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Purely Commentary:
By Philip Slomovitz
AFULEH, Israel — There are many firsts in
Israel. This country does not forget its first pioneers,
the first roads, the first achievements and the first
sacrifices.
A guest who visits here may retain for all time
the recollection of the first moment of his having
touched Holy Soil upon his arrival; or of his first
dip in the Mediterranean, or his first glimpse at
Jerusalem; or his first ride in the Israel railroad
(Rakovet).
Few "firsts" compare, however, with the feeling
that comes when the Hebrew year's first drop of
rain touches you.
Eight years ago, on Nov. 3, 1949, it had not
yet rained in Israel. This year, the first drops came
while we were in Safed. But the thrill, which was
imparted also by the general excitement in all of
Israel over the ,downpours, came the following day.
We were in Afuleh, examing the operations of the
Israel Sugar Works, that are partly financed by
Israel Bonds, when the rain came down in torrents.
Then came the radio reports from the entire coun-
try. It rained in Tel Aviv, as well as in the Galil,
and in the Negev.
These are some of the things that excite
Israel—and these who are privileged to see Is-
rael at work. The prayers for rain were not to be
recited in synagogues for another day—on Shemi-
nei Azteret which is marked here as Simhat Torah.
It was an occasion to tease the religious—that the
Almighty had beat them to the gun—but what
really mattered was that rain, which is so vitally
needed here—had come !,
Wherever you turn in Israel, the results of in-
dustrial accomplishments made possible by Israel
Bond investments warm the hearts of American Jews
who have the vision to participate in the great Is-
raeli adventure. Thanks to Bond dollars, there are
new roads, many factories, fertilizer and phosphate
plants.
At Afulah, we were given a lesson in sugar-
refining. Here, at. the Israel Sugar Works, Ltd.
(Mipalei Sukar Israelim), we saw the development
of a plant that compares favorably with the most
efficient factory in America. Tnuvah, Hamishbar and
the Israel Agricultural Bank established it in 1951
for the refining of beet sugar. Israel Bonds provided
some of the funds.
Under the direction of J. W. Schwabe, this plant
welcomes the know-how of Americans. Schwabe,
Radislaw Rosenberg, the production engineer,' and
Itzhak Itsock, the plant's English-trained mechanical
engineer, said they had hopes of eventually pro-
ducing cane sugar.
Meanwhile, 300 workers are employed here, and
Israel's economy gains strength from activities which
involve both the manufacture of essential products
and serious experimentation for the improvement
of the product and the introduction of new ones on
the rapidly-expanding Israel market.
Country Club in Ashkelon
ASHKELON—This is one of the new miracle
cities in Israel. Ashkelon, like Beersheba and Di-
mona, will become a well known name throughout
the world—because of the miracle of city-building
in Israel and the rise of important industries in and
around them.
We'll deal with Ashkelon's development in an-
other item. • At the moment, the interesting thing to
point out is that this city, which has been built on
Israel -- a Land of Miracles and
Firsts: Even the initial rainfall of the
year provides a sense of accom-
pl ishment.
what were sand-dunes only five years ago, already
has a country club.
There also is a country club 10 miles from
Tel Aviv, on the road to the Lydda Airport—the
Savoyn Country Club—which has enrolled some
of Israel's most prominent citizens as members.
Savoyn has a beautiful setting. It has a modern
swimming pool, a good Jestaurant and a clubhouse.
Israel also has a few night clubs. The Theater
Club in Tel Aviv provides delightful programs by
young Israelis. Some outstanding stars are certain
to emerge from this club's programs.
Interestingly enough, the frontier city of Beer-
sheba, which has grown in mushroom fashion, also
has a night club, known as "The Last Chance." Its
Hebrew name is "Hitdammut Hoachrona." There is
no entertainment here—as yet. But the club has an
interesting setting. Its enterprising owners, a French
Jewish couple, have utilized every available article
as a decoration: old shoes, bells, kitchen utensils,
sticks and stones. They have painted the interior
and the 'entrance, and the environment lends itself
for a sandwich and a drink, a chat with a friend,
some genuine sociability.
That's how Israel functions: its people work
hard and build rapidly, and they also enjoy life. The
future holds a lot of good in store for this interest-
ing people.
Guns and a Question
EILAT—We were here on the day when U. S.
ammunition was being unloaded across the Gulf of
Aqaba, at the Jordan part of the gulf that bears the
name Aqab. The distance is short and every move-
ment was visible.
The Israelis were saddened. They did not display
fear, but they displayed a feeling of hurt, as if to
say, "Why does your country do this?"
But they were more outspoken in relation to
the Arabs • and said seriously, "why do the Arabs
do this?"
"They are our neighbors and we crave friend-
ship with them," was the sentiment heard at every
step.
"Would that we could convince them how both
of us could benefit from peace," is the common
Israeli comment on the attitude of the Arabs.
While weapons never are in evidence here, Is-
raelis who continue to build nevertheless are pro-
tecting themselves well — building with one hand,
protecting with the other.
They Remember Bernard Isaacs
TEL AVIV—Israel is a land of high culture.
The literatures of more than 32 nations are in con-
stant demand. Hebrew novels are good sellers. The
best works of writers from many nations are being
translated into Hebrew and have good sales.
There are 22 daily newspapers in Israel—too high
a percentage for a small land like Israel—but it
speaks volumes in explanation of the interest in the
printed word that is displayed here.
Many Israelis recall with gratitude the sincere
efforts in behalf of Israel cultural activities by
• Bernard Isaacs of Detroit. There is a sense of
gratitude for his having invited Israeli scholars to
teach in Detroit and to lecture under auspices
of Kvutzah Ivrith.
Israelis also speak with appreciation ot Isaacs'
personal literary efforts—his short stories and his
collection of narratives, "Amos the Orange Vendor,"