8 Fairfax Mansions

Addresses have their stories and histories— Oranienburgerstrasse 29, Meinekestrasse 10, Emserstrasse 42, Kantstrasse 158: they have their place in the annals of German Jewry. For Jewish refugees in Great Britain the address 8, Fairfax Mansions, London, N.W.3, has attained similar significance. Giving account of what is happening on an average day in the office of the ” Association of Jewish Refugees,” means to tell a story of hope and sorrow, progress and anxiety. The Day begins, as in every office, with the morning mail. Enquiries, enquiries, enquiries. There is a doctor who wants to bring over his relatives from Cologne; there is a young couple who wish to emigrate to Brazil; there is an industrialist who has lost his property in Holland and claims restitution; there is a dentist who has some doubt as to his priority for naturalisation; there is an old lady who looks for suitable accommodation; there is an ex-soldier who wants to visit his sister in Berlin; there is an engineer, worried about his German patents. Indeed, such a morning mail reveals, as in a flashlight, the problems of Jewish refugees in this country. Alas, Jewish refugees are by no means a phenomenon confined to Britain, and a philatelist would enjoy looking at the variety of stamps which pour into 8, Fairfax Mansions from all parts of the world. The fact tha t there is, at the same time, the Secretariat of the ” Council for the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Jews from Germany,” has made this office the centre for Jewish refugee questions in the whole world. Spectacle of ” Refugeedom ” The whole spectacle of ” refugeedom ” is mirrorred in the incoming correspondence. One letter complains that Jewish refugees are still interned in India urgently requesting the ” Council ” to intervene vnth the Inter-Governmental Committee on Refugees and Members of Parliament; another letter has as its sender a refugee who has property in Norway which is still blocked as enemy property asking the ” Council ” to approach the authorities concerned. There are proposals from Chile and Uruguay for restitution and correspondence from France relating to a forthcoming visit of Dr. Leo Baeck and Dr. K. Alexander; there is a communication from the International Conference for Patents informing the ” Council ” that in accordance with Its proposals, patents of Jewish refugees from Germany have been excluded from sequestration; last, but not least, are letters from Jewish communities in Germany and Austria asking for help and advice. In order to disentangle oneself from the variety of work at 8, Fairfax Mansions, one better studies the activities of the various departments. The Political Department giving the general directive in close co-operation with the Executive establishes and keeps contact with the authorities, the Press, M.P.’s and other personalities of public life. It represents the AJR at important conferences such as the recent Refugee Conference under UNO or the hearings of the Anglo-American Committee of Enquiry on Palestine. Visitors from Germany, Palestine, the U.S.A., from Holland, Australia and France are frequent callers at 8, Fairfax Mansions, and representatives of 8, Fairfax Mansions are not infrequent travellers to the Continent. Smooth Co-ordination The Organisation Department is responsible for smooth co-ordination of work between Head Office and branch groups, both in London and the Provinces. Here are meetings being organised, speakers sent out, concerts arranged (which, incidentally, enjoy a fine reputation!), membership questions settled, information passed on to the friends in the Provinces. Three or four times annually, the Board of the AJR, comprising representatives of the various local branches in London and the Provinces, is called together to survey past activities and to plan ahead. The Continental Department is in close touch with the Jewish communities in Germany and Austria on all problems relating to rehabilitation and restitution. A member of the Executive has drafted a model statute for Jewish communities in Germany. The contact of the Department is not limited to communities—a large number of individual Jews on the Continent are approaching the AJR on various subjects; one wants to come to England, another tries to join his relatives in the U.S.A., again another complains how he suffers to be treated as a German. . . . The Social Service Department helps the aged and infirm, advises as to accommodation, arranges for divine services and holiday accommodation for children, and many other matters. Jointly with the Economic Department, it gives advice with regard to employment. Apart from ex-servicemen who find some difficulties in re-adjusting themselves to civilian life. All play their part The Finance Department has a less conspicuous but, by no means, less important task. The whole apparatus with its wide ramifications and great responsibilities can only work smoothly if all members play their part, i.e. pay their fee in time and without special reminder (as most of them do, I am assured). The work of the Transmare- Department is known to many thousands both here and on the Continent. This department has a splendid record in tracing the whereabouts of many persons on the Continent. It has also been fulfilling the sad but essential task to inform the relatives of those who did not survive Nazi persecution. ” AJR Information ” requires quite a lot of administrative work. .Although the dispatch is done by an agency, the office sends out, month by month, hundreds of copies overseas to practically all parts of the world; and the many replies to bo.x number adverts require special attention. The reaction after every issue in the way of letters, questions and suggestions, signifies the response ” AJR Information ” is meeting with. Twice weekly are Legal .Advice Hours conducted by a panel of Continental lawyers for people with limited means. Rent controversies and divorces, declaration of death, questions of heritage and arbitration are among the many problems which have to be dealt with. One important Department of the AJR, the Clothing Collection, has its premises at I, Broadhurst Gardens, N.W.6. In assistance to the Departments, Committees have been formed, for finance, propaganda. Old Age Home, etc., which meet regularly. Maze of Problems While I am trying to find my way out of this maze of questions and problems, I am meeting already a number of callers. One wants to have his application forms filled in for priority for naturalisation; another requires figures and material on Jewish migration; again another wants to send a parcel to Germany; a lady enquiries if she could obtain permission for a domestic servant from the Continent. I have not time to look into the troubles of the many others who are coming after her. 8, Fairfax Mansions is, indeed, as it should be, the place where refugees can open their hearts to fellowrefugees. This makes it the nerve-centre of the community of Jewish refugees from Germany and Austria. H. F.