THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, March 5, 1982 45 Kedumim: A Settlement of Committed Zionists FOR THE FINEST s, s By JAMES LEWIN World Zionist Press Service JERUSALEM — Behind the, headlines and con- troversy over Israeli set- tlements in the West Bank, a young American family lives a quiet and unassum- ing life in the settlement of Kedumim on the rocks of a former Jordanian military base. David Levine emphasizes that he and his family l _ ive in a settlement in the ad- ministered territories be- cause they believe it is es- sential that Israel establish Jewish communities in Yehuda and Shomron (Judea and Samaria) for the continued vitality and secu- rity of the Jewish state. - Far from Arab population centers, Kedumim, located on a piece of rocky and bar- ren soil, with all surround- ing cultivatable land in the hands of Arab farmers, is about six miles from the Arab town of Nablus. Levine describes relations with Arabs of the area as "by and large, definitely ac- ceptable." However, in terms of the future, he admits a certain pessimism be- cause of Israel's- com- mitment to an auton- omous Palestinian authority as expressed in the Camp David Accords and because of the possi- bility that in the fUture an Israeli government might turn towards the "Jor- danian option." "The world is not ready for peace and not even in- terested in peace except on this little patch of land in Samaria," David contends, ing to a new settlement," says David Levine. Friend- ' ships are made quickly and "it is a very good place for absorption of new immig- rants. He says he has been dis- appointed with aliya from the United States, espe- cially as he believes that only a massive aliya can give Israel the support it really needs. He notes that in order to succeed, Israel would be better advised to seek young people who could find a meaning and goal to their lives in Israel, rather than trying to lure new immigrants by offer- ing material benefits, which really can't com- pete with Western life- styles. Political controversy has whirled around Jewish set- tlement in Judea and Samaria but it has not slowed down its tempo. David Levine, his wife - " Shown is the town of Kedumim, in Samaria, where 1,000 Jews have settled since 1975. expressing the sense of iso- they became full-fledged lation and insecurity which members of the determined characterizes the relations community. of many Israelis with con- Living on the edge of temporary society and the the headlines has been international community. exciting, the Levines ac- Perhaps nowhere -is this re- knowledge, but they vealed with more stark in- didn't come because of tensity for David, and his the adventure. They friends than in the tiny came because they be- hamlet of Kedumim on a lieve it is the right place small road in the heart of to be. "We never really this formerly Jordanian made the decision to territory. move in," recalls Levine It was not fanatic ideol- with a smile. "We just ogy that brought the _ stayed." Levines to Kedumim. They The Levines married in were a young American 1973 and came to Israel in Jewish couple willing to 1975 looking for a new place make whatever contribu- where' they could 'put down tion they could to develop- their roots. They wanted a ing Eretz Yisrael. Origi- small settlement because, nally they came to in the words of David Kedumim to visit Sarah's Levine: "My idea of Zionism cousin, who was one of the is to live on the land of Is- first seven families to settle rael. Living on the third the former army outpost in floor of an apartment house 1975. The Levines had de- didn't seem tr; be living on cided to live in Israel but the land." In their current circum- were still looking for aplace to call home. stances, the Levines are liv- Without a lot of ing in temporary prefabri- philosophizing, - they cated houses while the set- gradually extended their tlement's permanent homes "visit" to . a longer and de- are now going up. Agricul- eper commitment, until ture in Kedumim concen- trates, because of the lack of land, on branches like greenhouses and poultry, since all cultivatable land The producers and distributors of around thp community be- longs in law and in practice to Arab farmers. Kedumim, a community as distinct from a coopera- tive settlement, presently has about 150 families with 450 children which, includ- ing students in the local yeshiva -and in a unique educational institution called Midreshet Eretz Yis- rael, brings the population to about 1,000. Well over half of the families earn their living within the settlement it- - self in various industrial it branches such as metal extend to the entire Jewish community and carpentry best wishes for a happy and joyouS enterprises and a sewing workshop, while the rest work at jobs outside of Kedumim. There are many types of people living in Kedumim, top off your Hammantashen with a scoop of your Levine emphasizes, includ- favorite ice cream, sherbet, or Italian ices! ing non-religious families and people of political per- all of our Kosher products are made fresh suasions differing from each daily in Detroit, under supervision of other to a very considerable Rabbi Jack Goldman of the Metropolitan degree. Kashruth Council of Michigan "People interested in aliya should consider cora- Wesley s T OGR A P Sarah and their small son Avraham have helped dyer- come the difficulties in- volved in establishing a new, thriving and growing community in a hostile environment. They receive great satis- faction from playing their own modest role in shaping new developments on this ancient landscape. 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