Volume XLII No. December 1987 £2 (to non-members)

The Case for view, through having, for whatever reasons, changed their names. The obvious danger of treating the whole subject as one concerning A HISTORY OF REFUGEE ACHIEVEMENT Jews, as if there had been no refugees of conscience, would have to be avoided, while recognising the high proportion of Jews by faith bv F. M. M. Steiner or descent. s the inter-war generation gradually fades should not lose a second opportunity to relate the While realising all these problems I had not away, so do the memories, and to the day's news to my pet project, so I plucked up my clearly established in my mind what was wanted, extent that some achievements are worth courage and wrote to The Times. whether a purely descriptive account, some his­ A torical analysis, or simply a factual record of recording, time presses. The thought that records of the emigrants from Hitler's Europe and their To be frank, I was then no clearer in my mind achievement. That some factual background is contributions to the countries in which they about the exact scope of the project than I am necessary and will remain so, was clear to me. settled should be established, has been with me now, nor did I quite know what reaction, if any, to Even we ourselves tend to forget that neither the for some time. It was made more topical by the expect. The history of European emigration to British Government nor most of us ever reckoned celebrations in 1985 of the tercentenary of the the United Kingdom, to the then British Empire on our settling here. Unlike the U.S. and the arrival of several thousands of French Protestants and other countries overseas, is too wide a subject Dominions, Britain in the 1930s was avowedly not in this country. The lists of Huguenots who to be left unqualified by considerations of time, a country of final settlement, and most British achieved distinction in England made me think of generation and geography. Even if you reduce it visas were very much transit visas, or at least the numbers, apparently disproportionate, of to the Nazi persecution, thereby cutting out some intended as temporary for purposes of study and refugees from Central Europe who ended up as very distinguished arrivals of the 1920s and the training. But for the outbreak of war. many of Peers. Knights or Fellows of the Royal Society, of Hungarian dispersion of 1956, some limitations of those who today are loyal British subjects would bankers, businessmen and industrialists; but also origin and destination are required. Thinking at have had to go on. voluntarily or otherwise. This of the hundreds and thousands who had settled one time in terms of a personal research project, I is only one of the instances where facts, forgotten quietly into British life, much as the humble silk focused on what I would know best, i.e. origins in or pushed into the subconscious, will have to be weavers of Spitalfields are as important in the the successor states of the old Austro-Hungarian written down before they are lost to memory. Huguenot contribution as were their compatriots dual monarchy and of Germany, destination If I was vague on the scope of the project, I was who founded the Bank of England and the first Britain and the United States. even more so on the method. If I had thought of major stockbroking firm. starting a personal research project and begun to As for the period, 1933 to the outbreak of war make up lists of possible source material, I need I realised too that it would become quite would cover the bulk of the discussion, and since not have publicly appealed for help, yet it was impossible to mount an exhibition similar to that the age range of those involved even during these clear to me that such help was needed. Without featuring the Huguenots at the Museum of seven years had been very great, from octogen­ any clear idea of what to expect, I wrote off to The London in much less than a generation, let alone arians to babies, some three generations would be Times and was pleasantly surprised that the letter in 300 years. There is no compact community, covered. If it was a question of documenting lives was printed two days after it was received. there are no permanent foundations such as the and achievements, much information would be French Hospital and the French Protestant available, but many would have disappeared from Continued on p. 2 Church in London, and in an age of media dominance, the assimilation of any foreign com­ munity, even if it wanted to maintain its identity which is hardly the case here, would proceed WE HAVE MOVED much more rapidly than in the 18th century. to These thoughts were at last crystallised by three items in the London Times last August. Two Hannah Karminski House obituaries of Viennese who had distinguished themselves in England, one of them Jewish, were followed by a leading article paying tribute to the 9 Adamson Road, London NWS 3HX work over 40 years of the Amadeus Quartet and recalling how the self-inflicted wounds of Central Our new telephone number is 01-483 2536 Europe had been the gains of the West. I then thought, having missed my cue in 1985, that I page 2 AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 instead of suppressing the dissident he ought to be A JEWISH DISSIDENT IN EAST BERLIN heard and his good will respected. Dogma was all Stefan Heym Speaks Out very well but it had to be handled 'pragmatically' and certain things had to be done that were not in accordance with dogma. Remarkably dissident opinions were voiced by basic issue facing the East German regime. That Heym does not believe that different political the East German Jewish author Stefan Heym in issue gave rise to other embarrassing questions: parties are essential but human freedom was, in a an interview with the Hamburg daily Die Welt how far does one go in exercising power? who is society where man himself can decide what he about his recent book Konig David Bericht which, exercising power and who controls those in the wants to do and to say, also where and how he in biblical disguise, deals with the difficulties seats of power? wants to live, though in certain circumstances — encountered by the human spirit under a regime Heym is satisfied that certain things have in the course of a revolution upholding its tampering with the truth. Heym says he tackles changed for the better. It was realised now that momentum — certain liberties must be curtailed. the question of 'how history comes about', how things were done that ought not to have been This (Heym summed up) was 'the permanent different and contradictory versions of the same done; even in official quarters it was not denied conflict which we face in our time, a time of event will be manipulated by a Commission which that Marx and Lenin had made mistakes and that revolutions'. then produces an "authorised version' in keeping with the whims of the powers that be. Heym has sought to expose this myth-making Antisemitism in Austria with the result (he says) that he is today 'the best-known unperson in the DDR', i.e. no notice Attempts to present Vienna as 'the capital of victims of Nazism as well as its abettors. Pordes is taken of him in the media. Five books of his antisemitism' were rejected in a joint statement recalls the Austrian people's sympathies for have not been allowed to appear in East Ger­ by the Mayor of Vienna. Dr Zilk, and the Hitler but equally he stresses the anti-Nazi many. One of them (5 Tage im Juni) dealt with President of the Board of Austrian Jewish Con­ resistance which had suffered much, though he is the rebellion of 17 June 1953, and (says Heym) gregations, Paul Grosz. At the same time, Mr bound to admit that it lacked the support of the though some East German leaders welcomed it, Grosz denounced repeated verbal attacks on Jews great majority — until military defeat appeared the majority were against it because (they and also the fact that a number of legal actions on the horizon. thought) the working class was not yet mature against antisemites had failed to secure a single Arguing that Hitler's defeat was Austria's enough to read it. But (Heym now comments) "if conviction. victory, Pordes attacks those who insisted that the working class was not mature enough to read Was this a contradiction? Not really, says a 'we' had lost the war. As for their number, he about itself, how can they be mature enough to leader of the Vienna Aktion gegen den Antisemi­ thinks it immaterial whether it is 7 or 12 or 18 per build Socialism which after all also calls for some tismus, Kurt Pordes, writing in their Mitteilungs­ cent. Apparently the figure has assumed embar­ thinking?" blatt under the headline 'The great unease of rassing proportions. Here, Pordes says, was a The trouble with the East German Govern­ 1987: The climate in which we live'. He notes, on need for the Aktion to make up for many ment was that, without having the support of the one hand, a 'necessarily latent antisemitism, omissions, and this was a matter involving not large sections of the people, they trusted in their combined with xenophobia' which had 'come to only Jews but equally the ethnic minorities living bayonets, and then of course they were bound to the surface' as a result of the Waldheim affair; on in Austria many of which were still denied full require a Berlin Wall. This (Heym added) was the the other hand, he says, Austrians had been recognition.

A HISTORY OF REFUGEE ACHIEVEMENT Continued from front page

There was rather more reaction than I had tained 14 chapters by as many contributors, each and was interested to see a suggested field of hoped for. The Times published very few letters an expert on the particular field of learning enquiry. of support or helpful suggestion; I also received a described. Nothing similar seems to have been If the parameters in period and geography have few more which had been addressed to the Editor published in this country, but one of my corre­ now been more or less established, much remains but for which the paper had had no space. In spondents, a partner in a distinguished London to be done to clarify the objects of the enquiry. addition I received more correspondence art gallery, has commented that he had already Interviews with survivors are one method; a addressed to me direct, which covered a wide considered recording the closely-knit group of schematic or tabulated "Who's Who" and "Who range of comment and most of which was German art dealers and historians of art whom his Was Who" is another. extremely helpful. own firm had come to know so well. And it was Researches in this field have taken two quite the editor of this review in which I write who One critical factor is time, in the sense of the separate paths, by locality and type of activity pointed out to me that an interim progress report Great Reaper. As I said in my original letter to respectively. For instance, a Birmingham Jewish had been written some 35 years ago. On its tenth The Times, the most distinguished among the history research group is shortly to publish the anniversary, in 1951, the AJR had itself published early arrivals have been dead for many years. If result of several years' work on those who "came a survey of "Britain's New Citizens". I have also those surveyed start with the generation of Freud to Birmingham". On the other hand, the learnt that the Jewish Refugees Committee ofthe and Einstein, no one who arrived in this country Deutsche Ingenieurvereinigung in Dusseldorf CBF World Jewish Relief has an extensive before the war can now be much under 50. some time ago published a survey on the life and collection of records on arrivals in this country Among the youngest, even those interested in work of some 200 German-speaking engineers from 1933 onwards; unfortunately they are not their ancestry and past, there will not be many who had settled in Britain; the research done on accessible to the public though telephone memories. It is easy to identify a relatively small the subject in this country had been financially enquiries will be entertained. and coherent group and its unique importance, in aided from German public funds (Deutsche For­ Among the most interesting, and immediate, a clearly defined and somewhat restricted field, schungsgemeinschaft) . responses to my original letter was a note from a such as the development of professional and In the United States, a similar "sectoral" Times reader in Leeds who is now retired from university law librarians; in different circum­ approach was undertaken on a much broader business and has taken up historical research. stances, our contribution has been much less front. In 1968 a historical survey was published Having just taken an M.A. at Leeds, more than unique, but perhaps our experiences and under the title of "The intellectual migration: 40 years after leaving Oxford, he is now proposing memories also represent a resource which will Europe and America 1930-1960", which con­ to devote the next three years to a Ph.D. project vanish unless it is tapped in time. AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 page 3 Werner Rosenstocic John Rossall FAREWELL TO FAIRFAX MANSIONS Reactions to Shoah The man who looked to be in his mid-sixties walked through the meadows and drifted along If the Walls could Speak . . . on a river boat, and he sang the refrain of a German soldiers' song, Ei warum, ei darum. ja he AJR has moved, and its former head­ gas fires in the rooms were inadequate, and the bloss. . . . But the man was a Jew, and he was at quarters at Fairfax Mansions will become a corridors and landings were ice-cold in winter. Chelmno, one ofthe extermination camps. When historical monument in the minds of those he was a little boy he led a chain gang of Jews T And yet, we were happy, at least as far as our associated with it. During the first two years — through the streets of the Stetl. a mascot for the day-to-day work was concerned. We could 1941 to 1943 — the AJR had stayed in a engineers of death. Perhaps this saved his life. For expand our membership both in London and the four-room maisonette at 279 Finchley Road, not Claude Lanzmann, in every respect the author of Provinces, and we established and strengthened then a very salubrious place, with the back rooms the film Shoah (Annihilation), this man and his our connections with public figures such as exposed to the noise and steam of the LMS trains. song were the opening symbols of a two-night parliamentarians and journalists as well as with (October 18 and 19), nine-hour advertisement- Anglo-Jewish community leaders, thus putting The new office, originally designed for flats, less showing on Channel 4. the first British the AJR on the map. But the wider issues of the was more spacious and, like the previous one, exposure on the small screen. within easy reach of our London members. war were bound to be uppermost in our thoughts. Callers on the Social Services Department had Gradually, we had to face the fact that our nearest Many more symbols followed as real present- only to go up one flight of stairs. As today, the ones on the Continent might be doomed. We here day steam trains chugged endlessly through ever- Reception Room was on the first floor. The large shared the experience of all Londoners. From the recurring stations: Treblinka, Sobibor, Chelmno, room on the next floor (let's call it the 'Central room on the top floor, facing Fairfax Road, we Auschwitz-Birkenau. Grey little towns now . . . Room' for the purpose of this sketch) was, with saw the flying bombs. and the symbolic journeys were interrupted by interruptions, assigned to the head ofthe office. harrowing interviews with Jews, with Germans, In those days, the 'Central Room' also served and with Poles. Relentless questing, and no Living on a budget which hardly ever covered as the venue of the AJR Executive. The walls showing of the usual archive material of heaps of more than two weeks, we could not afford even could tell a lot, had they been bugged. One ofthe bones. Only symbols and words. The effect was the most elementary requirements. The floor­ most memorable meetings took place in Summer both cataclysmic and cathartic. The film had boards remained bare, no lino or runners. In the 1945, when the door opened and Leo Baeck, taken ten years to make. bathroom, a board was put across the tub, and on recently arrived from Theresienstadt. entered. top of it stood the first Roneo machine, hand- Most of us had worked under him in Berlin before A criticism of the Lanzmann work is not in the operated and to be serviced with black ink. The the war. It was a moving reunion. scope of this article. Rather is it a reflection in the viewer's, specifically the gentile viewer's eye. The means to this: the media. NUCLEUS OF U.R.O. Early reaction came from three national news­ A short while afterwards, the AJR created an Council of Jews from Germany. papers. The Guardian linked Shoah with a World advisory department on Restitution matters. It As soon as the wartime paper restrictions were In Action' programme on the Vietnamese boat was to become the nucleus of London URO, with lifted, AJR INFORMATION was brought into people. The general tone was 'the more different an adviser in the Reception Room and the first being, and the occupier of the 'Central Room' it is, the more it is the same'. The reviewer (Hugh secretarial help in the adjoining kitchenette. added the editorship to his other duties. Now in Herbert) commended Lanzmann's gentle but Gradually. URO took over the major part of the its 43rd year, it has become one of the oldest ruthless probing of the victims and perpetrators premises, confining the AJR to two or three Jewish journals in this country. alike. He was particularly shaken by an episode rooms. Things came to a head, when the 'Central When the AJR was founded, it was generally involving barber Abraham Bomba who had been Room" was occupied by several lawyers, some assumed that it would have served its purpose, as made to give the female victims hairdos in the interviewing clients, some studying files, others soon as the refugees were naturalised. However, antechamber of death. dictating letters. At that time we very nearly lost throughout the past four decades, new tasks the premises because the landlord made the arose, and today, this process is still going on. The Link with Boat People renewal of the tenancy dependent on the payment AJR has remained a living organism, with a new of a premium. The sum was out of our reach, and generation of officers and fellow-workers. The Daily Telegraph writer (Minette Marin) was bemused by the replies of a German woman, a frantic efforts to find alternative accommodation On the wall of the 'Central Room' hung the settler in the Wartheland, who knew what was failed. In the end, some Executive members portaits of some of those who have inspired the going on, in a shghtly distant way. and who could clubbed together and jointly raised the sum. work of the AJR and left their mark on our only remember the figure 4, unable to say history — first and foremost Leo Baeck: next to whether there might have been four hundred, To relieve the increasing office shortage, URO him Otto Hirsch, the Director ofthe Reichsvertre­ four thousand, forty thousand dead. Here, too, boarded out some of its staff to the former venue tung, who voluntarily remained in Germany and the link with the boat people was made. of the Blue Danube Cabaret in Finchley Road perished at Mauthausen; Wilfred Israel, the last and the house of the 'Shul' in Broadhurst Gar­ owner ofthe N. Israel Department Store and, as a Philip Purser in the Daily Mad, while also dens. A Jewish former lawyer from Poland would committed communal worker, co-founder of the commenting on both the Jews' and the boat commute with the files on a trolley between these AJR, who lost his life (in 1943) returning to people's fate, was vastly more concerned with branches and Fairfax Mansions, passing claimants England from a rescue mission in Portugal, and Lanzmann's film. What impressed him particul­ who were shopping in Finchley Road. Eventually Ludwig Tietz, one of the most influential leaders arly was the interview with an SS Unterscharfii- URO moved to the big house at Finchley Road ofthe Jewish youth movement in Germany, who hrer Suchomel. who did not know that his now fat corner Goldhurst Terrace. The AJR may claim to in 1933 became a central figure of the community visage was appearing on film, and who politely have had a decisive share in the creation of URO. at large. Surrounded by these portraits, the but somewhat irritably corrected Lanzmann on one of the biggest world wide legal aid organisa­ present writer spent the major part ofhis working the details of mass murder 'as if making them tions that ever existed. life. Each of them evoked cherished personal clear was some kind of atonement for the dreadful Like URO, the Leo Baeck Institute too had its reminiscences. May they remain as a precious things he had supervised" (I slightly paraphrase original office at Fairfax Mansions (before it heritage for those whose thoughts and efforts are Purser). The Times and the Daily Express moved to Devonshire Street) and so had the now devoted to the remnants of German Jewry. remained silent. page 4 AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 state of chaos', would have become (by 1950) 'a THE WEATHERMEN'S WATERLOO quantite negligeable in the councils of Europe'. This unfortunate bloomer is made up for by the Forecasters are no Prophets observation that 'Jewish world policy was really, in the main, directed from New York'. This was indeed an inspired forecast, especially Not the least among the melancholy features of ones), they will lie low for a time until all is since the British Empire in 1950 was still thought the Great Storm that hit this country recently was forgotten and their fancy can have another fling. to be intact, as unimpaired as ever in 1904, and the failure of the weatherpersons to forecast the I was thinking of this when I recently came thus might have qualified for a claim to priority disaster. Perhaps one should not be too hard on upon a Jewish Chronicle of 1904 which carried an over New York. The rest, alas, was pure fantasy, them; like the violinist before a Mexican arficle entitled 'A Glimpse of Jewry in 1950'. The welcomed by the Jewish Chronicle as a sop to its audience, they were entitled to plead that no forecaster was a distinguished member of the own 'comforting belief that the world does pistols be fired at them: they were trying their community and he boasted of venturing his progress', even at a 'breathless pace'. But, then, best, though some (it was believed) would have forward glimpse on the basis of'close observation the futurologists who failed to foresee the hanged themselves on Hampstead Heath had of the signs of the times'. Now what did these approaching Kaiser war, only ten years ahead — they found a tree left standing. However, we signs so closely observed in 1904 tell us about how could they even fathom the reversal of should perhaps sympathise with their general 1950? progress 25 years later in the utterly incredible, argument that the forecasts were 'as good as Theodor Herzl had just died, so, for a start, the unimaginable horrors of the Hitler war? Future possible given the data and circumstances'. Zionist movement is foreseen to have 'made no futurologists, please note. A. By a striking coincidence, the BBC on the same progress at all'. 'The colonists already in Jeru­ day published a report excusing the fiasco of their salem and elsewhere in Syria have not been so election night forecast as just 'a piece of bad luck' prosperous as to suggest to the wise heads of the RESTITUTION where 'almost everything that could go wrong did community the desirability of directing a flow of Victims of Nazi persecution who have so far been go wrong'. emigrants to the Holy Land'. Therefore, by 1950, neglected, such as those forcibly sterilised and I must always think of these forecasters when I 'the sentiment bound up in Zionism finds but a homosexuals, are to receive some adequate resti­ read about those 'futurologists' whose crystal faint echo in the minds of all but the smallest tution now. An amount of DM 300m has been balls seek to make out what will happen in the minority'. In fact since 'France holds Jerusalem, made available for them. Among the sterilised year 2.00(3 (now fast approaching). Mesmerised political Zionism may be considered a practical some are to receive a lump sum of DM 5,000, by the prospect and generally unable to look impossibility'. Instead the forecaster can see — a others in addition a pension. ahead 24 hours, they confidently anticipate what near miss — something called 'Israelia', 'one of "the historians of the future' will say. They have the brightest spots in the world for the outcasts of tried their luck before, and whenever the our race', that 'East African colony . . . one of prediction miscarries (as it usually does), if only the most flourishing parts of all Africa', thanks because of events utterly beyond the ken of those to Britain's 'generous offer many years ago'. humdrum spirits (or even more sophisticated 'Israelia' has a 'government more or less patriar­ chal', "the model of many other governments, such as that of the Finns in Patagonia and of the Stundists in Fiji' — so much so that 'the British Government has been encouraged to grant three BELSIZE SQUARE SYNAGOGUE AJR other autonomous colonies to the Jews, not the CHARITABLE least successful being that in Tibet'. 51 BELSIZE SQUARE, NWS Communal Peace TRUST invites Nearer home no less remarkable events have come to pass. The Chief Rabbi now has all 'the you and your friends Jews of English-speaking countries' as his parish to come to These are the ways in and he has just returned from a 'pastoral tour in which you can help to the United States of America', having crossed the safeguard the continuity Atlantic in 'the record time of three days'. The BAZAAR '87 of our vital services United Synagogue and the Federation had 'joined to the communitv forces with the Reformers' including the Liberals, and consequently the Chief Rabbi now 'has to Saturday 5 December from 5.00 pm give very little of his time to the reconciliation of Sunday 6 December 11.00 am to 6.00 pm opposing factions within the community itself. CONTRIBUTIONS Oddly enough, Hebrew is foreseen to have become by 1950 'the most valuable medium for UNDER COVENANT the expression of scientific thought'; not only Stalls, Restaurant, Children's Bazaar that, 'sermons in any other language but pure ENTRANCE SOp BARGAINS GALORE! GIFTS IN Hebrew are rare', and requests were (sympathet­ ically) heard that 'nothing but Hebrew should be YOUR LIFETIME spoken at annual meetings' of Jewish literary societies. At the same time, the Liberal Syna­ CORRECTION A BEQUEST gogue, 'with extraordinary conservatism', con­ tinued to insist on 'the Enghsh sermon', 'a curious In our obituary on George Mikes (October), we IN YOUR WILL survival but surely an interesting one'. The were wrong about the Club to which he belonged. growth of intermarriage, apparently very notice­ We understand "he adored the Garrick and would Space donated by able around 1904, had been arrested 50 years later never have set foot in the Savage Club' — in by Jewish clubs. Arnold R. Horwell Ltd. other words which he himself might have used, he In international affairs, the downfall of Tsarism would never have liked to be seen dead among the is foreseen and as a result Russia, ever since in "a 'Savages'. AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 page 5 C. C. Aronsfeld Through a mist I seemed to be seeing the vision of the valley of the dry bones that were to be joined together, bone to bone, and arise again, and I heard, reverberating through my mind, the roll- A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY call of all the Exin people whom I could at that moment remember — Badt, Buschke, Cohn, I recently visited Poland to see again, before it as men could foresee. He did not know, he never Dombrower, Haase, Joseph, Leiser, Leszinsky, might be too late, the place where I was born. It suspected, that he might have built on shifty Loewy, Mamroth, Raphael, Rehfisch, Reich, was then (1910) not Poland but Germany and I ground. The three-storey house looked grubby Rosenthal. Salomon, Schimek, Seemann, Stein­ cannot claim to be as familiar with things Polish as now, strangers lived in it, and the shop on the hardt, Siisskind. Where are they? What is man? I ought to be. I do not speak Polish and I had ground floor was a State business selling the most I turned back: it was all as I remembered it, and prepared only a few standard phrases which primitive stuff — garden produce, tins, preserves yet it wasn't — at once familiar and alien, like became my signature tunes: 'Excuse me, I am in glass jars and Coca Cola — stuff that my Ibsen's Lady from the Sea, alluring and repelling, British, I don't speak (or understand) Polish' (the father, himself a shop keeper, presumably would and there was no one 1 could have asked or talked equivalent of "No Sex Please: We are British'), never have looked at. But then the whole place, to: they would not have understood me and why also 'Do you understand German or Enghsh?', to all of Exin, had come down; it seemed drab, should they? And what were we to say to each which the answer was invariably, and predictably. slummy, cheap, very different from the prospe­ other anyway? No. I then had to fend for myself as best I could. rous bourgeois society that I remembered. The I had, as a Jew, a fellow-feeling for the Poles Now, when this part of Germany (Posen-West- merchants of my time had been followed by a class that they would have kept as servants. which we once denied them. They are a proud preussen) came under Polish rule, at the end of people and an unhappy one, their land lying the war (1920), the family left Exin where we had The second place I wanted to see was the site of between two (if not three) potenfial robber states been established since long before the first the synagogue, the Tempel as we called it, a fine that have often helped themselves to it. They lost partition of Poland in the 18th century, and while big building which by its very name suggested a it as Jews lost theirs, and as Jews sing Halikvah, so some in the not inconsiderable kehillah went to replica of the Temple in Jerusalem. As I often the Poles never gave up their 'hope' — Jeszcze Breslau or Danzig, we moved to Berlin. There I thought of it, I was reminded of Wordsworth's Polska ('Poland is not lost yet"); my Polish is of grew up but my roots are in Exin (now Kcynia), verse when he visited a humble Jewish family in the most rudimentary kind, but this I could easily and there I felt a strong desire I must return. the Rhineland on a Friday evening understand, and I salute the spirit of it. I remembered the tiny place well. I have a England had been in sympathy with the Poles' That gives this ragged group to cast much treasured collection of picture postcards several rebellions in the 19th century and so were Around the dell a gleam inherited from my grandmother who had a all who were outraged by the partitions of Poland. Of Palestine, of glory past stationery (cum leather) business in the 'High Heine who visited the Prussian part as a young And proud Jerusalem! Street', and aided by a good memory, I could not man (1822) was much impressed by the Poles' miss my way (nor did I). I could not stay there I already knew that the Tempel had been 'moral struggle against the destruction of their however. Exin once had two mini-hotels but not destroyed by the Germans in September 1939 and nationality', even by their 'tolerance' as they now. so my headquarters were the nearest big terrible details are recorded in a Polish booklet once, in the 14th century, hospitably received the town. Bydgoszcz (Bromberg), 3'/2 hours by about Kcynia. There was now a derelict infants' persecuted German Jews. Of course he thought express train from Warsaw (where I landed), and playground, though the house of Chazan Schmul most highly of the Polish ladies but then, in this a local double-decker steam train could take me nearby still stood, and I remembered my father respect, he was not very particular. He fell for to Kcynia in a leisurely hour and a quarter. telling me that this man, a bit of a cabbalist, had most ladies except perhaps the English ones whom be dubbed 'wooden butterflies', though Yes, it was all there as I remembered it: the half warned us (in 1920) not to go to Germany because 'black fimes' would come over that country. this he did only because he disliked the English deserted railway station, displaying now a tablet not the ladies. (Others will prefer Arthur about the gallant struggle of the Polish partisans So now I walked on to find the cemetery. I Schnitzler's opinion: 'People are the same who in 1918-19 defeated the German Grenz- knew exactly where it was but what I found was a wherever you go — where there are more the schutz: I recognised also the little, wholly un­ piece of wasteland unidentifiable if I had not crowds are bigger, that's all'.) changed dairy station that is probably busy in the known, covered with weeds and the leaves of But I am straying. They were talking of the early morning. The tree-lined lane was still autumn, where boys were gathering conkers and living, my company were the dead, and they are leading up to the stately building that I knew as a neighbour kept his chickens, geese and ducks. with me still and will stay with me to the end of my Kaiserliches Postamt, and I soon reached the And a sandpit was there where playing children days. market square that was still dominated by the might delve into embarrassing depths. No powerful monastery, as old I think as Exin itself memorial tablet indicated what kind of ground which was just celebrating its 725th anniversary, this was. But across the road, a tall crucifix had and there, at the other end. was the house that my been erected, as if to serve as a talisman against father built, in the year of my birth, fully assured any thought of the evil that had been done. that thereby he had established himself for as long I said Kaddish — and I cried, a long time.

With best wishes from JUDISCHER KALENDER 1987-«8 Judaica aus Berliner Sammlungen Price £11.00 VICTORINOX WEGWEISER DURCH DAS JUDISCHE BERLIN The history of the Berlin Jews, communal life past and present, the people, synagogues, cultural institutions. Richly illustrated. 390 pages. Price £10.50 Swiss Knives of Quality Prices include postage and packing. Available from EMGEE FOREIGN PUBLICATIONS P O BOX 312 LONDON NWS 6DE Telephone: 01-722 5217 mmi f::^- •iVJK-r't^tg^.-i!

page 6 AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 Art Notes by Alice Schwab liked the work of Ruth Weinberg who sculpts (if that is the word) large and exciting abstracts in wire. I also made another visit to the Goethe AT THE BEN URI Insfitut to see the von Menzel, Liebermann and other drawings in the exhibition from the Kunst­ halle, Bremen. Don't miss them — they are The Ben Uri is mounting an interesting exhibition Telaviv. It may also come to England. In connec- delightful (till 15 December). by two artists, Monica Winner and Helen Keats fion with the exhibition an impressive catalogue John Denham at his gallery in Mill Lane, NW6, (20 December-15 January). Monica Winner orig­ has been produced by the Argon Verlag, Berlin is showing works by Margarete Klopfleisch (until inally trained as an actress but for the last fifteen and contains numerous illustrations of Segal's the end of December). This gifted artist, the years has worked as an artist, having studied at works, also several essays about his life and daughter of a left-wing cabinet-maker, was born the Camden Institute and the Hertfordshire influence. in Dresden in 1911 and secretly studied the violin College of Art and Design. Helen Keats, the Victor Weisz (Vicky) the cartoonist (1913- while working at all sorts of menial jobs, as well as daughter of a refugee from Bavaria, is a Fellow of 1966) is being celebrated by an exhibition at the modelling for the Otto Dix Life Class where she the Printmakers Council and has exhibited at the Nafional Portrait Gallery (unfil 6 March). Vicky learnt a great deal from the artists for whom she Royal Academy. The exhibifion at the Ben Uri was born in Germany of Hungarian parents and, posed. With the advent of Hitler she was forced to contains a wide range of works in various media after emigration, worked for many papers includ­ flee and joined her husband-to-be in Prague by these two talented artists. ing the Daily News, Daily Mirror, Evening where she studied under Kate Schaffner, a The Ben Uri not only invites artists to hold Standard and New Statesman. A biography of personal friend and colleague of Kathe Kollwitz. exhibitions in its gallery, but also has a prestigious Vicky is being published by Seeker and Warburg She came to England in 1939 and worked as a collection of works by Jewish artists. Many of to tie in with the exhibition. sculptress and painter, but returned to Dresden in these works, including a beautiful Martin Bloch The sculptress Naomin Blake has executed yet 1960. It took many years for her to gain recogni- recently given to the Society by its President Alex another important piece 'Abraham and Isaac' fion in Germany, but she had a successful Margulies, and works by Bomberg, Gertler, which was recently unveiled at Carmel College to exhibition in Dresden in 1981, a year before her Solomon, etc., as well as works by Segal, Auer­ whom it was presented by Brian Gardner. death. bach, Liebermann, Lomnitz, Lesser Ury, Orlik, The Tate Gallery's thematic exhibition "Manners Struck. Feigl and many others, will be shown at an and Morals' (until 3 January) is concerned with exhibition (until 15th December) to mark the the emergence of a British school of painting Courtauld Bequest issue of the first published catalogue of the during the first half of the 18th century. The collection ever produced. This fully illustrated exhibition is dominated by. the work of William The Courtauld Institute, renowned for its famous catalogue describes all the pictures in the collec- Hogarth (1697-1764), including a number of collection, has now mounted an exhibition of fion (some 500) with biographical details of the pictures never previously exhibited. choice modern works bequeathed to the Insfitute by Dr. Alastair Hunter and his sister Diane. The artists (price £14.95, reduction for members of It was a long and tortuous journey to the Space the Society). bequest includes works by Nicholson, Hitchens, Studios, Dave Road, E.3, but very well worth­ Picasso, Paul Nash, Hans Hartung. while. 30 artists have studios there and were Arthur Segal showing their work during October. I particularly Annely Juda is showing recent sculpture and drawings by the distinguished young British artist Arthur Segal (1875-1944) had a studio and (born in Bristol 1943) Nigel Hall (until 18 painting school for many years in Hampstead December). which was continued by his wife Ernestine and daughter Marianne for 33 years after his death. ALFRED FLECHTHEIM Elizabeth Harvey-Lee, formerly in charge of Segal was born in Botosani. Roumania, and, on the prints department at Phillips and the author of taking up an artistic career, moved to Munich and EXHIBITION IN DUSSELDORF the standard work on Erich Wolsfeld, was holding later to Beriin where he was associated with the an exhibition of Original Prints (15th-20th cen­ The memory of Alfred Flechtheim (1882-1937), founding of Neue Sezession and exhibited with turies) at Chris Beetles Ltd., 5 Ryder Street, St. the German-Jewish art dealer and generous Franz Marc. Kandinsky. Macke, etc. During the James's, London SWl (16-29 November). The patron of the arts, is being honoured by the first World War he left Germany and settled in large fully illustrated catalogue contains 240 Dusseldorf Museum of Art which has mounted an Ascona, but returned to Berlin in 1922 where he prints in a price range from £30 to £3,000, of exhibition of many paintings and sculptures joined the Novembergruppe. He was forced to which 90 per cent are under £1,000 and 70 per acquired from him (29 November to 17 January emigrate by the Nazis and moved first to Mallorca cent under £500. Of pardcular interest are wood­ 1988). Documents shown include letters by Flech­ and finally to London. A major exhibition of his cuts from the workshop of Anton Koberger theim, also his diary containing such confessions work has been recently held in Cologne and will (Nuremberg 15th century), Diirer, Beham. Alde- as 'Art is everything to me' and 'There is also be shown in Berlin. Regensburg, Ascona and grever and Virgil Soils (Nuremberg 1514-1562); something maddening about art: a passion etchings by Kolbe (1759-1835). stronger tham gambling'. Flechtheim was greatly devoted to sport, Finally, it is a matter of regret that the notably boxing, and in the company of Fritz exhibition of drawings by E. M. Lilien (1874- Kortner, Ernst Deutsch and Werner Krauss, he 1925) shown in October by Michael Hasenclever. John Denham used to watch big matches regularly in the old Munich, is not coming to England. Lilien was a Sportpalast. He was so impressed by the heavy­ superb draughtsman. Deeply influenced by Gallery weight champion Max Schmeling that he asked Theodor Herzl, his work reflects his Jewish George Grosz to portray him in characteristic nationalist sympathies, although couched in the 50 Mill Lane, West Hampstead fighting postures. Art Nouveau stvle of his times. London NW6 1NJ 01 -794 2635 Another of his favourites was French art; he would actually have liked to settle in Paris (before I wish to purchase paintings 1933) but found life there too expensive for the Annely Juda Fine Art and drawings by German, style of living that would have suited him. Shortly 11 Tottenham Mews, London W1P9PJ Austrian or British Artists, before his death (in London, as a result of blood 01-637 5517/8 pre-war or earlier, also poisoning), he presented the French Government CONTEMPORARY PAINTING paintings of Jewish interest. with Fernand Leger's painting Les Noces ('The AND SCULPTURE Wedding') which he had managed to take with Mon-Fri: 10 am-6 pm Sat; 10 am-1 pm him on his escape from Berlin in 1933. AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 page 7 DAY CENTRE AJR CLUB AJR MEMBERS IN A SUSSEX VILLAGE CHANUCAH PROGRAMME What was described in the local Parish magazine Entertainment for December 1987 as an 'engrossing talk' was given by our member Music and Slides Sophie Dann and her sister Gertrud when they Tuesday 1st Alfred Gabriel — Member of On Thursday, 17 December, 2 p.m., under the addressed the Women's Institute of West Hoathly Magic Circle — in 'Magic title 'The Lights of Chanucah', Susi and Arnold All Saints Anglican Church, near East Grinstead. Made to Measure' Horwell will present a Musical Entertainment, to The Misses Dann who have lived in the village Wednesday 2nd Rita & Jack Davis Entertain be shared with the Day Centre. since 1945 had been asked to speak of their experiences as refugees which, the reporters Thursday 3rd 'A History of Ancient London' On Sunday, 20 December, 3 p.m., 'America remarked, 'now seem like another world'. Their by John Richmond Coast to Coast' will be shown on Colour slides lives were said to 'have been so full of change that it is surprising that they can still laugh at some of Tuesday Sth Alice Somer — Pianist taken and introduced by Gerda Salinger. There­ after we shall light Chanucah candles again. the things that happened to them'. Wednesday 9th Words & Music with Estelle & Entrance fee: 40p incl. tea Miss Sophie Dann sent us this report in Pamela Closed from 24th to 28th response to the Editor's request for information 'A Taste of Winter Sunshine' on refugees' life outside London. Will others of Thursday 10th by Carmel Products, by Ger­ Please note: The Club will be closed from our friends please follow her example by sending maine Thursday. 24, to Monday, 28 December, incl. It us their stories. Rabbi Mariner Lights First will re-open on Tuesday, 29. Tuesday 15th Chanucah Candle IN HONOUR OF HIS FATHER'S Would those who have not yet paid their Entertainment by Hans MEMORY Freund & Guests membership fee for 1987 please do so by the end of the year. If we have then not received your Johnny Blunt, a now 63-year old Jewish refugee, Wednesday 16th Joy Hyman — Singer/Guitarist remittance, we shall assume that you do not wish lost his parents in the holocaust but he remem­ bered that, in the Kaiser war. his father had Thursday 17th 'The Lights of Chanucah' — A to remain a member. LOTTE SAENGER, Chairman received medals — an Iron Cross First Class, Musical Entertainment by Susi Second Class and the Service Cross — which & Amold Horwell NEVER TOO OLD Nazi thugs had stolen in the pogrom night of 1938. Tuesday 22nd Our member, Mr. Randolph Jones (formerly He now sought to recover this cherished posses­ Paint-A-Long with Irene Wednesday 23rd Rudolf Jonas), a native of Berlin, achieved the sion by writing to the German Embassy asking if distinction of obtaining his Ph.D. from London they could be replaced. He was lucky. They were Thursday 24th Closed University at the age of nearly 75. His thesis was restored to him. Tuesday 29th Gerard 'Plays Your Tunes' 'The Spanish Question and the Cold War'. Mr. At a special ceremony at the Embassy, they Jones, an economist who escaped to Britain from were handed over by the military attache. Col­ Wednesday 30th Russell Scott on the Keyboard France (via Spain) during the war, was for 20 onel Stauffenberg, whose father had been the years editor of the Solid Fuel magazine. leader of the unsuccessful July 1944 plot to kill Thursday 31st Closed Hitler. Johnny Blunt's real name is Hans Eich- 'PROUD IMPORTED GOODS' wald; he was advised to change it when his Under this heading, the Daily Telegraph printed company was sent to France during the Invasion. the following Letter to the Editor from F. Peters, Remember Bath: PAUL & CHARLOTTE BLUMENFELD'S SIR — I am very confused: my British 'Gilette' GOLDEN WEDDING Israel razor blades are Made in Germany, my 'Kraft' The well-known cellist Paul Blumenfeld and his Philadelphia cheese is Made in West Germany, wife Charlotte celebrated their Golden Wedding my French Citroen car in Made in Spain. My on 31 October, joined by their son who had come So Israel may remember you Marks and Spencer traditional British blazer is from America for this special day. Made in Israel. Paul Lichtenstern writes: 'I had the pleasure of If you wish Israel and Jewish On the other hand, my 'traditional German playing with Paul Blumenfeld on several occa­ Organisations to benefit by your Frankfurters', also from M and S, are Made in sions. The most memorable of these was a concert Will, why not consult us? France and my Brie cheese is Made in Somerset. in the Queen Mary Hall, shared with the un­ We have a special knowledge of What next? However, come to think of it, I forgettable alto Sabine Kalter. My wife and I are the problems and needs of myself, as true blue British as they come, was happy to offer the Blumenfelds a heartfelt Mazal- made in Germany 75 years ago. tov and Many Happy Returns'. 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TYRINGHAM CLINIC Telephone: 01-204 SS11, Ext: 36 NEWPORT PAGNELL BUCKS MK16 9ER pages AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 Mispensation of Justice ANTI-NAZI ACTION Promised GERMAN SUPREME COURT'S OMINOUS RULING Determined police action, based on the rule of Foremost among the forces responsible for the The historical fact is that the Jews — 450,000 law, against open Right-wing radical activity was destruction of the Weimar Republic was an not 260,000 — were at once marked for destruc­ promised by the North Rhine Westphalia Minis­ administration of justice which showed an unmis­ tion by every possible means — engineered star­ ter of the Interior, Herr Schnoor. He was takable bias in favour of the Nazis and their vation and disease as much as later (in Treblinka) concerned at the increasingly more violent and friends. Their (usually antisemitic) subversion by gas. Wigand was sentenced to 12'/2 years for provocative behaviour of neo-Nazis which in was treated with remarkable leniency, for they complicity in murder (the term was subsequently some cities had become 'intolerable'. The Minis­ were regarded as essentially kindred spirits whose reduced to 30 months because of an earlier ter named in particular the German Workers' (badly misjudged) nationalism seemed to be 10-year sentence in Poland), but in due course Freedom Party and the Nationalist Front. He said much more deserving of protection than the cause Rieger was charged with defaming the Jewish he had urged the Federal Government to ban of German democracy which was disliked as a victims. He was fined twice but now the convic­ these two organisations but had been told that product of defeat in war. tions were quashed by the Supreme Federal only a small minority of young prople were Court on the ground that while Rieger had indeed involved. We must hope that this melancholy experience defamed the Jews, he had acted 'in the pursuit of Another Right-wing faction, the four-year old will not be repeated, but. alas, the prospects tend legitimate interests', i.e. in the professional to be uncertain. A sure test must be the attitude Republicans are at present engaged in purging defence of his client. He could not be denied the themselves of neo-Nazi elements. Their leader, adopted towards the Nazi crimes. Can the victims right to interpret 'contemporary documents' in a be insulted and defamed when the facts of the Franz Schonhuber, who was once a popular TV way differing from that of the prosecution. He personality, has ordered the expulsion of the persecution are dismissed or minimised? The had to do what he could to present an effective question came up in the trial of an SS police chief chairman of their Baden-Wiirtemberg section, defence. This was a case (said the Court) where Karl Mechtersheimer, because of 'stupid neo- in the Warsaw Ghetto. Arpad Wigand, who was legal protection of the Jews must give way to defended by a solicitor notorious for his neo-Nazi Nazi slogans' which had harmed the party. defence counsel's legitimate discharge of his Another official was expelled because he had beliefs, Jiirgen Rieger. The trial began (in Ham­ duties. burg) as far back as 1981 when Rieger argued that advocated 'contempt for human beings'. The the ghetto had only been established to stop the In a critical comment, the Allgemeine Jiidische Republicans wish to keep clear of the 'National spread of typhoid fever. The starvation then Wochenzeitung quotes learned legal commen­ Democrats' and all Right-radical splinter groups. might have been prevented if "the 260,000 Jewish taries laying down that defence counsel's duty is Schonhuber's programme is to make sure that the capitalists and workers' had shown 'a little soli­ to present 'accurately ascertained information': Germans can 'again walk upright through world darity': not one Jew need have died then. As it 'he must not submit irresponsibly defamatory history'. was, Rieger claimed, Wigand had ordered the allegations of a factual kind'. These qualifications had been disregarded by Rieger (said the Jewish shooting of the Jews not from any racial hatred OH, WHAT AN ARTIST but because of considerations of public health. paper). The Supreme Court had upheld the freedom to plead even in the face of 'a massive It is not on record that Hitler's last words were neo-Nazi lying distortion of history'; once again a 'Oh, what an artist dies in me!'. They may have high court had made it difficult for Germans to been, for his many vices never included excessive learn the facts of their past (the paper concluded). modesty. As he held the lowest opinion of his opponents (except Stalin), so.he held the highest of himself. He was (in his eyes) the greatest MORE WAR CRIMES DOSSIERS statesman, the greatest strategist, the greatest Israel's About 40,000 U.N. dossiers relating to war this, that and the other, of all time, and the claim Very finest Wines criminals are to be made available for inspection. to infallibility was commonplace to him. Most of They contain material compiled by representa­ those claims have been deflated and now the tives of 17 countries during 1943-48. The release 'artist' bubble has been pricked too. When ten of SHIPPED BY has been authorised as a result of the debate on his water-colours, of the cheap Xmas card type, the war-time activities of the Austrian President, were on auction recently in London, just three HOUSE OF Dr. Kurt Waldheim. found buyers prepared to pay £2,500 for the lot. WIR DURFEN NICHT SCHWEIGEN! HALLGARTEN in ietzter Zeit haben sich in Hochst und L'mgebung Vorfalle ereignet, die uns zu groBer Sorge Anlal) geben. Auf dem Judischen Friedhof wurden Zerstorungen angerichtet. Das Mahnmal fiir die Synagoge auf dem Montmelianer Platz wurde mit Hakenkreuzen bespriiht, ebenso die Bahnunterfuhrung am alten Sportplatz. Nach YARDEN and GAMLA dem Tod des Hitlerstellvertreters Hess tauchten an verschiedenen Stellen Plakate auf, die Hess in unverantwort- licher Verfalschung historischer Tatsachen als Martyrer zu verherrlichen suchen. AVAILABLE NOW Die sich in diesen Ereignissen niederschlagenden Tendenzen sind beangstigend. Wir konnen und wollen derartiges nicht mehr mit der verharmlosenden Bezeichning "'Dummejungenstreiche" abtun. Sowohl die organisierte Plakataktion als auch die Tatsache. daB der Judische Friedhof mit einem 2 m hohen Zaun geschiitzt Please write or phone for werden muB, zeigen deutlich. daB bereits gut 40 Jahre nach Judenvernichtung und faschistischer Herrschaft full information wieder Menschenverachtung um sich greift. Wir wenden uns deshalb an alle Mitbiirgerinnen und Mitburger und fordem sie auf, diesen besorgniserregenden Entwicklungen entschieden entgegenzutreten. Die Unterzeichnerinnen und Unterzeichner wollen mit diesem Aufruf eine breit offentliche Diskussion HOUSE OF HALLGARTEN anregen. Beteiligen Sie sich daran, treten Sie often fiir Menschenrechte und Demokratie ein. 53 HIGHGATE ROAD Dieser Aufruf wurde von den Unterzeichnern und Unterzeichnerinnen finanziert. LONDON NWS 1RR 01-267 2041 This unfortunately not typical appeal ("We must not remain silent"), protesting against recent manifestations of neo-Nazism, was published in f/ie Mambling-Bote, local paper for Hochst im Odenwald, 25 September 1987, with a large number of signatures from all walks of life. AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 page 9 what the Bolsheviks may or may not have done. FANTASIES OF A REVISIONIST HISTORIAN Having conquered Russia, the campaign would have been extended to the rest of the world — as a 'reaction' to such crimes as skilled propaganda Auschwitz as a 'Reaction' to Soviet Gulag could be trusted to invent. But in fact Hitler never believed in re-action, his business was carefully ome time ago. Professor Dr. Ernst Nolte, who automatically to justify, as Hitler threatened in mapped out action, just as he never believed in Steaches history at West Berlin's Free Uni­ January 1939, 'the annihilation ofthe Jewish race defence but in aggressive o/fence. We can read all versity, emerged as one of those 'revisionist in Europe'. about this in Mein Kampf. but how many historians' who. in effect, minimise the 'Nazi race But even if we do, for a moment, consider this have — has Professor Nolte? murder' by making it appear as a logical response characteristically treacherous 'argument', two All his artificially concocted theories are so to the 'Bolshevik class murder'. He seriously points must at once expose the obvious nonsense many figments of a fantasy that simply cannot suggested that the Nazis would never have of it. First, Dr. Weizmann could speak only on bear the awful realities which it must face when exterminated the Jews if it had not been for the behalf of a fraction of Jews, those who supported claiming to be 'teaching history'. Bolsheviks, most of whose leaders had been Jews, the Jewish Agency's policy: a very large number and he insinuated that the Jews will stick to their of Jews did not, and Dr. Weizmann clearly could different view of history only because this enabled not commit them. Secondly, even if it had been them to claim "a permanent status of being otherwise and 'World Jewry' — a body with no privileged and above the rest' (see AJR INFOR­ status in international law — was to be recog­ WHAT LENI RIEFENSTAHL MATION, October 1986). nised as a power at war, with the result that REMEMBERS The matter was thrashed out in several learned Germany was entitled to regard all Jews under her control as prisoners of war (or "enemy disputations among historians, both inside Ger­ Leni Riefenstahl, now 85, has reminded us that aliens'), even then they could only be interned many and outside, but Nolte was not impressed, she is still alive. She has published her Memoirs and never be made liable to the explicitly and he has now presented his views, with a (Memoiren. Munich. Albrecht Knaus. 1987). It is threatened "annihilation'. vengeance, in a volume of over 600 pages entitled a big fat volume — 927 pp. — but oddly enough Der europdische Burgerkrieg 1917-1945 (pub­ (or is it?) with hardly a discriminating thought lished by Ullstein who once were known for their Confused about the Nazi era in which she played so liberal and enlightened tradition). In his effort to It seems incredible that a scholar like Nolte can conspicuous a part. There are lots of little reduce Nazi guilt, Nolte makes much play of a become so confused in his own mind as to mistake chapters with all sorts of stories that must interest letter written, in September 1939, by Dr. Chaim the whole character of Nazi policy towards the the ever sensation-hungry illustrated magazines Weizmann, as chairman of the Jewish Agency for Jews who were seen to exist (like vermin) only for but no attempt to come to grips with the events Palestine, to Neville Chamberlain, assuring the purpose of being exterminated. This was the which she glorified in her propaganda films Britain of Jewish support. work which Hitler felt himself solemnly called (Triumph des Willens, Olympiade 1936, etc.). upon by 'the Lord' to accomplish. Admittedly she told Streicher (or so she claims) that she thought the Stiirmer 'abominable', but "Most Serious Proposition" Likewise, Nolte's theory of a Nazi 'reaction' to this never led her to condemn — even now — the Bolshevism — Auschwitz as a response to the whole system of which the Sttirmer was merely This letter. Nolte says, 'lends strength to the most Soviet Gulag — is no more than a feeble con­ one, characteristic aspect. On the contrary, she serious proposition that Hitler was entitled to struct to relieve Nazi guilt. For Hitler's grand basks in the attention paid her by Hitler who treat the German Jews as prisoners of war who design, as laid down unalterably in his book Mein 'coveted me as a woman', and Dr. Goebbels could be interned'. Nolte originally quoted this Kampf, was the winning of world domination, seems none the worse for his delight in fingering letter from the book Hitler und seine Feldherren involving predominantly the conquest of Russia. her breast or fumbling under her skirt; a virtual (1975) by David Irving, the British revisionist, This prize (he explained) had been marked out rape in the Grunewald was frustrated only by a who commented: 'Hitler no doubt considered for him by the Vorsehung which had handed heavy downpour. Riefenstahl remembers all (the letter) an unorthodox Jewish declaration of Russia over to 'Jewish Bolshevism', thus making these things, just as she does every one of her war. He often referred to it in later years'. There certain (he wrote) that she would collapse. Along troubles after the war when she presents herself as is, incidentally, no evidence to show that Hitler these lines, the campaign against the 'Bolshevist a true martyr. Few readers will commiserate with ever did (at least in public). Jews' was relentlessly enforced, irrespective of her but many will be thoroughly disgusted. Nolte, at all events, then confessed he had not known the letter before and so he did not realise that in fact the letter was, probably for the first time, used by the Nazi Deputy Reich Press Chief, Helmut Siindermann. who manipulated it in his THE FRIENDS OF AKIM book Tagesparolen. Deutsche Presseweisungen n'piY 1939-1945. Hitlers Propaganda und U.K. Charity Commission Registered No. 241 458 Kriegsfiihrung (1973). It was after (not during) the war that the Nazi ace propagandist suggested ISRAEL ASSOCIATION FOR THE REHABILITATION that the Jews had only themselves to blame OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED because of Weizmann's "declaration of war against Germany' which, Siindermann explained, A BEQUEST TO AKIM constituted "the formal basis for the arrests of Jews in Germany and the occupied Would perpetuate your name in Israel and reduce the tax liability of countries' — as if, even in Nazi eyes, the offence your estate. AKIM is non-controversial and non sectarian. 100% of of the Jews had been in any of their actions and any bequest goes to Israel: there are no deductions whatsoever. not rather in their mere existence. People were — indeed still are — seriously expected to believe that the Nazis needed a 'formal basis' for Details from Hon. Treasurer: Leon Gamsa, 45 Brampton Grove, London NW4 4AH making 'arrests' when, in fact, Nazi policy had Telephone: (01)202 4022 been summed up, from the very start, in the (Space donated by Aldersgate Engineering Co. Ltd.) slogan Perish Judah!, and the outbreak of war was page 10 AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 ISRAEL AS A STATE OF LAW 900 YEARS OF WURZBURG JEWISH HISTORY The Nakash Affair This is a fascinating and well written book,* with a Among the several affaires causing public concern said: 'An aguna suffers emotionally from sorrow wealth of detail, about the chequered history of in Israel is that of William Nakash. a French Jew and feelings of loneliness which even the most Jews in Wiirzburg and its surroundings, from the who was sentenced, in absentia, to life imprison­ sensitive man cannot conceive of. time of the Crusades to the present. While ment by a French court for the murder in 1983 Thus a situation arose in which the highest obviously of particular interest to Jews who have of an Arab in Besanqon, France. Nakash had secular court was challenged by the religious one. lived in this area, it has been written in a wider escaped to Israel where he hoped to be safe. Last the civil law by halachah. A Jerusalem Post context, describing many events in other parts of March the Israeli High Court of Justice decided editorial entitled 'A war is declared' severely Germany which have a bearing on its immediate that Nakash was liable to extradition, under a criticised the dayanim whose concern for Mrs. subject. treaty with France, so that he could stand trial, Nakash was seen in stark contrast with "their The first few chapters deal very fully with this time in his person. The extradition, the court notorious lack of concern, as a rule, for wives left Jewish life in the Middle Ages. Apparently it was held, could be blocked only by proof that Nakash stranded by their husbands'. The paper went on: during the first Crusade, after they had been would be in danger of his life from Arab prisoners 'What the dayanim really had in mind was, quite driven out from various towns along the Rhine, in a French jail. No such proof was provided. plainly, the object all sublime of the Orthodox that Jews first settled in Wiirzburg where they The High Court judgment was contested by the establishment these days: preventing at all cost then lived for a century and a half in relative Jerusalem Rabbinical Court which held that the ceding of poor William Nakash to the wicked security. Wiirzburg was in fact regarded in those Nakash must not leave the country until he grants goyim'. This, it was said, 'amounts to a declara­ days as an important seat of Jewish learning. his wife a divorce, so that she would not be left as tion of war by the rabbinical courts on the However it was not long before the Jews found an 'abandoned wife' (aguna). Since Nakash authority of the state. It is theocracy in action, themselves again victims of increasing denials of refused to do so, the Rabbinical Court banned and tolerating it would mean the end of Israel as a rights, expropriations of property, expulsions and extradition. Its President, Dayan Eliahu Bazri, state of law'. murder. The gradual dawn of EnHghtenment is des­ cribed at great length. In Bavaria, the struggle for Jewish emancipation is finally won in the 1860s, RESEARCH ON JEWISH PHARMACISTS though there is sufficient evidence to show that a powerful trend of antisemitism continued. Much MANNHEIM JEWS Mainly in Berlin interesting material describes the lives and achievements of Wiirzburg Jewish families and In connection with the opening ofthe new Jewish individuals, also of Jewish institutions. communal centre (see our November issue). The emigration of German-speaking pharmacists Mannheim Municipal Archives intend to publish (Apotheker), mainly from Berlin, is the subject of Prominence in Civic Life an illustrated volume on local Jewish life before research by two German students — Frank The latter part of the 19th century and the early 1939. It is hoped to obtain the cooperation of all Leimkugel, himself a pharmacist, and Professor part of the 20th see the existence of a most former Mannheim Jews who might be willing to Dr Wolf-Dieter Miiller-Jahncke — whose well flourishing Jewish community, with its seven assist the project by making available fotos of documented lecture at the International Congress synagogues, its Orthodox, Liberal and, later, synagogues. Jewish schools, homes, hospitals, for the History of Pharmacy was, in part, reprin­ Zionist factions, also the various Jewish youth shops, cemeteries, etc. Welcome would be also ted in the Pharmazeutische Zeitung, 8 October groups. University student fraternities, a letters, diaries and other written documents as 1987. In the absence of primary material, the teachers' training seminary, etc. Due attention is well as any record of reminiscences. research is based mainly on evidence given by given to the prominent part played by many Jews The Archives are also sponsoring a research survivors and their relatives, also in articles in in the city's social and economic life or, for that project on the Mannheim Jewish elementary trade journals. matter, in the country in general. school during the Nazi era. For this purpose The story of Nazi persecution is illustrated with information is required about (a) all the teachers, Some information is available on the Jewish extracts from diaries written in various concentra­ (b) the pupils, (c) the lessons and (d) what pharmacists before 1933. They numbered in tion camps. Finally, we learn what happened to a happened to the children after November 1938. Berlin 351 including 139 owners of a pharmacy; number of Wiirzburg Jews after the Holocaust, The address of the Archives is Postfach 2203, for the whole of Germany the figure was 657. i.e. also what became of some of the higher-up Nazi 6800 Mannheim 1. 3.6 per cent of the total. Some achieved promi- criminals in the area. nance, e.g. Wilhelm Wartenberg who was chair­ The last 14 pages carry a bibliography which man of the Berlin Pharmaceutical Association. JEWISH STUDIES AT MIINSTER will be of great value to anyone who may want to His son Fritz who came to England in 1938 delve more deeply into any of the many subjects opened, with Herbert Wachsmann, the Interna­ A Chair for Jewish Studies at the University of covered. HERBERT NORTON tional Pharmacy in Finchley Road, Hampstead. Miinster which was to have fallen a victim of *Roland Flade, Die Wilrzhurger Juden. Ihre Geschichte financial stringency will be retained as a result of The two researchers examined the careers of 37 vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart. Vorwort von David determined protests by the Department of Protes­ Berlin Jewish pharmacists. They compiled also a Schuster. Vorsitzender der Israelitischen tant Theology which pointed out the possible list of 35 who either perished in the Holocaust or Kultusgemeinde Wurzburg. Wurzburg. Stiirtz Verlag. political imphcations of the measure. were never heard of again; the fate of 73 whose 1987. 434pp. illus. names are given is stated to be unknown. HONOUR FOR RUTH FABIAN A survey of Jewish life in Ronsdorf, near Wup­ Mme Ruth Fabian, co-founder and Vice-Pres­ pertal, was contained in the parish magazine of ident of Solidarite, the French Jewish refugee BELSIZE SQUARE SYNAGOGUE the local Evangelisch-reformierte congregation organisation, who was recently 80 (see our June 51 Belsize Square, London, N.W.S (Deine Gemeinde). The author, Ulrich Rohse, issue), was honoured by the German Govern­ working under the supervision of Professor Dr. Our communal hall is available for cultural and social functions. For details apply to: ment which awarded her the Bundesverdienst­ G. van Nordan. at Bergische University, Wupper­ Secretary, Synagogue Office. kreuz in appreciation of her work for the refugees tal, is at present doing his Ph.D. on the subject in France and her contribution to the improve­ Juden in Wuppertal. Tel: 01-794 3949 ment of Franco-German relations. B^p^a^B.^

AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 page 11 Ronald Stent sterling qualities of the Jews. He called himself in Parliament an Oriental myself and claimed that the Semitic races, in particular the Jews, were JEWISH LIFE AND SUFFERING superior to the 'Aryan' ones. The Jews alone had been capable of a direct communication with Reflected in Anglo-American Literature God. The third essay with an English dimension he preoccupation of some German academics ers which form part of the Anglo-American considers Amold Wesker's play the Merchant, a Twith the undigested - and perhaps literary heritage, past and present, from Shake- kind of anti-Merchant-of-Venice. I have not seen indigestible - 'Jewish question' continues un­ spear to Philip Roth and Arnold Wesker. There is nor been able to get hold of a copy of Wesker's abated. It cannot - and in the main is not intended no really coherent theme which binds the various play, which seems to be of a similar genre as Tom to - wipe out or compensate for a shameful past. essays together and while the literary quaUty and Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, in that Nowadays it stretches beyond a specific German- analytic perception are not particularly uniform, Wesker uses a Shakespearean drama, twisting the Jewish dimension. One of the latest publications each of the contributions, taken individually, is plot into a different angle. The argument as to in this field is a book of essays with the dual title of interesting and occasionally quite provocative. whether Shylock is meant to be a despicable, Jewish Life and Suffering and JUdisches Leben The majority of the essays address American rapacious figure, or a tragic one, more sinned and Leiden, edited by Franz Link and published authors, some Jewish, others not. The Jewish against than sinning, and whether the bard had in Paderborn, 1986, by Ferdinand Schoeningh. authors, such as Israel Zangwill, Irving Howe, been an 'antisemite', has gone on for a long time. Most of the essays are in German, with sum­ Philip Roth and, above all, I. B. Singer are put Different periods and different actors have inter­ maries in English, but some are actually written in under a scrupulous literary and historical mag­ preted the old Jew in different ways. Nobody who English. The book is pubUshed under the auspices nifying glass. Portnoy's Complaint has an essay all saw Laurence Olivier's interpretation of him as an of the Goerres Gesellschaft. Joseph Goerres was a of its own, highlighting the ambivalent, often essentially tragic, pitiful figure, who, when incar­ publicist who was bom during the last quarter of negative treatment by Roth of the Jewishness of cerated in his dungeon, recites the Kaddish, will the 18th century and died at the dawn of the 1848 his main character, which has caused such an ever forget that scene. According to the essay, revolutions. Having been at first an enthusiastic outcry amongst Jewish readers. The essay on Wesker saw The Merchant of Venice as an supporter of the French Revolution, he is now Singer highlights the writer as the product of the anti-Jewish work which has contributed best remembered as a champion of the Catholic tradition-steeped Shted, coming face to face with materially to all the negative cliches about the cause. The Gesellschaft zur Pflege der Wissen­ the garish, materialistic America. Other Ameri­ Jews. He therefore wrote his 'anti-Shylock' as a schaft was founded in his name in 1876 as a can authors addressed are non-Jews, such as Dos dramatic refutation of anti-Jewish stereotypes. Catholic rallying organisation against Bismarck's Passos, Faulkner and, above all, Hemingway By and large Wesker has retained the original plot Kulturkampf; it was proscribed by the Nazis in whose The Sun Also Rises contains the archetypal structure but has quite changed the characters 1941 and recreated after the war. It nowadays has embodiment of all the antisemitic chches, which and their motivation. Shylock, Antonio and branches in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Israel. in the end turns out really to be the Jewish Portia have all become enlightened humanists. As the title indicates the various authors scapegoat for the self-deception of others. There is no question of any 'pound of flesh' usury. analyse some Jewish writers and fictional charact­ It is the heads of the Venetian establishment who are the bad boys, the antisemites. The play, the author says, ends on a hopeful note in that human Disraeli's Novels and The Merchant of Venice reason and culture triumph over 16th-century prejudices. Of parficular interest to us here are perhaps the The story can be read up in any History of three essays concemed with Anglo-Jewish mat­ England and Anglo-Jewry. Chaucer used it in his Not having read the play, one cannot judge its ters. The first one, entitled Sir Hugh of Lincoln - Prioress' Tale where a boy who venerated the quality, but the fact that it does not seem to have From History to Nursery Rhymes, investigates the Virgin Mary had his throat cut by a Jew. Other become a box office success or even a succes historical background of one of the earliest contemporary ballads adumbrate it with more d'estime seems to confirm the essay's conclusion recorded allegations of 'ritual murder' in Western and more fanciful gory details. Over the centuries that the play, despite its noble intentions, lacks Europe. There has been an earlier incident in nursery rhymes appeared, even as far away as 'dramatic impact and aesthetic structure'. Norwich in 1144 when a Jewish apostate named Alabama and Mississippi. Theobald claimed that all the Jews in the world were accomplices to the crime, which, the essay The second feature with an English connection author says, was 'one of the first versions of the is an essay on Lord Beaconsfield, subtitled 'The HEIDEGGER RE-ASSESSED idea of a Jewish world conspiracy which was to Jewish Contribution to British Civilisation in gain such a fateful hold during the 20th century'. Benjamin Disraeh's Trilogy'. Many prominent Martin Heidegger, the philosopher, was and baptised 19th-century Jews, such as Heine, Borne remained to the end of his life, a confirmed Nazi. or Marx, not only never denied their Jewish This is the conclusion reached by a Chilean origins but remained preoccupied with the situa­ disciple of his, Victor Farias, in a new book tion of the westernised Jew in his surroundings. (Heidegger et le Nazisme) published in Paris Jai(£lkmsim None more so than Disraeli. Most people only (Verdier). Farias, at present teaching at West know him as that great poUtician and statesman, Berlin's Free University, claims to have spent 12 but he could have achieved equal eminence as a years on research into the political background of novelist. In fact, for anybody who wants to catch Heidegger's life. In support of his findings, he associates the flavour and gain an understanding of Vic­ produces new documents and testimonies by Chartered surveyors, torian Britain his novels are as essential reading as witnesses. valuers and estate agents are those of Dickens, George ElUot or TroUope. In a review, the Paris paper Le Matin states that 26 Conduit Street The essay examines in some depth the roles of 'ignorance and irresponsibility" had led many London Wl R 9TA Jews in two of Dizzie's novels, Coningsby and French philosophers to accept the authority of 'a Tancred and in particular the figure of the wise, Nazi thinker'. While refusing to dismiss Heideg­ Telephone 01-409 0771 Telex 8814861 omnipotent and generous Jew Sidonia, a distilla­ ger's 'whole philosophy as the rubbish of a tion of all that is best in the human race. political activist', Le Monde finds it impossible to We buy sell let value survey and manage Disraeli, devout Anglican though he had 'pretend that the rubbish does not exist and need commercial property for Clients become, took every opportunity to extol the not affect our thinking'. page 12 AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 Ernst Lissauer died 50 years ago But the Hymn here also had effects which were perhaps characteristically English. It acquired a popularity rivalling that in Germany. Gott strafe England began to be taken as a compliment. THAT 'HYMN OF HATE' After a mass circulation paper, the Weekly Dispatch had published the complete Hymn with rnst Lissauer is not one of the great clench but ONE fist, and that against England'. a musical setting, British bands, including military German-Jewish poets, but he is an Thus was the modern Hymn made to sound like ones, would play it although the tune was found to E interesting one — though again not so an ancient gospel. The Crown Prince of Bavaria be indifferent. Perhaps in order to improve on much as an individual but rather as a type. Most decreed it to be distributed to his army, and the this performance, the composer Sir Hubert Parry of his poems (and other literary works) are now Kaiser rewarded the author with the Order of the took up the idea and performed the Hymn at the forgotten but one is usually remembered: men­ Red Eagle, 4th Class, with the Royal Crown. Royal College of Music. Admittedly, it was tion the name and there is an almost automatic There was some criticism also. The liberal meant to be a joke but a good one. The Choir was reflex reaction: Hassgesang gegen England: Berliner Tageblatt felt the Hymn was "utterly provided with 100 copies and, said Sir Hubert, devoid of real patriotism' and 'panders to certain Wir lieben vereint, wir hassen vereint, 'we had our money's hate". Everybody was asked instincts which unfortunately come to the fore in Wir haben alle nur einen Feind — ENGLAND. to sing with plenty of snarl, to express honestly excited times'. The Frankfurter Zeitung. noting the intentions of the composer, but they laughed This became his trademark, the 'hymn' that 'the impotent hatred which spits at us every­ too much to snarl. However, when they came to made him famous (or notorious), and no regret, where', thought it would be 'the greatest mistake the word 'England', they rolled it out in fine style disclaimer or remorse could cancel half a line, or to reply in kind'. and (they felt) Lissauer would have been 'deligh­ all the tears wash out a word of it'. ted with the revolutionary note'. Among German Jews too, however patriotic, In the fatal month of August 1914, then aged the Hymn was rather less than popular. The then Poor Lissauer. Having been sorry already 31, Lissauer was carried away by the wild waves of well-known publicist Binjamin Segel found the during the war, he afterwards swore he did not German patriotism. He was not caught up in them Hymn did not contain 'as little as a spark of mean what the Hymn said — it had been born out unawares, though. He was a devout nationalist, a Jewish sentiment'; not one of the more than 60 of anxiety that Germany might be destroyed; he faithful disciple of the Prussian tradition. Ger­ fellow-Jews he had asked including many who had feared England meant to 'throttle' Germany. many was his world, he never knew any other had lost a relative through British action, had any He now knew better, he wrote in 1926, and country, and (said his friend Stefan Zweig) 'the sympathy for it. Lissauer's Weltanschauung was perhaps instead of a hymn of hate against more German a thing was, the greater was his held to be 'as remote from Judaism as possible'. England, he ought to have composed a hymn of enthusiasm for it". His 'love of German history, Lissauer himself began to feel like the Sorcer­ love for Germany, but then (he pleaded) creative language, poetry, art, music and morality' was, in er's Apprentice who could not banish the Golem writing did not spring from will but from instinct, his own words, a 'monomania', i.e. what the he had conjured up. He regretted having written and he called all his literary work as witness that dictionary defines as "the insanity in which the the Hymn, if only as a result of a 'passionate 'the sum of his Weltanschauung' was not hate and patient is irrational on one subject only'. impulse'. destruction but the timeless' idea of allegiance to The Hymn was an immediate and tremendous The German antisemites of course could not be creative service'. hit — much to the amazement of its author who appeased by a Jew's patriotism however mis­ Distant echoes of the Hymn still rumbled in his regarded it as just one item in his regular output. guided. They jeered at the 'fanatical hatred' as mind in 1933, a fortnight after Boycott Day, when Anti-British feeling ran high in Germany; 'Per­ being 'utterly un-German' and 'characteristic of he felt the need to give a brief account of his life. fidious Albion' was of course no unknown quan­ nothing so much as the Jewish race". Houston He did not, could not, deny the 'arch-German, tity and soon the slogan was heard Gott strafe Stewart Chamberlain, Wagner's antisemitic arch-Prussian, arch-Conservative education' England. The Hymn was the voice ofthe feelings English-born son-in-law, considered himself suf­ which had produced in him what he called his of millions and its catchy alliterative rhymes set ficiently qualified to present "the Teuton German' 'German religion' in which Jewish elements were the country alight with the sweep and the force of as 'not only too good-natured but also far too not of course lacking though they admittedly a prairie fire. Even intelligent leaders like Ernst much dedicated to feelings of justice and fairness meant nothing — despite his claim to credit for Haeckel and Rudolf Eucken were "filled with to wallow in Old Testament hate'. having refused baptism. He had no doubt that deep indignation and strong moral wrath at the 'the Germans of Jewish descent' were now behaviour of England' which, according to Ger­ By contrast, in the country directly affected, 'doomed', and three years later he groaned under hart Hauptmann. had "conspired to bring about England, the Hymn was received with charac­ 'the heavy load of two peoples' burden', German this war". In churches, the lesson was read that teristic sang-froid, or, in English, a sense of and Jewish. After the whirls of 1914 he began to "German Christianity would not be worthy of its proportion. The Times did think there was sense "the wind of a 1,000 years' that was blowing name if it did not burn with ONE anger and "something frightful' about it, "something deadly and malignant' which Englishmen had been slow through a "world history, sick from the hatred of to believe, and the intensity of the hatred seemed nation against nation'. The Hymn of Hate had at 'a portent'. But this just showed a 'curious last found him out. reversal of attitude': whereas 'Germans do not JACK'S EARLY CAR dislike Englishmen but loathe England, English­ He died in Vienna where he had lived since SERVICE men have no animosity against Germany — or 1923. It was his 55th birthday, three months had none until now — but they dislike Germans, before the Anschluss. Death took him early but 959 6473 exclusive of personal friends'; the strange thing perhaps at the right time. Had fate been kind to was 'Germans believe their country to be the him (albeit indulging its mordant irony), he might object of intense hatred, envy and jealousy on the have ended his days as a refugee in — England. Heathrow & Luton £13 part of all the world' — which certainly was not CCA. Gatwick & Southend £20 true so far as Englishmen were concerned: "We Brighton £30 envy, in the sense of admiring, their great CAMPS Eastbourne £35 commercial expansion and their many admirable INTERNMENT—P.O.W.— Bournemouth £35 institutions. English books are full of unstinted — FORCED LABOUR—KZ and often exaggerated — praise of Germany'. I wish to buy cards, envelopes and folded post- SPECIAL CARE FOR THE ELDERLY Germans seemed to think that "hatred is the marlced letters from all cannps of both world wars. EVERYONE LEGALLY FULLY INSURED normal manifestation of patriotism", whereas it Please send, registered mail, stating price, to: Please book in advance was in fact 'a slavish passion", 'distorting the mind 14 Rosslyn Hill. London NW3 PETER C. RICKENBACK as much as physical suffering injures the body". AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 page 13 ANSCHLUSS EXHIBITION A MESSAGE FROM MARGATE ARNOLD ZWEIG Sir — The Jewish Community Exhibifion Centre Sir — I was pleased to read your comment Sir — Richard Grunberger's excellent arficle is currently seeking material and information regarding the likes of me who live away from (Nov. 87) concludes with the remark that 'The regarding the Anschluss of Austria in 1938. London. I was born in Berlin in 1920 and came to Case of Sergeant Grischa' deserved 'to be rescued In conjunction with the Yad Va'Shem Commit­ this country in 1938. Forty years ago, my late from oblivion". Readers may like to know that a tee in London and the Wiener Library, we will be husband and I opened a kosher hotel in Clifton- new English paperback edition of this novel was presenting an exhibifion, at the Wiener Library in ville and I have been here ever since. We closed published by Penguin Books last year. It is also March 1988, to mark the SOth Anniversary ofthe our hotel (named Shalom) some 12 years ago. We available in a new edition in the U.S.A. Anschluss. now have no Jewish hotels here. There are only Flat 4 KATIA GOULD If any of your readers feel able to relate a three refugees from Germany here (as far as I 43 Parkhill Rd., personal story or experience or eye-witness know). N.W.3 account, in total confidentiality, would they I look forward to receiving your paper every 'MILLIONAIRES' please phone to arrange an interview with me at month. It keeps me in touch and I often recognise Sir — The Times on Oct. 7 headlined 'the highest 01-203-1189. names of VIPs that I remember from Berlin. I paid director, earning £2.5 million a year'. Sfill 6 Southfields CHERRY REVENS paid a visit to that city under the scheme of remembering the German hyperinflation of the N.W.4 Exhibition Coordinator inviting old Berliners back and I was greatly early 1920s, I thought that your readers might be impressed though the sad memories were with me interested in the following which puts 1987 during that time too. THANKS TO THOSE WHO HELP milhonaires in perspective. 46 Eastchurch Rd., DITA KAYE Sir— Many things have been said about the tape In September 19381 spent two weeks on a study (nee Hirsch) recordings for the partially sighted or blind trip in New York and there obtained an interview Margate, Kent people, but no head of a department can work with Lewis S. Rosenstiel, President of Schenley without the voluntary helpers who give their time Distillers Corporation. Although not related I and effort to make it such a wonderful success, so had a very friendly reception and came away with please may 1 menfion Lotfi Sachs, our capable a firm promise of help for my first cousin Lothar secretary; our pleasant-voiced readers, Margaret Rosenstiel who was sfill in Berlin. After the Griffin, Estelle and David Maier, Susi Kaufman Jiattatd Kristallnacht Lewis Rosenstiel did two things: He and Sue Leon. Mrs. G. Wittenberg checks the cabled £500 to Woburn House as the guarantee tapes and repairs the recorder and Stanley War­ required by the Home Office for temporary ren replaces all tapes for distribution. There are to-tked-ditot admission to the U.K. — my cousin arrived safely also a great number of friends who contribute by in London in December — and he provided the giving old gramophone records or tapes and help affidavit for his emigration to U.S.A., and here is with donations. Without them the whole scheme MUSIC AT THE HOMES the point of my story: this included a sworn would not work, and our listeners" grateful declaration of his annual income which was in Sir — I should like to express my appreciation of thanks, as well as my own, go all out to them. excess of one million dollars! the musical entertainment you offer to the 5aMercierRd., ED ROSENSTIEL residents of Osmond House. As a volunteer IRENE WHITE 122 Sunningfields Rd. visitor, I 'stumbled' by chance on one such S.W.15 Hendon. N.W.4 musical afternoon; it was a delightful experience Another Letter on back page and even though most of the residents could no 'ANGLO-JEWRY AND JEWISH longer read the text of the songsheets that were REFUGEES' handed out, all followed — and indeed partici­ Sir — I would like to comment briefly on Dr. pated in — the lovely rendering of songs by Mrs. 'German as she is not spoke' Alderman's letter replying to the letters you Lichtenstern. 1 am sure that must greatly enhance the quality of their lives! Under this heading we printed a few samples of published from Rabbi Cassell and myself. German as spoken or written by English people. 25 Winston Ave., (Mrs.) H. SMITH 1. The figure of 65.000 in A. Sharf s book is not By contrast, a reader has sent us a few howlers correct. The figures 1 gave are taken from the Kingsbury, N.W.9 perpetrated by German-speaking restitution Jewish Refugees Committee and Refugee Chil­ lawyers and/or their clients. Here are a few of dren's Movement registered cases. them: PAULA MODERSOHN-BECKER 2. The resettlement of refugees from Vietnam, Dr. X. on the phone: Sie werden von mir after the fall of Saigon, was an international effort Sir — In the October 1987 issue, you mention schriftlich benachteiligt werden. under the U.N. Refugee Convention of 1952, to ways in which paintings were saved and speak of Dr. Y. in a submission to the court: . . . mit which this country was a signatory. This, of Paula Modersohn-Becker as a Jewish artist. She Riicksicht auf die in Notdurft lebende Antragstel- course, did not exist in the thirties. However, the was a wonderful painter who died tragically lerin. . . . Jewish Refugees Committee was able to bring young, but she was not Jewish. Her father From a client's curriculum vitae: Ich hatte mit over a substantial number of Iranian Jews under Woldemar Becker was a railroad official, since erheblichen Sprachkenntnissen zu kdmpfen. this Convention, after the Iranian Revolution in 1888 in Bremen, and her mother was Mathilde Lawyer's secretary writing to client: Dr. Z.. der 1979. von Biiltzingslowen. Considering the prominence diese Sache personlich bearbeitet, is zur Zeit 3. When I wrote my previous letter, I was not of Jewish arfists and art dealers of her fime, she vereist. (He was actually enjoying the sunshine of referring to "individual acts of kindness and had apparently very few contacts with Jews, the Majorca). hospitality" (of which there were many) but to a only ones mentioned in her biographies being the From a client's letter: Mit den besten Griissen community effort through the work of the Jewish Cassirers, Paul having arranged for exhibitions of verbleiche ich. Refugees Committee. Refugee Children"s Move­ her work in 1909 and 1916. Goldschmidt & ment and other bodies. At the outbreak of war in Wallerstein had a show for her in 1924.1 think the 1939. the Jewish Refugees Committee had over partners were Jews. (Giinter Busch: Paula CAN YOU HELP? 600 employees, the vast majority dealing with Modersohn Becker. The Letters and Journals. Volunteers are needed for members living in their immigration. New York, 1983). own homes in NW3. NW6, NWIO, WCI and SWl Flat 2 JOAN STIEBEL areas. Some of our people are now housebound 50 Weymouth St., W.l P.O.B. 7978 JOHN HENRY RICHTER and alone. Can you spare a few hours a week? Ann Arbor, Offers to Laura Howe, Volunteers' Co-ordinator, * This correspondence is now closed. Michigan 48107 tei. 483 2536. W^W^'S^vvi'S^'Jimiiim^^Ksm^mmwmmx'irsfii'i

page 14 AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987

FAMILY EVENTS Summers:—Alfred Summers, my SCHONFELD. Bob Schonfeld, though may now be in Oxford. The Entries in this column are free of beloved husband died on 21 October. physicist, and/or Fred Schonfeld request comes from Dr. Alfred charge, hut voluntary donations He will be sadly missed by his incon­ MD, both sons of the late Max Schneider MD, son of Moses Josef would be appreciated. Texts should solable widow Gertrude, his cousins Schonfeld, a widower, of Vienna, Schneider, formerly of Vienna, living reach us by 10th of the preceding and friends. who went to Australia after the war. from 1932-9 in Milan (Italy) then in month. Weiss:—Aranka Weiss, of 110 Lang- from Shanghai. One of the above Valparaiso (Chile), and now in Birthdays ford Court, London NWS, died sud­ mentioned was living in Sidney Haifa, cousin of both. Lester:—Congratulations to Grand­ denly 1 October. Deeply mourned by pa Harry Lester for his birthday relatives and friends. on 19 December, With love from Woolf:—John Eddy Woolf passed Natalie and Louise. away on 18 October after a short Hilford:—Warmest congratulations illness. Greatly missed by Rita, Peter from the AJR Club on the SOth and Annette. David Maier birthday on 21 December of its dear member Mrs. Alice Milford of 14 CLASSIFIED Burgess Park Mansions, Fortune The charge in these columns is SOp Walter Trier's Cartoons Green Road, London, NW6. for five words plus £1.00 for advertisements under a Box No. To The casual visitor to Toronto's Art are probably best remembered for Deaths save administrative costs, please Gallery of Ontario may well be sur­ his front cover designs for the highly Grossman:—Charlotte Grossmann enclose payment with the text of your prised to come upon a unique piece popular pocket magazine Lilliput passed away 19 October. Deeply advertisement. of refugee nostalgia in the shape of (founded by Stefan Lorant), which mourned and sadly missed by her Miscellaneous some cartoons by Walter Trier dis­ owed much of its success to the clever loving daughter Vivien. REVLON MANICURIST. Will visit played in a room named in honour of use of the distinctive man-woman- Salomon:—In memory of my your home. Phone 01-445 2915. the Czech-born artist. It is exactly dog theme of the periodical's eye­ beloved sister Lisbet Salomon (nee ELECTRICIAN. City and Guilds forty years since Trier left London to catching cover. Lewin) who fell asleep peacefully qualified. All domestic work under­ settle in Canada. He had lived here after a long illness on 23 August Trier completed his life's work in taken. Y. Steinreich. Tel: 455 5262. since December 1936, and during 1987. Sadly missed by all who knew Toronto, producing designs for com­ HAIRDRESSER. Lady is looking that time he became well-known for and loved her. Ilse Lewin. mercial advertisements and magaz­ for hairdresser to come to home near his political cartoons, both two- Stolpin:—Anna Stolpin (nee Hirsch­ ine covers, drawingcartoons for news­ Golders Green Station. Please ring dimensional, published in various feld) died 15 October aged 90. after papers and adding to his reputation 458 3069. References required. newspapers and journals, and three- an illness bravely borne. She will be as a book illustrator which he had dimensional, in the form of egg-shell sadlv missed bv her familv. established with the masterly draw­ Information Required caricatures of the famous of the time. ings he had created for Erich Kast­ KUNITZ MAHLBERG SCHULE. ner's Emd und die Detektive. Ilse Cassierer, Annelise (Anny) By this work he made a significant Twenty-five years after his death in Rosenbaum, Hedy Hauser (Jahrgang contribution to the intellectual 1908). former pupils of Kunitz Mahl- aspects of the Allied war effort and 1951, his family, anxious to preserve berg Schule. Neudorfstr. Breslau, two of his most accomplished pieces his name and fame, offered the whole ORIENTAL sought by Heyman, 40 Worcester of this period, the satirical Der Toten- of his creative work to the Art Crescent. London NW7. tanz von 1944 and The Meeting ofthe Gallery of Toronto as a complete RUGS Nothmann:—Would Hildegard Big Three (at Yalta), a series of collection, to be expanded by further suitable acquisitions financed by the Bought, and Nothmann or anyone knowing her good-natured parodies of classical family trust fund. Sold whereabouts please contact Michael painters, are currently on show in Pringsheim, Tel. 455 1335. Toronto. But Trier's English years • Saturdays and Wednesdays Stalls outside York Arcade, 80 Islington High St, Nl. FOR FAST EFFICIENT FRIDGE (Opp Jet Liverpool Rd and Upper Streetl IRENE FASHIONS & FREEZER REPAIRS • Sundays 7-day service Stalls outside 21 Chalk Farm formerly of Swiss Cottage Road, NWl. All parts guaranteed • Mondays, Tuesdays and Available from size 10 to 48" hips. Fridays J. B. Services Our new AUTUMN COLLECTION of the latest English & Visit our stockrooms any time Tel. 202-4248 by arrangement. Continental Fashions has arrived. COATS, RAINCOATS, until 9 pm DETAILS JACKETS, DRESSES, KNITWEAR & TWO-PIECES in both day 01-267 1841 and evening wear - CLOTHES FOR THE WOMAN OF TASTE 5-9 pnn or before 8 ann For an early appointment kindly ring before 11 am or after 7 pm 346 9057. • Repairs undertaken vr«i^g»va:*.atw;rat:'>»/r.<«j,*Ji-»'t/: 'SHIREHALL' ANTHONY J. NEWTON Licenced by the Borough of Barnet Home for the elderly, convalescent and &C0 incapacitated * Single rooms comfortably appointed SOLICITORS * 24-hour nursing care SALES & REPAIRS 22 Fitzjohns Avenue, Hampstead, NW3 5NB * Excellent cuisine Television - Videos - Aerials - Radios - INTERNATIONAL LAW AGENTS * Long and short-term stay Stereos- Electrical Appliances with Offices in: Europe/JerseyUSA NEW & SECONDHAND TV'sVIDEOS Telephone: FOR SALE Matron 01-202 7411 or SPECIALISTS in all Legal Work: Administrator 078 42 52056 Tel: 01-909 3169 Answerphone Conveyancing/Wills/Probate/Trusts/Company AVIS TV SERVICE and Litigation 93 Shirehall Park. A. EISENBERG Hendon NW4 Telephone: 01 435 5351/01 794 9696 (near Brent Cross) AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 page 15 S.B.'s Column CLUB 1943 Meetings on Monday at 8 pm NO LONGER IN THE LIMELIGHT at 15 Cleve Road London N.W. 6 . . . but remembered by many is Liane Haid, the Roman Brandstaetter whose death at 82 was January 1988 charming and elegant film actress who now, at 92, announced early in November, was a Tarnow- 4 Jan. Alice Sommer: Piano Recital. lives in a Vienna suburb unknown and in poverty. born Jewish writer who converted to Catholicism 11 Jan. Mark Hassall: "Bureaucrats and She starred in silent films at the age of 15, and after World War II. He devoted the second half of Investors in the Later Roman when the 'talkies' arrived, continued her suc­ his life to his ideal to bring about reconciliation Empire". cesses in Lady Hamilton, Madame sucht An­ between Jews and Christians; his play Der Tag des schluss, Der Prinz von Arkadien and others. Zornes was staged by the Vienna Burgtheater 18 Jan. Eugene Levine: "Race and Intelli­ Gustav Froehlich, Willy Fritsch, Theo Lingen during the 1966/67 season. gence . were some of her partners. Sadly, she makes the 25 Jan. 5. W. Nelki: "Erlebnisse bei der lines of one of her film song her own: Das Lied ist Familienforschung". aus. Looking Back February Birthdays 1 Feb. June Rose: "The History of Dr. If you think you're growing old Barnados". Tjana Lemnitz, former Primadonna of the State And your blood is running cold Opera, Berlin, of which she was a member from At the thought of O.A.P. — 8 Feb. Rose Hacker: "30 Years of Marriage 1934-1957, considered one of the finest sopranos Don't give up so easily Council". of her time, was 90 in October. Do you really think it's heaven 15 Feb. .Marion Bieber: 'Adapting Society to The same month also featured the 88th birth­ To be only twenty-seven; an Ageing Population'. day of the legendary Lilian Gish, star of the Would it really be such fun 22 Feb. Kurt Weinberg: 'Nansen Village — silent film period. To be once more twenty-one? An International Community in Woodside Park, London'. Obituary Do you look back with remorse? 29 Feb. Thorsten Diiser: "A History of Ger­ Austrian-born composer and musicologist Hans Why, of course. man Liberahsm'. Gal has died in Edinburgh at the age of 97. He is best known for his choral work De profundis But on second thoughts, why cling March composed in England. Budapest-born Maria To the foolish days of spring; 7 Mar. Charles Guttmann: 'The Merchant Ovogiin who has died at the age of 95, had a most Angry young men and their antics. of Venice'. distinguished career at many German opera Swooning hordes of fake romantics. houses as well as in New York and Chicago; in the Walter Collins (Hans Walter Cohn). the Berlin- Twenties she also appeared at the Royal Opera Would-be conquerors and shakers born founder of the pioneering Oscar Woollens House, Covent Garden. She possessed a fine Of the world and record breakers. furniture store in Finchley Road, Hampstead, left coloratura voice, and among her best known roles Aren't you glad you can stay cool £491.819 on his death last March at the age of 70. were Gilda. page Oscar (in 'Masked Ball') and Watching the performing fool? The Hampstead and Highgate Express recalls that the Queen of the Night. Later, when she was a Don't you pity half-baked bores? 'he introduced the best of continental furniture singing teacher, her pupils did her really proud: and also encouraged the work of young British they included Rita Streich and Elisabeth Schwarz­ Why, of course. designers'. kopf. F.H. WALM LANE NURSING HOIVIE HILLCREST LODGE Walm Lane JS an estabhshed Registered Nursmg Home providmg the 40 Shoot-up Hill BELSIZE SQUARE highest standards of nursing care for all categories of long and short- London NW2 3QB GUEST HOUSE term medical and post-operative surgical patients. Lifts to all floors. All 24 BELSIZE SQUARE, N.W.S rooms have nurse call systems, telephone and colour television. Choice HOME FOR THE ELDERLY Tel: 01 -794 4307 or 01 -435 2557 of menu, kosher meals available. Licensed by Brent Health Authority Beautifully furnished Double and and as such recognised for payment by private medical insurance schemes. Single Rooms at Reasonable Rates. Qualified Nurses For a true and more detailed picture of what we offer, please ask one of MODERN SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY always in attendance. ROOMS. RESIDENT HOUSEKEEPER your fellow members who has been, or is at present here, or contact MODERATE TERMS Matron directly at Please telephone Matron; NEAR SWISS COTTAGE STATION 141 Walm Lane, London NW2 Telephone 4508832 452 6201

_ p ^ (ELECTRICAL , __ FOR THOSE YOU CARE MOST ABOUT ANTIQUE R. & G. INSTALLATIONS) LID. FLRMTURE 199b Belsize Road, NW6 AND OBJECTS 624 2646/328 2646 Springdene BOLGHT Members: E.C.A. A modern nursing home with 26 yrs of excellence in health N.LC.E.I.C. care to the community. Licensed by Barnet area health Good prices given authority and recognised by BUPA & PPP. HYDROTHERAPY & PHYSIOTHERAPY WHY NOT cares , provided by full time chartered PETER BENTLEY ADVERTISE IN AJR physiotherapists for inpatients and outpatients, ANTIQUES INFORMATION? SPRINGDENE 55 Oakleigh Park North, Whetstone, London N.20 Please telephone 01-446 2117 22 Connaught Street. London, W2 the Advertisement Dept. SPRINGVIEW 6-10 Crescent Road, Enfield. Our completely new Tel: 01-723 9.W4 01-624 9096/7 purpose built hotel style retirement home. All rooms with bathroom en-suite from £245 per week. 01-446 2117. page 16 AJR INFORMATION DECEMBER 1987 Jewish Refugee to be U.S. Letter to the Editor Ambassador to Austria BY ANY OTHER NAME procedure. We did not have to undergo any The prospective new U.S. Ambassador to Austria Sir, — Richard Grunberger (August 1987) asks agonies experienced by many of our forebears is a native of Vienna who came to his adopted why do people change their names? As an who were compelled to accept Central- or West- country as a refugee in 1939 aged 17. Henry ex-member of the forces, I can assure him that it European surnames, often imposed by un­ Anatole Grunwald was for many years editor-in- was not only the desire to anglicise our names as a sympathetic non-Jewish officials. chief ofthe Time magazine and regarded as one of leftover of misunderstood assimilation. It was The problem of changing civic surnames was the most influential U.S. journalists. He retired forcefully made clear to us that naturalisation, never considered by Jews too seriously; for from Time at the statutory retirement age of 65. except under exceptional circumstances, would generations Jews bore a first name only (by His new appointment is subject to confirmation not be granted 'for the duration', and a change of tradition, often that of a grandparent), with that by the Senate. It will be a particularly sensitive name might provide some protection should we ofthe father added, and often a jocular nickname one in view of the strained relations between the be taken prisoner by the Germans. Little did we in addition. An interesting sidelight is the study of two countries after Austria's President, Dr. Kurt realise at the time that a change of name did not Israeli name changes which certainly enriches Waldheim, was put on the U.S. 'Watch List'. It is imply a change of accent! one's Ivrit vocabulary, e.g. Har Even = Stein­ hoped that Mr. Grunwald's diplomacy will help to I well remember the occasion when 93 Com­ berg. ease the situation. His career at least in no way pany Pioneer Corps were called on parade, prior suffered from the fact that he, like Fiirth-born Upkeep of Jewish tradition and learning was a to any members being drafted overseas before Henry Kissinger, speaks English with a heavy greater Yiches than that of mere surnames. I am D-day, and addressed by the Commanding Continental accent. happy to pass on to my son and grandchildren my. Officer, Major Blaik, a cheerful, proud Scotsman dare I say, German-Jewish heritage to flourish in who sympathetically explained the procedure and a sympathetic British climate, and they will desirability of name-changing — any name of our realise that a name change in 1943/44 also reflects HAVE YOU MADE choice would be acceptable, "but don't let me our people's history. So, I may have lost my . . . A NOTE OF catch anybody calling himself MacTavish, Mac- witz, but all's . . . well! OUR NEW ADDRESS? Govern or MacGregor'! ARNOLD HORWELL The change of name was published in the unit's 106 Chatsworth Road, 'Part II Orders' and did not involve any deed poll N.W.2

DAWSON HOUSE HOTEL MAPESBURY LODGE I BUY TORRINGTON HOMES • Free Street Parking m front of the Hotel (Licensed by the Borough ot Brenl) • Full Central Heating «Free Laundry for the elderly, convalescent and GERIVIAN, JEWISH and MR.S. PRINGSHEIM, S.R.N., • Free Dutch-Style Continental Breakfast partly incapacitated ENGLISH BOOKS MATRON 72 CANFIELO GARDENS Lift to all floors. For Elderly, Retired and Convalescent Luxurious double and single I t.ii I'ltM'tl hy Hfirtmjih i>l Hiirm-l i Near Underground Sta. Finchley Rd, rooms. Colour TV. h/c, central MRS. E. M. SCHIFF *Singlc and Double Riioms, LONDON, N.W.6. heating, private telephones, etc., in •H C" Basins and CH in al! rooms. Tel: 01-624 0079 all rooms. Excellent kosher cuisine. *CJardens. TV and reading rooms. Colour TV lounge. Open visiting. Tel. 01-205-2905 *Nurse on duty 24 hours. Cultivated Gardens. (Pref. Evenings) *Long and short term, including trial Full 24-hour nursing care period if required. AUDLEY Please telephone From £18(1 per week REST HOME 01-445 1244 omce hours sister-in-charge, 450 4972 OI-4.'i5 I3.V5 other limes (Hencion) 17 Mapesbury Road, IM.W.2 39 Torrini!ton Park, N.12 for Elderly Retired Gentlefolk B. HIRSCHLER— Single and Double Rooms with wash JEWISH BOOKSELLER basins and central heating. TV Jewish Books in any language SMALL, QUIET, RESIDENTIAL lounge and dining-room over­ Buecher in deutscher and Hebrew Books looking lovely garden. COLDWELL HOUSE 24-hour care—long and short term. Sprache, Bilder und Highest prices paid Autographen Licensed by the Borough of Teiephone: 01-800 6395 sucht Barnet INDIVIDUAL DIETS Enquiries 202 2773/8967 A. W. MYTZE GERMAN SPOKEN 1 The Riding, London NWll. NURSE ON PREMISES Tel; 586 7546 (nur zwischen 10 und DIN DELIS HOUSE GERIMAN BOOKS Tel. 01-445 0061 12 morgens) BOUGHT Residential Home for Art, Literature, typography, the Elderiy Ich bitte um Angebote. Die Bucher generally pre-war non classical Separate rooms with hot and werden umgehend abgeholt. cold water and telephone Bezahlung sofort. Bitte Telefon "AVENUE LODGE" angeben B. HARRISON Friendly atmosphere Registered bv the London Borough of Barnet The Village Bookshop For Information please ring 46 Belsize Lane, N.W.S Golders Green, N.W.11 903 7592 Tel: 01-794 3180 NORTH-WEST LONDON S EXCLUSIVE HOME FOR THE ELDERLY AND RETIREP Luxurious Single and double roorTis with colour ALTERATIONS TV C. H. WILSON Principal rooms with bathroom en suite. Carried out efficiently. Also DRESSMAKER Lounges with colour TV Carpenter customers own material HIGHLY QUALIFIED Kosher cuisine & special diets Painter and Decorator Gardens easy parking made up. VIENNA TRAINED Day and night nursing care Krench Polisher St. Johns Wood Area Willesden area Please telephone the Matron Antique hurniture Repaired Phone for appointment: Tel: 459 5817 01-458 7094 Tel: 452 8324 01-328 8718

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