Continental Friends
There follow reports from recent get-togethers.For information about meetings email Susan Harrod - susan@ajr.org.uk
Southern Groups
AJR Book Club
for further information, contact esther@ajr.org.uk
A Fabulous EventWe had an extremely animated discussion about the last book, Maria Duenas's The Seamstress. Most decided it was excellent and all agreed it would make a brilliant film. We decided to choose three different books on this occasion: Landscapes of Memory by Ruth Kluger, The Innocents by Francesca Segal, and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachael Joyce. So, if anyone decides to join us for the next meeting, please make your own choice.
Birmingham (West Midlands)
for further information, contact esther@ajr.org.uk
A Feast of Musical DelightMozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in D minor and Double Concerto for Violin and Piano, culminating in Josef Suk’s Serenade for Strings - a feast of musical delight performed magnificently by the Orchestra of the Swan. Thank you, Eva, for organising such a special afternoon!
Brighton and Hove (Sarid)
for further information, contact esther@ajr.org.uk
General Orde WingateGodfrey Gould spoke to us about General Orde Wingate, posted to Palestine in 1936 as an intelligence officer. At a dinner with Chaim Weizmann, Moshe Dayan, David Ben-Gurion and others, he committed himself to train kibbutz farmers as soldiers.
Bristol and Bath
for further information, contact myrna@ajr.org.uk
An Educational and Moving ExperienceHosted by Bristol and West congregation, we watched the film Watermarks, about the Viennese Hakoah women swimming team of the 1930s and their present-day lives. An educational and moving experience.
Bromley Continental Friends
for further information, contact hazel@ajr.org.uk
Discussions on Diverse SubjectsOur first meeting of the year was at the new home of Liane Segal. Hazel led discussions on subjects as diverse as modern literature and AJR events. Personal histories shared included reminiscences of working days spent in haute couture, nursing, further education, hairdressing, and much more.
Cambridge
for further information, contact hazel@ajr.org.uk
The Joseph Nathan StoryDavid Barnett gave us a wonderful talk on the success of Joseph Nathan and his family, culminating in the formation of the GlaxoSmithKline pharmaceutical group. He gave us an insight into Jewish life in the 19th century, coupled with Nathan’s initial business exploits in New Zealand. We were delighted to welcome two new members, Sara Kirby and James Foreman.
Cardiff
for further information, contact myrna@ajr.org.uk
Clueless Honest BeingsDavid Wass’s talk about shoplifting was enthralling. Much interaction made it hilarious. David gave out ‘tools of the trade’ such as a sieve, a penknife, an elastic band and a shopping bag and asked us how we would use them to steal. We honest beings didn't have a clue.
Child Survivors Association
for further information, contact susan@ajr.org.uk
'Why is Hebrew Written Backwards?'Dr Martin Stern answered the question ‘Why do you write Hebrew backwards?’ and was assisted by members of the audience. Diversions led also to the roots of a number of English-language words - neither Latin nor Greek but Phoenician/Hebrew. Dorothy’s cakes were a delight for the palate.
Ealing
for further information, contact esther@ajr.org.uk
Boys Town JerusalemLaurence Stein gave an inspirational account of Boys Town Jerusalem, founded in 1948 to house and educate war orphans but now catering for Jewish boys from a disadvantaged background from around the world.
Edgware
for further information, contact hazel@ajr.org.uk
The Unknown Story of PenicillinProf Michael Spiro spoke about the five main people who contributed to the discovery of penicillin: Alexander Fleming, Cecil Paine, Howard Florey, Ernst Chain (a German-Jewish refugee) and Norman Heatley. Fleming, he said, was by no means the principal person involved.
Essex
for further information, contact esther@ajr.org.uk
Long Live the Library!Sharon Wheeler, Strategy and Planning Manager at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, spoke about recent consultations regarding the Library Service. We were all delighted to hear that this September will see the newly refurbished main Library, renamed The Forum, with a proposed outdoor flat screen to enable films and sporting events to be shown. Long live the Library!
Hampstead Garden Suburb
for further information, contact hazel@ajr.org.uk
Unusual Topic for the AJRNaomi Angell gave us an insight into her life before she became an adoption lawyer and the many causes she has fought along the way. A most unusual topic for the AJR but everyone in the room had a story or an opinion.
Ilford
for further information, contact myrna@ajr.org.uk
The Legacy of Ludwig GuttmannWheelPower volunteers Joyce and John Sheard spoke about the help given to disabled people at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, all of which started with German-Jewish refugee Ludwig Guttmann. A very uplifting morning for us all.
Imperial Cafe War Veterans
for further information, contact esther@ajr.org.uk
Why No Royal Army?Lively discussions on the first sunny day in a long, long time. Bill Howard said his Arctic Star medal was winging its way to him by the Royal Mail. Which led to the question: Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Royal Marines - but no Royal Army?
Kent
for further information, contact esther@ajr.org.uk
Inspirational FilmWe watched an inspirational film of Alice Herz-Sommer, a Czech Jew, survivor of Theresienstadt and noted pianist. Aged 98 at the time of the recording, she still played the piano for 2.5 hours per day, declaring that music feeds the soul and helped her survive. We then talked about what Alice’s story meant for us.
Kingston Continental Friends
for further information, contact hazel@ajr.org.uk
The First Real Day of SpringMarch 5, the first real day of Spring, enabled those who had gathered at Susan’s house to enjoy the sunshine in her garden and appreciate her incomparable hospitality and baking skills in her spacious reception area.
Marlow Continental Friends
for further information, contact hazel@ajr.org.uk
Enthusiastic TravellersAssembling at Alan’s lovely house in Marlow, we - enthusiastic travellers all of us - exchanged recollections of our visits to Europe, the Far East, Australia and New Zealand. If anyone lives in the Marlow catchment area and would like to join, please get in touch with Hazel.
North London
for further information, contact myrna@ajr.org.uk
Middle East UpdateDaniel Bacarl of the Israeli Embassy came to talk to us about the recent Israeli elections. Given the state of the parties it was impossible to forecast the make=up of the new government. This obviously will take may weeks of negotiation. With Daniels’s graphs and programme we did get some idea of the various personalities involved. In all we also had a reasonably good turn-out.
North West London (Hendon and Temple Fortune merged)
for further information, contact esther@ajr.org.uk
‘The Way to Get Fit’The combined groups of Hendon and Alyth Gardens met at Hendon Reform Synagogue, where, sitting on our comfortable chairs, we were instructed by Ruth Berman in the Extend Exercises – ‘the way to get fit’. We stretched/bent and wriggled our fingers, arms, legs and necks to music, which was enjoyable and would do us a lot of good if only we did this regularly! A very successful meeting.
Norwich (Norfolk)
for further information, contact myrna@ajr.org.uk
Shining a Light on the AJR’s FundingNine of us were present and correct for our lunchtime meeting, goodies courtesy of Myrna. Best of all, one of our guests was AJR Finance Director David Kaye, who shone a light on the Claims Conference and other funds which enable the AJR to extend its helping hand.
Nottingham (East Midlands)
for further information, contact esther@ajr.org.uk
Mingling and SocialisingThere were 21 members for lunch and the usual mingling and socialising. Unfortunately over the years a few members have found it more difficult to come. Some sadly have passed away and we miss them. Ruth David couldn’t attend - she was receiving the Order of Merit at the German Embassy (see page 11); we are all proud of her. As always, we were delighted to see Esther, a spark of sunshine, who brings us news of the great metropolis.
Oxford
for further information, contact myrna@ajr.org.uk
Jewish Mother, Nazi FatherAngela Schluter presented her family’s story in her talk ‘Jewish Mother, Nazi Father’ to an interested audience.
Pinner
for further information, contact esther@ajr.org.uk
Spreading Knowledge of the HolocaustDame Helen Hyde DBE gave an account of the hardships suffered by members of her family under the Nazis. This had strengthened her resolve to teach about the Holocaust not only at Watford Grammar School for Girls, where she is Headmistress, but also to spread the knowledge to the wider community.
Radlett
for further information, contact esther@ajr.org.uk
Optimism for UK’s Financial FutureOur speaker, Tim Pike from the Bank of England, regarded our present economic set-up as the best available but admitted some of its failings. He nevertheless expressed guarded optimism for future developments.
St John's Wood
for further information, contact hazel@ajr.org.uk
The Inspirational Story of Rebecca SieffWIZO Honorary Life President Gina Monty told us the inspirational story of Rebecca Sieff (née Marks), a founder member of WIZO and daughter of Michael Marks, creator of M&S. WIZO now has over 800 ongoing projects in Israel.
Surrey
for further information, contact myrna@ajr.org.uk
Old Friends and New FacesOnce again we met at Edmee’s home, our first meeting of the year, enjoying the usual high level of hospitality. It was so nice to see old friends and one or two new faces. The wide-ranging conversations were such that members seemed reluctant to leave Edmee’s house, even early into the afternoon.
Welwyn Garden City
for further information, contact hazel@ajr.org.uk
From Single to Married WomanWe had a debate on the derivation of the word 'scheitel'. A phone call to my daughter-in-law in LA and a call by her to a rabbi's wife in New Jersey revealed that the word means ‘separation’ in German - that from a single woman to a married woman. The afternoon continued with a delightful discussion on many subjects.
Wembley
for further information, contact myrna@ajr.org.uk
New Places and New FriendsWe listened to an excellent report from a member who had joined those on the recent annual trip to London - a chance to see new places and make new friends. Myrna Glass then gave us very welcome news of forthcoming events and a delicious tea was served.
Wessex (Bournemouth)
for further information, contact myrna@ajr.org.uk
Light-hearted Quiz and Sumptuous TeaOver 30 members and guests gathered in Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation Communal Hall. Myrna welcomed everyone and began the afternoon with a light-hearted quiz, following which we had a sumptuous tea including latkes and doughnuts. Candles were lit by Walter Kammerling and we concluded with the singing of Ma’oz Tsur.