Jewish Lives in New Zealand

Friday, February 17, 2012

Jewish Lives in New Zealand

Landmark book places the spotlight on a group of New Zealanders who have always punched above their weight - publication 2 March

John Barnett, 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, eminent founding families such as the Myers, Nathans, Fishers, Paykels and Hallensteins who have been influential since the beginning.

It is a truly impressive roll call of people who have given — and continue to give — so much to New Zealand society, across many fields of endeavour: politics, business, academia, journalism, medicine, science, arts and culture. What links them all is their rich and unique Jewish heritage.

New Zealanders of Jewish descent ― both secular and religiously observant ― have played vital roles in all aspects of our society throughout its history and successive waves of immigration have added to the diverse tapestry of New Zealand Jewry and its impacts here.

Most having come from the large European cities, they brought a cosmopolitan sensibility that has helped to shape this country’s music, art and architecture, and added intellectual rigor and commitment to its medical and scientific communities. Whatever the endeavour Jewish people have excelled in, it has also been underpinned with a deep sense of community and social responsibility. Auckland alone has had six Jewish mayors.

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

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

“Reading through the book, it’s hard not to be taken by the fact that Jews collectively have generally punched well above their weight and have been high achievers in whatever activity they’re involved in”, says Leonard Bell.

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

“I hope the book is full of surprises for people and helps draw together strands and connects the dots.

“The links and connections that emerge of the multiple involvements of people with Jewish descent both individually and cumulatively, cutting across the generations, is really intriguing, especially in music and the visual arts ― in ways that may not be immediately obvious.

“Something that runs deep through Jewish history is the primary emphasis placed on education and high culture ― regarded as prime values of being human. Jews believe that scholarship, learning and the arts are just as important as any other aspect of life. They are not things that are elitist or to be enjoyed exclusively by the affluent.

“ Above all,” Bell continues, “we get a sense from the book that, by and large, Jewish culture here is one of religious, ideological and cultural tolerance, and that it is this that enabled both the early immigrants and the future generations to be embraced by, and flourish in, this ‘New World’ in the South Pacific.”

In a recent Radio New Zealand interview, Peter Gluckman spoke fondly of how his grandmother would make him learn and recite a Shakespearean sonnet before going out to kick a ball around a rugby field.

About the editors:

Professor Leonard Bell lectures in art history at the University of Auckland. He is the author of several books, including a very fine account of the photography of Marti Friedlander.

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

This is a fascinating book which is prolifically illustrated with drawings and photographs, a small selection of which appears below.

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