The adults also continued their education. English was taught in the open air. As there were practically no teaching materials the wooden walls of the barracks were used as blackboards. Each lesson ended with a dictation, and homework. A kindergarten was established for the pre-school children.
There were also film shows in the camp. A newspaper was published in the Am Stau camp. Music was particularly popular with the young camp inhabitants. Mouth organs were very much sought-after. There was a dance band comprising saxophone, accordion and drums.
The practice of religion played an important role. Makeshift synagogues were established, in which
men and women prayed early in the morning. The Sabbath was also adhered to, and respected by the
British.
One of the German camp personnel related an incident in connection with the Sabbath:
One evening a man approached me with the request that I leave my post for a few moments and
follow him to his barrack. I found all the inhabitants in their bunks ready for sleep. They
explained that it was Sabbath and they, being religious Jews, were not allowed to perform even
minor work. I was asked to put out the lights. The following day I received a cigarette for my
trouble. [...] And so I received a cigarette and the Jews their lights out for the night.
Rabbis often visited the camps, to pray together with the camp inhabitants, or simply to give
encouragement. Together with the Jewish New Year, traditionally celebrated on 25th September in
1947, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) was also solemnly celebrated.
The same German wrote:
One of the German barrack orderlies was prayed for on the Day of Atonement. The barrack elder
gave a short speech: "Today we celebrate Yom Kippur. Those who have murdered our brothers and
sisters have been punished. You, dear Sir, are not guilty. Come, share with us the bread of peace!"
