LIVING WITH A ‘PROFESSIONAL JEW’

Abstract

Felek Scharf has long been well known to readers of the Jewish Quarterly (and beyond) through his writings and his work in promoting Polish-Jewish dialogue. All his wide circle of friends also know his widow Betty Scharf, and many of us are her friends too. She has moved in very different worlds, yet the story of this non-Jewish partner of a fascinating and loveable ‘professional’ Jew—albeit one who described himself as an ‘unregenerate agnostic, thank God’—is itself very interesting and revealing. I hope this interview conveys something of her contribution to the worlds of Felek and their family, and to the wider society.