VOLUME 9 NO.6 JUNE 2009 BIfl journal ^^m HH Association of Jewish Refugees

Fred Uhlman: Lawyer, artist, writer

red Uhlman was a noted personality '•SSSMt executive committee that ran it on a day- among the Jewish refugees from to-day basis. However, he did not remain FHitier in Britain, and the publication FRED UHLMAN chauman for long, presumably because of of a book containing two accounts of his the dominating iiffluence exercised on the intemment on the Isle of Man in 1940 (see FDKB frombehin d the scenes by a group review in last month's issue of the Jour­ of Communists. This did not prevent the nal) is consequentially very welcome. 7\aatuHv Uhlmans from being active supporters of

There is, of course, no such thing as a an . ol 3. preciou& incnUs:i left-wing and progressive initiatives 'ordinary' refugee from Hitler, but .-•J bv hiiiton- designed to assist the refugees from Uhlman's story stands out as unusual be­ VMUl .\.s i.N HEL tKirraiT Hitier; for example the Artists' Refugee cause of the success he achieved in his Committee, founded to rescue refugee very different careers and because of his artists in Czechoslovakia now threatened marriage to the daughter of a right-wing by Hitier's advance into that country, held pillar of the British establishment. its initial meetings at 47 Downshire Hill. Fred (Manfred) Uhlman was bom in The FDKB was the most important Stuttgart in 1901, the son of a well-to-do organisation of the exiles from Germany merchant He studied law and practised as in Britain between 1939 and 1946, the year a lawyer. But, as an active member of the of its dissolution, at least until the AJR es­ Social Democrat Party, he had to flee from tablished itseff towards the end of that Germany in March 1933. He first went to period. Unlike the AJR, which catered spe­ France, where he embarked on a fresh cifically for the Jewish refugees, the FDKB career as an artist, although he had no was a sfrongly political organisation, with a less than pleased at acquiring a penniless training in that field. Uhlman was to be­ markedly left-wing bias that manffested it­ German Jew as a son-in-law. come a successful artist, developing a seff particularly in its pro-Soviet line: it Uhlman was now in a very privileged distinctive naive style that remained unaf­ extolled the finendshipbetwee n the Brit­ position when compared to most of his fel­ fected by modern experimental trends ish and Soviet peoples and supported the low refugees. He and Diana set up house in but was capable of expressing emotion Allied war effort - at least after June 1941, one of Hampstead's most picturesque powerfully, sometimes in a romantic vein, when Hitier's Operation Barbarossa ter­ stteets, Downshire Hill, where they resided sometimes (as in his intemment works) minated the Nazi-Soviet Pact at number 47, a white Regency house pre­ in a darker, more pessimistic tone. The FDKB was a typical Communist viously owned by the artist Richard Carline. front organisation, attempting to appeal to In Paris, Uhlman stmggled to earn a liv­ TTie area atfracted artists and bohemiens: a broader constituency of liberals, left- ing, though he attracted interest in artistic among the Uhlman's neighbours were tiie wingers and progressives on the basis of circles. In 1936 he left for what was then artist Richard Penrose and his wffe, the an anti-Fascist consensus built around the small fishing\Tllag e of Tossa de Mar in photographer Lee Miller. The Uhlmans' culture, freedom and democracy. Its Spain, where he could continue to paint home became a haven for refugee artists, achievements in the cultural field were while liwig cheaply. There he met a young particularly those of left-wing \dews, among indeed considerable. It had five separate Englishwoman, Diana Croft, the daughter tiiem John Heartfield (Helmut Herzfeld), sections, devoted to such subject areas as of Sir Henry Page Croft (from 1940 Lord the pioneer of photomontage, who lived music, fhe visual arts and literature, and it Croft), a fiercely nationalistic right-wing poli­ there for fiveyears . organised an impressive programme of tician who was to occupy a junior ministerial It was at this stage that Uhlman played lectures, exhibitions, concerts, cabaret post in Churchill's wartime govemment. an important role in the creation ofthe Free revues and even theatrical productions; it Uhlman and Diana Croft fell in love and, German League of Culture (Freie had its own small stage, the Kleine Biihne, when the Spanish Civil War caused him to Deutsche Kulturbund, FDKB). The in the premises it occupied at 36 Upper leave Spain shortly afterwards, he came to meeting at which the FDKB was founded Park Road in Belsize Park. England, where they married. Sir Henry, a in fact took place at his house in late 1938. The FDKB also played a valuable role passionate supporter of the British Empire When the FDKB was formally constituted in providing assistance to refugees in dis- who had conceived a hatted of all things in March 1939, Uhlman became its German during the First World War, was chairman and also sat on the eight-man I continued overleaf |

I AJRJOURNAL JUNE 2009

Call for Holocaust Survivors to Register ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of hile its primary mission Vashem is checking other sources THE ASSOCIATION OF remains the commemoration available in its archives - including lists JEWISH REFUGEES Wof each individual Holocaust obtained from European countries, MONDAY 22 JUNE 2008 victim, since 1998 Yad Vashem has oral and written testimonies, and 11.00 AM embarked on a parallel undertaking submissions of Pages of Testimony - at The Paul Balint AJR Centre to encourage Holocaust survivors to in order to create a comprehensive 15 Cleve Road London NW6 complete a Survivor's Registration Survivors' Database in the coming Neil Taylor, Director of Care and Form. The goal of the forms, some years. At the same time, Yad Vashem Community Services at Jewish 30,000 of which have been collected continues to call on all Holocaust Care, will make a short over the past decade, is twofold: to survivors to check the Central presentation about the new provide historical documentation of Database of Shoah Victims' Names project in Golders Green Road and the lives of Jews during the war; and and, if necessary, to submit new Pages will answer any questions. to help make the cataloguing of of Testimony for family members or For further details, Holocaust victims more accurate. acquaintances not yet memorialised. please telephone 020 8385 3070 A Holocaust survivor is considered The Survivor's Registration Form is currently The three members retiring by to be any Jew who lived under available in 10 languages and may be rotation and being proposed German occupation during the war, accessed via the Remembrance section on for re-election are and who was still alive at the the Yad Vashem website Mrs D. Franklin, Mrs J. Millan beginning of 1946. In conjunction with (www.yadvashem.org) orfay ca///ng the Ha// and Mr A. Spiro the Survivor's Registration Forms, Yad ofNames, -\-972 2 644 3581. and a scion of the high Swabian aristoc­ ment diary he wrote at the time. Professor FRED UHLMAN racy. But the year is 1932 and the advent continued from page 1 Richard Dove's expert stxiAy foumey of No of National Socialism leads inevitably to the Return: Five German-Speaking Literary destmction ofthe friendship and to Hans's tress, especially during the intemment Exiles in Britain, 1933-1945 shows how departure for America. Rather than leave period of 1940/41, and as a social centre anger and disfress similarly come across Germany, his parents later commit suicide. where refugees could meet. It published far more strongly in Robert Neumann's in­ The shadow of future horrors hangs over its own newsletter, Freie Deutsche Kultur, temment diary than they do in his later book the Schwarz family, as it hangs over the and had a youth branch, Freie Deutsche of memoirs, Ein leichtes Leben (1963). pleasant, civilised city of Stuttgart and the Jugend, and a higher education organisa­ Uhlman is now principally remembered serenely beautiful Swabian countryside, a tion, the Freie Deutsche Hochschule. But for the novella Reunion, published in 1977. joyous world that is about to be desecrated the leading spirits of the FDKB were He wrote this in English, in a beautifully by Nazi barbarism. Not unlike Hans's mostly political refugees; once the war simple and clear style that is perfectly favourite poem, Holderlin's Hdfte des ended, they retumed to Germany, mostly crafted to convey the deeply felt but never Lebens, the novella falls into two parts, the to the Soviet Zone of Occupation, and the fully expressed emotions suffusing the first describing a scene of beauty, harmony organisation was wound up. book. (At around 100 pages, and with its and fertile abundance, the second one of Uhlman himseff achieved considerable concenttation on the short-lived encoun­ jarring aUenation, bereft of warmth and success as an artist. His first exhibition took ter between two teenage schoolboys, it companionship and echoing only to its own place in 1935, at the Galerie Le Niveau in cannot properly be called a novel.) The no­ empty and senseless din. Paris, and he had another at the Zwemmer vella revolves around loss: the loss of a The novella is narrated some 30 years Gallery in London in 1938. His work was friendship, the loss of one's native coun­ later by Hans, outwardly a successful New seen regularly in one-man shows and try, the loss of one's family, and the loss of York lawyer with a family of his own, but mixed exhibitions and he had a full-scale the innocence associated with a secure inwardly a deeply disillusioned and ti^uma- rettospective at Leighton House Museum and happy childhood. tised man who has never recovered fi-om in London in 1968. But interest in his work Hans Schwarz, the l&-year-old son of a his bmtal amputation irom his Swabian roots waned and he dropped out of public view. prominent Jewish doctor in Stuttgart, at the hands ofthe Nazis. In the early 1960s Though he felt this acutely, Uhlman found forms a deep schoolboy fiiendship with he receives a brochure from his old school some compensation in his success in yet Konradin von Hohenlohe, a fellow pupil at asking him to contribute to the erecting of a another field, that of literature. the town's most prestigious Gymnasium memorial to those former pupils who had In 1960 Uhlman published his autobiog­ been killed in the war. Scanning the list of AJR Directors raphy. The Making of an Englishman, Gordon Greenfield the names of the dead, he discovers that whose engagingly ironical titie points to his Michael Newman his fiiend von Hohenlohe had been impli­ Carol Rossen stmggle, as a Jewish intellectual from cated in the bomb plot against Hitier and AJR Heads of Department Germany, to adapt himself to the elusive Susie Kaufman Organiser, AjR Centre executed. With this hammer blow, the nuances of a British identity and Iffestyle. Sue Kurfander Social Services novella ends. It is, as Arthur Koestier says The book contains a vivid account of his AjR Journal Dr Anthony Grenville Consultant Editor in his foreword, a minor masterpiece, con­ intemment experiences, though the full Dr Howard Spier Executive Editor veying unforgettably the pain and loss depths of the depression and fmsttation Andrea Goodmaker Secretarial/Advertisements suffered by German Jews who were forced he suffered, ftielled by a sense of oufrage views expressed in the AJR Journal are not to sever their ties with all that they held at the sheer injustice of his tteatment, are necessarily those of the Association of Jewish dear in Germany. Refugees and should not be regarded as such. toned down by comparison with the intem­ Anthony Grenville AJRJOURNALJUNE 2009 ^re-emigration recollections by Klaus Heymann NEWTONS Leading Hampstead Solicitors A Wittkower souvenir or I never learned why Louis failed to advise on emigrate. It could hardly have been just a Property, Wills, Family Trusts family fragments case of 'bravado' and his British passport. first met Great-Uncle Louis Wittkower His brother Henry, a Berlin stockbroker, had and Charitable Trusts in Berlin a short time before our left early with his wife Gertrud (Trude) for emigration from Germany. A wiry little these more friendly shores. His son Rudolf French and German spoken man, his features were enhanced by a (Rudi - art historian) was, I believe, the first goatee beard. His parents-to-be, Isidor and of the family to emigrate. It was said of his Home visits arranged Caecilia, having married in 1856, moved to father Henry that he had been so well the UK from Germany in 1857; Isidor integrated into the pre-Hitler German scene 22 Fitzjohn's Avenue, wished to gain experience in Britain's latest that the only hallmark of his British birth London NW3 SNB industrial processes. They didn't return to was taking milk in his tea. Berlin for 20 years. One of Louis's three children survived Tel: 020 7435 5351 Was Isidor a slow learner or did he just the Holocaust. It was Erich, who came to Fax: 020 7435 8881 like it here? We shall never know. Four of hold a professorship in psychiatry at McGill their children were born here, Louis in University, Montreal, Canada. Edinburgh in 1860. All four were entitled to British citizenship, a fact of some importance given the way history was going to unfold. Louis grew up to manage A summer's day class his father's manufacturing business in outing, 1934 Berlin. A widower by the time I got to know walk to one of Elbing's beauty spots JACKMAN- him, he let it be known that he would be in the countryside had been organised willing to remarry if a suitable Jewish lady by the school. The highlight was to be SILVERMAN could be found. I was given to understand A a swim in a natural freshwater pool. Having COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS there was no shortage of applicants - ladies reached our destination, my classmates who also welcomed the undoubted stripped off with much enthusiasm, a feeling protection of a British passport. A wedding I for one didn't share. The pool looked did, in fact, take place in 1937. Sadly, when neglected and the water murky. In short, I Louis died of natural causes {so it was said) was not tempted to follow the herd. But how in 1942, the Nazi authorities ruled that her to bow out gracefully? There was scant time British nationality had no further validity to work out a strategy. But then, my eyes lit She was arrested and not heard of again. upon a sign. It was perched on top of a post An anecdote relating to Louis's physical and read 'Juden ist der Zutritt verboten' strength and character deserves recording. (Access forbidden to Jews). This was just It happened in pre-war Berlin. Walking what I needed - making anti-Semitism work Telephone: 020 7209 5532 down a street, Louis became aware of a on my behalf! Somewhat diffidently I uniformed SA man, a so-called storm- approached the teacher 'Excuse me, Herr [email protected] trooper, who was molesting an elderly Lehrer', said I respectfully, 'I must not go in woman. Louis didn't hesitate. Tapping the there!' I pointed to the notice: 'It's not Nazi on the shoulder, he told him to stop allowed.' what he was doing - or else! This produced The teacher didn't even turn his head. just a laughing response. The next thing to Clearly he had studied the sign before. happen was that the storm-trooper found AUSTRIAN and GERMAN Looking down on me from his not incon­ himself on the ground, having been floored siderable height, he announced: 'I am the PENSIONS by Louis. A crowd gathered. The police were one who decides what is allowed. Into the summoned. An arrest was made. Yet it pool you go - and right away!' My disap­ wasn't the misbehaving storm-trooper but PROPERTY pointment should have been palpable. Uncle Louis himself who was carted off to Robbie Burns could have tempered my RESTITUTION CLAIMS the police station. Things might have gone feelings with his thoughts on disturbing a very badly for him. However, at the right EAST GERMANY - BERLIN mouse in a field: 'The best laid schemes o' moment he dipped into a pocket and mice an' men.' Little me, in the depths of extracted his British passport. Suddenly all On instructions our office w/lll East Prussia, could hardly have met these was sweetness and light. There were comforting lines. In fact, I had not. So ended assist to deal with your apologies for the 'misunderstanding' and ingloriously my feeble attempt to beat the applications and pursue the Louis walked out a free man. Nazi system. matter with the authorities

For further information mm m and an appointment Jewish kindergarten please contact:

in Vienna, 1931 ICS CLAIMS Alice Hubbers (nee Engel), seen in this fascinating 1931 photograph in white 707 High Road, Finchley dress, second from right at back, arrived in London N12 OBT England via Kindertransport in December 1938. Now 84, Alice lives in north-west Tel: 020 8492 0555 London. For story about the kindergarten at Herklotzgasse 21, see Eric Sanders, 'Das Fax: 020 8348 4959 Dreieck meiner Kindheit' in February 2009 Email: [email protected] issue of AJR Journal. AJRJOURNALJUNE 2009 Upstiurs, A breath of fresh air Line Coach fare, adding that I could I was back in Lancaster Grove. spend the night with friends in Chalfont Welcoming me were more police - my had two aunts who came to this St Peter - or Chalfont St Giles! - who'd aunt had reported me missing. I was country in 1938 to work as domestics. be waiting for me at the bus stop. whisked back to Gerrards Cross. When Both were appalled by the treatment I That December England was covered we got there, the ever-resourceful meted out to household staff and each, in in snow and travelling was hazardous. constable popped in at the local nick her own way, decided to rewrite the rule The coach stopped in Finchley Road and and established there was only one books and make their employers feel that's where the fun began. The conduc­ foreign couple in the village - it had to pretentious and decadent in the most tor asked for my destination and I said be my aunt and uncle. They delivered me charming manner Upper middle-class Chalfont St Peter-or, maybe, Chalfont St to the house safely. wives were easy to manipulate: they felt Giles. I explained in my best Viennese My aunt, whom I hadn't seen for insular compared to my aunts, who were dialect that my invitation didn't say months, welcomed me with the inspiring used to moving in Viennese high society which. I produced my letter and he was words Tm glad you've finally arrived but and frequently travelled abroad. mystified by the mishmash of English I have a problem. I'm making a strudel My father's sister was married to a and German. He called for assistance and I need 1 kg of Topfen. Be a good boy lawyer and was entitled, in accordance from other passengers and the letter was and run down the road and speak to Herr with Austria's unwritten law, to call passed from hand to hand. 1 was looked Sainsbury. He has a grocer's shop in the herself 'Frau Doktor'. She expected upon as an alien object, my elegant Aus­ village.' I found the shop but couldn't instant service - and got it. She was an trian ensemble causing much mirth. The find the mysterious Herr Sainsbury. The excellent cook and anyone invited to her letter was passed on to the driver, who staff searched the shop for Topfen. magnificent flat considered themselves looked as bewildered as the passengers. Everybody was consulted, customers very fortunate. She had two daughters included. The net was widened and who went to Vienna's finest lyceum. neighbouring shopkeepers were Alas, the Anschluss forced changes in her questioned. But what on earth was household. Topfen? Fruit, vegetable, washing-up Through her ongoing connections she ,* This incident *• powder? Or more foreign muck! was appointed a cook in one of Britain's I insisted that my aunt had said finest ladies' boarding schools. She made it / became the talking** 'Everybody knows Topfen', but it was no a condition of her employment that her * point in the upper • use. It was a rare comedy: a foreigner daughters received a free education in the dressed in funny clothes, speaking a establishment. On her arrival, she echelon of local society \ guttural language, and demanding immediately announced to management and crossed the Atlantic, \ something no respectable English shop and staff that she was 'Frau Doktor' and would sell! It confirmed the English wished to be addressed by her full title. The there to be immortalised • attitude that all foreigners were mad. school considered itself honoured by her Crestfallen, I returned to my aunt, only presence and was sad to lose her at the end , in the Hollywood • to be chided 'You are totally useless!' I'd of the war when she returned to Vienna. \ production of •' got back just in time for tea and joined My mother's youngest sister was an family and friends in the lounge. astute businesswoman; men were *• Mrs Miniver.' .• Everyone was given a saucer and a cup visually stimulated by her and easily of hot water, but there was no teapot. manipulated. She held soirees in her flat Tea without a pot - whatever next? in the Innere Stadt and politicians and The lady of the house announced businesspeople vied for an invitation. She pompously that since the Viennese cook received an early warning from friends Eventually we stopped at the first - 'a much-travelled, health-conscious that Austria's days were numbered and Chalfont, but no one seemed to be wait­ woman' - had arrived, the family had was advised to cut and run. But she was ing for me. When we got to the next stop, been made aware that tea brewed in a a patriotic citizen and her husband was with no one in sight, I bravely got off the teapot was unhealthy, insular and ... an officer in the reserve. However, the coach - profusely thanking everybody for unfashionable! We were seated Anschluss changed everything and a few their assistance. balancing our cups of boiling water on weeks later she obtained a visa and found I trudged around the village, glancing our laps as my aunt went from one to a position in an upper-class English through windows into rooms decorated another dipping a Continental 'tea egg' household as a cook. I don't think she with mistletoe and cards hanging from on a chain in the water and mumbling had any idea what the job entailed and the ceiling - so different from a Viennese 'Very good for you!' she certainly couldn't cook. Her husband, Christmas Eve. I was cold, hungry and My uncle the butler, who could just a spit image of the Hungarian-Jewish lost. Before long, I spotted my old friend about tell the difference between red and comedy actor 'Cuddles', Szbke Szakall, the bus driver on his return to London. white wine, served refreshments. He was installed as the butler The conductor beckoned me to get on wouldn't disclose the contents of the In late 1938 I was invited to spend and they dropped me off at the local glasses - it was a traditional healthy Christmas with her family and new bobby's house-cum-police station. I Austrian drink. I noticed he abstained from friends. She forgot to state her address questioned the constable whether there tasting the liquid he served. He was a on the invitation but, checking the can­ were any foreigners in the area, but he model of patience, forbearance and loyalty, cellation on the envelope, I discovered it couldn't say and suggested I return to but occasionally he bravely refreshed was posted in Gerrards Cross. She in­ London. He telephoned his superior and himself with a glass of French brandy cluded a postal order to cover my Green arranged transport for me, and in no time which he kept for medicinal purposes! AJRJOURNALJUNE 2009 1. dorwnstsats m§

Christmas Day was the big day in the Eva's boss (some said he was more than delicious Continental specialities - potato house. An enormous turkey was that) had done a bunk. The Gestapo had soup, goulash, stuffed cabbage leaves and prepared, mounted on a large serving hauled her in for questioning at their Bedin so on. War and rationing came. She had plate, and wheeled into the dining room HQ. They put her in a cell to give her time news that her mother was in Holland. Her by the butler The assembled guests eyed to 'think'. But she knew nothing. sister and the two boys had reached New­ the bird hungrily. It was bitterly cold as 1938 passed into castle. And the dentist had removed all The cook was congratulated on pres­ 1939. The wind blew down the Kurfur­ her teeth, deducting his fee from her mea­ entation. The master of the house stendamm. Eva knew nothing. Overnight gre wages. sharpened his carving knives ever so he had packed up and disappeared, leav­ Cook General was her title, but who was professionally and carved up the bird to ing her to clear up the office. Not that there to command? Only a part-time great applause. He forced his fork into there was much left to clear up. Released cleaning lady. She was expected to stay in the wobbly carcass and began slicing by the Gestapo but still under surveillance, her room, her cold little attic, on her time but, to everybody's horror, the bird dis­ Eva consulted her sister She had applied off. It was a lonely time. Gradually she went integrated. Tears rolled down the for a work permit to go to England. out a bit and made a few friends. London hostess's face. Silence prevailed during Hannah advised: 'You must pursue this. and Swiss Cottage were a wodd away. the entire meal. My aunt, unaware she Soon the boys and I will be in England, One day, when her employers were out, had spiked an old tradition, cheerily God willing, and mother can go to Ruth Eva sneaked upstairs to the Music Room informed everybody who cared to listen in Amsterdam.' - she'd glimpsed a baby grand there. that in a civilised society people shouldn't A short while later, Eva's papers arrived Tentatively she raised the lid. Yes, it was a be expected to chew meat from a bone and she was off. She considered herself Bechstein. She adjusted the stool, flexed in the company of others. Instead of be­ lucky. She had a talent - a talent apart her fingers and released them on to the moaning her ill-fortune, the lady of the from her piano-playing. She was an ex­ keys. Old friends reunited, the fingers and house heartily agreed with my aunt that cellent cook and was to be employed with keys produced music. Strauss, Bach, meat and poultry should always be the title Cook General in the home of a Chopin, Liszt - it all came back. Tears ran carved in the kitchen and that the old dentist in Hemel Hempstead. down her cheeks. She lost her sense of tradition would be laid to rest. This inci­ 'Where is Hemel Hempstead?' 'North­ time. She played on and on, the pent-up dent became the talking point in the west London, I think, near Swiss Cottage tension of the past months flowing out upper echelon of local society and ... where Lucie's living.' of her. crossed the Atlantic, there to be Eva arrived with her two suitcases at It must have been an hour later when immortalised in the Hollywood produc­ Liverpool Street Station on a cold grey af­ she stopped, sensing she was no longer tion of Mrs Miniver. ternoon and was met by her employers in alone. Her employers were standing in the Aunt and uncle left service during the an old Rover car. Her command of Eng­ doorway. She jumped up. 'So sorry, I am war and set up home in the area. They lish was less than minimal. Formalities so sorry!', she said wiping a tear from her were universally liked and obsessively over, baggage in the 'boot' - there was a eyes. But the Carringtons clapped their dedicated to taking the stuffiness out of new word! - and off to her new home. hands. 'Very good, Eva, where did you the old English society. Near the end of 'Bitte, pleess, how long to Hampstead?', learn to play so beautifully?', Madame the war they bought a small house in she asked. 'No more than an hour,' they asked. 'At the Academy in Berlin.' 'Of Berkshire. After the war they were invited answered. 'My friend Lutsie she lives in course - the Academy', the dentist said. by Viennese friends to return home but Swiss "Kottidge" -that is by Hempstead, 'And what have you prepared for our informed their friends that if they wished no?' 'No, dear, not Hemel Hempstead.' dinner?' to see them they would be welcome in And so a first confusion was unravelled. If only they'd said she could play from England at any time. They would never Hemel Hempstead was outside London, time to time. Back in her kitchen, Eva ever cross the Austrian border again. Their to the north. Lucie had written to Berlin wondered if they might let her The friends regulady came to England to visit that where she lodged there was a piano weekend after she had prepared a them. My aunt and uncle loved the which Eva might practise on. But now that delicious meal for her employers and their English and the local countryside was too far away. friends, Mrs Carrington asked: 'Eva, when passionately. Both are buried in They arrived at her employers' home you have cleaned up and washed the Berkshire. In their own way they as it grew dark and Mr Carrington helped dishes, would you play for us a little? You punctured the pretensions of middle- her with a suitcase to her room at the top know, she's quite good!' class England - a breath of fresh air in a of a substantial Georgian villa set in ample Eva wanted to refuse but the Bechstein stuffy society. grounds. She had an attic with a small beckoned. And so the Cook General in Henry Werth dormer window, a washbasin, an iron Hemel Hempstead, miles away from Swiss bedstead, a cupboard and a chair A jug Cottage, assumed a secondary role: tame and a small bowl sat on a dresser and a pianist on nights when important guests lonely light bulb beckoned from the were entertained. 'What treasure - Discovered - another ceiling. A long way from the comfortable cabbage soup and Bach!', a tall skinny flat in Bedin she'd shared with her mother lady guest said. 'Can you get me that talent - but also a long way from that cell in recipe for the apple desert, Dorothy? ' hat did you do when they put you Gestapo headquarters with its lonely light Delicious!' in that cell?', Hannah asked. 'I did bulb. Eva copied out the recipe before the w;my nails. They let me keep my Eva settled down. A marvellous cook, guests left - omitting a vital ingredient. manicure wallet', Eva replied. 'How could she soon learned what Shepherd's Pie was Jo Maier you stay so cool?' 'What else could I do? I and how to make Spotted Dick! Some­ This article is dedicated to 'Tante Else', my didn't know where he'd gone, did I?' times she was allowed to produce her mother's sister - J. M. AJRJOURNALJUNE 2009

In your May issue, Peter Phillips, addressing himself to me, ends his letter: 'I am sorry to belong - in theory, if not in practice - to the same religion as you.' /lETTERS^ The Editor reserves the right Calm down, Mr Phillips, rest assured to shorten correspondence that, although we may belong to the same I TO THE B submitted for publication race, we certainly do not belong to the same religion. Why do you seek recognition? Margarete Stern, London NW3

UK GOVERNMENT 'PRO-JEWISH' Sir -1 feel both saddened and surprised at the very biased letter by Mrs E. Holden 'LUCKY TO BE ALIVE' school and saw that I had piano lessons published in the May issue of the AJR Sir - I may be a bit late with my comment again. All Lady Reading was prepared to Journal. Our government has consistently about Anthony Grenville's article '"Under­ do for me was to want to make me a expressed its commitment to the security paid, underfed and overworked": Refugees kitchen maid in her house! Fortunately, the and welfare of Israel and, for example, led hostel warden came to my rescue. in domestic service'. the walkout at the recent Durban II confer­ England saved my life and I am very (Mrs) A. Saville ARCM, London NW4 ence during the disgraceful speech by Iran's grateful to the country I entered on 8 president. Strong trade links between the 'GOD ON TRIAL August 1939. My reason for writing to you UK and Israel continue to flourish, in spite Sir - The response to my letter in your April is that I would love to know whether there ofthe boycott attempts by misguided and issue was predictable and it made me is anybody else here in England who came ill-informed organisations. Like many indi­ happy. as a refugee and stayed in the same village. vidual friends and supporters of Israel, As for Jack Lynes's reaction, I must have I too was in domestic service from some government ministers have ex­ August 1939. I married my dear late touched a raw nerve. He rails at me for pressed criticism of certain actions by the husband in Sheffield in October 1942. Like writing that there are 'Progressive "rabbis" Israeli government, and surely it is the right me, he was a refugee from Germany. I was who don't believe in anything, not even in and duty of friends to do so if they feel not used to domestic work nor had my G-d', stating that he has never come across these actions are wrong. husband ever worked on a farm before, any. But that is precisely what Peter Phillips Regarding anti-Semitism, does Mrs but we counted ourselves lucky to be alive. wrote about in his article 'God on Trial' in Holden know that Holocaust education is Although we had tickets for America, we your February issue, in which he says that now a compulsory part of the curriculum decided to stay in England. neither he nor some Progressive rabbi in all state secondary schools and that two Having worked separately in Yorkshire, believes in stories in the 'Old Testament', students from each school are enabled to we moved after we were married to a as he calls it. visit Auschwitz each year? Is Mrs Holden village in Nottinghamshire, where (now 92 I quote Mr Phillips: 'So, very puzzled, I asked him why he was a rabbi. His answer aware of the continuing activities of the years of age) I still live. Sadly my husband Padiamentary Committee Against Anti- made everything clear to me. "I believe died in 1980. Semitism and of the recent London that I must teach the idea [italics in original] We immersed ourselves in village life. I Conference on Combating Anti-Semitism of God.' He continues: 'So this means that became president of our local Women's called by the British Government and my rabbinical friend does not believe as Institute and my husband formed a small attended by MPs from 40 countries? It also the Orthodox do, that the Torah was dance band, in which he played piano. seems unlikely that a government written by God. To him, it was man-made After many years on the farm, my unconcerned about anti-Semitism would husband was employed in an agricultural because, like the Ten Commandments, the put so much effort into promoting the shop in the nearby market town. Torah was necessary for its time.' widely supported commemoration of From the very beginning, we made So there you have it straight from the Holocaust Memorial Day each January. many good friends in the village who horse's mouth, all very wishy-washy! He George Vulkan, Harrow, Middx appreciated our contribution to local life denies the fundamentals of Judaism. Incidentally, is Peter Phillips not aware and admired our positive attitude in spite FAN MAIL that the Ten Commandments are an inte­ of our very sad past. We never lost our Sir-I continue to enjoy Anthony Grenville's gral part of the Torah and not something Jewish identity. essays in the AJR Journal. His combination apart from it - which has, in his opinion, Margret Grundmann (nee Goldschmidt) of reprising historical episodes that have like all the rest, become obsolete? Elston, Newark, Notts been eclipsed, along with his insightful So, as I have said before, what, if analyses, is really amazing, and I find LITTLE BLUE BOOK anything, is left of Judaism if we do not virtually every issue worth reading. I feel Sir - How well I remember that horrible accept it, believing it to have outlived its that about few other publications! little blue book we were handed at relevance? Tom Freudenheim, New York, NY Dovercourt when we arrived in England! There is no Judaism without the Torah, I was so disgusted with it that I tore it which has been preserved throughout the OUR 70TH ON FILM up and threw it away. My sentiments were ages by its true adherents, who, despite all Sir - Before entering into the above subject, the same as Ernest Kolman's (May issue). hardships and persecutions, have clung to I must refer to the ending of my letter in Now I have found out that this book was it tenaciously in all four corners ofthe Earth, the April issue of the Journal under the not issued by the British government of passing it on to their children, thus heading 'Anti-Semitism at the National': 'It the time but by the English Jews. They guaranteeing its continuity. They are the is better to get Burnt by the Sun than in a must have been frightened that we would ones who've kept it going! gas oven. We must act before it is too late!' cause fresh anti-Semitism by our behaviour, The greatest chutzpah is to call yourself I didn't think it necessary to spell out that as they caused hostility when they came a rabbi only to mislead others and to call there is only one country in the wodd that herein 1850-1914. How wrong they were! the religion you're practising the Jewish would welcome us and that whatever We were much more educated and religion, which it clearly is not. Call it what other hardships we might endure, anti- cultured than they you like - only don't call it Judaism. Semitism wouldn't be one of them. We By the way I don't know of any English Some of you - certainly not all - may had to move once before-just to sojourn Jews who looked for brainy/talented still be considered Jews by reason of your here. youngsters to help them fulfil their poten­ race, but that too will, in the not too distant Ah the film! Did we ever in our lives tial. The Gentiles sent me back to grammar future, cease to be the case. AJRJOURNALJUNE 2009 expect that we would live to take part All four are saved, brought back from the quarter - a mainly poor neighbourhood - in the 70th anniversary of our brink, not by chance or luck, but through fought the NSB gangs and formed resist­ Kindertransport? Well, we did and we the selfless compassion and moral ance squads.' even had a film made as a record of it. courage of non-Jews. The four tell their Witness reports describing these actions Loading it into my recorder, anticipating stories as if they happened yesterday, still are found in part 1 of Louis de Jong's book an hourorsoof reliving that joyful event, amazed that others would risk their lives De bezetting na 50 jaar (The Occupation I first thought there was something wrong for them. To our knowledge, such a film 50 Years On) (The Hague: SDU, 1990). These with my equipment. There was a loud snap, has not been made before. developments led to a strike on 25 February crackle and pop accompanying images of, Yes, we know of the Holocaust. Let us 1941. At first the Amsterdam tram drivers undoubtedly, speakers from the platform, also give praise to those who saved Jewish left the trams in their sheds, followed the wildly oscillating across the screen, lives at the risk of theirs and be inspired same day by a general strike which spread addressing about 650 Kinder with some through the film's examples of compassion to other towns and regions. Because the of their offspring. I checked myTV, the disc to ensure future generations will do the Dutch resistance was only just starting to for scratches - no it wasn't that - the Chief same when called upon. get organised, the German occupier was Rabbi just couldn't keep still, moving from Our goal in making the film Back from able to use draconian measures to subdue left to right and back again until he went the Brink is to have it shown to an the population. out of view altogether, but still talking. He international television audience, especially The strike is commemorated every year wasn't the only speaker performing these as part of the annual Holocaust features, on 25 February. This observation is not antics. They all did, to the accompaniment thereby helping to ensure a more humane meant to diminish the Warsaw Ghetto of loud bangs interspersing their worthy wodd society. Through the initial grant revolt in any way, but the resistance squads' speeches. I was thinking of having to from Austria we are fairly assured of actions and the strike in Holland took place replace all my equipment. Oy veh! European distribution. But we have a wider eadier Hence I wonder: was it the first? Surely 1 thought, it couldn't be the film­ vision: to instil courage and conviction. The Henn Obstfeld, Stanmore, Middx maker! The committee didn't choose an Shoah Foundation has promised to help amateur to film such a unique, us with the woddwide distribution of our DER HUND MIT DER WURST unrepeatable event - or could they film. For further information, pleasecontact Sir - Mrs Goldwater's memories of her have? But, no, we had Viennese music me at the address below. father singing alternative words to the accompanying the entry of Prince ChaHes Dn I Scarlett Epstein OBE Anvil Chorus (April) brought back happy to the tea party As much as I liked the Director, Practical Education memories for me. My father sang those music, it never stopped - not even when and Gender Support words too! He had other rhymes as well. His Majesty conversed with Kinder at the 5 Viceroy Lodge, Kingsway, For instance, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony tables. It was a rehash of the silent films! Hove BN3 4RA, UK would begin 'Der Dollar faellt, doch er wird There I was, for just two seconds, talking Tel: •\-44 (0)1273-735151 wieder steigen' and Aida would begin with the Prince, the camera taking in the e-mail: [email protected] 'Celeste Aida, wann kommst De [he was a back of my head. Some memory! I just Berliner] wieder?' hope he and his mum weren't sent free 'REMEMBER, NEVER FORGET' Dorothy Graff, Victoria, Australia copies, shaming theAJR! Sir- Recently on holiday in the Surrey area, Only when HRH took his place to we visited the Haslemere Educational Sir - May I add to the letters in the past two address us did the waltzing stop. After that, Museum. We discovered there was an issues of the Journal offering alternative it was sheer mayhem, the camera seeking exhibition entitled 'Remember, Never lyrics to the Anvil Chorus. My father's out the photographer's favourite faces at Forget, Remember Never Again' by Year 8 version: random for a couple of seconds a time, (13-year-old) pupils building a memorial Hab' ich dir nicht gleich gesagt showing off hundreds of fade-ins and to commemorate the Holocaust. The die Wurst die schmeckt nach Seife fade-outs in the process to a medley of pupils are from the local Woolmer Hill (pronounced Seefe) Tyrolean-type music. It was 5 in the morn­ School. Hab' ich dir nicht gleich gesagt ing when I switched off in bewilderment, This remarkable exhibition, which was die Wurst, die Wurst ist Trefe. having watched a horror film for more opened by local dignitaries, took place Irene Stanton, Wembley, Middx than five hours, not even having seen the from 31 March to 24 April. I can do no Sir -1 recently asked your readers for words end. And I paid nine pounds for that? better than recommend readers to visit the to accompany the Radetzky March and website - www.haslemeremuseum.co.uk The doorbell rang - it was 7 o'clock. would like to thank those who helped. One - or telephone 01428 642112. There is a Totally dazed though I was, a welcome thing is clear - every family seems to have video showing the exhibition with live smile from the AJR driver with two parcels its own version! Looking at the internet comments by adults and participating of meals-on-wheels brought me back into doesn't really help either as there doesn't children. the real world. Then I realised it had all seem to be a definitive version. One AJR been a terrible nightmare. Siggy Reichenstein, London N2 member reminded me of another song, Fred Stern, Wembley Middx concerning the antics of a dog: 'Ein Hund BUDAPEST JUDENRAT AND kam in die Kiiche.' That one comes to a BACK FROM THE BRINK WARSAW GHETTO REVOLT sad end as the cook kills it. Sir- Rubin Katz's article in the May issue Sir - We live in times of unscrupulous Paul Samet, Pinner, Middx profiteers and chasms of moral decay. We made interesting reading. He holds that have our champions of justice and people 'the Ghetto revolt was the first general of compassion. Looking back to the plight uprising in Europe.' That appears too WANTED TO BUY of the Jews caught in the grip of Hitler's general a statement: there are some German and wrath, we find too many villains. But also adjectives for 'uprising' missing. unsung heroes. The Dutch version of the Wikipedia English Books A modest grant from the Austrian states (my translation): 'Since the winter Bookdealer, AJR member, Zukunftfund has enabled us to start work of 1940 members of the National Socialist welcomes invitations to view on a documentary film: Back from the Defence Section of the NSB (National and purchase valuable books. Bnnk. In it, the viewer relives, through Socialist Movement in the Netherlands) Robert Hornung intimate interviews, the harrowing had started to trouble Jews living in the Amsterdam Jewish quarter They humili­ 10 Mount View, Ealing, London W5 1 experiences of four European Jews Email: [email protected] ated Jewish inhabitants and stole their hanging on to their lives by a thread, two Tel: 020 8998 0546 steps from death at the hands of the Nazis. possessions. The inhabitants of the Jewish him staring out of an impressionistic swirl of white, almost as though he had lost REVIEWS patience with the formalism of this style. A combination of fortitude But in fact he was just demonstrating how a swirl of oblongs and curves can and fortune shock you out of the comfort zone with SUNDAY'S CHILD? A MEMOIR which you tend to regard Old Masters. by Leslie Baruch Brent The seventeenth-century ruler who ablo Picasso, the father of Cubism, New Romney, Kent: Bank House made Persia the pinnacle of an open so­ is the undisputed master of the jig­ Books, 2009, paper 352 pp. ciety, expanding the silk route with saw - the subde (and not so subtle) espite its title. Professor Leslie Baruch P Europe and encouraging religious diver­ Brent's book is not strictly a memoir joke in art. And if great art asks you not just to view but to complete the picture, sity, may seem astonishingly modem, D or an autobiography, but a collec­ then go and see Picasso: Challenging but he was not above a few Machiavel­ tion of essays which not only reflect on the Past (National Gallery until 7 June) lian tricks of his own. Shah Abbas the events which shaped his life, but also for its riot of ideas, energy and usurped the throne from his father and pay tribute to the individuals and institu­ sensuality. ordered the assassination of his guard­ tions that have played such an important Picasso quotes from Velazquez, ian and later his son. But he was also role in his personal development and pro­ Rembrandt, Gauguin, Van Gogh and generous and promoted political and dip­ fessional career Cezanne, prising open their great works lomatic renewal, exchanging Iranian silk Dubbed 'Sunday's Child' by his father, he like a pearl from an oyster and repainting for gold and silver and introducing a was indeed luckier than many others, golden age for the arts. Shah including his family, for he survived the Abbas: The Remaking of Holocaust. The painful decision his parents Iran (British Museum un­ made in 1936 - to send their eleven-year- til 14 June) offers an array of old son to a Jewish orphanage in Bedin - stunning calligraphy, beauti­ was fateful: it was from here that Leslie Brent ful silks and gold-ground became one of the first of some 10,000 carpets as well as the blue Kindertransport children to reach the safety Chinese porcelain which re­ of Great Britain. flect his diplomatic courtship Many readers will identify with the of China as an ally against his recollections of his flight from home, family Ottoman enemies. Abbas also and friends into the unknown and of the exchanged ambassadors with enduring impact of loss. There are poignant backward glances throughout the book, but Mughal India, smoothing the Leslie Brent's recollections of the events flow of commerce between which have been pivotal in shaping his life, their countries, as some ofthe and of the crucial choices he made, opaque watercolour paintings demonstrate how a combination of fortitude with gold indicate. and fortune can overcome adversity He Imagine having your hands recalls, for example, how his life-long love manacled together for 50 days of music was initiated in the Berlin because, as an artist, you orphanage and how his education in offended the strict laws of England, and the friendships he made there, owed much to Anna Essinger and her school nineteenth-century Japan! at Bunce Court. Moving seamlessly from Japanese print artist Utagawa wartime Birmingham as a refugee to life as a Kuniyoshi (Royal Academy British army officer and then on to university until 7 June) managed to out­ and the decision not to follow a career in Self-Portrait with a Wig (1897). Pic @ Museu Picasso de wit the stringent laws of his teaching. Professor Brent describes how his Barcelona, Succession Picasso/DACS 2009 time with dazzling satire and professional future as an immunologist was them in his own image. Sometimes his sheer chutzpah. In Kuniyoshi's narrative profoundly influenced by Professor Peter own face appears beguillngly within the prints of warrior culture and gorgeous Medawar In the chapter 'From Intolerance face of his model, often reduced to a geishas, you can detect the emergent (Racial) to Tolerance (Immunological)', Leslie squiggle. But even as he pares down animated cartoon. Beneath it all lurks the Brent opens a window on the life-saving his vocabulary, he is always a sensualist, darkness and fear characterising East­ discoveries made in the laboratories in suggesting a dialogue with the nude ern military exploits, typified in the which he, as a team member, worked. Other figure. He will often present himself Chinese adventure tale The Water Mar­ chapters deal with more personal matters, as the Spanish alpha male, exploring gin. Kuniyoshi was a leading figure ofthe and he writes candidly of his marriages and archetypal swashbuckling swordsmen. 'floating world' school of Japanese art, his children, and of his involvement in, and But this artist could not bear his dramatising the great Eastem myths of affiliation with, politics. ageing, and so he painted himself as an the past. Professor Brent's essays have afforded idea, even a minotaur in the memory of him the opportunity of expressing his very particular views on a number of subjects, the beautiful women he depicted. These including Judaism, Zionism and anti- voluptuous nude paintings perfectly Annely Juda Fine Art Semitism. He also reflects on his own feelings complement his Cubism and are a 23 Dering Street (off New Bond Street) Tel: 020 7629 7578 Fax: 020 7491 2139 about the Holocaust, not just from the celebration of life, love and art. Picasso's perspective of his own personal loss, but on self-portrait of an eighteenth-century CONTEMPORARY PAINTING AND SCULPTURE his efforts to try and make sense of these grandee, Self-Portrait with a Wig, shows events in the light of present knowledge. For AJRJOURNALJUNE 2009 instance, he debates the failure of the Allies was acquired by the Berlin Jewish behind enemy lines and taking part in to intervene and is highly critical of both the community and substantially enlarged commando raids and other activities Vatican and the International Red Cross for after a fire had caused major damage in organised by the SOE. They were indeed failing to live up to the high moral standards 1911. The restoration was the work of heroes and it is high time that a wider which he - and many others - expected of Alexander Beer, a well-known Jewish public is made aware of their wartime them. architect who also designed numerous careers - which the film did very In a touching epitaph, Leslie Brent other, and significant, buildings in Berlin successfully. recounts the reunion he attended at the in the early twentieth century. After the But why are refugee women not men­ Pankow orphanage in Beriin in 2001 and Nazis attacked and damaged the tioned at all? Even if no ex-member of the the gathering of old Bunce Courtians orphanage in 1938, and closed it by 1941, ATS, WRENS or WAAF could be included, arranged by Hans and Susanne Meyer in the property was acquired by the SS and at least the commentary might have related 2002. But most poignant is the final tribute used to house a section ofthe State Security that about 1,000 women also volunteered he pays to his parents for the love they Service. After the war the premises were for the services. I think their total absence bestowed upon him for the first eleven years used for some years as the Cuban embassy amounts to sex discrimination. of his life and, having laid the foundations of and deteriorated severely. In later years the Another important point of disagree­ his life, letting him go when it mattered. extensively damaged buildings were ment with the programme is the title, Leslie Brent's achievements as an returned to Jewish ownership and which, in my view, is at least insensitive, if immunologist and his contributions to purchased by the Cajewitz Foundation not actually insulting. Obviously whoever medical science are a testimony to their under its director Professor Peter-Alexis thought of the somewhat provocative ultimate sacrifice. Albrecht. The foundation fully restored the wording did not appreciate that by the Susan Cohen buildings, especially the magnificent time the war broke out, we no longer felt ceiling of the former prayer room. Since German - we desperately wanted to be the restoration four reunions of former integrated into the society of what had A valuable piece of pupils have taken place, while the premises become our new home country and Berlin-Jewish history themselves are being used as a library and couldn't wait to become naturalised Brit­ primary school. ish citizens. My wife (an ex-ATS-giri) and I VERSTORTE KINDHEITEN: DAS had been invited to take part in the JUDISCHE WAISENHAUS IN PANKOW The fate ofthe buildings echoes the fate programme, which we did with enthusi­ ALS ORT DER ZUFLUCHT, of the former pupils, some of whom asm. It wasn't until after we had been GEBORGENHEIT UND VERTREIBUNG escaped but 44 of whom were, as far as is interviewed and filmed that we were told (Disturbed Childhoods: The Jewish known, murdered by the Nazis. Those who of the title, and my wife felt so strongly Orphanage in Pankow as a Place of survived, saved by the Kindertransports or about it that we suggested at least to put Refuge, Security and Displacement) other forms of emigration, tell their stories the word German into inverted commas. edited by Peter-Alexis Albrecht, of a childhood disrupted by violence and But even this minimal concession was re­ Leslie Baruch Brent and Inge Lammel eventual escape, of recovery and fused, and we were unceremoniously Bediner Wissenschafts -Verlag, 2008 achievement in foreign lands and, at times, edited out. I wonder whether other read­ tel: 030/841770-0 of eminence in their professions. Their ers sympathise with my wife's view of the email: [email protected] conversations are carefully recorded and title (which was actually rammed home 240 pp. 29.00 Euros the book is witness to the creation, sun/ival and restoration of a valuable piece of Bedin by being mentioned several times in the n the early nineteenth century, the Jewish history. commentary), or whether she was perhaps present-day Berlin district of Pankow Eric Bourne hypersensitive. Iwas a village on the outskirts of the city Fritz Lustig where Jews first settled in around 1830, having previously been forbidden to TELEVISION inhabit villages, purchase land or engage A matter of hypersensitivity? in agriculture. Within 100 years, however, EXHIBITION CHURCHILL'S GERMAN ARMY a vigorous Jewish community had emerged Draw what you see! A in Pankow with two synagogues, several National Geographic Channel, schools, an old-age home, a nursery, a 26 April 2009 record of Terezin home for apprentices, and the orphanage he media have at last woken up to THE WORKS OF HELGA WEISSOVA which is the subject of this book. the fact that the British public ought HOSKOVA Published by the Association of T to know about 10,000 ex-German Newcastle: University of Supporters and Friends of the Jewish and Austrian refugees (who would in Northumbria Orphanage in Berlin-Pankow, a grouping current terms probably be described as elga Weissova Hoskova will be 80 of some surviving pupils of the orphanage 'asylum seekers') actually having helped this year Born in the same year as and of local supporters, the book deals in to win the last war, rather than 'being a Anne Frank, she too made a record considerable detail with the post-war nuisance' and a 'drain on the resources' of H of her treatment as a Jewish girl in Nazi- renovation of the orphanage building and their adopted country, which had saved dominated Europe. She was deported in the reunions which brought together them from almost certain death. 1941 to Terezin/Theresienstadt, where former pupils from all over the world. For This documentary let six men tell their she kept a diary but also used her anyone wishing to augment their stories - from originally enlisting in the considerable artistic skills to draw and knowledge of Jewish Berlin, this is an Pioneer Corps, to transferring to fighting paint a secret record - hidden and later invaluable additional source, shedding regiments of the army, and, in two cases, recovered - of life in the camp. In 1944 light on a largely neglected part of Jewish to the RAF and Navy respectively. And she was deported to Auschwitz and later welfare provision in Bedin in the nineteenth interesting and moving stories they are. moved to Freiberg and Mauthausen, and early twentieth centuries. Their narrations are expertly intercut with where she and her mother were liberated. The orphanage itself went through clips from archive film material, which They returned to Prague and were several stages of development. Having been clearly shows the conditions described by eventually able to move back into the privately founded as an educational facility these veterans. Some even volunteered for for orphaned Jewish children in 1882, it near-suicide missions, being dropped I continued overleaf I AJRJOURNALJUNE 2009

REVIEWS cont from page 9

family apartment, where Helga still lives. the all too common failure of 'good' After the war she studied at the Academy individuals to seek to rectify a situation of Fine Arts in Prague and has made a they find unsatisfactory-an unfortunate career as an artist, developing the talents ^ reality which is no less prevalent today. so apparent in herTerezfn pictures. Emma Klein Earlier this year, the University of Northumbria Holocaust Interest Group invited Helga to exhibit her drawings and MUSIC paintings at an exhibition mounted in the Helga Weissova Hoskova, right, and Irene university and she agreed to come to Walters in front of drawing Arrival of the The Story of the Holocaust in International Red Cross Commission Newcastle to speak with children and 'telegram' form students about her pictures and her ex­ ENOSH periences. I joined her because we have join 'the party', is burdened with a dispro­ composed by Rudi Leavor; a family connection - her mother was portionate share of domestic chores. His the sister of my mother's brother's wife main refuge is the company of his best performed by Alyth Choral Society - a distant connection but precious as friend and one-time psychiatrist Maurice, at Alyth North Western Reform all the family my mother left behind in who is Jewish. Synagogue, London NWl 1 Czechoslovakia perished. It was moving Haider is also the author of a novel fter many years in gestation, Enosh for me to be with her as she explained which focuses on mercy killing, a subject (Man), an original composition what she had experienced and answered which preoccupies him because of his A reflecting the Holocaust, was questions like 'What was your worst mo­ mother's condition. It is when this novel performed by the Alyth Choral Society ment?' - which was standing in the comes to the attention of high-ranking last month. There were two previous selection line at Auschwitz and not members of 'the party' that his fortunes performances: at the Holocaust knowing whether she would be sepa­ change. In return for writing a paper and Memorial Day event in Bradford in rated from her mother or whether either wearing the party member's badge, Haider January 2008 and at the equivalent of them would survive. finds himself head of department and the event in Leeds in February 2009. Helga's drawings and paintings of life object of deference in Nazi circles. At the Far from railing against the evils of in Terezin are collected in Helga Weissova, same time, he is pursued by a beautiful Nazism, composer Rudi Leavor, a Zeichne, was Du siehst (Gbttingen: Wall­ student. Having initially resisted her member of the AJR, has used some of stein Verlag, 1998), the title taken from advances, he leaves his family for her and the most beautiful and familiar music her father's message to her when she is able to present a ravishing Aryan mother- in Jewish liturgy to develop a sent him a child's escapist drawing of to-be at party functions. contemplative piece modified with key two children playing with a snowman. While the theme of barely perceptible shifts and counterpoint. By adding a Her pictures record all she saw: people corruption through rationalisation is com­ prelude, interludes and sung recitatives arriving, the cramped dormitories, scav­ mon to the film and the original play by for a soprano, he outlines the story of enging in the garbage, trying to capture C. P Taylor, from which the script is the Holocaust in staccato, 'telegram' some privacy in the toilet, searching for adapted, there appear to be subtle differ­ form. fleas and lice, the night-time delivery of ences in the development of the plot. Leavor was so impressed with the a notice of transportation to Auschwitz Naturally, a central focus is the tension ineffable beauty of Jewish liturgical - all drawn or painted with great skill to between Haider and Maurice, brought music that he wanted to bring it to a provide a clear and unique personal about both by the change in Haider's cir­ wider audience in a concert-hall setting. record. cumstances and the hardening of Nazi In his programme notes, he refers to the Irene Walters laws. The well-worn platitudes are voiced composers Bloch and Milhaud, who set - Haider's attempt to reassure his friend their Sacred Service oratorios for the 'that it will all soon blow over' and baritone voice, making their work Maurice's indignant response to a sug­ suitable for the synagogue. By opting CINEMA gestion that he go away for a year or two: for the soprano voice, Leavor decided 'When good men do nothing' 'I'm as German as you. I fought for this he could expand the range of his ....ing country!' It is the senseless audience. GOOD destruction of Kristallnacht which crys­ To deepen the poignancy of his directed by Vicente Amorim tallises Haider's thinking. His theme, Leavor includes a mediaeval starring Viggo Mortensen, Jason overwhelming priority now is to save his dirge to martyrs (El Molei Rachamim) in Isaacs, Jodie Whittaker friend and, when he realises he has failed the Ashkenazi tradition and a prayer at selected cinemas to do this, to discover his fate. from the Machzor Vitry compiled by hat makes a 'good' man stray At this stage, Haider, effectively played Rashi's disciple. Rabbi Simcha of Vitry. from the path of moral by Viggo Mortensen with an almost The Jewish community of Vitry was W rectitude? Flattery? The opportu­ permanent expression of dazed martyred in 1317 on a charge of well- nity to advance his career? The attention innocence, seems to have preserved a poisoning. of a beautiful woman? All these factors certain incorruptibility, a quality absent The work meanders through many combine in the life of the film's protago­ in the original play. This is reinforced by moods and harmonies, from somnolent nist, John Haider, a dissident professor of the film's abrupt ending, another and reflective to deliberately jarring. It literature in the early years of Nazi Ger­ innovation. Mortensen is well supported was sung with impressive pace and many. Beset with a neurotic, obsessive by Jason Isaacs as Maurice and Jodie energy by the redoubtable Alyth Choir, wife, two demanding children and a Whittaker as the beautiful Anne, who conducted by Vivienne Bellos. Lyric mother ridden with dementia, this mild- represent the conflicting polarities of soprano Lynette Sunderland delivered mannered intellectual, whose career Haider's existence. the recitatives. prospects are restricted by his failure to What both play and film bring to life is Gloria Tessler

10 AJRJOURNALJUNE 2009

An unusual educational experiment: It is March 1938. HMer has marched into Wilton Park Training Centre Vienna to a triumphant reception, n the spring of 1946 I was recalled from police and the many other features which but tiie 180,000 Jews ^< '" the highlands of Burma to report to an had been so conspicuously absent in Nazi living in the city fear \ I (' I ill, IIntelligence Corps depot, somewhere in Germany. The entire 'enlightenment' proc­ the future. Katharine the north of England. On the way, 1 was ess lasted six weeks and concluded with Simmons, an temporarily posted to No. 300 Prisoner of an examination to assess the extent to undercover SIS agent War Camp, outside Beaconsfield in Buck­ which prisoners might have absorbed the working at the British Passport Office, is inghamshire, where a new Interpreter lessons in which they had participated. As success in this exam usually ensured a distraught when her husband, also an Officer was needed. Eventually, this post­ undercover agent, is taken from their ing was made permanent. speedy release back to Germany, the fail­ home and disappears without trace. Can No. 300 PoW Camp was also known as ure rate was virtually non-existent. the love of a mystery man save her? Who Wilton Park Training Centre. It was a hybrid What was perhaps most notable was the is the betrayer? between a military establishment and a cultural flowering which accompanied and, A thrilling novel of love, lust and Foreign Office facility which endeavoured perhaps, even dominated the entire six-week betrayal set against the backdrop of to inculcate some aspects and understand­ process. Plays were produced and written, Nazi Vienna. ing of democratic processes to selected drawing and painting were popular pursuits, Available from Amazon or local German prisoners-of-war It was reputedly there was a puppet theatre, music, both or­ bookshops. the brainchild of Winston Churchill as a chestral and choral, flourished, a printing contribution to establishing a successful machine churned out tracts and cartoons, democracy in postwar Germany. recitations and poetry readings proliferated, The PoW camp itself was under the and poetry itself was written by many pris­ YDm Hashoah command of Lt. Col. St. Clare Grondona, a oners recording, often with German remembrance: superannuated but agreeable officer who sentimentality, their hopes and aspirations maintained a traditional officers' mess given for a new Germany. For many prisoners the 'A remarkable evening' to much drinking of whisky, playing billiards escape from military restraint seemed to re­ ome 450 people, including and frequent toasts to the King Emperor lease a pent-up creativity or, perhaps, just a representatives from European Whereas the British personnel occupied a return to near-normality. S embassies, were present at Pinner mansion known as the White House, Understandably, it was not all plain sail­ Synagogue's traditional Yom Hashoah remembrance evening - this was its 20th prisoners were housed in the usual array of ing. I spent a good deal of time talking year - to hear guest speakers Dr Eva Schloss Nissen huts, though security was virtually with prisoners in their huts in the evenings, (step-sister of Anne Frank), Rabbi David this being the first occasion during my non-existent so as to emphasise the Soetendorp, and Dr Stephen Smith MBE. impression of an educational establishment military service on which I had been able The focus of the evening was the 80th rather than a place of containment. to use my knowledge of German. What anniversary of the birth of Anne Frank. Six At the time, the demobilisation of seemed surprising was the number of members of Pinner youth lit candles in British armed forces was in full swing; Communists who suddenly emerged memory of the victims of the Shoah. Gabi consequently the number of available among the inmates - until one realised that Gershuny perfectly captured the mood of British service personnel was limited. This those with homes in East Germany, and required the use of prisoners in the running about to return there, needed to prepare of the camp so that, for instance, my own their alibis in preparation for life ina new office was administered with Prussian totalitarian environment. punctiliousness and severity by a Herr It is, of course, difficult to assess the Biehle and prisoners were even required effects of this kind of regime on German to scan the never-ending reports by PoWs. As a means of reconciliation, with CROWCASS (Central Registry of War already carefully selected Germans, it un­ Criminals and Security Suspects) to reveal doubtedly achieved some success. It any miscreants who might have slipped brought prisoners face-to-face with what through the vetting procedures. was, at the time, best in British life, politics Gabi Gershuny reads an extract from The interesting part of Wilton Park was, and culture, it tried to show how a demo­ Anne Frank's diary cratic state could function and what it of course, the Training Centre under the the evening: 'Having inspirational speak­ direction of Dr Heinz Koeppler, himself a could achieve, and it demonstrated that ers who have experienced unimaginable German-Jewish refugee, staffed by a group free expression and debate, and the liberty suffering, including Eva Schloss, step-sis­ of German-speaking university dons and of the individual, were essential to the ter of Anne Frank, giving a personal insight regularly visited and addressed by leading maintenance of a free society. fuelled my determination to teach others British politicians, academics and intellec­ For me personally, as a German refugee so we can ensure that such evil will never tuals. All PoWs had been graded black, grey in a British officer's uniform, it was an un­ recur' or white and the only prisoners consid­ expected, revealing and memorable Dr Stephen Smith, Chairman of the UK ered suitable for training were those in the experience. It certainly gave me a clearer Holocaust Memorial Trust and founder of white category, including many who even­ insight into the mentality of Germans who Beth Shalom, strongly urged us all to re­ tually rose to prominence in the Federal had followed Hitler so blindly. It has largely member those who resisted, those who Republic. The curriculum placed consid­ determined my attitude towards a new gen­ died, and those who survived - and, above erable emphasis on the study of Germany's eration of Germans who today try to practise all, to remember not to ignore words of development since Bismarck as seen from the principles which Wilton Park sought to hatred still being circulated around the a non-German point of view. It also con­ uphold, and it made me conscious of hav­ world. Truly a remarkable evening. tained detailed consideration of British ing played a small part in a worthwhile, if Brian Eisenberg institutions such as the electoral process, unusual, educational experiment. Yom Hashoah Committee the jury system, the accountability of the Eric Bourne Pinner Synagogue

II that while working as a grave digger, us the meaning of such terms as hedge funds, Sutcliffe, a schizophrenic, heard voices from leverage, sub-prime mortgages and God and went on to kill many women, mainly quantitative easing. We learned a lot. prostitutes. It's unlikely he will ever be Renate Selo released. Alfred Huberman Next meeting: 30 June. Social get-together Next meeting: 15 June. Professor Scarlett Epstein, 'Globalisation' South London outing to Wiener Ealing inaugural meeting Library Michael Newman gave us a comprehensive Edgware unable to solve world's A dozen of us visited the Wiener Library, one talk on the AJR and its functions and services. problems of the most extensive archives on the Holocaust We then exchanged views on various subjects, Ronald Channing kindly stepped in in place and the Nazi era. Perhaps the most poignant including the situation in Israel. An of BBC journalist Stewart Macintosh, who was moment was looking at an obscenely racist interesting and informative meeting. unable to attend. Under Ronald's expert guid­ children's storybook - one of our members Pauline Chernilovskaya ance, we had wide-ranging and interesting remembered being upset seeing it as a six- discussions on various subjects but sadly year-old in Berlin. Edith Jayne Cambridge talk by Professor could not solve all the world's problems. Richard Evans Edgar H. Ring North London: 'The Credit Crunch' An excellent attendance was privileged to Next meeting: 16 June. Shiriey Bilgora, 'The Thirty of us - almost a full house - were hear a fascinating account of a Hamburg Story of a Search' privileged to hear the Bank of England's Tim teacher's diaries given by Richard Evans, Pike on the credit crunch. It was most Professor of Modern History at Cambridge. illuminating to have an expert's view on such Involved in a mixed marriage, Luise Solnitz Cafe Imperial an intricate subject given the consequences evolved from an enthusiastic supporter of the worldwide. Herbert Haberberg A group of Veterans meets on a Tuesday Nazi regime to a disillusioned opponent when Next meeting: To be announced each month at the Cafe Imperial in Golders she suffered the same treatment as her Green Road, London NWl 1. TheAJR's Esther Jewish husband and their daughter Cleve Road: Return to Israel Rinkoff and Frank Berg, representing the Keith Lawson Australian Dunera Association, also attend, The AJR's Esther Rinkoff gave us an Next meeting: 11 June. Alan Bilgora, 'Jewish as does occasionally Dr Helen Fry, author of Opera Singers' The King's Most Loyal Enemy Aliens. For further information, please contact Esther Leeds HSFA: A journey to Romania Holocaust book wil Rinkoff at Head Office. and former Yugoslavia honour perished Frank Berg Ruth Baumberg gave us a most interesting account of a joumey to Romania and the former Yugoslavia. She illustrated her talk with beautiful photographs showing a wide variety Temple Fortune: The Jews in of subjects including rural scenes and splendid England architecture as well as subjects of Jewish Susannah Alexander gave us a very interest­ interest. We were highly impressed both by ing and informative talk on the history ofthe Mrs Baumberg's talk and her exceptional skill Jews of England, beginning with the Norman as a photographer Martin Kapel conquest in 1066. She will return at a later date to tell us about the Jews of England from 1881 onwards, when everything Agnes Isaacs, left, with Philip and Irene r changed. David Lang Mason, who helped produce a Holocaust Next meeting: 18 June. Radio presenter memorial book for the Scottish Associa­ Nicky Home tion of Jewish Refugees The Scottish Association of Jewish Refu­ Ealing: Pears soap gees has published a memorial book to We had a fine turnout at our second meeting, honour the memory of loved ones who per­ enhanced by Andrea Cameron's talk on the ished in the Holocaust. The book, which history of Pears soap, founded by Soho barber had its first public viewing at the recent Andrew Pears in the 18th century. This Yom Hashoah event in Giffnock Synagogue, quintessentially English soap, we heard, is now contains entries provided by survivors and manufactured In India! Esther Rinkoff their families commemorating family Liverpool meeting in front of Liverpool Next meeting: 2 June. Susannah Alexander, members who died in the Holocaust. It took Memorial Book display: pictured are 'The Jews of England' months of hard work and painstaking re­ Sonia Strong, Sabine Barton, Ruth search to complete. Contributions were Eisikovits, Kay Fyne and Tom Reti Welwyn Garden City: 'The Credit obtained from individuals living in Scot­ Crunch' land or with Scottish connections. HGS: Jewish opera singers The Bank of England's Tim Pike explained to Records of the names of several hun­ Alan Bilgora entertained us with anecdotes dred men, women and children, together and vintage recordings of famous Jewish with short stories and pictures, were col­ opera singers. A delightful morning. lected by volunteers Irene and Philip Mason Harriet Hodes from Edinburgh and Agnes Isaacs from Next meeting: 8 June. Update by Israel Glasgow. Similar books have been pro­ Embassy representative duced in other parts of the UK. Copies of these memorial books are held Weald of Kent: Safety in the in several libraries and museums including Community Yad Vashem, the Washington Holocaust Janet Weston kindly stepped in at the last Museum and the Imperial War Museum. minute when our invited local police officer The AJR memorial books are considered important historical records and invaluable was unable to attend. Janet, currently in Rolf Weinberg cuts the cake at a 90th sources for education. charge of a neighbourhood watch initiative, birthday celebration at Belsize Square The AJR has regular meetings in Glas­ gave us some extremely useful tips. Synagogue. Also pictured are Rolf's gow and Edinburgh for Holocaust Esther Rinkoff friend Ruth Young, a cousin from Israel, survivors and second generation relatives. Brighton and Hove Sarid: The a grandson from Spain, great-grand­ Anyone wishing to know about the AJR or Yorkshire Ripper children, and Rabbi and Mrs Mariner to purchase a copy of the book should con­ Sidney Levine, who was involved as a lawyer (in the background). Guests were en­ tact [email protected] tertained by Cantor Norman in the case of the Yorkshire Ripper, told us

12 AJRJOURNALJUNE 2009 imaginative talk about her return visit to They hold exhibitions, some of them in Paul Balint AJR Centre Israel after an absence of 35 years. Esther prisons, when they employ Holocaust has had a love of Israel since she was given survivors who speak about their own survival 15 Cleve Road, London NW6 the book Picture Stories from the Bible as a in prison conditions. Paul Samet Tel: 020 7328 0208 little girl. She and her husband Ray, who Next meeting: 4 June. Photographer Les Spitz hadn't been to Israel before, visited many of the Biblical sites pictured in the book, which Hendon: 'Nice Nazis' et al AJR LUNCHEON CLUB really brought them to life. David Lawson's unusually entitled talk 'Nice Wednesday 17 June 2009 Esther Rinkoff Nazis, Three Ambassadors, a Degenerate Next meeting: 30 June. 'The Pears Family Artist, a Brass Chanukiah and a Magic Doll' Clive Roslin Foundation' gave us extremely well researched insight from the BBC will talk about into life in Ostrava. Through David's research, Radlett: 'Women of the Bible' helped by many AJR members born in 'Misadventures of a Broadcaster' Alan Cohen told us that the aesthetic and Ostrava, there is an exhibition in the Prague Please be aware that members should not emotional impact of looking at pictures could Jewish Museum. Annette Saville automatically assume that they are on the be enhanced by simultaneously listening to Next meeting: 29 June. Bernice Krantz, Luncheon Club list. It is now necessary, on suitable music. He demonstrated this 'Holocaust Testimonials' receipt of your copy of the AJR Journal, to expertly showing pictures based on 'Women phone the Centre on 020 7328 0208 to book of the Bible', while playing appropriate ALSO MEETING IN JUNE your place. music. Fritz Starer Radlett, Temple Fortune, Welwyn Next meeting: 17 June. Eva Fernandes, 'The Groups 4 June. Outing to Hatfield House Last Jews of Kerala' KT-AJR Nottingham/East Midlands 16 June. llford feast for eyes and ears Kindertransport special Lunch and musical recital at home of interest group Alan Cohen gave us a feast for eyes and ears Schwienings with his presentation on Biblical heroines, Monday 1 June 2009 coupled with a wonderful choice of music. IVessex 16 June. Outing to Rhinefield Farwell Lunch for The paintings were well chosen and it was a House, New Forest, with Cream Tea lesson on our Biblical heritage too. Bertha Leverton Meta Roseneil Wembley 17 June. Social get together KINDLY NOTE THAT LUNCH Next meeting: 3 June. Suzanne Lewis of WILL BE SERVED AT Ben Uri Gallery Southern Region 23 June. Tea at home 1.00 PM ON MONDAYS of Edwina Curry. Details to be sent out Pinner: Anne Frank Trust Reservations required A well-attended meeting enjoyed a talk by Please telephone 020 7328 0208 Gillian Waine on the Anne Frank Trust, whose work is largely to help young people cope 'DROP IN' ADVICE SERVICE Monday, Wednesday & Thursday with problems of prejudice and racial hatred. 9.30 am - 3.30 pm Members requiring benefit advice please PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CENTRE telephone Linda Kasmir on 020 8385 3070 to IS CLOSED ON TUESDAYS make an appointment at AJR, Jubilee House, AJR GROUP CONTACTS June Afternoon Entertainment Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL Bradford Continental Friends Mon 1 KT LUNCH - Kards & Games Klub Lilly and Albert Waxman 01274 581189 Tue 2 CLOSED Brighton & Hove (Sussex Region) Wed 3 Lawrence Estry - Classical Piano Fausta Shelton 01273 734 648 Liverpool Thur 4 William Smith - Singer Bristol/Bath Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Mon 8 Kards & Games Klub Tue 9 CLOSED Kitty Balint-Kurti 0117 973 1150 Manchester Cambridge Werner Lachs 0161 773 4091 Wed 10 Francoise Geller Thur 11 BINGO Anne Bender 01223 276 999 Newcastle Mon 15 Kards & Games Klub Cardiff Walter Knoblauch 0191 2855339 Tue 16 CLOSED Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Norfolk (Norwich) Wed 17 LUNCHEON CLUB Cleve Road, AJR Centre Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Myrna Glass 020 8385 3077 Thur 18 Paul Coleman North London Mon 22 Kards & Games Klub Dundee Jenny Zundel 020 8882 4033 Tue 23 CLOSED Agnes Isaacs 0755 1968 593 Oxford Wed 24 Mark Rosen East Midlands (Nottingham) Susie Bates 01235 526 702 Thur 25 Jane Rosenberg Bob Norton 01159 212 494 Pinner (HA Postal District) Mon 29 Kards & Games Klub Edgware Vera Gellman 020 8866 4833 Tue 30 CLOSED Ruth Urban 020 8931 2542 Radlett Edinburgh Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 Frangoise Robertson 0131 337 3406 Sheffield Essex (Westcliff) Steve Mendelsson 0114 2630666 Hazel Beiny, Southem Groups Co-ordinator Larry Lisner 01702 300812 South London 020 8385 3070 Glasgow Lore Robinson 020 8670 7926 Myrna Glass, London South and Midlands Claire Singerman 0141 649 4620 Groups Co-ordinator South West Midlands (Worcester area) 020 8385 3077 Harrogate Myrna Glass 020 8385 3070 Susanne Green, Northern Groups Co-ordinator Inge Little 01423 886254 Surrey 0151 291 S734 Hendon Edmee Barta 01372 727 412 Susan Harrod, Groups' Administrator Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 Temple Fortune 020 8385 3070 Hertfordshire Esther Rinkoff 020 8385 3077 Hazel Beiny 020 8385 3070 Agnes Isaacs, Scotland and Newcastle Weald of Kent Co-ordinator HGS Max and Jane Dickson 0755 1968 593 Gerda Torrence 020 8883 9425 01892 541026 Esther Rinkoff, Southern Region Co-ordinator Hull Wembley 020 8385 3077 Susanne Green 0151 291 5734 Laura Levy 020 8904 5527 KT-AJR (Kindertransport) llford Wessex (Bournemouth) Andrea Goodmaker 020 8385 3070 Mark Goldfinger 01202 552 434 Meta Rosenell 020 8505 0063 Child Survivors Association-AJR Leeds HSFA West Midlands (Birmingham) Henri Obstfeld 020 8954 5298 Trude Silman 0113 2251628 Ernest Aris 0121 353 1437

13

.-*•> AJRJOURNALJUNE 2009

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS Deaths The AJR extends ^ HOLIDAY FOR ^ Guy Bishop, bom Gunter Brueg in Gera, its congratulations NORTHERN MEMBERS Germany on 9 April 1926, died in Danbury and best wishes to Sunday 12 luly 2009 - CT on 21 April 2009. He arrived in England Sunday 19 luly 2009 by Kindertransport in July 1939. A deco­ Sir Nicholas Winton rated WWII British Intelligence Major, he INN ON THE PROM participated in the capture of Heinrich on the occasion of his (formerly known as Himmler. Having emigrated to the United THE FERNLEA HOTEL) 100th birthday 11/17 South Promenade, St Annes States in 1952, he graduated from the Tel 01253 726 726 Columbia School of Journalism. His first The cost, including job was with Modem Plastics Magazine. Dinner. Bed and Breakfast. He went on to become VP at General Foam/ is £530 per person Tenneco, where he remained until open­ FIRST FLOOR RETIREMENT The hotel charges a supplement per ing his own business. Gifted artist, writer FLAT FOR SALE room for sea view or deluxe room and photographer. Survived by his beloved First floor retirement flat with lift. Book early to avoid disappointment wife of 49 years Lo Bishop, his adoring and Warden-assisted. Entryphone system Booking form - contact adored niece, nephew and great-nephew. Ruth Finestone on Predeceased by his sister Hannelore 1 fitted bedroom, lounge/dining room, V 020 8385 3070-07957 665468 X Silberberg and his brother Keith Bishop. fitted kitchen, modem bathroom/WC No one who met him will ever forget his Electric economy heating, residents' charm and wit. Living well was his best lounge, laundry room and games room revenge and his greatest pleasure. Communal gardens OO Margot Brauer/Cohen/Allan. Died New 99-year lease 26.4.09. Sadly missed by her husband Joe, PORTRAITS FOR POSTERITY daughters, son-in-law, grandchildren, In excellent condition great-grandchildren, family and friends. Near shops, synagogues, buses ARE YOU or do you and trains Hanna Bud (nee Loebl), bom Bamberg know a CAMP SURVIVOR? 27 October 1926, died London 25 April 2009. Asking price £150,000 Portraits for Posterity is building Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Please call Carol on a national portrait collection of sister and friend. 01923 857 822 or 0794 7694 844 Holocaust survivors in Britain. We are particularly keen to Martin Thau, died 1 March 2009. Deeply include Camp and Ghetto mourned by his loving daughter Deborah, Survivors living in all parts his family and his friends. OUTING TO BETH SHALOM of the country. HOLOCAUST MEMORL^L For more information contact: PAUL BALINT AFR CENTRE 020 8341 7086 Chiropodist Trevor Goldman at the Paul CENTRE www. portraitsf orposterity. com Balint AJR Centre Wednesday 10 June, LAXTON, NOTTS [email protected] 10-11.30 am Sunday 21 June 2009 Pamela Bloch Clothes sale, separates etc. £23 per person including coach fare, Thursday 11 June, 9.30-11.45 am entrance, vegetarian buffet lunch (^oUH^'^Home Care Coach will leave AJR offices in Care through quality and Merrion Avenue, Stanmore at 8.43 am SPRING GROVE professionalism (plenty of parking available in car park) y\_ RETIREMENT HOME Celebrating our 25th Anniversary 214 Finchley Road Booking essential 25 years of experience in providing the Please telephone 020 8385 3070 highest standards of care in the comfort London NWS of your own home London's Most Luxurious V/ 'EntEntertainment-Activitie s W .1Stres s Free Living LEO BAECK HOUSING • 24 House Staffing Excellent Cuisine ASSOCIATION • Full En-Suite Facilities Clara Nehab House Call for more information 13-19 Leeside Crescent or a personal tour London NWii 1 hour to 24 hours care 020 8446 2117 Registered through the National Care Standard Commission or 020 7794 4455 OUR ANNUAL Call our 24 hour tel 020 7794 9323 [email protected] GARDEN PARTY www.colvin-nurslng.co.uk AND OPEN DAY FillarCare will take place on ACACIA LODGE SUNDAY 7 JUNE 2009 Mrs Pringsheim, S.R.N. Matron Quality support and care at home For Elderly, Retired and Convalescent Hourly Care from 1 hour - 24 hours 2.30 - 5.00 pm (Licensed by Borough ot Barnel) Live-In/Ni^t Duty/Seepover Care Afternoon tea will be served ' Single and Double Rooms. Convalescent and Personal Health Care • Ensuite facilities, CH in all rooms. • Gardens, TV and reading rooms. Compassionate and Affordable Service • Nurse on duty 24 hours. Professional, Qualified, Kind Care Staff SWITCH ON ELECTRICS • Long and short term and respite, Registered with the CSCI and UKHCA including trial period If required. Rewires and all household Between £400 and £500 per week Call us on Freephone 0800 028 4645 electrical work 020 8445 1244/020 8446 2820 office hours PHONE PAUL: 020 8200 3518 020 8455 1335 other times Studio 1 Utopia Village 37-39 Torrington Park, North Finchley 7 Chalcot Road, NWl SLH Mobile: 0795 614 8566 London N12 9TB

14 AJRJOURNALJUNE 2009

OBITUARY 4iM ji^^mu'ri

Eric Kaufman, 1913-2009 Claims Conference Goodwill Fund y father was bom in Hampstead on 24 He lived through The Claims Conference has announced March 1913, his parents having moved turbulent times: the changes to the Goodwill Fund that could Mto London six years earlier. At the Weimar Republic and allow certain claimants the right to outbreak of the First World War, his father, the ensuing rise of receive reparations for properties they Leo, was intemed on the Isle of Man. In late Nazism. At the age of or their families owned in the former East 1917, the Quakers arranged an exchange with 17, he was apprenticed Germany. British civilian PoWs in Germany and my father in an accounts The Goodwill Fund was established and grandparents retumed to Germany. My department in the grain by the Claims Conference in 1994 to father was brought up in Dusseldorf. business, later make payments to entitled owners, and obtaining a transfer to a Netherlands branch, their lieirs, of properties in the former where his boss became an ardent Nazi. East Germany. It was set up following Yom Hashoah 2009 In 1933-34, displaying considerable fore­ the expiry of the German National March ofthe Living sight, the family retumed to London. Listening Restitution Law in 1992, enacted after to German radio in the 1930s in England, my I was invited, as an ex-Austrian survivor, to German unification in 1990. join 500 Austrian students commemorating father even heard his name mentioned as a trai­ The changes mean that if an Yom Hashoah. Since the first IVlarch ofthe tor to Germany. application is made after 31 March 2004 Living, in 1988, over 100,000 Jewish and In 1937 he met Gerda Philipp at the refugee (the previous deadline), which otherwise Christian youths from around the world club in Seymour Place, the 33 Club. They would have been eligible under the have marched the 3 km route from married five years later. Guidelines, it can be reviewed on a case- Auschwitz to Birkenau on this day. I Before the war, he worked in his by-case basis for inclusion in the understand that half of the expenses of father's pulse business in the City. During the Goodwill Fund provided it meets either the Austrian group were paid by the war, he became a fireman. In the Blitz, his unit of the following conditions: Austrian government, with the various failed to save his office in the City. He became a) The claim was submitted by an participating schools contributing the a full-time fire service administrator in Golders original owner of the property or spouse remainder Green and later in Pinner. of the original owner, or On our first night in Cracow, we heard After the war he carried on in the family b) The claim was submitted by a the story of a Polish woman, a Righteous pulse business. When his father died in 1962, child, grandchild or great-grandchild of Gentile, who had saved many Jews by he and his brother Jack took over until, having the original owner who can prove, hiding them on her farm. suffered a heart attack, he retired in 1987. through medical documentation, that On our second day in Cracow, we visited In retirement, he gradually became a carer they were unable for medical reasons to the remains of the Mordechai Tygner for my mother, particularly for the last ten years file an application in the period Synagogue and Oskar Schindler's enamel of her life until she passed away in 2003. immediately before the deadline of 31 factory. That evening, I told my story to Family was of the greatest importance to March 2004. the 150 Austrian students staying in our my father, who took great pride in my wife Following German unification in hotel. They asked so many questions about Susie and his grandchildren Oliver and Nicole, 1990, the German government my terrible experience at Auschwitz. whose careers he followed extremely closely, introduced a national restitution law. The The third day, at Auschwitz, I was one not to forget his littie great-granddaughter Ella. law entitled the former owners, and of 10,000 participants, who were carrying He had numerous interests. Every Thurs­ their heirs, of homes and businesses and the flags of many nations. I joined the day he went to town, touring Mayfair galleries other properties in the former Austrian group. As we entered Birkenau, and attending all the exhibitions; he was con­ Communist country to claim restitution. the names of the 1.5 million children who sulted by Sotheby's on German art. He was a At the expiry of the restitution law in perished in the Shoah were read out and voracious reader, regularly consuming 600-page 1992, the Claims Conference was six torches were lit in memory of the tomes, mainly on the Holocaust and German appointed the legal owner of all victims of the Holocaust. Following the history. He was also a regular visitor to the unclaimed properties formerly owned impressive ceremony the Austrian group theatre. Stamp-collecting and geneaology too by Jewish victims of the Holocaust in the gathered in the open and I told my story were among his interests. former East Germany. Acting in the guise to the 500 participants. He was the last ofthe letter-writers. Family of the Successor Organisation, the Freddie Knoller and friends were in regular receipt of closely Claims Conference then welcomed typed letters from his ancient typewriter. claims and arranged for individuals to In gratitude to US soldiers Having decided to research the history of recover properties. On Yom Hashoah I was contacted through his mother's family, the Flechtheims, he At the end of 1998, the Claims the AJR by the American base in believed he could trace them back to 1648. An Conference changed the rules of the Huntingdon and asked to speak about my exhibition in Dusseldorf marking the 50th Goodwill Fund. While continuing to experiences in the Holocaust to 200 sol­ anniversary ofthe death of his mother's cousin, assist claimants via the Successor diers. This I readily did. It was highly Alfi"ed Flechtheim, a leading art dealer, added Organisation, the Goodwill Fund entitled appreciated by the enraptured American to his interest. the Claims Conference to retain 20 per soldiers, who presented me with a cheque He led a fuU life for the last six years, looked cent of an award to successful claimants for £75 for the AJR Charitable Trust and a after by carer, friend and confidant Peter. At as an assessment for services. This gift for my wife Hettie. the age of 94, he took over his local neighbour­ portion of the compensation was used I later wrote to the soldiers expressing my hood watch. He loved community, local and by the Claims Conference to provide deep affection for the American forces, who, national alike. In his forties, he had been asked social and welfare programmes that besides miraculously liberating me from hell, to be the Liberal candidate in Pinner, but had support Holocaust survivors and had cared for me after the Holocaust in declined: he distmsted politicians. refugees worldwide. Germany until I had the opportunity to come He died from a heart attack, typically on his Written enquiries should be sent to to England. Without their love and care, I way to the theatre in the West End. Central Office for Holocaust Claims (UK), would have stan/ed. I added that I was still Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, My father was highly intelligent, tireless, in constant contact with Sgt Julius Abrams, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL, by fax to 020 funny and loyal. He will be sorely missed by one of those who had liberated me and was 8385 3075, or by email to all. He was a remarkable man. now 94years old. mnewman@ajr org. uk Andrew Kaufman Alec Ward Andrew Kaufman is the Chairman of the AJR Michael Newman

15 AJRJOURNALJUNE 2009

ARTS AND EVENTS DIARY LETTER FROM JUNE 20D9 ISRAEL Mon 1 No lecture (hall not available) Club 43 Thur 4 Professor Niall Ferguson (Harvard University), 'Siegmund Warburg: An Anglo-German-Jewish Life' At Wiener Library, 7.00 pm. Tel 020 7580 3493 (Centre ^nique treasure for German-Jewish Studies Lecture Series) f one is lucky enough to live in a town had been emptied by grave-robbers long Mon 8 Irene Lawford-Hinrichsen BA, FRSA, 'Travels with my Ancestors: Fifteen which is blessed with a unique before the garden was planted. No other Generations over 500 Years across a Ibotanical garden, one really ought to botanical garden can claim imique features Continent in Turmoil (Hinrichsen Family, visit it at least four times a year - once each such as these. Music Publishers, Owners of Peters season - and more than that, if possible. I The garden is divided into several sec­ Edition)'Club 43 must confess to having been very remiss tions by continent each with its own unique Tues 9 Prof Christopher R. Browning (Univ of North Carolina), 'Memories of Survival: in that respect, although recentiy I was able flowers, grasses, trees and shrubs. But for The Starachowitz Factory Slave Labour to remedy the situation to some extent. me the most stunning sight was the wind­ Camps' At Lecture Tlieatre 34, Birkbeck, My visit with a group of friends to the ing entrance path, its borders containing a Malet Street London WCl, 7.00 pm (Wiener University Botanical Garden in Jerusalem multi-coloured array of spring flowers. Library/Birkbeck Lecture Series) •was both an aesthetic and an intellectual What a delightful way to greet visitors as Tues 9 June to 19 July 'A Personal Journey' e3q)erience, and our eyes were opened by they make their way into the garden! This Retrospective exhibition of Holocaust art by Lucienne Pszenica Morrison At Etz the erudite explanations we were area, we were told, had been planted and Chayim Gallery, Northwood and Pinner privileged to receive from one of the cared for by a dedicated group of volim- Liberal Synagogue. Tel 01923 822 592 garden's foimders, Dr Michael Avishai. teers from Great Britain who come to Israel Mon 15 Robin Hanau BSc, 'A Scots- Although Israel is roughly the size of for several weeks each year as well as German-Jewish Family: Some Reflections' Wales it has no less than eight sets of raising funds for the garden at other times. Club 43 horticultural belts - different climatic In addition to the areas devoted to Thur 18 'War, Refugees and Testimony' Special seminar to mark 70th regions, each with its own typical plants different regions of the world, the garden anniversary of Wiener Library's arrival and trees. Jerusalem is situated in the contains a Bible Path, where the plants in London. Speakers include Prof Tony Mediterranean region but because of its mentioned in the Bible are to be foimd. Kushner, Dr Anthony Grenville, Dr Bea location over 500 meters above sea level, Another part of the garden is devoted to Lewkowicz. Seminar will be followed by official launch of AJR's audio-visual its climate sustains more than 1,000 medicinal plants and also serves as a focus project Refugee Voices. At Wiener varieties of plants. for research into their healing properties. Library, 2.30-6 pm and 7-8.30 pm The Botanical Garden, which was Since the garden is associated with the Thur 18 B'nai B'rith Jerusalem Lodge. Irene founded in 1962, extends over 30 acres Hebrew University and is adjacent to its Lawson, Travels with my Ancestors: Fifteen and now hosts more than 6,000 plants, Givat Ram campus, it provides a convenient Generations over 500 Years across a Continent in Turmoil'. Kenton Synagogue including those indigenous to Asia, laboratory for horticultural research. Hall, 8.15 pm Australia, Europe and the tropics. In the The garden also contains several lakes, Mon 22 AGM Club 43 tropical conservatory, which is somewhat a sfream and even a waterfall, though of Tues 23 Dr Arnold Paucker, 'Robert reminiscent of the one at Kew Gardens, course all the water is recycled. These Weltsch, the Enigmatic Zionist: His albeit on a smaller scale, one can encounter enable the plant life that is unique to wet Personality and Position in Jewish Politics' several different kinds of orchids as well as areas to thrive, widening the garden's plant At Centre for German-Jewish Studies, insect-eating plants growing amidst tiielus h repertoire still further, not to mention tiie Meeting Room Bl 27, 4.30 pm (tea 4 pm). Tel 01273 678 771 greenery of the tropical forest In another wide range of birds, botii indigenous and comer is a Roman-era columbarium (dove­ Thur 25 Chief Rabbi Paul Eisenberg, 'New migratory, that come to visit Life on the "Mazzes Island"? Jewish Life cote). The Romans used these birds as The purpose of the Botanical Garden is in Austria Post-1945' At Lecture Theatre sacrifices to their gods, as messengers, and summed up in its motto 'Science, 34, Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1, as a delicacy on their tables. The recreation, conservation'. In endeavouring 6.30 pm (Wiener Library and Austrian Embassy Lecture and Discussion Series) columbarium, which was built into the to fulfil those functions it also seeks to limestone rock, was discovered when the educate Israelis, whetiier adults or children, Mon 29 Dr Anthony Grenville (Consulting Editor, AJRJournal), 'Herbert Sulzbach and conservatory was being constructed and to appreciate the manifold beauties of the Re-education of German Prisoners of duly incorporated within it In another part nature, to tend the plants, and to value yet War'Club 43 of the Botanical Garden there are natural another of Jerusalem's imique freasures. Club 43 Meetings at Belsize Square caves which were once used for burial but Dorothea Shefer-Vanson Synagogue, 7.45 pm. Tel Hans Seelig on 01442254360

Published by the Association of Jewish Refugees in Great Britain, Jubilee House, Merrion Avenue, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4RL Telephone 020 8385 3070 Fax 020 8385 3080 [email protected] Websitewvvw.ajr.org.uk

16