very large orchestra available from amazon.co.uk of the Reich Association of Jewish Culture (which is expensive) and, besides, the he story of the early life of Peter Leagues. The Berlin League was the most League was chronically short of wind Skala – the eponymous ‘boy who active, with more departments than players. Twore white stockings’ – opens with any other, which was not surprising as The best-known of the orchestra’s a prologue in which David Hutt muses on approximately one-third of Germany’s conductors was Rudolf Schwarz, who the importance of voice: ‘The more I think Jews were living in Berlin. before 1933 had been conducting about it, the more I think it is a key to who Nazi restrictions on programming symphony concerts and operas in he [Peter] really is – this Viennese boy of were progressive: Wagner, Bruckner and Karlsruhe. He did not manage to emigrate fourteen who came alone to England and then on to New York.’ And it is the Richard Strauss were banned from the from Germany before the war began layering of voice which fascinates in this start in 1933; Beethoven in 1936; Bach, but survived Auschwitz, Sachsenhausen coming-of-age story, the traces left behind Brahms and Schumann in 1937 (leaving and Belsen, eventually arriving in the by formative years spent amid changing Handel as the only ‘permitted’ German UK, where he became a highly valued geographies and in difficult circumstances. composer – probably because he had orchestral conductor. He died in 1994. The story begins in 1836 with the first lived in England for much of his life and Following Kristallnacht, all provincial records of the family in a small ­village had based many of his oratorios on Old Jewish Culture Leagues were closed down in Bohemia. It moves on swiftly to the Testament characters); and the Austrians by the Nazi authorities in December that family’s arrival in Vienna in 1880 with Mozart and Schubert – along with Handel year, leaving only the League in Berlin, but Peter’s grandmother Käthe and her sister, – after Austria had been annexed, in 1938. this too was dissolved by the Gestapo in Tante Jenney, providing much of the Despite this late prohibition of Mozart, September 1941. entertainment­ with their affairs and ‘en- the Reich Chamber of Culture forbade the Singer himself, in the USA in November nobilisation’ of the family name from performance of Cosi fan Tutte in 1935 as 1938, was strongly advised not to return Skala to von Skalla. The line of interesting­ ‘the work of an Aryan composer must not to Germany, as he had intended, and women continues with Peter’s mother be performed by Jews’. was even offered a university post in the Lilia, who was not only the first Austrian­ The Nazis wanted the League to USA. But he felt so strongly about the woman to graduate from a faculty of perform ‘Jewish music’ and the author League and his connection with it that architecture­ at any university (she ­studied devotes an entire chapter to the ques- he returned to Europe – ‘to rescue what in Dresden) but also a well-known stage tion of how this should be defined – and could be rescued’. In transit in Rotterdam, actress, going under the name of Lilia ­Skala whether it exists at all. The League’s he agreed it would be futile to continue (the von having been dropped again). leaders repeatedly stressed their desire to Berlin and he remained in Holland Peter himself was born in 1924 to a Catholic mother and a Jewish father, Erich, to adhere to ‘German culture’ and avoid until he was deported in 1942-43 to who owned a hat factory. It was a middle- ‘ghettoisation’.­ The German Zionists criti- Terezin (Theresienstadt), where he died class, respectable family but anti-Semitism cised the League for this very reason and in February 1944. was to affect them all: grandmother Käthe the Nazis agreed with them! However, In the book’s last chapter the author refused to marry grandfather Julius for in 1936 the former changed their minds discusses the legacy of the Jewish Culture years because he was Jewish; Peter didn’t and exhorted their members to support League. Many people accused its leaders know which side to be on in fights at the League – a Conference of Leagues of ‘co-operation’ with the Nazis, whilst school; and – more seriously – Erich was had decided that more ‘Jewish music’ others claimed that its importance in arrested following Kristallnacht. After three should be performed. Again the Zionists giving employment to Jewish artists and weeks in Dachau Erich was released on and Nazis agreed. providing cultural entertainment for its the understanding that he would leave In 1935 the League had to change its audiences (particularly after November the country. He went first to Belgium name from ‘Culture League of German 1938, when they were no longer allowed and then to New York. Peter himself was Jews’ to ‘Jewish Culture League’. In Nazi to attend other concerts, operas and able to leave for England, where he spent eyes, if you were a Jew you couldn’t theatres) absolved them of that ‘guilt’. about a year at a Birmingham prep school be German – the two were mutually The debate continues. I, for my part, before being reunited with his mother exclusive. well remember how grateful I was that and younger brother in Liverpool for the Despite his Jewish background, Weill after November 1938 the Jewish Culture journey to New York. was never performed, possibly because League enabled me to continue going to The final third of the book deals with his compositions included jazz, which the concerts and operas, and even hear my Peter’s time in the US army. As a native Nazis considered ‘polluting’ because of cello teacher Leo Rostal (brother of the German speaker, he was recruited for its connection with ‘negroid’ music. But well-known violinist and teacher Max military intelligence training and sent to France as an Interrogation Prisoner of probably a more important reason was Rostal and leader of the orchestra’s cello War. His exploits in the Third Army are his frequent collaboration with the left- section) play the Dvorak Cello Concerto. undeniably exciting stuff: his role in the wing author Bertolt Brecht – after all, the Probably the book will attract mainly capture of General Kittel in Metz, his affair Gestapo had issued rules for the leaders potential readers who are interested with the beautiful Herta in Wölfingen, his of the Jewish Culture Leagues, making in music. For them, it provides details part in the assault on the West Wall at them ‘responsible for ensuring that the not readily available elsewhere. It also Fraulautern on the Saar River. The tales of performances are not directed against highlights the many contradictions in the young man advancing across Europe the National Socialist state and its laws Nazi policy. It is well written and has an often make one wish this were a novel, and basic demands’. extensive bibliography and index. Mahler, whom the Nazis of course Fritz Lustig Reviews continued overleaf 

9 AJR JOURNAL september 2013

reviews cont. from page 9 Correction  The price of the book Unvergessene Lebensgeschichten. Ein Gedenkbuch für die allowing the author the scope to expand purpose was to exterminate Jews – to work nach Minsk deportieren Berliner Jüdinnen the anecdotes into more than a string of them to death, starve them to death, beat und Juden discussed in last month’s article by Leslie Baruch Brent (pages 4-5) is 24. events which pass our hero by in a flash. or shoot them to death. Later, when for € But this is a memoir. David Hutt, Peter’s years he had nightmares concerning his long-time friend and business partner, has Auschwitz days, he relived the beating to been given full access to the family archives death of an 18-year-old Jewish youth and and he also provides a historical context. the smashing of an infant in his mother’s Visit to Oshwal Centre He is sensitive to the limitations of the arms. He had been so moved by the beating Wednesday 11 September 2013 of the youth that he had shouted to the SS memoirist – what do the characters really The Oshwal Centre, in Potters Bar, is a know of each other, he asks, and what officer ‘Du verfluchter Untermensch!’ The officer retaliated by giving him a crushing major attraction for Jains and non-Jains can we know of their motives? – and he is worldwide. blow to the face which resulted in his honest enough to admit when something We will arrive at the Oshwal Centre for ultimately losing the sight in his right eye. is ‘speculative’. But he keeps the focus very 11.00 am, where we will have refreshments Cigarettes were the only universal before having a guided tour of the Centre, much on Peter and doesn’t try to make his currency in Auschwitz. Avey was the Temple itself and its beautiful gardens. story stand for that of a generation. Rather, instrumental in enabling one of the inmates, Later we will go by coach to the Dutch he seeks to tell the unique story of one life, Ernst Lobet, to receive packs of English Nursery in Potters Bar. Lunch will be served bringing out Peter’s own voice. And it is and you will have the opportunity to look Player’s cigarettes which, in effect, saved around the Garden Centre at your leisure. a voice, one suspects, that continued to his life. During the evacuation of Auschwitz develop in interesting ways beyond where Please contact Susan Harrod on and the subsequent death march, the 020 8385 3070 or at [email protected] the book ends in 1945. difference between life and death was Joanna White strong boots and Ernst was able to have his boots re-soled for two packs of Player’s. The first half of this memoir narrates Bearing witness Avey’s battle experiences and his THE LAKE DISTRICT THE MAN WHO BROKE INTO subsequently becoming a POW. Then we WINDERMERE MANOR HOTEL have the Auschwitz episodes and the AUSCHWITZ Sunday 29 September to by Denis Avey with Rob Broomby death march. Most of the second half of the book deals with the author’s life Sunday 6 October 2013 Hodder & Stoughton, 2011, following demobilisation. During this Come and enjoy the beautiful 304 pp. paperback, period he suffered from post-traumatic landscape and picturesque views available from amazon.co.uk stress disorder and was alienated from his across Lake Windermere he title of this memoir is somewhat native locality as he couldn’t communicate Meet old friends and make new ones misleading. Denis Avey spent the night his experiences to the locals. Comprehensive programme of excursions Tin a concentration camp on only two In 2003, interviewed on local radio in and entertainment occasions, having swapped places with northern England, he was able to bear 20 rooms available, some with one of the inmates. He was able to do so witness to what he had seen in Auschwitz. Disability Bathrooms because in 1944 he was in a POW labour In 2009 he was approached by the BBC £550 per person, including Bed and camp near Auschwitz. By doing so, he to tell his story. Subsequently he wrote Breakfast and Evening Meal risked his life: he would have been shot this book, which, to repeat, is an account For further details, please telephone had the swap been discovered. One of the of his battle experiences in the Western Christine Jones on 020 8385 3070 factors that prevented him from remaining desert: his being a POW, his witnessing in longer with the inmates was his inability to Auschwitz, his return to civilian life and eat their ‘food’. painful readjustment to it, and his discovery But Avey didn’t need to enter the by the media. concentration camp to realise that its Bernard Knieger spring grove London’s Most Luxurious RETIREMENT HOME Hooray for Hollywood! 214 Finchley Road The History of the Hollywood Musical – Tuesday 1 October 2013 London NW3 Award-winning singer and entertainer Robert Habermann  Entertainment  Activities performs a selection of great songs from Hollywood  Stress Free Living with celebrated pianist Trevor Brown  24 House Staffing Excellent Cuisine Come and enjoy a selection of hit numbers including:  Full En-Suite Facilities “Secret Love”, “Road to Morocco”, “The Tender Trap”, “Moon River”, Call for more information or a personal tour “An Affair to Remember” and many, many more. 020 8446 2117 12pm lunch 1.30pm The Show or 020 7794 4455 Venue: The AJR Centre at Belsize Square Synagogue, 51 Belsize Sq. NW3 4HX [email protected] Cost per person (payable in advance): £10.00 lunch and Show £3.00 Show only VISITORS WELCOME – why not bring a friend? History of Hollywood at AJR Centre: 1 October 2013 Please complete, detach this form and return it to LORNA in Head Office, together with a cheque made payable to AJR. Please send it to: LORNA MOSS, AJR, Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 4RL www.fishburnbooks.com Number of people for the Show and lunch...... Numbers for the Show ONLY...... Jonathan Fishburn buys and sells Jewish and Hebrew books, ephemera and items of Name(s):...... Jewish interest...... Cheque for ...... enclosed He is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association. Address...... Contact Jonathan on 020 8455 9139 or ...... 07813 803 889 for more information

10 AJR JOURNAL september 2013

An occasion to remember Intern Rim AJR member awarded cont. from page 3 sad to leave AJR Arctic Star medal slow and painful. It was characteristic of JR London member William the couple to take part. I knew they were A(Bill) Howard has been awarded about to retire and wished them well. It the Arctic Star, a campaign medal really made my day. of the United Kingdom awarded We had more readings of letters from retrospectively for operational service those unable to attend. Judi Dench, my very in the Second World War north of the favourite actress. I was glad she had been Arctic Circle. involved but not surprised. My Aunt Liese ‘Towards the end of 1944 and during (a refugee from Frankfurt) and I had seen 1945,’ writes the historian Dr Helen Rim and ‘befriendee’ Susanne Medas her in one of the York ‘Mystery’ plays when Fry, ‘Bill Howard was on board HMS she was still a schoolgirl at The Mount in im Irscheid, an intern from Bellona, which was part of the escort York. She hadn’t even spoken, just sat on Rthe German-based Action of convoys to Russia, destination Kola an elevated seat (a throne?) in a blue dress, Reconciliation Service for Peace, Bay. The crossings were dangerous holding the baby Jesus (a large doll) in her has come to the end of her year at and they frequently had to evade arms. Her face, though not particularly the AJR. German U-boats. Bill was one of only beautiful (she does look good in old age!), around 25 “enemy aliens” drafted into had a radiance, perhaps part natural talent Based in the Volunteers’ the Royal Navy to but also true inspiration. I have never had Department, Rim has been involved much interest in remembering actors’ in virtually every aspect of the AJR’s intercept enemy names and often find it difficult to recall work, from promoting the AJR at transmissions at who played what where, but I have never fairs in schools and universities to sea. As such, his forgotten Judi Dench. The guest speaker editing the quarterly volunteers’ work was top was David Miliband, who spoke well and newsletter, running computer secret and involved very clearly. workshops at the AJR Centre and using codes There was more music, including too in schools, and backing up staff at sent to the ship many songs I either didn’t care for or didn’t meetings of group members. every week from know. (I knew bits from the inevitable One of the most interesting parts Bletchley Park.’ Fiddler on the Roof but my ignorance of her work have been befriender isn’t in my favour.) We had reports from visits. Rim says she was ‘delighted to the KT overseas, including one from Alisa gain so much experience by talking ARTS AND EVENTS Tennenbaum, better known to me as Lisl to people who tell me their personal september DIARY Scherzer/Shearer from my first years in attitude to life and their philosophy England. I saw something of Alisa, but – sometimes it’s just funny to talk Until 2 October 2013 ‘Child Refugees: she was very busy-busy with her Israeli about British culture or German Five Portraits from the Kindertransport’ contingent. Melissa Hacker represented the recipes for Torten and cakes!’ Exhibition at the Wiener Library, tel USA, where I had originally come across 020 7636 7247. Free admission her. Lisl did remind me that on 3 September Rim is planning to study languages 1939 (both her birthday and the day war and musicology in Berlin or Munich Wed 18 September Screening of ‘The and to become a journalist or work Children Who Cheated the Nazis’ – the was declared by Neville Chamberlain) we story of the Kindertransport. Followed by were standing with other children in the in the music business. Rim never realised the depth of Q&A session with the film’s director Sue Read, Tynemouth Refugee Hostel when she said producer Jim Goulding and one of the film’s to me, in German of course, as we listened knowledge she would gain through interviewees, Bea Green. At Wiener Library, to the sirens howling: ‘Do you think this working at the AJR and is very tel 020 7636 7247. Free admission, booking music is for my birthday?’ And I, six months sad to leave. She is grateful to essential older, had replied: ‘Du bist blöd, Lisl, jetzt all members and colleagues, in gibt es Krieg!’ I believed her. I was indeed particular Carol Hart, Head of the capable of such a remark. Volunteers’ Department, ‘who has We were released to a speedy dinner made my year so pleasant.’ and stayed sur place for the rest of the Carol Hart adds: ‘Rim has been a JACKMAN . evening, which included a performance by tremendous asset to the Volunteers’ Maureen Lipman – a clever, funny actress Department and will be missed by SILVERMAN who made lots of jokes about her Hull everyone she has come into contact COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS provenance. I had read her autobiography with.’ and recognised her witty, abrupt style. It Telephone: 020 7209 5532 was probably unnecessary at such an event, though she certainly meant well. We were mid- and late-80s), he went straight to its [email protected] now able to walk back in the rain to our occupant. hotel in Kingsbury/Kenton. There was a lot My son Simon had come with me; to digest. he was a help and support and showed work. Charles never sat down; he continued The next day back for the final understanding for what was taking place, trying to talk to as many people as possible celebration, a reception hosted by Prince despite most of us not having talked much as they formed long lines to greet him too. Charles at his St James’s Palace address. The about our background to our children. That He said different things to different folk, party spread out over two rooms. The one had become obvious at the meeting on asked relevant questions. I had tried to hide I was in was an antechamber, I guess, but the previous day. One of the remarks that behind Simon. Prince Charles came towards large with wonderful views in the middle was let fall casually that had impressed me and seized my hand and said in some of central, busy, political London (we were me and made me glad to have heard it surprise ‘Were you a Kind?’ I explained that very near Whitehall and Downing Street as was that we Kindertransportees – usually I was and thanked him for inviting us and well as Horse Guards Parade). Our view was referred to as ‘Kinder’ in English – were for working so hard to make a successful rural or, at least, French park- and garden- the group of immigrants that had done occasion. Simon too had a word with him like, formal beds and well cared for shrubs more for Britain than any other immigrant and seemed impressed. and trees. Prince Charles came promptly group ever in the UK. The next nearest I meant it when I said at the time that at two and made a wonderful effort to apparently were the Huguenots, whom I was very moved by the whole occasion. socialise and talk non-stop. I noticed that I have always admired for the skills they A lot of thought and many hours of work whenever he saw a wheelchair (and there brought. Ours apparently were ‘caring’ must have gone into the preparations for were several – we were, after all, in our skills such as medicine, education, social such a mammoth event.

11 AJR JOURNAL september 2013

Ilford Enthralling Life Story St John’s Wood ‘Jewish Jazz’ Eli Benson kept us enthralled with his Peter Sampson covered mainly the period life story. Born in Bombay into an Adeni 1935-65, telling us about US and British Sephardi family, he came to the UK as Jewish jazz musicians, including Artie a teenager. Here he held senior posts in Shaw – born Arthur Jacob Arshawsky – and INSIDE Young Poale Zion, WJR and CBF and was Ronnie Scott – born Ronald Schatt. Peter CEO of Magen David Adom UK for 14 agreed it was very hard to define jazz. years, recently retiring at the age of 71. David Lang Mark Finkletaub the AJR Glasgow CF Tour of BBC Scotland Pinner Is the Royal Family of Jewish We visited BBC Scotland for a tour of Heritage? the building. We saw spectacular views Based on research for his book The Coburg of Glasgow from the canteen and roof Liverpool Annual Lunch and Visit to Conspiracy, Richard Sotnick suggested terrace and noted the camera that can Chagall Exhibition intriguingly that a Jewish element may transmit live backdrop to broadcasts. A At our Annual Lunch we were joined have entered the Royal Family at the time good evening out. Anthea Berg by North and South Manchester group of Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, when members. After lunch over 30 of us his nephew Albert became the Prince visited the Liverpool Tate Gallery to view Consort to Queen Victoria. Walter Weg Pride and Prejudice Outing the Chagall Modern Master Exhibition. ‘A Great Success’ Our thanks to Susanne for organising a HGS From New York to Hampstead Our outing to Regent’s Park Open splendid lunch and outing. Garden Suburb Air Theatre was a great success. Guido Alis On a gloriously hot mid-summer A most interesting talk by Francesca Segal afternoon we watched a splendidly about her novel The Innocents. Based on Kingston upon Thames CF acted and presented performance Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence, the Gastronomic Requirements Fulfilled of Jane Austen’s classic novel. Rarely story takes a gentle look at contemporary Susan Zisman fulfilled more than can the timeless twists and turns Hampstead Garden Suburb Jewish society. adequately the gastronomic requirements of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Kitty Balint-Kurti of the 14 people for whom she made the Darcy’s relationship have seemed so annual lunch. We welcomed 3 people romantic! Susie Barnett from Nightingale House. As always on West Midlands (Birmingham) this occasion, the weather was kind to us. Presentations Made at Garden Party Jackie Cronheim Fine weather for our Annual Garden Party, Brighton-Sarid (Sussex) The Origins generously hosted once again by Loretta and of GlaxoSmithKline Manchester ‘Less Emphasis on Henry Cohn. We were happy to welcome David Barnett told us how London-born Gloom and Doom’ back Myrna Glass, who is retiring in the Joseph Nathan went to Australia and Our guest speaker, Chava Rosenzweig, autumn. Presentations were made both to New Zealand, setting up an import/export told us how she instilled an understanding Myrna and our hosts. Philip Lesser business. Producing milk powder from of our recent history through her artistic surplus milk, he registered his company skills, mainly sculpture, and her family Sheffield CF Visit to Beth Shalom Glaxo, which later developed into the experiences. There was an urgent need On a trip to Beth Shalom we listened giant GlaxoSmithKline. to keep future generations aware of the to guest speaker Gina Schwarzmann’s Ceska Abrahams past and this could be achieved with less personal story as told in her book The emphasis on doom and gloom. Disappearance of Goldie Rapaport. Bradford CF Life as a Calligrapher Werner Lachs Afterwards there was time to look round Sara Mack gave a fascinating talk on her the exhibition. Wendy Bott life and work as a calligrapher. We then enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea and Northern Regional Get-together Bromley CF Reports on KT Reunion ‘A Full and Enjoyable Day’ continued chatting to Sara until late in We met at the home of Liane Segal, who the afternoon. Wendy Bott reported on her interview with the BBC Today programme about her KT journey Café Imperial Recollections of a and, with others, on the KT Reunion and Momentous Time wonderful reception at St James’s Palace. Former BBC journalist Alex Gerlis spoke Later each of us gave an account of our about his book The Best of Our Spies, early lives and experiences on arrival in this based on the D-Day landings. His audience country. Dorothea Lipton was captivated, as was he by their own recollections of this momentous time. Edinburgh CF ‘Who Has influenced Esther Rinkoff You Most?’ (from left) Michael Newman, Trude The topic ‘Who has influenced you most?’ Radlett A Thousand Years of Silman, Leisel Carter, David Lawson, Wendy Bott ensured a lively discussion. The meeting, Documents at Francoise Robertson’s home, was made We met in Alf Keiles’s flat in Borehamwood, Over 50 members from across the up of 1st and 2nd generation members where Daphne Knott spoke about Herts North of England met at the Sinai and was concluded by a wonderful tea County Council’s archives. We were Synagogue in Leeds. Following a and further debates. Agnes Isaacs amazed to learn that there are 5 miles of welcome from Michael Newman, shelving holding documents predating the people dispersed into discussion Essex (Westcliff) An Interesting Trip Norman Conquest and continuing up to groups and re-assembled for a to Poland modern times. Fritz Starer delicious salmon lunch, after which Leslie and Miriam Kleinman told us about David Lawson gave a most interesting their trip to Auschwitz and Cracow, which Edgware Problems of talk on the Jews of Ostrava. After was very interesting. This led to a person in Underprivileged Children further discussion groups the our group telling us about her conversion Professor Tanya Byron spoke about afternoon culminated in cake and to Orthodox Judaism, which took 7 years. underprivileged children, explaining how coffee before everyone headed home We also had 2 birthdays: a lady who was everyday pressures result in, e.g., mental after a full and enjoyable day. 93 and a gentleman who was 85. health conditions ranging from anxiety, Wendy Bott Herta Vari eating disorders to self-harming. All of

12 AJR JOURNAL september 2013 this presents not only a handicap for the child but can also affect the entire family september GROUP eventS relationship. Life and schooling today are Dundee 1 September Inaugural Meeting – call Agnes for details very different from in the 1950s-60s. Leeds HSFA 1 September Etta Cohen: ‘The Life of a Woman in Business’ Susan Jacobs Bromley CF 2 September Social Get-together at home of Liane, 2.00 pm Chorus Line Glasgow Book Club 2 September Social Meeting ‘A Feel Good Day’ Ealing 3 September Peter Sampson: ‘Jewish Jazz’ Chorus Line, at the London Palladium, was a magnificent show, the dancing Didsbury 11 September Meeting at Bridge Club superb. They make it look so easy Glasgow CF 11 September Yom Tov Lunch but we know hard work goes on behind the scenes to get to that level West Midlands 11 September Lunchtime Get-together of perfection. It was a ‘feel good’ (Birmingham) day thanks to the AJR. And of course Pinner 12 September ‘That Was Carnaby Street That Was!’ Esther Rinkoff was there to render – at Liberal Synagogue assistance if needed. Brighton-Sarid 16 September Janice Greenwood: ‘The Music of Irving Berlin’ Meta Roseneil (Sussex) Café Imperial 17 September Special Lunch Meeting Leeds CF A Wonderful Garden Party We enjoyed a wonderful garden party Edgware 17 September Stewart Mackintosh: ‘Talking to a Mop’ at Pippa Landy’s home, with Wendy Kingston 24 September Social Get-together organising a quiz to get our ‘grey matter’ working. Everyone was given a prize so North West London 30 September Robert Lowe: ‘The Music of Gilbert we were all winners. A truly splendid and Sullivan’ afternoon out. Liesel Carter

Wembley Thank You, Myrna! contacts In anticipation of her forthcoming Hazel Beiny, Southern Groups Co-ordinator Agnes Isaacs, Scotland and Newcastle 020 8385 3070 Co-ordinator retirement, Myrna Glass introduced her [email protected] 07908 156361 replacement, Kathryn Prevezer. The rest of [email protected] the meeting was getting to know Kathryn Wendy Bott, Yorkshire Groups Co-ordinator 07908156365 while enjoying a delicious tea! Thank you, Esther Rinkoff, Southern Region [email protected] Myrna! Ruth Pearson Co-ordinator Myrna Glass, London South and Midlands 020 8385 3077 North London Legacy of Ludwig Groups Co-ordinator [email protected] Guttmann 020 8385 3077 Wheelpower’s Joyce Sheard, ably assisted [email protected] KT-AJR (Kindertransport) Andrea Goodmaker by her husband, spoke of the sterling Susanne Green, North West work done at Stoke Mandeville Hospital 020 8385 3070 Groups Co-ordinator [email protected] based on the theories and ideas of Ludwig 0151 291 5734 Guttmann. A really wonderful morning. [email protected] Herbert Haberberg Child Survivors Association–AJR Susan Harrod, Groups’ Administrator Henri Obstfeld 020 8385 3070 020 8954 5298 Computer Lessons [email protected] [email protected] for AJR Members Following meetings at Ealing and JFS, a third session was held, at some wonderful Yiddish songs while JFS. The sessions were organised accompanying himself on the guitar. In Annely Juda Fine Art by the AJR’s Jonathan Rose. Vera, a addition, Hazel told us about her recent 23 Dering Street (off New Bond Street) Kindertransportee from Prague, and holiday in Canada. Tel: 020 7629 7578 Fax: 020 7491 2139 Avram Schaufeld, born in Poland and David Lang CONTEMPORARY PAINTING a camp survivor, told their amazing AND SCULPTURE stories to the pupils who have Didsbury CF Reports on KT Reunion been part of the programme. The Margot and Janina told us about the KT pupils were given the task of using Reunion and meeting Prince Charles and social media as a way of preserving Gisela told us about her recent school switch on electrics these stories for future generations. reunion in Berlin. Rewires and all household electrical work Myrna Glass Susanne Green PHONE PAUL: 020 8200 3518 Mobile: 0795 614 8566 Thames Cruise Nightingale Small World ‘A Wonderful Outing’ Two members of our group who had been Many thanks to Carol Rossen and living on the same floor at Nightingale Ros Collin, who efficiently guided LEO BAECK HOUSING ASSOCIATION hadn’t previously realised that they both us through the wonderful outing came to this country at the age of 15 and CLARA NEHAB HOUSE by coach to Windsor and onto the RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME are both of the same age. Small world. perfect boat trip with a commentary Small caring residential home with large attractive gardens Also, we talked about careers we have had. for 2 hours. Lunch was so well close to local shops and public transport Hazel Beiny thought out by the AJR and the 25 single rooms with full en suite facilities. 24 hour Permanent and Respite Care cream tea/coffee was well served too. North West London Impromptu Entertainment & Activities provided. Ground Floor Lounge Yiddish Concert Great to meet old friends among the and Dining Room • Lift access to all floors. Meeting at Alyth Gardens Synagogue, 48 people on the coach with time to For further information please contact: The Manager, we were entertained by surprise guest chat on the boat. Clara Nehab House, 13-19 Leeside Crescent, Rabbi Mark Goldsmith, who sang Helen Grunberg and Sue Arnold London NW11 0DA Telephone: 020 8455 2286

13 AJR JOURNAL september 2013

The AJR Paul Balint Centre at Belsize Square Synagogue 51 Belsize Square, London NW3 4HX Telephone 020 7431 2744 Open Tuesdays and Thursdays – 9.30 am to 3.30 pm Meals-on-Wheels Activities September 2013 To order Meals-on-Wheels Lunch is served at 12.30 unless otherwise stated please telephone 020 8385 3075 Tuesday 3 September (this number is manned on Wednesdays only) or 020 8385 3070 10-12 Coffee/Chat/Knit/Cards/Board Games 11-12 Seated Exercises 12.30 KT LUNCH Speaker: Pamela Andurer, ‘From Past to Present: Celebrating 80 Years of World Jewish Relief ART / CRAFT CLASS Assisting Those in Need’ 10.30 AM alternate thursdays Thursday 5 September ALL ABILITIES (and NONE) WELCOME CLOSED FOR ROSH HASHANAH

Tuesday 10 September 10-12 Coffee/Chat/Knit/Cards/Board Games INTERESTED IN A 10.30 Current Affairs Discussion Group with John Kay GAME OF BRIDGE? 11.30 Seated Exercises Call Ros at the AJR Centre 13.45 Entertainment - Israeli Dance Institute 020 7431 2744 Tues and Thurs ONLY Thursday 12 September 10-12 Coffee/Chat/Knit/Cards/Board Games 10.00 French Conversation with Ruth ONE-TO-ONE 10.30 Book Club 11.15 Seated Exercises BASIC COMPUTER LESSONS 13.45 Entertainer – Geoff Strum (light opera) at the AJR Centre To book a session with Dora Tuesday 17 September call her on 020 8385 3070 10-12 Coffee/Chat/Knit/Cards/Board Games 10-12 One-to-One Computer Lessons with Dora 11.00 Seated Exercises Chiropodist 13.45 Entertainer – Ronnie Goldberg AT THE AJR CENTRE Thursday 19 September Tuesday Morning 17 September CLOSED FOR SUCCOT BY APPOINTMENT ONLY – Please book in Call 020 7431 2744 (Tues and Thurs ONLY) Tuesday 24 September 10-12 Coffee/Chat/Knit/Cards/Board Games 10-12 One-to-One Computer Lessons with Dora FANCY A MANICURE? 11.00 Seated Exercises 13.45 Entertainer – Will Smith BOOK IN WITH THE AJR CENTRE Appointments 10 am – 2.30 pm Tuesdays ONLY Thursday 26 September Tel 020 7431 2744 CLOSED FOR SHEMINI ATZERET

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14 AJR JOURNAL september 2013 Obituaries Katia Gould, born Frýdek-Mistek 1919, died London 2013 y mother, Katia Gould, was historical interest. Other letters we applications for born Katia Löwova in January discovered reveal Katia’s very active and the 23 sheltered M1919 in the small north-eastern successful campaign in January-August flats at Otto Schiff Moravian town of Frýdek-Mistek, now 1939 to arrange entry to Britain for her two House. in the Czech Republic. She attended the brothers. She also obtained British entry For over local Jewish primary school, the Czech- permits for her parents, but tragically the 25 years Katia language Mistek grammar school and war started before they could come here. was chief proof the German-language high school in In January 1950 she began working as reader for the AJR the nearby city of Moravská Ostrava. a secretary at Dr Jan van Loewen’s literary Journal, retiring She came to London in 1937, initially agency. She stayed with the firm for over 30 from this position for six months, to attend a language and years and became the director with special at the age of 90 in 2009. Typical of the secretarial college. responsibility for translation rights, dealing letters the Journal received from ex- Following Hitler’s occupation of with Noel Coward, Jean Anouilh, Somerset colleagues at the time was a letter of Austria she decided to try to stay on in Maugham and the estate of Karl Kraus appreciation from an ex-AJR journalist, England and was offered a secretarial among others. She retired in 1983 and, in now the editor of a newspaper in Dublin. post at WIZO’s (Women’s International lieu of a pension, was given a number of He said that though he had joined the Zionist Organisation) world headquarters the agency’s smaller clients. She was still Journal after a journalism degree, he had in London. However, she had to return servicing three of these clients at the time only really learned his trade by working to Czechoslovakia and apply for the of her death. with Katia. necessary work permit from there. Thus In 1983 Katia became a volunteer at In the years of her physical decline, she was in Czechoslovakia from August the AJR, initially lending a hand wherever Katia remained remarkably cheerful to October 1938, the period exactly needed. But she quickly assumed extra and I never once heard her complain. coinciding with the Munich crisis. responsibility, taking over the management Many people enjoyed her company and After her death, we discovered a series of the three AJR bedsitter houses and conversation; visiting her was always a of letters, mostly in German, that she handling all tenancy applications for pleasure and never a chore. She is greatly wrote to my father, her future husband, in Eleanor Rathbone House. She became missed by, among others, her two sons London. In addition to personal news, the a member of the AJR’s Executive and daughters-in-law, five grandchildren, letters comment on the political situation Committee and of the Management three great-grandchildren, and an elder and, properly translated and analysed, Committee of the CBF (later Otto Schiff) sister in Slovakia. they could perhaps prove to be of some Housing Association, handling tenancy John Gould

David Ludwig Maier, born Freiburg-im-Breisgau 1921, died London 2013 avid Maier was born on 19 using the English language in a spirited, an understanding December 1921 in Freiburg im colourful and precise way. Not only was he of the heart. He DBreisgau. His father, Loeb, was a reviewer for many magazines and papers did. He also had president of the Freiburg synagogue and but he edited Belsize Square Synagogue’s an infectious a mathematics teacher at one of the city’s journal for many years. and dry sense of main schools. He had a roller-coaster career. He was humour. A visiting In 1937 David was sent to England. a test driver for Massey Ferguson tractors, German business The following year Kristallnacht saw a draughtsman (during the Second World colleague once the burning of the Freiburg synagogue, War designing parts of Spitfires) and, in said to him at which his father was obliged to watch later years, was elected a lifetime Fellow of breakfast ‘My before being taken to Dachau. David, the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. He goodness, David – we don’t have bagels from England and aged only 16, and his marketed Standard Triumph cars behind like this in Berlin!’ To which he quietly mother, still in Germany, managed to get the then Iron Curtain and had many a tale replied ‘And whose fault is that?’ Loeb out of Dachau. David also arranged to tell of his extraordinary experiences In 2001 David was given the equivalent for a teaching job in London for his father – including selling a TR4 sports car to of the keys to the city of Freiburg and this so that his parents could leave Germany for Khrushchev. He was a lecturer, a poet, moved him greatly. He was a believer in the the UK. Here his father was interned on the a manager, a director and a managing phrase rachmanim b’nei rachmanim – the Isle of Man; David volunteered to join him. director of a number of engineering firms, compassionate children of compassionate Following internment, David attended including Newage Transmissions. At ancestors. While he wasn’t just referring Jews College intent on becoming a rabbi. the age of 56 he took a law degree and to his love of Israel, he considered making However, war was raging and he felt he was simultaneously appointed Director aliyah several times but, as an only child, should do something to help and, with no General of Young Enterprise, a charity felt that being apart from his parents would small difficulty, he joined the Home Guard he developed into a powerful force in be too much for them (and maybe for him). and found a job as a tool operator near the business education of young people. This diffident, gentle gentleman leaves Harrogate in Yorkshire. Margaret Thatcher personally ensured behind his wife, Estelle, two sons, Simon David contributed to the AJR Journal that government and industry supported and Michael, and a host of family and on many occasions, mainly as a reviewer the initiative. friends who, hand on heart, will say ‘I am of books and arts events. He was a A visiting Israeli businessman once proud to have known David Maier.’ consummate polymath and delighted in said of David that he had a binat halev – Simon Maier

15 AJR JOURNAL september 2013

assault in academic, trade union, political, cultural and media circles. This has Dorothea Shefer-Vanson not occurred by accident – a long-term campaign has been waged against Israel by political activists, with dangerous consequences for both Britain and Israel.’ I couldn’t have put it better myself! The campaign against Israel in Britain The summary ended with the lecturer’s white card with black lettering to see whether the Society for Jewish promise to explain the context of the fell out of a book as I took it down Study still existed. To my delight it’s still delegitimisation movement and how it A from its shelf. It turned out to be going strong, with a varied programme could be turned back. I wish I could have an invitation sent in 1963 to members of lectures, many of them of quite some been there and I hope that large numbers of the Society for Jewish Study and the relevance to people like myself – British of people turned out to attend. It seems to B’nai B’rith Leo Baeck (London) Lodges expatriates living in Israel. As its website, me that the Jewish community in England to attend a lecture by Dr David Patterson http://www.sjslondon.org.uk, proclaims, would do well to invite Dr Mendoza to on ‘Conflict and Crisis in Modern Hebrew ‘The Society for Jewish Study brings repeat that lecture at venues throughout Literature’. before the public the results and insights England and even abroad. Immediately, I was taken back to those of academic research into Jewish religion, The version of Israel that is portrayed far-off times when I was still living in literature, history and the arts.’ by the media in England tends to be London under my parents’ roof and one Amidst the learned lectures about such skewed, probably because of the British of my late father’s ‘evening jobs’ was to subjects as ‘Musical Instruments in the predilection for supporting the ‘underdog’, serve as the secretary of the Society for Bible’, ‘Secret Jews and the Inquisition’ in this case the Palestinians. Irrespective Jewish Study. From where I’m sitting and ‘Academic Study of Jewish Law with of whatever solution is eventually reached, today, the topic of the lecture sounds Reference to the Agunah Problem’, my the situation is not a straightforward black- fascinating but I’m afraid that at the time curiosity was aroused by the subject and-white one, with the good guys on one I wasn’t particularly interested in those of Dr Alan Mendoza’s lecture (given in side and the bad guys on the other, as esoteric subjects. I do recollect, though, December 2012) entitled ‘Understanding the over-simplified version that is fed to that my father enjoyed fulfilling his duty Delegitimisation: The War Against Israel the British public would seem to suggest. of attending those lectures, whereby he in Contemporary Britain’. In view of recent events in the managed to broaden his education, which In the summary of his lecture, Dr neighbouring countries of the region in had been curtailed in Nazi Germany. He Mendoza wrote: ‘Israel is a liberal, which Israel is located, not to mention organised the monthly lectures, booked democratic and economically productive the history of the Jewish people, I think it the hall and had the invitations printed. country, with award-winning high-tech advisable that a combination of pragmatic He even enlisted my sisters, our mother and technological innovation the effects and existential considerations be allowed and myself to help him when it came to of which are seen around the world. Yet to be paramount when it comes to putting the cards into the envelopes on in 2012 Britain, calls for its boycott and formulating and implementing policies. which he had typed the addresses. international isolation have never been I just wish the British public and media Curiosity led me to turn to the internet stronger, with Israel’s standing under could see it that way.

 letters to the editor cont. from p.7 2013, Letters), my article on anti-Semitism the deportation trains demonstrates that acknowledge the truth. in Hungary does not contain ‘a statement he had had sufficient freedom of action Thomas Ország-Land, Budapest that appears to make Admiral Horthy under the German occupation to save the ‘BRINGING ORDER’ solely responsible for wiping out Hungary’s hundreds of thousands of provincial Jews Sir – Regarding Peter Seglow’s amusing Jews.’ What I say is that Horthy was more murdered in Auschwitz. letter in your July issue, years ago we responsible for mass murder than most Further, Hungary under Horthy was the were on holiday, in Austria I think. In a other Hungarian politicians. only power in the Second World War to restaurant there were two doors to toilets: Steiner is right that there were many deploy its own citizens – Jewish men – as ‘Damen’ and ‘Herren’. When one walked perpetrators. Most of them were acting slave labourers on the battlefield, tens of through, there was only one toilet! under the authority of the state. The head thousands of whom perished. Horthy’s As a Kindertransportee I was in 1942-45 of state was Horthy. Steiner is wrong to Hungary leased thousands of others to in a very nice boys’ hostel in Northampton claim that the Admiral intervened too late Germany to work the copper mines of run by the admirable Mr Marx. However, – in fact, he actively facilitated the delivery neighbouring occupied Serbia under I and another of the boys elected to do of Hungarian Jews in the countryside to the Hungarian guard, many of whom ended ‘firewatching’ in a house further along the gas chambers. He did eventually stop the up on a ‘death march’ (a form of mass road requisitioned by the Food Office. We deportations from Budapest in response to murder). slept on the floor alongside trestle tables Western diplomatic pressure that included But all this is old hat. Seven decades loaded with ration books – primarily so as a personal threat from Roosevelt. That is after the Holocaust, the issue is not what to shirk Morning and Evening Service! how he just managed to escape the gallows actually happened but the inability of Werner Conn (formerly Cohn), after the war. But his belated gesture to halt the abused Hungarian public now to Lytham St Annes

Published by The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), a company limited by guarantee. Registered office: Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL Registered in England and Wales with charity number: 1149882 and company number: 8220991 Telephone 020 8385 3070 Fax 020 8385 3080 e-mail [email protected] For the latest AJR news, including details of forthcoming events and information about our services, visit www.ajr.org.uk Printed by FBprinters LLP, 26 St Albans Lane, London NW11 7QB Tel: 020 8458 3220 Email: [email protected] 16