Victory Booklet 1946
The Secretary's Report
They were helped and supported in every way by a very loyal and hard-working committee. In particular I would like to mention the name of Mr. A. Halson, President of our Congregation to date, who has always worked hard and conscientiously for the good of our Community.
Our first big undertaking when the shadows of war loomed nearer, was to hold a mass meeting of the whole congregation, and decide to open a hostel for the children escaping from Nazi persecution. The Benjamin family generously offered a free house at 5, The Avenue, and gifts of money, furniture, and cutlery, etc., were spontaneously offered. Soon a beautiful home was offered to 20 of these children, and the people of Middlesbrough excelled themselves in making these unhappy children, torn away from their parents, feel wanted and welcome. The hostel was maintained right through the war at the approximate weekly cost of £20. 0. 0. As the girls left school they were trained in a trade of their own choice. Some left Middlesbrough and took up posts in larger towns, others again were happily re-united with their parents and relatives. Most of us identified ourselves with the cause, but the name of Mr. Lionel Levy will always stand out in those children’s memory as one who devoted so much of his time for their happiness.
The War Years brought additional appeals from various organisations which sought to help those in distress, and among the many to which this congregation responded generously were: United Polish Relief Appeals, United Palestine Appeals, Mizrachi Appeal, the Appeals for the Gateshead Talmudical College, the Appeal for the European Jewry, the Chief Rabbi’s Forces’ Passover Appeal, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, the Appeal of the Lord Mayor of London, the Appeal for British Sailor’s Society, the British Legion Hostel Appeal, the Catterick Camp Synagogue Building Fund Appeal, the Appeal for the Belsen Camp Victims—and not forgetting the generous contribution to the Jewish National Fund through the Ladies’ Zionist Society, and for the Keren Hayesod through the Men’s Zionist Society. In connection with these appeals, sincere thanks have to be given to Rabbi L. Miller, our minister, who successfully made these appeals, and also to all the collectors who so ably helped to make a success of this work.
Many Jewish members of H.M. Forces found a warm welcome waiting for them in the homes of the members of our Community. We held several organised socials under the auspices of the various societies, and at our yearly Chanukah Party, organised by the Rev. G. Wulwik, we were able to give them hospitality and entertainment.
Among the various gifts we received were those from Mrs. Freeman of London—The Jewish Encyclopaedia and Prayer Books—in memory of the late Thomas Freeman.
The Goldstein Family—Prayer Books, etc., in memory of their mother, the late Mrs. R. Goldstein.
The Ladies’ Guild - 24 Prayer Books.
Mr. and Mrs. A. Wiseman - Prayer Books and Tallism. etc.
The Rev. G. Wulwik - A Perpetual Time Table and Notice Board, in memory of his late father.
Mrs. J. Menasche, a Megillah, in memory of the late Mr. S. Schmulewitsch.
In 1942 the Congregation received a legacy of £100 from the late Mr. H. Fink.
The family of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bharier instituted a Memorial Prize of £3 yearly to be presented in memory of their parents on Lag B’omer, to the best boy and girl of the Middlesbrough Hebrew Classes.
In December, 1940, a presentation was made to Mr. N. J. Marks, President, and Mr. Mayer Marks, Hon. Secretary, for their long and valued services given during their years of office.
In June, 1942, the Congregation contributed toward the presentation made to the Chief Rabbi, Dr. J. H. Hertz, on the occasion of his 70th birthday.
In the spring of 1945, the members of Middlesbrough Hebrew Congregation were happy to honour Mr. M. Marks, Trustee of our Congregation, by presenting to him an illuminated address in the presence of a large gathering of his many friends, as a mark of appreciation for his long and valued service for the wellbeing of our Community.
In August 1945, the members of the Middlesbrough Hebrew Congregation marked the occasion of Rabbi and Mrs. L. Miller’s Silver Wedding, by presenting them with a cheque as a token of their esteem and good wishes.
Last year we brought into being the Communal Building Fund Committee, which is working together with their sub-committee (social section) to realise as quickly as possible the very urgent need of this Congregation to build a Communal Hall and Hebrew classrooms worthy of this progressive Community.
These are but a few of the many activities in which the Congregation has participated, but owing to space limit, I have had to condense my resume; nevertheless we can be proud of our work and efforts during the war years 1939-1945.
NAT CRASTER,
Hon Secretary
Mr. and Mrs. A. Wiseman - Prayer Books and Tallism. etc.
The Rev. G. Wulwik - A Perpetual Time Table and Notice Board, in memory of his late father.
The family of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bharier instituted a Memorial Prize of £3 yearly to be presented in memory of their parents on Lag B’omer, to the best boy and girl of the Middlesbrough Hebrew Classes.