Continental Friends

There follow reports from recent get-togethers.

For information about meetings email Susan Harrod - susan@ajr.org.uk

Northern Groups

Bradford Continental Friends

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

Annual lunch in Bradford
Now an annual event, the lunch arranged by Susanne Green took place at Salts Mill Gallery in Shipley. The event was well attended and included three new members, two of them daughters of a lady who had come to England on the Kindertransport. A most interesting discussion and the lunch was enjoyed by all.

Broughton/Crumpsall Continental Friends

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

Cheshire Continental Friends

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

Didsbury Continental Friends

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

Edinburgh

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

Not exactly as intended
It was intended to be a Viennese musical occasion but it turned out quite different. Everyone spoke at once, exchanging information - even straying into match-making territory. But we enjoyed every minute of it. We did look through the Memorial Book in search of families from Debrecen. Thanks again to Francoise for being our hostess and providing the scrumptious sandwiches and cakes.

Glasgow

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

Chanukah Party a great success
Entertainment provided by Irene Conway was hugely enjoyed. The raffle, which proved most popular, was followed by a scrumptious tea - with latkes of course.

Harrogate

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

A wonderful afternoon in each other’s company
Guided by Susanne Green, we spent a wonderful afternoon in each other’s company. Eugene told us about his visits around the country attending Holocaust Memorial Day services and acting as speaker. Rosl reported on a service at the Central Methodist Hall in York. In addition, we recalled our first meeting in Harrogate over seven years ago.

Hull

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

A matter of pot luck
Our meeting was especially lively as we spoke about our experiences when we arrived in the UK. As expected, each story was different – it was a matter of pot luck with whom you went to live. Many people were wonderful, others less so, and some were cruel and heartless. Some lacked the comprehension of what these young people had gone through.

Leeds

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

Excellent tea and entertainment at Yorkshire Chanukah Party
The excellent entertainment provided by David Apfel was followed by a sumptuous tea. Ruth Rogoff narrated the story of Chanukah, after which we lit candles and sang Maor Tsur. Members from Bradford, Halifax, Harrogate, Leeds, Sheffield and York thoroughly enjoyed meeting each other.

Leeds (Continental Friends)

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

Leeds CF discussion
At this large and lively meeting, Susanne Green led a discussion on ‘Who Helped Us to Be Where we are Today?’ All the talking led to numerous cups of tea and cake being served and everybody went home looking forward to meeting again on 9 December for our annual Yorkshire Pre-Chanukah Party.

Liverpool

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

Liverpool Pre-Chanukah Get-together
Liverpool Schools Parliament co-ordinator Jeff Dunn told our Get-together (including members from Kendal, Preston, Runcorn, St Annes and The Wirral) about the HMD event for schools to be held at Liverpool Town Hall. We were also entertained by Jim Hutton (violin) and Steve Mann (cello and keyboard), both of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Susanne confirmed that the second edition of the Liverpool Holocaust Memorial Book, complete with the film ‘Never Forget’: Merseyside Holocaust Survivors – Their Memories, had been distributed to local secondary schools.

Manchester (Continental Friends)

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

A family affair
Our Chanukah Social saw a full house of members and friends enjoying once again a most congenial afternoon. Entertainment was provided by Abby Lynn, a talented soprano who delighted us with a range of songs from the shows. Abby is the granddaughter of one of our most esteemed members, so it was also a family affair. Thanks are due to the many members who helped serve the refreshments, again of a high standard.

Newcastle

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

Great entertainment and a sumptuous tea
Around 30 people came to our Chanukah Party, some attending for the first time. Entertainment was provided by Anne and John Havis, who sang songs from popular shows. Following a sumptuous tea, prepared by volunteers, Kurt Schapira gave Anne and John a vote of thanks. A most enjoyable afternoon’s entertainment.

Northern Region Groups

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

Northern Groups and Leeds HSFA joint event
The annual joint event of AJR Northern Groups and Leeds HSFA, held in Salford, began with two brief introductory talks, following which participants divided into groups for discussions on 'Early Life in Britain and What People Have Done since Arriving in the UK', 'Claims', and 'Through the Eyes of the Second Generation'. There followed a break for lunch and a talk by John Minnion entitled 'Hitler's List' - brief accounts, illustrated by cartoons, of eminent people stigmatised by the Nazis as persons of inferior race and compelled to leave Germany. The afternoon was again taken up with discussion groups, on 'Revisiting One's Country of Origin', 'Jewish Influence on European Culture' and 'Heritage, Origins, Genealogy, Roots'. All participants then reassembled for brief reports by the discussion group facilitators. A tea marked the end of a successful occasion.

Sheffield

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk

A riveting talk on Holocaust fiction
Nineteen CFs from two generations, meeting at the home of Peter and Marion Maitlis, heard a riveting talk by Professor Sue Vice from Sheffield University Holocaust Fiction and Testimony, Sue explained the pros and cons of fiction in general and Holocaust fiction in particular. Susanne updated us on future plans and we enjoyed an exceptionally lavish tea and the customary exchange of news.

Whitefield/Prestwich Continental Friends

for further information, contact susanne@ajr.org.uk