A most interesting series of documents recently came up for auction in Israel. I was privileged to be shown them and realised their importance in the history of Jewish Sunderland. During the Second World War (1939-1945) most of the Jewish youth both men and women were called up for military service. The minister at this time was Rabbi S Toperoff. He took it upon himself to edit and send a monthly bulletin to every Jewish service man and woman from Sunderland throughout the world containing local news and also letters from all so that everybody had some contact not only with home but also with each other. Rabbi Toperoff enlisted some local correspondents to help him. This unique collection is a full series and gives a most wonderful insight not only to the serving men and women but also to the local Jewish life in Sunderland during the War Years.
Harold A Davis |
