Kehilat Middlesbrough Newsletter No 9 February 2001 page 2
Letters
B H Altson was my grandfather. A copy of the letter to Nat Bharier dated 7 April 1935 is on the family file. We do not have any other correspondence to the Middlesbrough Jewish community. [Ed note: You can see a copy of this fascinating and very important letter in the Communal Archivessection of the website]
I have a book entitled "The Jews in Australia" a thematic history by Hilary L Rubinstein, first published in Australia in 1991 by the Book Printer. Vol. 1 contains information on Jews from 1788-1945. The index at the back contains a list of all Jews that contributed to the early history in Australia, with reference page numbers. B H Alston, Rose his wife, Isaac, Myer & Aby are all listed and snippets of relevant information can be found in the text of the book.
The only Alston issue from B H Altson in Australia now is myself, my two brothers, Bruce & David, plus three sons and three grandsons. Because we were sent to private church schoo1s we did not have many Jewish friends and subsequently all married outside the Jewish religion and are not members of the Melbourne Jewish Community. My wife and I passed through Middlesbrough one Sunday afternoon about four years ago. The shop at 34 Sussex St. no longer existed and had been replaced with Government housing. We regret we did not spend a couple of days to do research. Richard Alston Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
Friday, November 10, 2000 The Jerusalem Post
Despite those who have been staying away from Israel in droves, there was never any doubt in the mind of Senator Richard Alston, Australian Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, about bringing a trade delegation here at this time.
"I don't think it would have crossed most Australians' minds to buckle under", he said. Aside from which a colleague had told him that it would be tougher for him at question time in the House than it would be in Israel.
In his heart of hearts Alston didn't want it to be altogether quiet on the Israeli front. "I thought that extra bit of excitement would attract people".
(from Greer Fay Cashman's Grapevine column)
Letters
I am Alan Solomon son of Lily & Sam Solomon. I noticed my name on the missing persons list and would like to let you know of my whereabouts.
I married Marie-Pierre in 1974 in Paris and we had a daughter, Hava-Lily. She is now 26 and has a daughter Ilana, and lives in Paris. I was divorced in 1980 and met my future wife, Helen, whilst she visited England. She returned to Adelaide in South Australia.
I came to Australia in 1983 and married Helen. and live in the beautiful Adelaide Hills in a small village called Flaxley. We have three lovely sons, Reuben aged 12, William aged 8 and Henry aged 4.
It would be great to hear from anyone who remembers me from my Middlesbrough days. Alan Solomon Flaxley, Adelaide, Australia
Production over! At last!
Zelick and Michelle are delighted to announce the arrival by caesarean section of Abigail Rebecca Mendelovich on Thursday 21st December 2000.
Abigail weighed in at 6lbs 1½ oz (2760g) Her late arrival was despite 3 attempts at induction! Zelick and Michelle Mendelovich Ra'anana, Israel
Derek and I and three children came to Middlesbrough in 1959 when Derek was appointed Consultant Geriatrician to the Teesside hospitals. A fourth child, Emma, was born in Middlesbrough.
We left in 1976 when Derek became Professor of Geriatric medicine at Melbourne University, Australia. After ten years we moved to Texas, where Derek had a similar appointment at the University of Texas until he retired in 1991. We now live most of the year in Melbourne and three months in England.
Mark and Peter had their Barmitzvahs under the guidance of Rev Bernard Kersh; Kate taught. Hebrew classes. The children took part in the youth groups and the Shul had lots of communal activities which we all enjoyed. The children had a good grounding in Judaism in Middlesbrough.
Mark and Emma are in London, Peter is in Norwich and Kate is in Melbourne. They are all married with families and Derek and I have ten grandchildren. There is a huge Jewish community of almost fifty thousand in Melbourne and this is a very vibrant scene.
Success and good luck with the Newsletter and we look forward keeping in touch with the old days in Teesside. Sacha Prinsley Melbourne, Australia
What an impressive website!
I am Bryan Reuben, son of Jacob Victor Reuben, who was born in Middlesbrough in 1901. I am now in London (like so many) but I grew up in Bradford. Barney Gatoff, who has been in touch with you, is my first cousin.
A question: there used to be a Buffaloes (RAOB) lodge in Middlesbrough named after my grandfather - the Sir Barnard Reuben Lodge (The Sir was an honoraray title conferred by the Buffs). Does it still exist? Indeed do the Buffs still exist? Any information welcome.
Congrats again on your website. Bryan Reuben London, England
Obituary
Louis Smollan, in February 2001, survived by his wife, Jenny, and daughter Michelle.