Leitz Family Historian – Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith

Leica Camera Enthusiast, Historian and Spiritual Leader Interview

Oct 21, 2009

Frank Dabba Smith's enthusiasm for Leica cameras led him to research the wartime altruism of Ernst Leitz II who aided the escape of Jews and non-Jews from Nazi Germany.

Frank Dabba Smith (b.1955) was born in California, USA. After qualifying as a teacher he subsequently achieved an MA in Hebrew and Jewish Studies at Leo Baeck College, London, and was ordained as a Rabbi in 1994. As a keen photographer Frank has a passion for Leica cameras that has led to some fascinating research.

Frank Dabba Smith – Professional Photographer

S101: Photography seems to be a dominant factor in your life. When did you get your first camera?

"I started photographing when I was 15… I learned photography at synagogue in California in the early 1970s. Our rabbi was very much into photography. You might say the course of my life was formed as a young teenager… the connection between photography and art as well as my Jewish identity."

"I was 16, it was a Leica M3 from 1954. I bought it second-hand… I blew a lot of my Bar Mitzvah money on this camera. I bought it with a 50 mm lens, but it needed an overhaul that was almost as much as the purchase price."

S101: Frank, your passion for Leica cameras has led you to research the life of Ernst Leitz II. Please tell me about this?

"I'm particularly concerned with Ernst Leitz II… (1871-1956). Years ago I saw a reference to the fact that Leitz, this man who owned a factory in Wetzlar, Germany, helped Jewish refugees get to America during the Holocaust."I was in no position, at the time, to learn more about it. I saw another reference in the 1990s, and this time I approached the Leitz family, a man named Dr Knut Kühn-Leitz, grandson of Ernst Leitz II. He knew almost nothing about what I was trying to tell him!

"I met him in 1997/8… we've become close friends… research partners. I like to think I inspired him to go on this adventure… to learn about his family. He's 73 now, but he's the only one of his family left who has this interest.

"Through Dr Kühn-Leitz I've learned there were non-Jewish people who helped Jews, who did as much as they possibly could to help the persecuted."

"There are a couple of moments. Dr Ernst Leitz II was forced to join the Nazi party in 1942. He feared his factory would be taken over by the Nazis. At that point nobody knew how long it would all last… he wanted to maintain some control. I saw some papers after the war and attached to them were letters written by Jewish people whom he had helped."

"I traced descendents of those people and their stories confirmed the letters, either through other primary source material, or recollections of the families. He saved approximately 60 people, Jews and non-Jews.

"Another key moment was when I found primary source materials that Ernst Leitz had signed himself, like letters of recommendation for young Jewish people. It confirmed that he was telling the truth."

Anti-Defamation League Recognises Ernst Leitz

"In 2007 there was an award by the Anti-Defamation League in Florida. The ADL sought me out and I provided them with evidence. The family sought no recognition whatsoever… as I said, Knut didn't even know about this stuff".

"They're the sort of Christians where the motto is "say little, do much", they don't brag, they're very modest. Also, it was a small town, after the war they all had to live with each other."

Ernst Leitz and the German Democratic Party

"He was in a position of relative privilege and had the ability, and courage, to do something. He was a town counsellor with the DDP (German Democratic Party). The party was involved with the Weimar Republic… a lot of Jewish professionals belonged.

"The DDP, along with the SDP (Social Democratic Party), put together the Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold ("Black, Red, Gold – Banner of the Realm"), a coalition of people in uniform who went around beating up Nazis on the streets in the '20s. We have evidence that he provided their uniforms. There are photographs of members of the Reichsbanner riding in trucks with "Ernst Leitz" on the side. So, politically, he was disposed to helping people. The Nazis hated him because of that."

"One of the reasons the Nazis allowed him to survive, to retain some control of the company, was that if they got rid of him production would fall apart. Because there was a wartime economy there was forced production of optical goods for the military. Even the Nazis were capable of some pragmatism!"

Frank Dabba Smith's Work as a Rabbi

"Much of my rabbinate is about pastoral work and empathetic relationships with older, vulnerable people… death and bereavement work. I work a lot with different faiths, the Muslims, the police.

"My work connects with the legacy of Ernst Leitz II. He almost trained to be a pastor… his approach to his employees was like a minister, more than a boss, so there's that tie in. There's always the question – if I were in his shoes what would I have done? I look to him as a role model.

"Professor Michael Berkowitz, Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at University College, London, approached me after an article in the Financial Times. I'm one year into a PHD, with his supervision. I've no idea how long it will take. It's very hard but I really enjoy the challenge and the thinking."

S101: Frank, thank you for your time, and I wish you every success with your PDH.

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