AJ R Information Volume XLVIII No. 10 October 1993 £3 (to non-members) Don't miss ... Defining our Identity President Berta Are Jewish and Israeli Greetings p8 Word Spiel pi6 synonymous? Israel- PLO fter the Israeli bombardment that killed over a one really envisage a situation in which Israel will not accord hundred Lebanese a reader wrote to the be referred to as the 'Jewish State' by the rest of the Thoughts AIndependent that she was ashamed to be world? Thirdly: why is it that so-called hyphenated Jewish. Her cri de coeur prompted a co-religionist to sections of the USA population include Irish-Ameri­ s late as write that distinction must be drawn between Jews cans, Polish-Americans etc., but no English-Ameri­ August it and Israelis. cans? Answer: the English were the original (white) Awould have This exchange raises several questions which admit of Americans. Their Englishness notwithstanding, the taken a brave man no easy, clear answers. Also one must bear in mind Pilgrim Fathers, however, had deliberately cut their indeed to hazard a that 93% of the Israeli public approved of Rabin's Hnks with King James's England. The Jewish Pioneers forecast about the action - a far larger proportion than supported the in Palestine had Ukewise deliberately cut all links with September signing invasion of Lebanon eleven years ago. Do we deduce Czarist Russia - but not with the Jews of the Pale, on the White from this that 9 out of 10 Israelis lack common who they hoped would one day follow them. To this House Lawn. How humanity? Can Jewish readers of The Independent day Israel sees itself as the potential home of all the much braver are stand above the battle — as cynics would say — becauseJew s in the world — though in reality it would be Rabin and Perez — they live here rather than in Kiryat Sh'mona? Drawing impossible for the State to accommodate nine million and even Arafat - a clear-cut distinction between Jews and Israelis immigrants. Not that the need seems likely to arise as in their endeavours resembles attempts at squaring the circle. At the far as North America and Western Europe - home to to reverse a blood- simplest level there is the persistence of prayer; the two-thirds of Diaspora Jewry - are concerned. But suffused tide that majority of Jews worldwide intone 'Next Year in that still leaves a number of larger or smaller Jewish has been flowing Jerusalem' at each Passover. communities for whom Israel may turn out to be an for close on a Then there is the degree to which one's self- indispensible haven. Russia still teems with bigots century. We must perception is shaped by the perception of others. Can who blame the Jews for everything from the murder of all pray — and, in the Romanovs to the supremacy of the dollar; the our limited way, Ukraine is gripped by Demjanjuk fever; scapegoats act — that another are in demand across Eastern Europe; South Africa Middle East faces ethnic turmoil. miracle on a par If things take a drastic turn for the worse in those with the creation countries, or in volatile South America, even Jews of Israel in 1948 hitherto reluctant to leave will faute de mieux have to becomes reality. go to Israel. That miracle is peace - shalom — Following this line of reasoning we arrive at a two- which all Israehs track approach to Jewish identity. One track have invoked daily accommodates us who, living where we do, can afford throughout their to draw a distinction between ourselves and Israel. war-shadowed The other will comprise fellow Jews inhabiting lives, n unstable countries they might have to flee for the safe haven of Israel. Such an attitude is manifestly untenable. Even though the question 'Who is a Jew' Notice has not been conclusively settled, Jewry can be Part 14 of Ralph described without recourse to religious or ethnic Blumenau's criteria as a community of fate. And fate has decreed History series will that Israel, whose democratic framework still stands despite the battering of five wars in as many decades, appear in the The Avenue of the Sphinxes at Liaor Temple. (See Wayfarer in November issue. Pharaohland p. 3.) is integral to Jewish self-perception. D AJR INFORMATION OCTOBER 1993 ACJR Sth AGM Profile The Association of Children of Jewish Refugees (ACJR) will be holding its Sth Annual General Meeting at 7.30 p.m. on President Berta For the next four years she taught at the Saturday, 16 October at the Mapam Jewish school in Hamburg Carolinen premises, 37 Broadhurst Gardens, London Sadly, Berta Sterly passed atvay shortly Strasse. It was through this job that she was, NW6. The ACJR is a thriving, energetic after this profile ivent to press. It tvas subsequently, to find her way to Britain. group whose membership is constantly decided that it should stand as a tribute to Some of Berta's former students went to growing. Enquiries about the AGM, or the her and her life's tvork. boarding school in Kent. One of their ACJR in general, should be addressed to parents, whilst on a visit, suggested to the Box No. 1250 at the AJR offices from where Headmistress that she employ Berta as a it will be forwarded. D Domestic Science teacher. The Headmis­ tress agreed and, in 1938, Berta took up her new position. Luckily, her parents also Friends of Akim Concert managed to gain entry permits via the Since our own concert, planned for 17 Liberal Synagogue in St John's Wood and October, is unfortunately not taking place came to London in 1939. members may wish instead to attend the Berta taught in Kent until 1942, when she Musical Evening of the Friends of Akim moved to London and took up a position as which will take place on Sunday, 24 a cutter in Great Tichfield Street, at the October 1993 at the Theatre of University heart of the West End garment district. College School, Frognal, London NW3. Unfortunately, her mother died soon after­ A champagne reception will be held at wards so Berta moved to her father's home 6.30 p.m., rhe concert starts at 7.15 p.m. in Hampstead Garden Suburb and opened a Akim (The Israel Association for the Habi­ dressmaking workshop. Before long she tation of the Mentally Handicapped) is the Berta Sterly. I'hoto: Newman. was recommended to the Headmaster of the Israeli equivalent of our Royal Society for Hampstead Garden Suburb Institute and the Mentally Handicapped (Mencap). The very Monday night for the last 50 for the next 21 years taught classes in design proceeds of the concert will go towards years a group of people of refugee and dressmaking. background have joined together to supporting this worthy Israeli charity. E Helmut and Berta married in 1948 and listen to lectures and talks and discuss the The Programme includes performances were together for 31 years until Helmut's issues of the day with friends who share a by the British Tuba Quartet, Rhonda Kess, death in 1979. similar perspective on world events. They playing Mozart's piano sonata in F (K332), When Berta became President ofthe 1943 call themselves the 1943 Club. and a selection of songs by soprano Con­ Club it had around a hundred members. The Sterlys, Berta (nee Wagener) and stance Novice. Now numbers have dwindled to just over Helmut, joined the club in 1950, when Tickets, calling for a minimum donation 40. However, it is still a demanding Hans Jaeger was its Chairman. Berta of £12.50, can be obtained from Mr W. position. Until recently Berta would recruit became the club Secretary soon afterwards. Raychbart, Friends of Akim, 32 Raffles speakers by personally attending talks, Mr Jaeger died in 1975 and Dr Irving House, Brampton Grove, London lectures and other events all over London Zeligmann stepped into the breach as Hon. NW4 4AH. Telephone: 081-202 4022. D and approaching those whom she con­ Secretary. When he died in 1979 the sidered of interest to address the 1943 Club. members elected Mrs Sterly as the club's Nowadays she is becoming a little restricted President. She has held this position ever in her movements and so recruits speakers since. by word of mouth, on the recommendation PARTNER Berta Sterly was born in Hamburg, where of people she trusts. As can be seen by her father owned a printing shop. After glancing at the 1943 Club's calendar of In long established English Solicitors leaving school she trained as a social events, which appears regularly in AJR (bi-lingual German) would be happy worker. It seemed like a natural progression Information, she is still doing a fine job. to assist clients with English, German when, during the 1920s, she became a n M.N. and Austrian problems. Contact policewoman. In this period she gained a great deal of personal experience and came Henry Ebner into contact with the seamier side of life. 'It was often interesting', she says of this time, HILARY'S AGENCY Specialists in Long and Short-Term at 'but rarely pleasant'. However, the police Live-in Care force at that time offered little scope for Myers Ebner & Deaner RESPITE AND EMERGENCY CARE someone with an educational bent, so she CARE FOR THE ELDERLY 103 Shepherds Bush Road HOUSEKEEPERS left to continue her education, taking a London W6 7LP RECUPERATION CARE degree in Education and Textile Technology MATERNITY NURSES NANNIES AND MOTHER'S HELPS Telephone 071 602 4631 at Hamburg University in 1934. (Although EMERGENCY MOTHERS she was officially barred from higher educa­ Caring and Experienced Staff Available ALL LEGAL WORK UNDERTAKEN tion by Nazi legislation her tutor.