Two letters written to Trude Owen from WIZO concerning a 'Jumberama' event and her needlework, London, November/December 1980

Description

This multi-page item consists of two letters written to Trude Owen, member of the Cardiff Reform Synagogue, from WIZO (Women's International Zionist Organisation) concerning her needlework, London, November/December 1980.

The first letter was written by the Chairman of British WIZO on 4 November 1980. The letter refers to a meeting that took place between the writer and recipient at the 'Jumberama' event (event, advertised as 'The Bazaar of the 80's' took place at Alexandra Palace in London on 26 October 1980). Trude had a stall at the event and the Chairman describes being impressed with the work that she had produced, especially the challah and matzah cloths.

The second letter was written by the General Editor of the 'FWZ Review' ('Federation of the Women Zionists of Great Britain and Ireland' publication) on 2 December 1980 and refers to an article on Trude's work which was published in the FWZ Review the following March 1981.

Trude Owen (1926-2003) was born in Brno, Czechoslovakia to observant Jewish parents. Having heard many of his speeches on the radio, Trude's father Hans anticipated danger from Adolf Hitler in 1938 and began to plan a move of his whole family to south Wales where he had the opportunity to set up a factory due to the South Wales Development Agency.

While twelve-year old Trude and her older sister fifteen-year old Ilse were able to take the trip from Nazi Germany to Britain in early 1939, their mother Hilda was almost left behind in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia. Hans had to claim that one of their daughters was seriously ill to convince the German authorities to let her leave for the United Kingdom.

Trude first discovered her skill at textile production due to her mother's own ability as a needlewoman and her encouragement that Trude and her sister busy themselves with hobbies. Her parents' acquisition of an embroidery factory in Treforest also likely fuelled her interest. When she was nearing forty, she took a ten-week needlework course which allowed her to perfect her ability. Trude went on to make over twenty-five curtains for Arks in Synagogues including the one in the Cardiff Reform Synagogue, of which she was a member.

Depository: Glamorgan Archives.

• http://www.wizo.org/ (link opens in new window)