Jewish Lives in New Zealand

 Landmarkbook places the spotlight on a group of New Zealanders who have always punchedabove their weight - publication 2 March

JohnBarnett, Vincent Ward, Marti Friedlander, Sir Peter Gluckman (right), Michael Mizrahi,Diane Levy, Milly Paris and Lesley Max (left) ….Dove-Myer Robinson, John Goldwater,Frank Hofmann, and, stretching right back into New Zealand’s history, eminentfounding families such as the Myers, Nathans, Fishers, Paykels and Hallensteinswho have been influential since the beginning.
Itis a truly impressive roll call of people who have given — and continue to give — somuch to New Zealand society, across many fields of endeavour: politics,business, academia, journalism, medicine, science, arts and culture. What linksthem all is their rich and unique Jewish heritage.

NewZealanders of Jewish descent ― both secular and religiously observant ― haveplayed vital roles in all aspects of our society throughout its history andsuccessive waves of immigration have added to the diverse tapestry of NewZealand Jewry and its impacts here.

Mosthaving come from the large European cities, they brought a cosmopolitansensibility that has helped to shape this country’s music, art andarchitecture, and added intellectual rigor and commitment to its medical andscientific communities. Whatever the endeavour Jewish people have excelled in,it has also been underpinned with a deep sense of community and socialresponsibility. Auckland alone has had six Jewish mayors.

Togethertheir contributions here are an immensely important part of our history. It isa history that, up until now, has remained pretty much untold and unrecognised.

Heading up a team of experts, each writing on their ownsubject, co-editors Dr Leonard Bell and Dr Diana Morrow’s fascinating andsignificant new book, Jewish Lives in New Zealand, is a compelling lookat the immense impact Jewish people have had here since the 1840s, when just 20citizens were registered as being Jewish. Today, the total number is probablymore than 20,000. While this number may seem relatively small, their footprintshave been disproportionately profound.

“Reading through the book, it’shard not to be taken by the fact that Jews collectively have generally punchedwell above their weight and have been high achievers in whatever activitythey’re involved in”, says Leonard Bell.

 “Thebook is full of life. In fact, it’s a book to Life. Fundamental to Jewishthinking is that life is fragile. You only get one chance at it, so get on withit. The book is a testament to this ethos.

 “Ihope the book is full of surprises for people and helps draw together strandsand connects the dots.

 “Thelinks and connections that emerge of the multiple involvements of people withJewish descent both individually and cumulatively, cutting across thegenerations, is really intriguing, especially in music and the visual arts ― inways that may not be immediately obvious.

“Somethingthat runs deep through Jewish history is the primary emphasis placed oneducation and high culture ― regarded as prime values of being human. Jewsbelieve that scholarship, learning and the arts are just as important as anyother aspect of life. They are not things that are elitist or to be enjoyedexclusively by the affluent.

“ Aboveall,” Bell continues, “we get a sense from the book that, by and large, Jewishculture here is one of religious, ideological and cultural tolerance, and thatit is this that enabled both the early immigrants and the future generations tobe embraced by, and flourish in, this ‘New World’ in the South Pacific.”

In arecent Radio New Zealand interview, Peter Gluckman spoke fondly of how hisgrandmother would make him learn and recite a Shakespearean sonnet before goingout to kick a ball around a rugby field.

Aboutthe editors:

ProfessorLeonard Bell lectures in art history at the University of Auckland. He is theauthor of several books, including a very fine account of the photography ofMarti Friedlander.

Dr Diana Morrow is aprofessional historian and the co-author of two earlier books for Random House: Urban Village and A Fine Prospect.

This is a fascinating bookwhich is prolifically illustrated with drawings and photographs, a smallselection of which appears below.

Made possible with the warm support from Gerrard and MartiFriedlander and the Friedlander Trust, Jewish Lives in New Zealand slotsanother important piece into the jigsaw of our history. 
Note:Publication date 2 March.

 Marti Friedlander’s self-portrait, Paris, 1972

 Natalia Schamroth, the owner of the award-winningThe Engine Room, Northcote, Auckland

 David and Dian Ross at the Grey’s Avenue synagogue,2008

 DenisAdam

 Julian Novitz

The Toby Twiss statue of Sir Dove-Myer Robinsonat the Queen Street entrance to Aotea Square, Auckland

Friedensreich Hundertwasser

Jonathan Besser, Marti Friedlander photo 2004