Oberschulrat Dr.HŸbner paid a memorable visit, as inspector of High Schools, to the Dr.Leonore Goldschmidt school . [1] , He visited the author's class room accompanied by Dr.Leonore Goldschmidt, as headmistress. To test the grammatical knowledge of the class, he asked them to parse the following sentence for its 'subject': "Freude dieser Stadt bedeute, Friede sei ihr erst Geläute." (Joy to this Town means, Peace be its first Peal.) These are the last lines in Schiller's poem "Die Glocke" (The bell). It was not easy and the class became very confused, someone said Freude, a very shy and quiet boy at the back said Friede, but neither the inspector nor Lore Goldschmidt heard him, and in the ensuing chaos someone said Geläute. Lore looked horrified, thinking the inspector will never grant the Abitur to her school, but he just smiled and explained that it was Friede (peace). Was it a prophetic choice? Shortly thereafter, on the 4th of February 1938, The Staatspräsident of the Capital, Berlin, Department of Higher Education, wrote, [2] quote in translation: "In reply to your application of 18th August 1937, I certify that, in the meaning of article 147, para.1 of the Reich-Constitution, your Private School has been recognised as a substitute for a public school and in this respect has been granted authorisation by the State. As directed, signed by Dr.BŸren." The school could begin to prepare students for the Abitur.
On the 16th of February 1938, I was 14 years old. I got permission to hold a fancy dress party in the school. The whole basement was turned into a "Ghost Train", the rider, sitting in a wicker basket chair on wheels, was pushed at maximum speed through various routes with spooks popping out from all sides. It was a great party and just like the 50th birthday party for my father, it turned out to be the last happy celebration in Germany. For 3 weeks later, Germany invaded Austria. The brutality that the Jews of Vienna had to endure left a deep, incomprehensible mark of horror and foreboding on all Jewish people, especially in Germany. As a result, even Ernst Goldschmidt realised that emigration was the only option. Like many Rhineland Jews, whose ancestors had arrived in the Rhineland with the Romans, several hundred years before any of the present "Germanic" tribes had settled there, he considered himself a German and had a deep affection for his country. His father had fought in the Franco-Prussian War and he had fought for Germany in the World War. He loved German music and many other German cultural activities. But he, like many others, came to the conclusion that he did not want to be associated with a nation that was displaying such bestiality. Lore, very aware of the many emotional problems associated with emigration, had a vision. Perhaps, moving the Dr.Leonore Goldschmidt Schule as an entity to another country would be less traumatic. England was the obvious choice as she had made so many successful contacts but visa restrictions were severe. The USA was a possibility because several months earlier she had met Dr.Theodore Huebener, Assistant Director of Foreign Languages for the Board of Education of the City of New York. While visiting a number of State High Schools in Berlin, including the Franzšsische Gymnasium, Huebener learnt that his old acquaintance, Dr.Kurt Levinstein, was no longer teaching there. He traced him to the Goldschmidt Schule [3] and met Lore Goldschmidt. An immediate friendship was formed. Her other contact in the USA was Dr.Raymond Goldschmidt. [4] Though young, he was an internationally renowned economist working for the US Government in Washington and a very influential person. She decided to further investigate the idea of moving to the USA. On the 30th of March, 1938, Lore received a letter from Prof.Dr. HŸbner stating that the Minister had granted an extension for the Cambridge University Examination Centre to be located at her school until the 31st of March 1939, but added that, during the year, new regulations would be introduced. [5] Lore, aware that this sentence might imply that jealousy from other Jewish schools had not diminished, made further inquiries. She learnt that some Jewish schools were demanding the establishment of a neutral examination centre. She was especially upset to learn that the Reichsvertretung der Juden in Deutschland (the representative body of Jews in Germany) was implicated. Die Reichsvertretung had been founded in September 1933 [6] to be the representative body of the Jewish population of Germany. Leo Baeck was its spiritual leader and Dr.Otto Hirsch, a lawyer from WŸrtenberg, was entrusted with its executive direction. Although he had no teaching qualifications, one of his aims had been the establishment of a Jewish school system, which in fact, had not eventuated. Lore contacted Dr.Otto Hirsch and arranged a meeting, date unknown. Subsequently she received the following letter, published in full as the wording reveals much antagonism : [7]
REICHSVERTRETUNG DER JUDEN IN DEUTSCHLAND
Berlin- Charlottenburg 2/Kantstrasse 158/Sammelnummer 91 91 41
Bitte bei der Antwort angeben
Unser Zeichen:Abt.Dr.H/Hi Den 16.Mai 1938
Frau Dr.Leonore Goldschmidt
Berlin-Wilmersdorf, Hohenzollerndamm 110
Sehr geehrte gnädige Frau,
im Anschluss an unsere persšnliche Unterredung be-
stätigen wir Ihnen gern, dass die von Ihnen in Berlin ins
Leben gerufene hšhere jŸdische Schule allein schon durch
Ihre grosse SchŸlerzahl, die nun 600 Ÿberschritten hat, innerhalbdes
jŸdischen Schulwesens Berlin von erheblicher Bedeutung ist.
Mit RŸcksicht auf die Geldsammlung,
die das American Joint Distribution Committee in den
Vereinigten Staaten fŸr dasgesamte soziale Hilfswerk der Juden
in Deutschland ständigdurchfŸhrt, mŸssen wir Sie aber,
wie ich schon mŸndlichgetan habe, bitten, von einer Sondersammlung
irgendwelcher Artin den Vereinigten Staaten Abstand
nehmen zu wollen.Indem ich Ihnen gute Reise und glŸckliche
RŸckkehrwŸnsche, bleibe ich
mit dem Ausdruck der vorzŸglichsten
Hochachtung
Ihr sehr ergebener(Dr. Otto Hirsch)
Translation of the above letter by the author:-
Dear Madam,
In connection with our private discussion, we will gladly acknowledge that the Jewish High School that you have created in Berlin, alone in consideration of the large number of students, more than 600, is of considerable importance. With regard to the funds that the American Joint Distribution Committee in the United States regularly collects to assist with all the social work needed by Jews in Germany, we must ask you, as we have done during the discussion, to desist from any special fund raising in the United States. Wishing you a good journey and happy return,
I remain
With expression of highest esteem
Faithfully yours
Signed (Hirsch)
Lore, concerned that nothing had been achieved during their meeting to resolve the stand-off between her and Otto Hirsch, addressed a six page letter to the Reichsminister [8] which explained in detail the requirements expected by Cambridge University from examination centres both in England and overseas. She reminded the Minister that it had taken much work and expense, including journeys to England, for her school to gain recognition by Cambridge University. Other institutions had done none of this work, had none of the resource material nor the required staff of English teachers. She went on to suggest that other schools should adopt a positive attitude by preparing students differently, namely, by teaching Romance languages or by taking up the offer, which she had recently received from Otto May of the Gesellschaft der Freunde der Hebräischen Universität, Jerusalem (Society of friends of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem), informing her that the British Mandate Government had relaxed some immigration restrictions and would admit all students who had obtained the Abitur to study in Jerusalem [9] . The offer was open until the 30th of September 1938. She was particularly annoyed by the interference of the Reichsvertretung der Juden in Deutschland (National Deputy of Jews in Germany) which had offered no leadership. She ended her letter stating that she had been making great efforts to place her students into further education in England and was extending these efforts to the USA. In the first week of May, 1938, an application for permission to travel to the USA was submitted to Oberschulrat Dr. HŸbner in the Stadtpräsident's office. It was forwarded up by Gräfer, raising no objections, [10] to the Reichsminister's office. On the 13th of May, Gräfer wrote a second handwritten private letter to Freysoldt in the Reichsminister's office to help speed up permission. He, in turn, forwarded it to Dr.Klamroth with added comment, that he knew that Dr.Goldschmidt was in touch with the Protestant Committee for German Refugees in New York. [11] On the 4th of June, Dr.Klamroth, Freysoldt and Gräfer requested that the Minister agree to a journey, lasting 4 weeks, unless there existed political or other reasons against granting permission. [12] .
On the 7th of June, Ernst and Leonore left Berlin for the USA with the good wishes from all members of the Goldschmidt Schule. The ultimate aim was to find a way to move the school to the USA, a difficult task because severe immigration restrictions had to be overcome and, of course, lack of money. It was a long journey. The boat train, Berlin/Bremerhafen took about 7hrs. The "Dampfschiff Bremen" left Bremerhafen on the 8th of June and arrived in New York on the 14th of June. [13] Only very rarely did a private individual undertake a return journey to the USA. The cost was considerable. Theodore Huebener welcomed them to New York. In a very interesting letter [14] to the Commissioner of Customs, Washington DC, he introduced Lore as the head of the largest private Jewish school in Berlin, asking him to be of maximum assistance. He suggested that she may wish to bring as many as 300 people to the USA and, citing President Roosevelt's recent statements, asked the department: "to take a sympathetic attitude toward the situation". He signed this letter with "Member, American Committee for German Christian Refugees". She, subsequently, visited Miss Esgate in the Office of the Commissioner of Customs, New York [15] to discuss detailed regulations should a move of the school eventuate. On the 20th of June, Theodore Huebener received a very interesting reply from the New York State Education Department in which G.M Wiley [16] stated: "that a license is not required in this State in order to conduct a private school. It should be noted, however, that any private school which enrols children of the compulsory school age must offer educational facilities reasonably equivalent to those available in the public schools. The instruction in such a school must be in English from English texts, and must meet the statutory requirements relative to such an instructional program." This encouraging letter plus all the information from the Customs Department eased some physical problems associated with moving the school to the USA. Raising financial support was the next task. Lore and Ernst visited Albert Einstein on Long Island. He gave her a letter [17] of recommendation to La Guardia, the Mayor of New York. They made contact with Mrs Elsa Brandstroem-Ulich [18] , who had made it her priority to help immigrant teachers find positions in the USA school system and in due course, even hoped to raise enough money to issue affidavits to teachers wanting to emigrate to the USA. The Joint Distribution Committee of all Jewish Funds was approached but, only after pressure from Dr.Huebener, agreed to meet them. The meeting was amicable and the Joint Distribution Committee agreed to help with $10,000 yearly, provided no objection would be raised by the Reichsvertretung with whom they had some prior agreement. Ernst and Lore enjoyed meeting cousins Raymond and Lucien Goldschmidt in New York, but because Raymond Goldschmidt had brought his parents to the USA and had other family financial commitments, he could not provide the necessary Affidavit for Ernst and family. It was Theodore Huebener who guaranteed the support for the Affidavit, truly a most generous gesture. He also introduced them to Alvin Johnson, the founder of the New School for Social Research in New York. [19] In his autobiography, Johnson recalled that after founding the New School for Social Research, he managed to bring a few, well known, Jewish scholars, working in the field of the Social Sciences, to the U.S.A. by offering them positions in his school and thus circumvented the required Affidavits with their associated waiting times. He informed Lore and Ernst that, although now an academic, he was concerned with the drift of farmers to towns and that he was endeavouring to revert this trend. As he was the son of emigrant settlers in Nebraska, he understood the problems of small scale farming. By settling Jewish refugees from Germany on the land he hoped to break the cycle of Jews settling in New York. Further farm emigrants would be able to circumvent the Affidavit restrictions. Johnson mentioned Maryland as a possible place of settlement. Remembering her own very happy youth on her father's farms in Zimmersdorf and Pfšrten, Lore offered her help with this venture. She hoped to be able to use the farm as a basis for a school, the idea of a "farm school" fired her imagination. She felt that a possible solution had been achieved. She would look for suitable settlers in Germany and engage Herr Moch, an experienced educator in farming, to train Jewish students for three months before departure to the USA. Lore and Ernst left New York on the 3rd of July. While both were away questions about Frau Goldschmidt's journey to the USA were raised internally in the Nazi's administrative hierarchy. A note from the Foreign Office, signed by Gopffel [20] , requested that Freysoldt should seek the opinion of the Geheime Staatspolizei, GESTAPO, (the secret state police) in Berlin. As a result, Freysoldt forwarded all relevant documents to the secret police on the 25th of June [21] . On the 23rd of July an answer from the GESTAPO, signed by Freytag [22] , was sent to the Reichsminister's department which stated clearly that the emigration of German Jews was being undertaken by other Jewish organizations and that Dr.Leonore Goldschmidt's participation was not wanted. It added that the emigration of intellectual Jews was a liability as they frequently turned the propaganda against the Third Reich. It was better to train young people as tradesmen. This message was passed on to Klamroth and Freysolt in the Reichsminister's department, who, on the 3rd of August [23] , forwarded a request to the Stadtpräsident and the Auswärtige Amt (Foreign Office) that application made by Dr. Goldschmidt of the 7th of May 1938 should be denied. Note that by then, Lore and Ernst Goldschmidt had been to the United States and had come back! They returned to Bremer Hafen on the 9th of July, 1938. Travelling on the famous steamer Bremen, they had the dubious distinction of sharing the ship and boat train with the boxer Max Schmeling, the great Aryan idol. He had travelled to the USA to defend his World Boxing title against the Negro, Joe Louis. Because of the time difference between the USA and Germany, the broadcast of the fight was well after midnight. By the time the author got to the radio set, it all was over. Schmeling had been knocked out in 2 minutes and 4 seconds. The associated Aryan dream had received a severe jolt. Nevertheless, top Nazis brass were at the Zoologischer Garten (Zoo Station) to greet Schmeling. The small Jewish party, consisting of Herr Bandmann, some students and the author, who had come to welcome Lore and Ernst Goldschmidt [24] , found themselves surrounded by these brown shirts. It was a frightening experience. Lore and Ernst, however, were prepared. They knew that Schmeling was on the ship and all left the platform very quickly. Once safely home, Lore told us that their two weeks in New York had passed too quickly but she hoped that the school would move to the USA. She found her school in good shape as, in her absence, the loyal Dr.Kurt Lewent had looked after everything. The preparations for the Cambridge University O-level examination were on track. 14 pupils had been registered for the examination, 10 pupils from the Goldschmidt Schule and 4 pupils from the Kaliski Schule Shortly thereafter, Lotte Kaliski and her partner, Heinrich Selver, emigrated to the USA leaving the Kaliski Schule in the able hands of Dr.Paul Jacob, Studienrat, an old friend and colleague of Lore Goldschmidt.
Just before the end of term, a letter from Alvin Johnson [25] arrived. It was dated the 11th of July and arrived on the 21st of July. He was sorry not to have had another talk with her before her departure. He had wanted to change his previous suggestion of acquiring land in Maryland and suggested that a settlement near the city of Wilmington, North Carolina, would be preferable, as other settlements in the area, made by his friend Hugh MacRae, had been successful. He suggested setting up a corporation with authorized capital of $150,000. Each farmer would be given title to his place subject to a long term, low interest mortgage. He continued further details in a 6 page letter. A copy, together with a German translation, was forwarded by Lore to the German educational authorities. [26] A document: "A Project for a Refugee Farm Community in North Carolina" [27] was found among Lore Goldschmidt's archives. A handwritten note at the top of the first page, Orginalmemorandum von Herrn Direktor Johnson (original memorandum by Director Johnson) was added by Lore. In it, Johnson set out different obligations. The Farm would support 15 young men and 15 young women together with 4 or 5 mature couples. The land would be divided into 10 acre lots as small holdings. Housing would be provided and he estimated the total cost of the project at at $250000. He went on to suggest that an alternative plan affecting the proportions of improved land has been suggested by Mr.Hugh MacRae, namely the acquisition of the Van Eeden tract of 500 acres of improved land for $50000 and adjoining unimproved land up to 600 acres. If this plan were to be adopted, no material change would appear in the ultimate capital requirement, since the Van Eeden tract, which is good land, although requiring the expenditure of $1000 for a deep main draining ditch, costs no more, acre for acre than rough land with charges for clearing and ditching. He concluded with a discussion of educational facilities in that part of North Carolina and the health problems, mainly malaria, hookworm and typhoid. Lore and Ernst contacted Herr Moch, as discussed with Prof.Johnson, to find suitable candidates for settlement in North Carolina and to start their training. She replied to Johnson's letter on the 5th of August, suggesting that she and Moch would need to pay another visit to inspect the land in North Carolina, USA. The summer holidays of 1938 were spent in Berlin. No summer camp had been arranged. It was a good holiday as the river Havel with its pleasant woodlands could be reached by bicycle. Groups of students spent many pleasant hours there. [28] Towards the end of August, the school received the Cambridge School Certificate results, altogether 13 students were awarded the School Certificate. [29] The names of the 9 pupils belonging to the Goldschmidt Schule were: R.C.Braun, W.Eisner, G.Freuthal, W. Wassermann, M.Lewy-Lingen, E.Matzdorf, E.Mendelsohn, M.Meyer, I.Samuel. 14 students passed in English and English Literature, 14 in German, 13 in French, 5 in Latin, 1 in Greek, 14 in Mathematics, 3 in Additional Mathematics, 1 in Physics, 2 in Chemistry, 2 in Physics-with- Chemistry, 7 in English History, 9 in Geography, 1 in Life of Christ/Acts, 1 in Painting, 1 in Life Study, 1 in History of Painting and 1 in Illustration, altogether a remarkable achievement for both teachers and students. The results also proved that co-operation between schools was possible as 4 students from the Kaliski Schule passed their School Certificate as well. Lore, who knew all her senior students well, was very proud. To complete her happiness, she received notification from the Stadtpräsident, Abteilung fŸr hšheres Schulwesen (Mayor of Berlin, section High Schools) that the ReifeprŸfung (the Abitur or final examination) could take place at her school and that the Certificate could be issued in the name of the JŸdische Privatschule Dr.Leonore Goldschmidt. It was signed by Oberschulrat HŸbner. [30] Several students sat the Abitur at the school. Her morale was very high. On the 24th of August [31] , she received a favourable reply from Johnson. He was pleased with her suggestions and with her idea of another visit to the USA which would include North Carolina. He enclosed the railroad timetable from New York to Wilmington. The only inconvenient time for her visit would be the last week in September, when he had commitments at Yale University, but assured her that his friends would meet them in Wilmington at any time. Her proposal to start the venture on the 1st of January was most acceptable as quote: "It allows a few weeks for settling before the first work of tillage must begin. [32] On the 31st of August [33] the Department of Education, State of New York, requested that she submit an evaluation of her teaching credentials together with Form 'F' and translated copies of her qualifications. Encouraged by the good news, she hoped that her American venture would be successful. But on the 31st of August [34] , she received a letter from the Stadtpräsident of Berlin informing her that her application of the 5th of May requesting a travel permit to visit the USA had been denied. The denial was absurd as she had been there and returned, but it augured badly for the further visit planned with Moch. To add to the confusion, she received another document three weeks later, a Bescheinigung [35] (Certificate) from the Department of Emigration stating that Dr.Leonore Goldschmidt was engaged in helping her pupils emigrate, especially to the USA, and it requested German passport authorities and border police to facilitate her journeys in and out of Germany during the coming year. This situation was disconcerting and led Lore Goldschmidt to investigate its cause. Further, the Affidavit for the Goldschmidt family, which Dr.Theodore Huebener had kindly offered during the New York visit, did not arrive at the US Consulate in Berlin. Lore was very concerned and informed him accordingly. He replied on the 21st of September [36] : "I was distressed to read that the Consulate in Berlin had not received it. Will you kindly ask them to make another search and endeavour to locate it? I am writing this, since I do not want you to feel that I do not live up to my promises. If the document cannot be located and you need another, please let me know." Again, the first event of the autumn semester of 1938 was the Sports festival of Jewish schools on the 12th of September. But the atmosphere had changed. Inge Fehr wrote: [37] "The Goldschmidt Schule came second, beaten only by the Lessler Schule. A song specially written for this event began with:-"JŸdische Jugend sei stark und fest! (Jewish youth be strong and determined)". Wolfgang Edelstein reported that they were singing Zionist songs like:"JŸdische Jugend halt fest deine Reih'n, Die ganze Jugend muss es sein (Jewish youth, hold fast in your ranks, it has to be the entire youth)". Horst Frank observed:"that before the end of the Sports festival, German Army Units had set up anti- aircraft guns outside the grounds and were practising when we left." [38] With the political situation rapidly deteriorating, people started to emigrate in larger numbers. Dr.Philip Cahn, the school doctor, had obtained a visa to the USA and Dr.Robert Goldschmidt, another second cousin of Ernst, agreed to act as school physician. Philip Cahn's aunt, Helene Schwabacher, who had supervised the "gourmet" kitchen in the boarding school, went to join her brother in England. Younger teachers left whenever an opportunity arose. By the second half of September 1938, the political situation had become dangerous. Ever since the annexation of Austria, Hitler's greed was aimed at incorporating the Sudetenlands of Czechoslovakia. His constant propaganda had reached the point of no return. With Allied forces in a weak position, representatives of the British and French governments agreed to meet him. During the 2nd meeting in Munich on the 29th of September, Chamberlain, waving his infamous piece of paper and shouting "Peace in our Time" had handed the Sudetenlands to Germany without a fight and with total disregard to the people of Czechoslovakia. For the Jewish people in Germany, it meant a reprieve, gaining time to escape the murderous clutches of the German Reich. These soon became evident. Hitler, finding himself in a powerful position, ordered the removal of all Jewish citizens, who had moved to Germany from Poland since the War. He labelled them "Polish Jews". They were rounded up on the 27th and 28th of October and without any belongings transported to the Polish border and dumped inside Poland. This had its repercussion in the Leonore Goldschmidt Schule. Wolfgang Edelstein's comment was that:"One day, in early November, there were empty seats in my Goldschmidt Schule classroom." [39] Fortunately it did not affect the staff of the school but it had an impact on morale. The only cheerful news was a letter of thanks from Helene Reschovsky to Lore, dated the 20th of October, for recommending her to the Committee of Friends of Refugee Teachers with subsequent employment in the Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr, Penn. It was the first positive outcome of her visit to the USA. It made Lore so happy that she took this letter with her other papers when she left Germany. [40] The problem with her travel permit caused her great anxiety. She did not want to admit this to Alvin Johnson and the correspondence with him was left unattended. He wrote a letter on the 24th of October [41] and followed it with a telegram on the 26th of October [42] : "Please write, can do nothing without full information on settlers". In an encouraging letter, he wrote that he had raised $46000 so far and would be able to find another $20000 in this first year investment. He continued that you were to come over in September. I have not heard a word from you directly. His letter was translated and sent to the Authorities. [43] She replied to the telegram on the 29th of October finally admitting her difficulties with the travel permit. Johnson replied on the 8th of November [44] hoping to keep much closer in touch. By then, Lore Goldschmidt had received another refusal from the Stadtpräsident to grant a travel permit for a visit abroad, citing that other designated Jewish organizations were dealing adequately with the matter of emigration. This letter, dated the 2nd of November [45] and signed by Dr.Gräfer followed an internal correspondence between the Stadtpräsident [46] and Dr.Klamroth [47] about which Lore Goldschmidt knew nothing. Klamroth, in an internal memo, cited that Dr.MŸller, ministerial advisor of the Ministry of the Interior, was in fact in favour of Lore Goldschmidt dealing with emigration and thus improving on the work of the Reichsvertretung der Juden in Deutschland (Representative Organisation of Jews in Germany) but included in his note that he had informed Dr.MŸller about Lore Goldschmidt's connections to certain Christian welfare organizations that the Foreign Office disliked. Once Lore had proof that Dr.Otto Hirsch was behind the refusal to grant her a travel permit, she sent an 8 page letter, carefully crafted by Ernst, to the Reichstelle fŸr das Auswanderungswesen (Department of Emigration). This very important letter not only gave much detailed information about her recent visit to the U.S.A. and her interaction with the Jewish authorities there but also outlined her ideas about her future intentions. It was written on the 9th of November, 1938. [48] Complete reproduction of this letter, because of its implications:
Betrifft: Farmprojekt North Carolina
In der Anlage gestatte ich mir, eine Abschrift des Schreibens des Herrn Stadtpräsidenten der Reichshaupstadt Berlin (Abteilung fŸr hšheres Schulwesen) vom 2.Novenber 1938 zu Ÿberreichen, aus dem es sich ergibt, dass der Herr Reichsminister fŸr Wissenschaft, Erziehung und Volksbildung meinen Antrag auf Genehmigung einer Reise ins Ausland ablehnt, mit der BegrŸndung, dass die Auswanderung der reichsdeutschen Juden bereits von hierzu bestimmten jŸdischen Organisationen in ausreichendem Masse gefšrdert wird.
Es hätte mir fern gelegen, eine Kritik an der Tätigkeit der jŸdischen Organisationen, insbesonderers der Reichsvertretung der Juden in Deutschland in Bezug auf das Auswanderungswesen zu Ÿben, wenn nicht die BegrŸndung der Ablehnung meines Antrags mich hierzu nštigen wŸrde. Ohne die Leistungen dieser Organisationen zu verkleinern, darf ich behaupten, dass bei den Bestrebungen der Reichsregierung, den Prozess der sozialen Ausgliederung der Juden und deren Auswanderung zu beschleunigen, neben der Tätigkeit der Organisationen eine weitgehende Privatinitiative notwendig ist, wenn sich die Auswanderung in geregelter Form abwicken soll. Tatsache ist jedenfalls, dass die Reichsvertretung der Juden in Deutschland jeder eigenen Tätigkeit in den Vereingten Staaten von Nordamerika entsagt hat und zwar auf Grund eines mit dem Joint Distribution Committee in New York geschlossenen Vertrages, in dem dieses Komitee der Reichsvertretung fŸr Deutschland Geltmittel zur VerfŸgung stellt. Diese Selbstbeschränkung der Reichsvertretung hat leider eine ungŸnstige Wirkung fŸr die Einwanderung nach U.S.A., insofern durch die dortigen Komitees nicht alle Mšglichkeiten der sozialen Eingliederung der Einwanderer in den Vereinigten Staaten wahrgenommen werden.
Die soziale Notwendigkeit, mich mit den Fragen der Auswanderung jŸdischer Jugendlicher zu beschäftigen, ergab sich aus meiner Tätigkeit als Leiterin der gršssten jŸdischen hšheren Schule Berlins. Wenn es schon unter normalen Verhältnissen zu den Aufgaben eines Schulleiters gehšrt, sich um die berufliche Eingliederung seiner ausgehenden SchŸler zu kŸmmern, so vergršsserte sich diese Verflichtung in dem Augenblicke, als es notwendig wurde, diese berufliche Eingliederung im Auslande zu bewirken. Ich wŸnsche hierbei, im engsten Einvernehmen mit den jŸdischen Organisationen zu arbeiten, und wandte mich deshalb vor meiner Reise nach der U.S.A. im Juni dieses Jahres an den geschäftsfŸhrenden Vorsitzenden der Reichsvertretung der Juden in Deutschland, Herrn Dr.Hirsch, mit der Bitte um eine Empfehlung an die jŸdischen Organisationen New Yorks. Auf Grund meiner RŸcksprache mit Herrn Dr.Hirsch erhielt ich das in der Anlage beigefŸgte Schreiben, aus dessem Inhalt hervorgeht, dass man sich in der Reichsvertretung zwar scheute, eine offene Ablehnung meiner Bitte auszusprechen, dass man aber von vornherein nicht gewillt war, mich zu unterstŸtzen. Dieser Eindruck verstärkte sich bei den Verhandlungen mit den jŸdischen Komitees in New York, bei denen die Reichsvertretung einen ständigen Delegierten fŸr die Wahrnehmung ihrer Interessen bestellt hat. Es gelang mir erst durch das entschiedene Eingreifen des Herrn Dr.Theodore Huebener, Acting Director des Board of Education, New York, der im Sommer 1937, nach RŸcksprache im Reichsministerium fŸr Wissenschaft, Erziehung und Volksbildung meine Schule besichtigt hatte, Ÿberhaupt empfangen zu werden. Die von vornherein in den Verhandlungen erkennbare ablehnende Einstellung des Joint Distribution Committee in New York zeigte unzweideutig, dass dasselbe bereits voher gegen mich beeinflusst war. Dennoch gelang es mir, das Komitee von der dringenden Notwendigkeit meiner Pläne zu Ÿberzeugen und eine prinzipielle Zusage auf Bereitstellung von 10 000 Dollar jährlich zu erreichen. Ich wurde allerdings darauf hingewiesen, dass die Reichsvertretung der Juden in Deutschland auf Grund der zwischen dem amerikanischen Komitee und der Reichsvertretung geschlossenen Abkommens ihre Zustimmung hierzu geben mŸsse. Ich habe dann entgegen der ausdrŸcklichen Verabredung von New York direkt nichts mehr hierŸber gehšrt, sondern erhielt lediglich von Herrn Leschnitzer, dem Schuldezernenten der Reichsvertretung, die mŸndliche Mitteilung, dass das amerikanische Komitee die Bewilligung der 10 000 Dollar telegrafisch zurŸckgezogen hätte. Das Telegram selbst ist mir nicht gezeigt worden. Dennoch ist mein nur 18tägiger Aufenthalt in U.S.A. nicht ohne Erfolg geblieben. Es gelang mir, eine Verbindung zu Frau Elsa Brandstroem-Ulich herzustellen, die es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht hat, eingewanderten Lehrern zu helfen. Nur nach langen Kämpfen mit der Reichsvertretung und erst auf Eingreifen der Reichsstelle fŸr das Auswanderungswesen, erreichte ich, dass eine Notiz Ÿber die Lehrerhilfe in der jŸdischen Presse erscheinen konnte. Die Papiere von fast 40 Lehrern und Lehrerinnen sind durch mich dem Komitee "Friends of Refugee Teachers", Cambridge (Mass.) zugeleitet worden. Von einer der ersten nach dieser Aktion in U.S.A. eigewanderten Lehrerinnen erhielt ich einen Brief, dessen Fotokopie ich mir anliegend zu Ÿberreichen erlaube und auf dessen Inhalt ich Bezug nehme. Selbstverständlich habe ich meine Tätigkeit in dieser Sache, die eine umfangreiche Korrespondenz mit mehr als 200 Lehrern und nicht unerhebliche Auslagen zur Folge hatte, ohne jegliche VergŸtung geleistet.
Bisher konnte ich nur solchen Lehrern helfen, die selbst in der Lage waren, sich das erforderliche Affidavit zu beschaffen. Ich habe aber auf Grund inzwischen gefŸhrter Korrespondenz die begrŸndete Hoffnung, dass ich es bei einem nochmaligen Besuch in U.S.A. und einer RŸcksprache mit Frau Elsa Brandstroem-Ulich erreichen werde, dass das Komitee auch eine gršssere Anzahl von Affidavits fŸr Lehrer zur VerfŸgung stellen wird, nachdem die ersteingewanderten Lehrer untergebracht sind.
Das wesentliche Ergebnis meiner Reise ist aber die durch Herrn Dr.Theodore Huebener vermittelte Verbindung zu Herrn Dr.Alvin Johnson, Professor der Yale University und Direktor der New School for Social Research, New York, der einer der fŸhrenden Männer im Siedlungswesen Amerikas ist. In einer Unterredung machte ich ihm den Vorschlag, junge jŸdische Einwanderer, die sich hierfŸr eignen, auf einer Gemeinschaftsfarm zwecks späterer Einzelsiedlung auszubilden. Er begrŸsste diesen Plan und bemerkte hierbei, dass seine fachliche Beratung leider bisher von den jŸdischen Organisationen niemals gesucht worden sei, dass aber durch die Unterlassung der Ansiedlung die einwandernden Massen sich in den Städten zusammenballten, und dass infolgedessen die Aufnahmefähigkeit und -willigkeit der Vereinigten Staaten beeinträchtigt wŸrden.
Da ich meinen Aufenthalt in U.S.A. nur so lange ausdehnen konnte, wie es die in Deutschland eingezahlten Beträge gestatteten, konnte ich die Ausarbeitung der Pläne in New York nicht abwarten, sondern erhielt von Direktor Dr.Johnson die in Fotokopie und †bersetzung anliegenden Briefe vom 11.Juli und 16.August 1938, aus denen sich sein Plan ergibt.
Bereits im September dieses Jahres erwartete mich Direktor Dr.Johnson in U.S.A. um mit mir alle notwendigen Vorbereitungen und Vereinbarungen fŸr den Beginn der Siedlung zu treffen. Umso härter traf mich das Verbot der Ausreise, von dem ich zunächst, um das Siedelungsprojekt nicht zu gefährden, keine Mitteilung nach Amerika sandte. Daraufhin erhielt ich von Herrn Direktor Dr.Johnson am 28. Oktober ein Telegram und am 5.November den in Fotokopie und †bersetzung beigefŸgten Brief vom 24. Oktober. Aus diesem Brief ergibt sich, dass Direktor Dr. Johnson bereits 46 500 Dollar bereit gestellt hat und weitere 20 bis 25 000 Dollar zur VerfŸgung stellen will. Meine Absicht war, mit einem landwirtschaftlichen Sachverständigen zusammen nach U.S.A. zu fahren, um an Ort und Stelle mich zu vergewissern, dass ich die Verantwortung fŸr die in North Carolina beabsichtigte Ansiedlung Ÿbernehmen kann und um alles zu besprechen, was zur Vorbereitung der Einwanderung und Ansiedlung notwendig ist. Der Plan geht dahin, dass die ersten 30 jungen Leute im Januar 1939 von hier abreisen sollten.
Nach RŸcksprache mit dem amerikanischen Generalkonsulat kann ich mit dessen wärmster UnterstŸtzung in der DurchfŸhrung dieses Planes rechnen, da das hohe Ansehen des Herrn Direktor Alvin Johnson in Amerika dem Konsulat die erforderliche Gewähr fŸr die Sicherheit des Unternehmens bietet. Das von Herrn Direktor Alvin Johnson zur VerfŸgung gestellte Kapital stammt nicht von jŸdischen Komitees, stellt also eine zusätzliche Geldhilfe Amerikas fŸr die Auswanderung dar. Ich sehe davon ab, von dem ideellen Wert, den die DurchfŸhrung des Projektes haben wird, und von der grossen Ausdehnungsmšglichkeit desselben zu sprechen, obwohl ich aus Schriften von Dr.Alvin Johnson beweisen kann, dass mein Projekt nur das erste Glied der systematischen Ansiedlung jŸdischer Einwanderer ist, die er in Amerika erstrebt und mit der ihm zur VerfŸgung stehenden Hilfe des amerikanischen Staates durchzufŸhren gedenkt. Bei aller Bescheidenheit darf ich aussprechen, dass ein starker persšnlicher Konnex zwischen den amerikanischen Leitern der Aktion und mir vorliegt, sodass es leider nicht mšglich ist, dass ich mich in der zunächst zu leistenden Arbeit vertreten lasse.
Bei der Auswahl der Siedler wollte ich mit dem Hilfsverein der Juden in Deutschland zusammenarbeiten, der zunächst hierzu gern bereit war, dann aber auf Grund eines Einspruches des Herrn Dr. Eppstein vor der Reichsvertretung verlangte, dass ich diesem zunächst das Projekt unterbreiten mŸsse. Die ablehnende Haltung des Herrn Dr.Eppstein wurde erst durch ein Eingreifen der Reichstelle fŸr das Auswanderungswesen Ÿberwunden. Nunmehr wurde in einer gemeinsamen Besprechung mit Herrn Dr.Eppstein und dem Vorstand des Hilfsverein festgestellt, dass mein Projekt zu fšrdern sei und eine Zusammenarbeit mit dem Hilfsverein anempfohlen.
Umso mehr muss die BegrŸndung der Ablehnung meiner Auslandsreise Ÿberraschen, da ich wohl annehmen darf, dass derselben Vorstellungen von Mitgliedern der Reichsvertretung zugrunde liegen.
Nachdem ich gestern Gelegenheit hatte, Herrn Regierungsrat Dr. Klamroth vom Reichsministerium fŸr Wissenschaft, Erziehung und Volksbildung von der finanziellen Sicherung des Projektes durch Herrn Direktor Alvin Johnson zu berichten, stellte mir Herr Riegierungsrat Dr.Klamroth anheim, in einer Eingabe, die ich Ÿber die Reichsstelle fŸr das Auswanderungswesen leiten sollte, unter Klarlegung der gesamten Vorgänge eine †berprŸfung der Entscheidung Ÿber meine Reise zu beantragen.
Ich erlaube mir deshalb, die gehorsamste Bitte auszusprechen, diese Eingabe mit einer befŸrwortenden Stellungname an den Herrn Reichsminister fŸr Wissenschaft, Erziehung und Volksbildung weiterreichen zu wollen.
(Signed: Dr.Leonore Goldschmidt)
Translation by the author:
Concerning: The Farm Project North Carolina
As an enclosure, I am respectfully submitting a copy of the letter from the Town President of the Capital, Berlin (Division of High School Education) dated 2.November 1938, which implies that the Minister for Science, Education and Culture rejects my application for permission to journey abroad, stating as the reason that the emigration of German Jews, already sufficiently covered by designated Jewish organisations, is proceeding adequately. It would not have been usual for me to criticise the work of Jewish organizations, especially the Reichsvertretung der Juden in Deutschland (Representative Organisation of Jews in Germany) with regard to their emigration work, were it not cited as the reason for rejecting my application to travel abroad. Without belittling the work of these organisations, I may state that, considering the effort of the government to increase the social separation of Jews and subsequent emigration, it is in the interest of the government to increase the number of emigrants and that in addition to the work of these organizations, a large private initiative is required if emigration is to proceed in a regulated way. It is a fact that the Reichsvertretung has renounced all activity in the USA because of an agreement with the Joint Distribution Committee in New York, as this Committee gives money to the Reichsvertretung. This voluntary reduction has regretfully unfavourable consequences for the immigration into the USA, especially as the USA Committees have not endeavoured to explore all the various possibilities for social integration of immigrants. The social necessity to occupy myself with the question of emigration of Jewish youth arose from my position as headmistress of the largest Jewish High School in Berlin. If under normal circumstances it is a duty for the headmaster to engage in promoting the professional opportunities for leaving pupils, it becomes even more important and necessary when these professional opportunities have to be arranged in foreign countries. Because I wish to work closely with all Jewish organisations, I, prior to my journey to the USA in June of this year, contacted the acting chairman of the Reichsvertretung, Dr.Hirsch, with the request to introduce me to the Jewish organisations in New York. As a result of further consultation I received the enclosed letter, which indicates that the Reichsvertretung was not prepared to refuse my request directly but, from the beginning, was not prepared to support me. This impression was increased during my negotiations with the Jewish Committees in New York, where the Reichsvertretung employs a delegate to safeguard its interests. Only following the decisive intervention by Theodore Huebener, Acting Director of Education in New York, who had visited my school in the summer of 1937 after receiving permission from the Minister of Science, Education and Culture, did I obtain an interview. From the beginning, the negative attitude displayed by the Joint Distribution Committee of New York showed without doubt that it had been influenced against me. In spite of that, I managed to convince the Committee of the urgent necessity of my plans and achieved a promise of $10 000 yearly. It was, however, pointed out to me that, because of the existing agreement between the American Committee and the Reichsvertretung, the latter also had to consent. In spite of the definite agreement in New York, I heard no more but received a verbal communication from Mr.Leschnitzer, the school designate of the Reichsvertretung, that the American Committee had withdrawn its offer of $10 000 via telegram. The telegram itself was not shown to me. Nevertheless, my 18 day stay in the USA was not without success. I was able to make contact with Mrs.Elsa Brandstroem-Ulich who has set herself the task to help immigrant teachers. Only after a long argument with the Reichsvertretung and only after help from the Reichstelle fŸr das Auswanderungswesen (Government Department for Emigration) was it possible for me to place an announcement in the teachers' help column of the Jewish Newspaper. The details of nearly 40 teachers, male and female, were then sent by me to the Committee of Friends of Refugee teachers, Cambridge Mass. Following this correspondence, I received a letter from one of the teachers who was able to emigrate to the USA, a copy of which I permit myself to submit and to which I wish to draw attention. Of course, my work which has involved considerable correspondence with more than 200 teachers and the corresponding substantial costs has been carried out without remuneration. Up to now I have only been able to help those teachers who were able to obtain an affordable affidavit on their own. But I am hoping, based on further correspondence, that, following another visit to the USA and a further interview with Mrs.Elsa Brandtstroem-Ulich, the Committee will offer a greater number of affidavits to teachers, once the first immigrants have been placed in teaching positions. The most important achievement of my journey was the introduction by Theodore Huebener to Dr.Alvin Johnson, Professor at Yale University and the Director of the New School for Social Research, New York, who is one of the leaders in working with settlements in America. In a discussion with him, I suggested that young Jewish immigrants suitable for community farming could be trained here for later immigration. He liked the plan but said that up to now Jewish organisations had not shown an interest in his specialist knowledge and that the settlement of considerable numbers of refugees in towns limited the number of possible immigrants and influenced the willingness of receiving immigrants into the USA. As I could only stay in the USA for the length of time allowed by the amount of money paid into the foreign currency account in Germany, it proved impossible to wait for detailed results of my plans in New York, but I received detailed plans from Director Johnson by mail, dated 11 of July and 16th of August. Copies with translations are enclosed. Dr.Johnson had been expecting me in September in order to undertake all necessary work and agreements concerning the settlement. Therefore, the refusal to travel abroad hit very hard and in order not to undermine the future of the settlement, I did not inform Dr.Johnson of this decision. I received a telegram from Dr.Johnson on the 28th of October and on the 5th of November the letter; a copy and translation are enclosed. In the letter Dr.Johnson stated that he has secured $46500 and would raise another $20-25000. My original intention had been to visit the USA accompanied by an expert in farming, visit the area and inspect the proposed land to make sure that I can undertake the responsibility for the intended settlement in North Carolina and to discuss all the necessary preparation for immigration and integration. The plan included the possible date of January 1939, when the first 30 young people would leave here. Following consultation with the American General Consul, I know that I can count on his full support in the execution of this plan, as the great reputation enjoyed by Director Alvin Johnson in the USA, reassured the Consul of the security of the project. The Capital raised by Alvin Johnson does not come from Jewish committees, therefore, represents additional capital for immigration purposes. I do not intend to discuss the ideal position which the execution of this project would achieve nor the extensions that will be possible, although I can prove from correspondence with Dr.Alvin Johnson that my project would be the first step in the systematic integration of Jewish immigrants, which he desires for America and which he will achieve with the help given to him by the US government. In all modesty, may I add that a strong personal connection has been formed with the leaders of the project in the US and that it would not be beneficial to have the work deputised at present. I wanted to work together with the Hilfsverein der Juden in Deutschland (Auxiliary Association of Jews in Germany) in the selection of emigrants. They were at first pleased to do that, but, after interference from Dr.Eppstein of the Reichsvertretung, demanded that I would have to submit the project to him in the first place. This negative attitude of Dr.Eppstein was overcome by instructions from the Reichsstelle fŸr das Auswandrungswesen (The Government office for Emigration) who insisted that my project was to be encouraged and suggested a joint undertaking. The refusal of my travelling abroad is, therefore, most surprising, as I have to assume that protests from members of the Reichsvertretung are the underlying reason. Yesterday, after I had the opportunity to report to Regierungsrat (Government advisor) Dr.Klamroth in the Ministry of Science, Education and Culture on the financial security of the project as given by Dr.Alvin Johnson, Dr.Klamroth suggested that I make an application via the Reichstelle fŸr das Auswanderungswesen (Office for Emigration) and ask for complete clarification of the circumstances and a review about the decision with regard to my overseas travel. I, therefore, request, respectfully, to ask for this application to be forwarded to the Reichsminister fŸr Wissenschaft, Erziehung und Volkskultur (Minister for Science, Education and Culture) with a positive recommendation.
Signed: Dr.Leonore Goldschmidt
That same night, the night from the 9th to the 10th of November, became known as "Kristallnacht". During the following day, the 10th of November, the Jewish people of Germany witnessed the most sustained and determined persecution so far. It changed life in Germany for all of them for ever. Ernst and Leonore Goldschmidt escaped narrowly as related here: On the 10th of November 1938, [49] was 14 years and 9 months old. As usual, we, my brother, my cousin and myself sat off to walk to school, but were met by anxious taxi drivers, whose taxi-stand was at the next street corner. They told us that the synagogue had been set on fire and warned us to hurry to school. As we could see smoke rising from the direction of the local orthodox synagogue, we ran to school. There we found both pupils and teachers very agitated as many had seen other synagogues burning on their way to school. We tried to settle down, but, just after my class started, my mother, as headmistress of the school, came to our classroom to inform teacher and students that it had been decided that a large gathering of Jewish children presented a danger. We should, therefore, leave in small numbers via the back gate. The non-Jewish custodian, Herr Voss, would supervise our departure and make sure that all dispersed quickly. Then we were to rush home. We three went back to our apartment. Not long thereafter, my parents came to the apartment with the terrible news that the Nazis were arresting all grown up men. My mother had received a warning telephone call from the wife of the French teacher, Dr.Julian Hirsch, after he had been arrested. Quickly, a small bag was packed for my father. Because I was sure that my father would forget his toothbrush, I put mine into the bag as well. Then both my parents left speedily via the kitchen door and ran down the back stairs to the inner court yard. From there, a passage led into the street where the taxi rank stood. The taxi drivers were loyal. Some drove Jewish clients all day around the town to stop them from being arrested. One of them took my parents to the British Consulate because my father needed a visa to enter Great Britain. He had a valid passport, because he had visited the USA that summer. My parents had hardly disappeared when the front door bell rang. Our maid, Helene, opened the door to two big men both wearing Nazi badges. ÒWe want to speak to Herr Goldschmidt!Ó, they demanded. This came as quite a shock to me, as I was standing right beside Helene, but I quickly answered by saying that my parents were at the school. Then they wanted to know how to find the school and I gave them directions. Helene just kept saying: Òja, jaÓ and they left. What a relief for the moment! But we knew that they would be back. Helene agreed that we must make sure that my brother and cousin, both 13 years old, would stay out of sight in their bedroom. We gave them strict instructions which fortunately both duly obeyed. Almost an hour later the Nazis returned. They were very angry with me and shouted that I had lied to them, saying: ÒYour parents are not at the schoolÓ. I kept my cool, denied that I had lied to them and replied: ÒDoes your daughter know where you are?Ó They looked embarrassed, they had no answer to my clever question. Rather than leave the flat, they decided to stay until my fatherÕs return. Helene was at her best. She showed them around the flat, politely asked them to sit down in the dining room and served coffee. But they remained suspicious, because the moment the telephone rang they demanded to take the call. This meant that one of them had to get up from the comfortable chair in the dining room and walk to the telephone in the corridor. Numerous telephone calls followed, all coming from parents, who having phoned the school, which did not answer, rang us to find out what was happening. As the Nazis could never answer their questions, they would hand the phone back to Helene who always replied that she did not know anything and she did not know where Dr.Goldschmidt was. After some hours Helene served lunch! The two Nazis started to relax and did not bother to answer the phone any more. This turned out to be a great blessing. Because some time later my mother rang to ask what was happening. Helene stood her ground and coolly replied that she did not know where Dr.Goldschmidt was. My mother, still slow to catch on, kept on saying: ÒI am Dr.Goldschmidt". Helene finally replied: ÒI do not know where Dr. Goldschmidt is and we have visitors waiting for her hereÓ. Then my mother realised our situation and hung up. The Nazis never knew what had been said. It was late in the afternoon when my mother phoned to say that she was coming back. We had given my father 8 hours to escape. Nevertheless, I was anxious about her return. Standing at my bedroom window, I waved my arms when she appeared in the street, hoping to stop her from coming up. But she had laid her plan and there was no stopping her. She made one of her truly theatrical entrances, the grand dame had arrived! ÒShe had just returned from the British Consul, because she and the school represented Cambridge University in Berlin. The school was now flying a British flag and they, the two Nazis, could of course arrest her if they thought it wise.Ó She also told them that, with permission from the British Consul, my father was on business in England and would not return. It was a tremendous show. The two Nazis were totally taken aback, said that they had no warrant to arrest her and left. Then my mother told me that the British Consul had kindly issued a visa for my father. The taxi had taken them to the train station where my father had caught the ferry train to Denmark, an escape route that he had been working out for some time. On the station she had given him her beautiful engagement ring, with a ruby and diamonds, to sell if he needed money. A day later, he phoned from London with a thank-you for the extra toothbrush. That was certainly a wonderful moment, for he was safe for now. A few days later, the school reopened. Mrs.Julian Hirsch's timely warning had given many teachers time to hide. The usually 'so very correct' Dr.Lewent [50] eventually emerged from the girls boarding house, where he had taken refuge. But some male staff members were missing. Some pupils were without their fathers and in need of emotional support. The staff rose magnificently to the task while Lore's first aim was to preserve some kind of normality. With Ernst in London, she, more than ever, had to continue her fight for her travel permit. The Reichstelle fŸr Auswanderung (Emigration Department) had added a highly supportive note to her long letter of the 9th of November and forwarded it to the Reichsminister fŸr Wissenschaft, Erziehung und Volksbildung. But the Minister was not impressed and, on the 25th of November, sent a further internal memo to the Geheime Staatspolizei again objecting to her travel permit adding an attached handwritten note referring to his earlier negative replies. [51] Lore unaware of the involvement of the Geheime Staatspolizei, hoped to enlist support from the Hilfsverein der Juden in Deutschland (Self help organisation of Jews in Germany). They replied with a polite letter but offered no help whatsoever. [52] Determined, Lore continued her fight, this time via Oberschulrat Dr.HŸbner to the Reichsminister. On the 28th of November, she addressed a further letter to the Reichsminister enclosing a very important note from Mr.Roach of Cambridge University which stated that he had informed Lord Samuel and the Home Office of the relationship with certain schools in Germany which were registered as examination centres. Finally, on the 6th of December [53] , Dr.Klamroth sent a memo to Oberregierungsrat (Senior Government Advisor) Freysoldt stating that the Geheime Staatspolizei had in fact withdrawn its objections and, if he considered it necessary, a written confirmation should be sent to confirm the verbal approval to travel given by Oberschulrat HŸbner. He added, the whole matter should then be confined to the archives. Klamroth had finally got the measure of Lore Goldschmidt. Lore did not wait for the final outcome and, on the 26th of November, having gained the verbal approval via the Reichstelle fŸr Auswanderung (Emigration Department) obtained a new passport without travel restrictions plus a multi-entry visa to the UK. She left Germany on the 1st of December [54] . The stamp at Croydon Airport gave her the right to stay for one month in the U.K.
She found Ernst in relatively good shape. He was staying at the Royal Hotel, Russell Square [55] because sometime earlier, he had discovered the possibility of smuggling small amounts of money out of Germany. While travelling on the Berlin-Copenhagen ferry-train, he had found a key in the cupboard door of the toilet. The key opened all cupboard doors. He took it with him. This enabled him to hide cash and jewellery while still in Germany and recover it in Copenhagen. Lore was not aware of his exploits at the time. [56] His relations in London, cousin Ernst Schwabacher and second cousins, Joseph Bender, married to Elsie, the daughter of the Bishop of Ely. and Carl Goldschmidt had left Germany before the World War, had become British citizens and were well established. Ernst Schwabacher was a stockbroker who lived in Rickmansworth, Joseph Bender lived in Great Portland Street and Carl Goldschmidt lived in Beechwood Avenue, Finchley. They rallied and that support gave him courage. In spite of his limited knowledge of English, he was able to make contact with various organisations. He had contacted the Harris family at St Christopher School with the request that they take his two children and cousin William into their school as, after the November persecutions, the British Government had relaxed immigration restrictions for children under 16 years of age. Provided a sponsor was found, an immigration visa to the UK would be issued at once. Mr.and Mrs.Harris most generously undertook that responsibility. Dudley Cheke was in London at the time. Together, they started to look for alternative ways to move Lore's school from Berlin to England. Ernst also contacted Dr.Theodore Huebener in New York impressing on him the urgency of the situation and the need to send another copy of the Affidavit as the original seemed to have been lost. This finally arrived in England on the 21st of December, altogether a most generous gesture by Dr.Huebener as he, a family man with four young children, only had an income of US$7000, no real estate possessions and $2000 in savings! [57] While Lore was away in England, she phoned home every night, sometimes quite late. To be close to the telephone, I slept in my parents' bed. One night when shots were fired in the inner court yard of the apartment block, I got an enormous fright and felt sick the following morning. Gertrud No‘l, who loyally came every day, phoned Dr.Robert Goldschmidt. He came to see me, always so reassuring, and ordered several days complete rest. Lore Goldschmidt decided to come home. She returned on the 14th of December, 1938. [58] The school had returned to a normal timetable as all teachers were back. Some were severely traumatised by the treatment that they had received in the concentration camps and by the threat that they had to emigrate or be reimprisoned. In spite of all these uncertainties, the December Examinations of the University of Cambridge took place. The results were a miracle and reflected the devotion of the English staff. 69 students passed the Proficiency in English Examination. 27 entered the School Certificate, O-level, Examination and 17 passed. They were:- H.P.Galliner, G.Korn, P.Lewinsohn, F.Mandelbaum, A.Messing, M. Rosenberg, G.Sigler, E.Simion, W.Winterfeld, G.Stein, R.Friedmann, M.Hoff, M.Levy, M.Meissinger, M.Riegner, I.Schlesinger and H.Wasser. 27 passed English Composition, 14 Midsummer Night's Dream, 19 Authors, 13 General English Literature, 9 Joshua and Judges, 9 Old Testament 16 British and European History, 10 Geography, 12 Latin, 1 Greek, 23 French, 27 German, 27 Maths, 5 Additional Maths, 2 Chemistry, 1 Physics, 9 Physics-with-Chemistry, 2 Drawing, 3 Painting, 1 Memory Drawing, 2 Life Study, 4 Illustration and 1 Music. Another great joy for Lore was a visit by Mr.Moch with several young people, trained as farmers and ready to emigrate to the USA. One of them was Leonard Heimann, brother of Dr.Heimann, an aquaintance of Alvin Johnson. [59] Johnson must also have been pleased with this news, as he had sent a desperate telegram asking for biographies of settlers [60] one month earlier, on the 16th of November, totally unable to understand the difficulties that Lore Goldschmidt and the Jewish community were facing. But the situation had changed as all, staff and students, were preoccupied with their emigration prospects. One of Lore's priorities was the rescue of her own children. She lodged applications for their passports. She forwarded the new copy of the Affidavit to the US Consul in Berlin with a request that the registration numbers for the four members of her family should be as of July 1938. [61] This was of great importance as the US immigration quota was full and waiting time for receiving visas was by now years rather than months. Alvin Johnson tried to get a visa directly from the State Department but failed. [62] Another friend, Kurt Bloch wrote [63] that he had met Dr.Johnson in Washington and that Johnson was trying to straighten out diplomatic difficulties with high officials, as immigration to the US had become more difficult due to the ever increasing number of applicants. On the other hand, Kristallnacht and subsequent arrests in November had changed the attitude of British Authorities for the better. They were actively offering help. His Majesty's Secretary of State for Home Affairs spoke sympathetically about a suggestion made to him by Lord Samuel to transfer pupils of Jewish schools to England. [64] Therefore, Lore's focus had to change. She would in all likelihood have to accept the offer of Mr.and Mrs.Harris to take her children into St Christopher School and she applied to move some furniture to England in their name. In a 4 page letter written on the 30th of December, 1938, to Raymond Goldschmidt in Washington, she described the new situation and asked for his support. The University of Oxford had offered an old country house, Tythrop-House, Kingsley, Oxfordshire with 380 acres of farmland. [65] Another farm in Ringelstone, Kent was a possibility. She expressed high hopes for the Tythrop House venture. Some money had been raised for it by her: £2400 from Woburn House, German Jewish Aid Committee, £5000 from the Co-operative Society, £1000 from Oxford University and £6000 from guaranties by parents. Some teachers would transfer from Berlin. She went on to ask Raymond's advice about raising money for the project in the USA. She also asked for his help in providing a support Affidavit for her US visa application as the consul in Berlin had asked for evidence of family support. She included hopeful comments on Johnson's project saying that it may be possible for herself, Ernst and Moch to visit the project. She said that Ernst hoped that they would be able to move by the end of March. The following day, the 31st of December, she left for the UK [66] to further the immigration prospects of the school and to help some individual teachers who, on release from concentration camp, were told to leave Germany by the 1st of April 1939. [67] Through the Chief Education Officer of the County Council of London, Miss Nussey, Ernst and Lore were introduced to her brother, Canon Hyla Holden, a Canon in the Archdiocese of Canterbury, living in Folkestone, Kent. He was familiar with most schools in the area and he offered his help which, in the end, turned out to be the one project that worked.
