Kehilat Middlesbrough Newsletter No 4 October 1999 page 4
Getting Out of the Virtual Community
by an adopted son
Although I have never lived in M’bro, my mother was one of the Niman family (daughter of Ely Niman) and I spent several times a year in M’bro visiting family until I was in my teens in the 1950's. M’bro is thus very much part of my heritage.
I often felt that the marvellous thing about being in M’bro was getting the hell out of the place—and where better to go than Saltburn! In the 1950’s this would take a whole day, starting at the United Bus Station. I recently paid a return visit to Saltburn, after half a century. What a marvellous place it is. It is so surprising that outside the immediate area nobody has ever heard of it.
The coastline down to Saltburn is very straight until you come to Huntcliff, which projects out to sea and nothing can ever be seen around the corner.
When I reached the end of the cliff, what did I see? Not the end of everything, but really the beginning of everything. To my surprise, there was a series of "Huntcliffs" projecting out to sea down the coast, as far as one could see. A little like November 1998 for the Kehila—not the end but the beginning of the community, albeit in a disembodied, spiritual form.
I share these thoughts with you in respectful memory of my late Uncle Phil (Philip Niman) who I know would have been an active and keen contributor to this Newsletter. He was very well known for his work in the Kehila. He was a solicitor in the town and his distinguished services to the community at large were recognised when he was made Sheriff of the County. David Lewi Birmingham, England
Letters
I was born Ruth Cohen in M’bro in 1934 to Sylvia and Harry Cohen. Apart from a short time in Southport in 1940-41, I remained in the town until leaving to study medicine at the age of 18.
In 1963 I married Vivian Hurwitz of Leeds, where our 3 chi1dren were born and grew up. Sarah and Ann now live in Israel with their families, and Michael (who has recently married) is in London.
My father Harry was born in Hartlepool in 1903, one of the 6 children of Hannah and Chazan Shalom Cohen. He left school when he was 12. Early school-leavers were supposed to go and work in the munitions factories, but Harry was turned away as he was small. He never grew taller than "five foot two and a quarter" and he would not let us forget "the quarter". That height gave him a streak of Napoleonic (but benign) toughness, driving him to achieve against the odds.
Harry was a man ahead of his time, helping with the children, doing housework and cooking. He believed that a woman should be able to earn her own living, even if married. He wanted both his son and daughter to become doctors. My younger brother Alan is a consultant radiologist in Chesterfield.
Congratulations to David and Donald on producing this Newsletter. I look forward to reading future issues. Ruth Hurwitz Leeds, England
The Newsletters are very interesting and bring back many memories. In the July issue there is a letter from Anne Hyman. When I arrived in England on the Kindertransport in 1939 from Austria, I stayed with an Anne Hyman in M’bro. If this is the same person I would very much like to contact her.
You also had a letter from Beryl Shapiro (Babs Freeman). My brother Martin Fleischer remembers staying with her parents Hindy and Wolfy Freeman and would like to make contact with her in Toronto. Sonja Altman Ilford, Essex, England
[Ed note: we have passed on the information requested]
Cemetery Project
For the past year Bernard Bookey has been trying to compile an accurate listing of all the graves in the old and the new cemeteries.
The task was made more difficult due to the lack of any M’bro municipal record for the old cemetery and faded lettering on the headstones. However, the shul’s record book for the old cemetery has recently come to light and this should enable the listing to be completed in the near future.
Ultimately the list will go to the various internet organisations which put out such lists—including our own website—as well as to reference libraries and depositories.
Answers to Quiz in Issue no 3
1. George Hardwick 2. Chris Rea 3. Aut Disce Aut Discede - Learn or Leave ("Swat or Bunk") 4. Replica of Notes kept in a bottle from Captain Cook’s log - preserved permanently in the park next to the Town Hall 5. At the Cenotaph entrance to the Albert Park - in the Dorman Memorial Museum 6. Brit: Shmuel, son of Olga Murray - 1997 Barmitzvah: Andrew Broady - son of Dennis and Susan Broady - 1985 Wedding: Anne, daughter of Sheila and Ronnie Niman - 1979 Succah: Rev Ben Topp - 1989-1990 7. Rev Turtledove 1920-1960;Rev Silverston 1897-1936; Rev Kersh 1952-1989 8. Rev Davies, Rev Furst, Rabbi Berman 9. Rabbi E S Rabinowitz of Newcastle, Editor of The Watchman 10.Capt H S Segerman - killed in action at El Alemain; Capt Harry Doberman; Lieut Sam Doberman; Sq Leader Geoffrey Baker; Sq Leader Harold Halson
Obituary
Jack Klyman, born in 1926, died in M’bro in August 1999, on his 73rd birthday. He is survived by his wife, Rita (Baum), son, Mark and daughter, Susan.
Boro Quiz No 4 - Answers
1. Wesley Brown; Cox; Kitching 2. Sydney Harbour Bridge 3. J C Simon; Arthur Bottomley 4. Acklam Park, Green Lane 5. Odeon; Gaumont; Elite; Palladium; Grand Electric; Marlborough 6. Epstein; Frais; Levenstein; Lapp; Collins; Schmulevitsch; Lotinga; Broady; Plottel; Levine 7. Barney Myerson 8. Terry Greenberg 1942 9. The old in 1885 and the new in 1932 10. Sol Niman
[Ed note: We have been told by a number of our readers that 3 months is too long to wait for the answers to the Quiz!]