Friday, November 8, 1957—THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS-2
— 34
Purely Commentary
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On from Israel
to the Communities
of Basel and Berne
By Philip Slomovitz
coins spent in afforestation. The Jewish Na-
tional Fund remains Israel's most popular
agency—due to its vision as the reclaimer of
the soil, as the planter of forests, as the instru-
ment that is in the forefront in Israel's defense
mechanism. You make the tour in the hills and
you see area after area emerging as an oasis in
the desert: wherever there are green spots they
are indications that Jews had built new settle-
ments. The typical newcomers' residences are
everywhere: as proof that new areas are being
reclaimed by new immigrants. Often they are
right on the border—that's where they become
more valuable than guns. The vision of Israel's
defenders is in full view: where there is an
established settlement there is the best defense.
This is the JNF's important role today: it not
only reclaims neglected land, prepares the
ground for new settlers, plants many forests:
it also defends the land with its border settle-
ments.
The JNF's defense role is in evidence also
in the south: the Negev is dotted with new
rows of trees: the JNF beautifies the land;
reclaims it; defends it.
You get to the Negev, and at Kiryat Gat
you are witness to the rise of a great new
industry in Israel — cotton. It grows well
here, and the Israelis have a vision of pro-
ducing the best product in the world. Ma-
chon La'avod Kutna b'Darom is a plant that
captivates you. It is only two years old, but
it already produces marvelously. Nahum
Gershenowitz, 'one of the men in charge,
spoke with admiration of the contribution
made to the Israel cotton industry by Sam
Halburger of California, who insisted Israel
had cotton potentials, who defied obstacles
to establish the industry here, who helped
fight the boll weevil.
Next to the cotton gin is the Israel cotton
weaving plant established by investors from
Cleveland. A Christian from Lancashire, Eng-
land, John Briscoe, is the expert who was
brought here to supervise the weaving and to
bring Israel the knowledge he had acquired
through the years in English weaving plants.
And so, as you enter the Shaer Hanegev-
the gates to the Negev—you discover that next
to the Heletz Oil Fields there also are many
new industries as well as vast orange groves.
There also are diamond polishing plants—and
there are applications from many new indus-
tries to be permitted to become established in
the Negev. What a combination: oil and
oranges and diamonds and cotton!
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The schools of higher learning in Israel
require special notice — and commendation.
Technion's role is very great. Bar-Ilan is gain-
ing an important spot for itself within Israel.
The Hebrew University remains the outstand-
ing example of scholarship, comparable to the
best schools in the world.
Among the attractions on the new Hebrew
University campus is the Israel Goldstein Syna-
gogue; built by Dr. Goldstein's Bnai Jeshurun
Synagogue in New York in honor of this emi-
nent rabbi. It has the appearance of half an
egg. Under the huge dome is the synagogue
itself—a most attractive place for worship—
and a house of study. As it was explained,
ther cannot be a beth haknesset without a beth
hamidrash — and our finest traditions are
being amply perpetuated.
Mrs. Esther Reifenberg, dean of women
at the Hebrew University, is one of the most
charming– guides we had on our entire trip.
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The story will never be complete without
the numerous interesting sidelights. For in-
stance, in Beersheba, where the agricultural
experiments are being conducted, former De-
troiter Gershon Segelman is trying to solve
another problem—that of the shnat shmitah-
the jubilee year handicap. He is experimenting
with crops that should not - need replanting. He
believes that he is perfecting methods for
planting peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes,
lettuce and cabbage, that will grow auto-
matically into a second crop without replant-
ing: that would solve the shnat shmitah prob-
lem for the very orthodox, since it would elim-
inate the need for planting just at the time
when Biblical law called for the land to lie
fallow for a season.
Segelman is experimenting with many new
things, including peanuts (botnim) and citrus
fruits. He believes Israel already has the best
peanuts grown anywhere.
The Israel story will remain incomplete
as long as new cities are being excavated,
so long as new findings are being made. At
the Hebrew University you are shown the
Dead Sea Scrolls and the jars in which they
were found. At Hazor, you see Yigal Yadin
at work, excavating buried cities.
A Roman grave was found at Ashkelon,
where excavations continue. The findings at
Beth Shearim of the graves of second century
Jewish scholars, in the era of Hellenization,
are among the major attractions for visitors
and natives alike.
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Among the wonders of Israel are the cop-
per mines at Timnah. You go first to Elath,
then you turn back, going northward toward
the Negev, to see a modern mining wonder
in the midst of desolation.
The road from Beersheba to Elath is near-
ing completion. Another 20 miles need to be
paved, then the road will be clear and com-
fortable, by bus, all the way from Beersheba
to Elath.
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The story of a traveler's observations in