A Class with Class

Abstract

It would be a pleasure to contribute a funny story concerning Walter and myself, and I am sure there would be one or two but since our association goes back 65 years and my memory unfortunately does not, I am at a loss at what to say. Of course, those were not funny or happy days after Hitler had occupied Austria in 1938 and we Jewish students were kicked out of school. I was allowed, however, as was Walter, to finish the fifth grade Realgymnasium (the ninth year in the public school system). We were informed that there might be a possibility to continue for another year in a Jewish school, though access was limited to Jewish honor students selected from all the schools in Vienna, especially those whose fathers had served in World War I. Since I qualified on both counts I was admitted to this school, the Chajes Gymnasium on Staudingergasse in the 20th district of Vienna. That is where I met Walter Kohn, who came from the Akademische Gymnasium. It was the most extraordinary school, the most extraordinary class and the most extraordinary atmosphere. Can you imagine, the very best 15 year old Jewish students of Vienna in one classroom! It was also the first time I experienced a coeducational setting (in Austria the sexes were, and probably still are, strictly separated below university level). There was a strong bond of comradeship, even friendship between students and professors and there was only one common goal: to learn as much and as fast as possible.