2
IDurely
Commentary
Roundup of Observations in Israel
(Continued from Page One)
Furthermore, no hardships possibly can compel this brave
people to close Israel's doors to others willing to come. Israel is
open for all Jews—even young Americans about whose halutziuth
so many falsehoods have been permitted in recent months to
inflitrate into the press and the minds of American Jews.
Israel has many problems. She has overcrowded camps which
must be emptied so that others should be able to come to the new
land and so that the homeless should be enabled to become a
part of their state.
The process is a slow brie. The urgently needed American dol-
lars are not coming in. Instead of the expected 200 million dol-
lars that were expected from the UJA, Israel received a little more
than a fourth of the awaited sum.
Sabra Israel is expected to work miracles with her immigrants
and her thirsty soil as she did on the battlefields. It isn't that
easy.
If American Jewry had the taste of receiving 300,000 immi-
grants for whom they would have had to provide food and cloth-
ing and homes, they might have understood the problem better.
We in the U.S.A. have it too easy: therefore we do not un-
Air France Crash Takes Toll of Our Copy
The unfortunate Air France plane crash on which 48 persons
perished also has taken a toll of this correspondent's copy. Among
the articles that were lost were descriptions of the work of Histra-
drut (Israel Federation of Labor); the progress made at the Tech-
nion in Haifa; the achievements of the settlers in Kibutz Givat
Brenner; Dov Joseph's successful zena (austerity) program and
several other items. While my notes have been discarded, I shall
try to reconstruct some of these stories.
HISTRADRUT: There is hardly a spot in Israel without the
influence of the Israel Federation of Labor. Histradrut is not
Mapai—the dominant labor party, but from its ranks come the
overwhelming number of supporters of the ruling faction in the
Jewish state.
Howard U. President
Speaks at Northwest
Interfaith Meeting
Bone of Contention in Industrial Planning
.
The Israel story is incomplete without reference to the Ye-
menites.
More than 32,000 newcomers from Yemen already have been
brought to Israel by plane—in daily groups of 500 each—by the
Joint Distribution Committee, by way of Aden. Before long
Yemen will be without Jews and another dark chapter in our his-.
tory will come to an end.
Jews have suffered intolerable indignities in Yemen.
Their persecutors were merciless.
Their children were stolen from them by the bigoted Moslems
and only through bribery and clandestine means could they con-
tinue their existence as Jews. Recently they began to trek Israel-
ward on foot, with Aden as their destination. From there, the JDC
Magic Carpet program took them to Israel.
We saw them on their arrival in Lydda. Emaciated, in tat-
ters, some adults weighing not more than 60 pounds, there was
joy in their midst that they were able to get out of the inferno
in which Jews lived for 2,000 years to settle in the Jewish state.
Some of the garments of both adults and children bore
labels in Yiddish reading: "A Gift from the JDC."
Their road was a tough one. We learned, shortly before we
had left Israel, that hundreds of them were poisoned by fanatic
Arabs from whom they were compelled to purchase food on their
journey. Hundreds are dying in Israel and the hospitals are
overcrowded with their children who must be nourished back to
life.
Once in Israel, however, their future is secure, and Israel
benefits from this wholesome element.
THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday, November 25, 1949
Thanks to Histradut—the great labor movement—the standard
of living workers in Israel is higher than anywhere in Europe,
except perhaps • Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries.
While basic pay in France is not more than the equivalent of $15
a week, with a lower standard prevailing in England, the basic
Dr. Mordecai Wyatt Johnson,
pay in Israel is above $30 a week.
president of Howard University
Thanks to the influence of Histra.dut, many industries have will be the featured speaker at
been established in Israel, settlers in cooperative and collective the Fourth Annual Interfaith
settlement have been given encouragement to carry on against
great odds.
Histadrut has won privileges for its members, but its begin-
naings are steeped in sacrifices which will be recorded in golden
letters in Jewish history.
Histadrut's control of several industries, especially as owner
of the Solel Boneh construction plants, make it a bone of conten-
tion in the industrial planning of the country. The strong labor
federation will be called upon to make some concessions to pro-
spective American investors in order to encourage the flow of
American dollars into Israel.
derstand Israel: therefore Israel suffers from our indifferences-
No one, however, doubts there will be an amicable agreement
between all parties. Mapai leaders certainly are prepared and
and complacency.
willing to join in every effort that will lead to speedy solution of
Transportation a Major Problem
Israel's problems and to concrete contributions toward the Jewish
Israel has traffic problems. It is heartbreaking to watch the state's economy.
long queues of men and women waiting for buses in Tel Aviv to
return them to their homes after working hours.
Everything Done on Collective Basis
These people are taking their transportation problem stoically.
GIVAT BRENNER: This kibutz is famous for its convalescent
They will solve it, as they are certain to solve many more prob- home which. was built with funds provided by the late American
lems. They probably would look at us in amazement if they knew poetess, Jessie Sampter, whose one condition that went with the
we pitied • them. But we can make their lot easier—by providing gift was that it should be a vegetarian home. Leah Berlin, is the
the means for development of their land—for the sake of the im- able director of the home. It is one of many similar havens for
migrants; by helping them establish new industries; by offering convalescents that are springing up throughout Israel.
them our know-how through our best manpower. Are we doing it?
But Givat Brenner is famous . for its accomplishments as a
We can improve our record as of the date of the birth of Israel.
kibutz, as a collective settlement whose 650 members are thriving
Israel has a food problem.
and have been, able to take in 400 newcomers to the country.
It would be abnormal for a million people not to have a few
Everything here is done on a collective basis; each settler
complaints. But the people is firm in its determination to has something to do—as shoemaker or tailor or gardener or worker
help the government whom it admires and to assure success to in the numerous plants. A modern plant has been erected for the
the ZENA (not austerity but modesty) program in the best in- bottling of juices from the settlement's fruits and a large export
terests of all concerned.
business of soft drinks in concentrated form is done with England.
Israel's leaders know what they are doing. They are honest,
M. H. Zackheim's sister and her family are among Givat
fearless, sincerely devoted to their constituents. They know Brenner's settlers.
Israel is not yet at peace with her neighbors. They are aware
•
of the battles they must fight not alone with the outside world
Dov Jos'eph s Zena Program
but also with kinsmen who are lacking in understanding.
ZENA: Books, not paragraphs, need to be written about the
if only the American Jewish partner would cooperate a bit
effective manner in which Dov Joseph's austerity program is
more in the great venture! A little more help could solve the
working in Israel. Joseph objects to the interpretation of zena
food problem. It could ease the housing shortage for old and as austerity. He points out correctly that it means modesty. There
new settlers. And the question props up again: how much will are many in Israel who fume and rage over the rationing program.
American Jewry do in 1950 for the UJA that has become so im- Pin the critics down and you squeeze out of them admissions that.
poverished in 1949?
withotit zena Israel might have been doomed economically.
. Cost of shoes already has risen to.$40 a pair. Clothing prices
An Opportunity to Make Money in Israel
American Jews need not be altogether altruistic. They have an were so high the average person could not buy a thread.
. There was danger of some speculation on the food market.
opportunity to make money in Israel. New industries are certain
Now, .thanks to zena, Israel functions . normally. Naturally, you
to prosper there.
are re' strained in your eating habits. Butter and milk are practi-
Israel needs factories of all descriptions.
UnObtainable in Tel Aviv, although there is an abundance
It needs laundries and shoemaking establishments and cement
plants; it needs tools and machines and automobiles; a plant of milk for children in the agricultural settlements. Meat is
manufacturing souvenirs could make a small fortune; it can use: served only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. But no one
more furniture, more clothing, more of every conceivable object; starves.
The best reply to a critic of zena, was given to a woman in
it needs more paper (fortunately, a New Yorker with vision , •s
a .butcher shop by Tzipora Regulant. The .critic was fuming. She
planning to establish a paper plant in Tel Aviv.)
American Jews who have so much courage to gamble on new was unable to get enough meat. Tzipora was unable to keep silent.
projects in exploring virgin ground in the USA have not shown She had experienced the attacks on Israel by the seven Arab
similar courage in dealing with Israel. That concern must be
states. Her husband (Yosef) was one of the officers in the last
aroused in the best interests not alone of Israel but also of the Haganah food convoy in Israel. So, she said to the critic:
Jews of America whose honor can be vindicated only if the job
"A year and a half ago, if some one were to tell you that
they have undertaken—of building a secure Israel—is nobly dis-
yort would on this date be able to sleep in peace in your home—
charged.
not in a shelter—without fear of attack, but that you would" be
The trouble is that American Jews listen to too many tales of limited in food to tea and bread, would you have been happy
woe. A few rumors about Histadrut frighten them away. Histadrut with such a promise of comparative blessedness?" The reply
is hard in its demands for assurances to labor. How else can a was yes, and zena won.
just society be created?
The barbed wire in some sections of Tel Aviv and Jaffa,
But Histadrut, at the insistence of Mapai and the people at throughout Jerusalem and in other spots in Israel; the shelters
large, is making concessions. American Jews must also make con- (miklatim) ; the piled up sand bags at the entrance of buildings
cessions. They can't stay away from the great venture of building still attest to a virtual state of war in Israel. All the land has so
Israel industrially. They must give big to the UJA and must invest far is a truce. If Israel can attain peace, the entire Middle East
their funds to an even larger degree.
will prosper{
Curtain Coming Down on a Dark Chapter
—
DR. MORDECAI•JOHNSON
program sponsored by the Men's
Club of the Northwest Hebrew
Congregation.
The program is scheduled for
8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at the
social hall of the Synagogue,
Curtis at Santa Rosa.
Members of the neighboring
Mayflower Congregational
Church have been invited by the
Northwest Men to be their guests
for. the evening.
Considered the foremost Negro
educator in this country, Dr.
Johnson was formerly an or-
dained minister.
Rev. Robert E. Burtt, pastor of
the Mayflower Congregational
Church, and Rabbi Jacob E. Se-
gal of the Northwest Congrega-
tion will offer greetings.
Herbert L. Harris, president of
the Mens' Club, and Dave Aaron,
program, chairman, invite the
public to attend.
Fresh Air Society
Re-Elects Smith
Barney Smith was re-elected
president -of the Fresh Air So-
Ciety for a third term at the
society's board meeting Nov. 14.
Haifa's Technion Is World Famous
TECHNION: Haifa, the beautiful city of the hills and the
Carmel, is Israel's great industrial center. Its port is the largest
in the Middle East. Its refineries are world famous. If it were
only for its Technion (Hebrew Technical Institute), Haifa would
be worthy of a place of first rank in the Jewish state.
For nearly 25 years—since its. inception—this correspondent
has watched, studied and supported this great school. Whatever
we in Detroit have done for it has been child's play compared with
its earnings. It is a great school, well equipped to train engineers
and has rendered invaluable service in the war effort and through
its nautical and high school departments.
Professor Etingon, assistant to President Kaplansky, and
Miss Dora Barkait, able secretary of the Technion, guided us
through the magnificent buildings and we were impressed by the
fine laboratories and machine shops. But we were especially
moved by the Technion's value to Israel when we spoke to the
school's graduates and learned how much their gifts mean to the
Jewish state.
BARNEY SMITH
The group sponsors the Fresh
Air Camp.
Emanuel J. Harris, former
treasurer, was elected vice presi-
dent; succeeding • Mrs. I. Irving
Bittker.
Former secretary, Milton M.
Maddin will fill the position of
treasurer and Mrs. Joseph G.
Fenton h a s been chosen as
secretary. -
Frances Geller Heads
Border
Cities Drive;
Detroit Jews have an 'important stake in activities in Haifa.
because of the impressive contributions they have made to the CJC Director to Speak \
Detroit Technician Studies Israel Problems
Technion.
A Detroit Chapter of the American Technion Society, of which
Leon Kay, prominent Detroit chemist who is associated with the
Keystone Oil Refining Co. is president, studies technical problems
affecting Israel and seeks to provide desired know-how to assist
the builders of the Jewish state in the development of the land
which is resettling hundreds of thousands of Jews from countries
of oppression. (Upon our return we learned that Ben Wilk has
been chosen to succeed Kay as Detroit Technion Chapter's presi-
dent.)
Important gifts of machinery have been sent to the Technion
by Harvey Goldman and David LeVine. The machines sent by
Mr. LeVine, head of the Federal Engineering Co. of 850 Oakman
Blvd., are considered of particular value in technical studies in
this school which offers the degree of Ingeneur, which ranks
higher than an American B.S. degree. Herbert Hordes of Detroit
was one of the 700 students at the Technion prior to the outbreak
of the Arab-Jewish war.
Detroit will do well to increase its contributions to the great
Technion school.
Frances Geller, Windsor Jew-
ish. Community Council secre-
tary, was elected chairman of
the women's division of the
Canadian community's Welfare
Fund campaign.
Her co-chairmen are Mrs.
Belle_ Matthews, Mrs. Ann Naf-
olin and Mrs. Shirley Taylor.
The division's goal is $16,000,
$3,000 more than last year.
Saul Hayes, executive director
of the Canadian Jewish Con-
gress, will be featured speaker at
the Windsor Community Coun-
cil's annual campaign dinner, to
the held Wednesday evening,
Nov. 30, at Shaar Hashomayinx
synagogue. -.