Kingston remembers Jewish refugees in tree planting ceremony
The planting of the memorial tree is part of the Association of Jewish Refugees’ (AJR) anniversary project ’80 Trees for 80 Years’.
The programme involves planting 80 oak saplings across the UK in locations with significant meaning for Jewish refugees and Holocaust survivors.
Kingston's oak, planted on the Queen's Promenade on March 14, is in loving memory of Erna Winter, who escaped to London from Nazi Austria in 1938. Living in London, she set up a cafe called ‘Patteressie Vienna’, which was a meeting place for many refugees from Central Europe.
In 1998 Erna moved into a Care Home based in Thames Ditton, where she passed away in December 2000. Both of Erna’s grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren continue to live in Thames Ditton.
Her son, Frank Winter, sponsored the tree. He and his family were in attendance at the ceremony, along with AJR representatives, Kingston Liberal Synagogue members, and local politicians such as Ed Davey MP and the Leader of Kingston Council.
Councillor Andreas Kirsch, Leader of Kingston Council, said:
“We are proud to have been selected as one of the 80 locations around the UK to have a new living memorial for Jewish refugees.
“This oak tree on the Kingston riverside will act as a reminder to us and future generations to never forget the millions of victims and survivors of the holocaust, and that we must learn from past to form a better future together.
“It is also a symbol of the proud roots that these families have laid down in this country, and the rich contribution they have made to our communities.
“Thank you to the Association of Jewish Refugees for their hard work in putting the ceremony together and for choosing Kingston to be a part of this project.”
Michael Newman OBE, CEO of the Association of Jewish Refugees, said:
“As well as helping to mark the heritage of our members and a place of historical interest associated with them, the planting of this tree enables the AJR to give back to and create a living legacy within the country that became home to the Jewish refugees.”
“Britain’s native oak trees are in decline and new trees are desperately needed. We hope these 80 special trees will be appreciated by future generations and provide natural habitats for other native species for many decades to come.”