Van der Zyl family papers

Family papers including correspondence of Erich Van der Zyl, a list of possessions of Magnus and Emma Van der Zyl and copies of documents for Rosa Anneliese Van der Zyl, 1933-66; correspondence, with poetry, from Georg Less, Werner Van der Zyl's uncle, sent to him and Rosa Anneliese Van der Zyl, 1948-53

Papers of Rabbi Werner Van der Zyl, including a pass for the Mooragh Internment Camp, Isle of Man; photographs of Werner Van der Zyl; notes for sermons and addresses, 1928-90; papers relating to the establishment of Leo Baeck College, 1943-84; papers for the Communidad Israelita de Palma de Mallorca.

Rabbi Dr Werner Van der Zyl was born in Schwerte in 1902. He trained in Berlin and until 1939 was minister of the Jewish community there. He came to Great Britain in 1939 with his family. They were interned at Kitchener Camp, Deal, Kent and then on the Isle of Man. In 1943 Rabbi Van der Zyl became the minister of North Western Reform Synagogue, a post he held until 1958. Between 1958 and 1968 he was minister of the West London Synagogue. He later held the post of honorary rabbi of the Communidad Israelita de Palma de Mallorca. He was a founder and President of Leo Baeck College, London; President of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain; and Life Vice President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism.

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Compiled by Gwennyth McLay

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