THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Ramat Rachel: Israeli Kibutz Symbol of Resilience New Year Greetings BLUESTEIN BROS. Declers By JANET MENDELSOHN MOSHE in SCrOID - 3195 BELLEVUE World Zionist Press Service WA 2 2720 New Year Greetings CADILLAC FENCE & SUPPLY CO; 13675 Plymouth WE 3-8755 Happy New Year DAY'S FASHION SHOP LATEST APPAREL For a Happy Day Shop at Day's Mr. and Mrs. David Silver 9450 Jos. Campau Hamtramck, Mich. Friday, September 9, 1983 113 The picturesque fields of Kibutz Ramat Rachel ap- pear to be in danger of encroaching urbanization, with their orchards looking like the only thing halting Jerusalem's growth. Chances are the hardy members of the kibutz will succeed in preserving their rural lifestyle — their per- severance is almost . legen- dary in Israel's history. Founded on 90 dunams of rock in 1926, Kibutz Ramat Rachel (the Heights of Rachel) overlooks the bibli- cal road to Bethlehem and the burial place of the bibli- cal Rachel. In the early 1920s, it seemed hardly possible to eke out an ag- ricultural existence for 70 members with no arable soil or any water .supply. Sur- rounded by Bedouin and Arab villagers, the settle- ment was just beginning when, in 1929, Arab rioters burned the kibutz to the ground. Rebuilding the homes and dining room was top priority, and in addition to communal buildings, a lost and re-won this im- portant stronghold, de- spite high casualties. As the War of Indepen- dence raged on throughout the country, the once flourishing kibutz lay in ruins. With the war won, :40 members returned to the site. With a strong push from the Jewish Agency, land was purchased and the site and farm redeveloped. Still opposite a Jordanian outpost, Ramat Rachel had its share of difficulties, but it was not until June 5, 1967 that enemy shelling once the hustle and bustle of this modern kibutz, Israel's legendary resilience can be seen. Destroyed more than once, Ramat Rachel, like the state itself, always re- covered and emerged to live again, remembering its past but concentrating on the fu- ture. Every day should be passed as if it were to be our last. , 11.. ■•■ New Year Greetings to All Amsterdam Press White Color Card Co. Myron S. 'Steinberg 120 Mt. Elliott Established 1890 259-3910 Holiday Greetings Best Wishes for The New Year BERRY & SEYBURN HAIR FASHIONS by RONALD 28th Floor, Fisher Bldg , Detroit 43202 23720 Southfield Road OPEN SUNDAY and MONDAY .Property Management 871-6700 Southfield, Mich. 557-0680 Best Wishes to Our Friends and Patrons for a Happy New Year Best it- ishes for Cl Io.1 -olis Holiday Season CAPITOL WASTE PAPER CO. PAUL INMAN ASSOCIATES A view of Kibutz Ramat Rachel under seige dur- ing Israel's 1948 War of Independence. The kibutz, which was attacked in 1929, 1948 and 1967, has since been rebuilt and is now well known for its tourist facilities. AUTO CITY IRON & METAL CO. The Lipsitz Families Happy, Healthy New Year To All 1 . HANDLEMAN COMPANY 1055 W. Maple Rd. Clawson, Mich. 48017 J FINE ARTS OPTICAL Over 50 Years of Quality Service Now has 5 locations to serve you Detroit 963-6907 Northland 569-2354 Eastland 371-4848 Farmington 478-1960 Town Center 352-3435 Wishes You A Happy, Healthy & Prosperous NEW YEAR cow shed and chicken coops, the settlers also started a bakery and a laundry to serve nearby Jerusalem. again took its toll. "Jordanian shells and bombs rained on our settle- ment for two days," reports Katz. "A direct hit by a Jor- danian shell destroyed the kibutz dining room. Those -- too young or too old to fight spent some two days in the shelters, and despite the sound defeat of the Jorda- nians, the Israeli forces and the kibutz suffered heavy losses. "By the mid-40s we had grown to almost 300 people," says Moshe Katz, a 50-year veteran of Kibutz life. The keeper of Ramat Rachel's extensive archives, Katz, 70, vividly remem- bers the War of Indepen- dence. "In May of 1948, we were Once again the sur- under siege, and heavy vivors of Ramat Rachel Arab attacks destroyed began to pull themselves many of our buildings once together to rebuild their again," recalls Katz. "The lives and homes. The set- Hagana opened the road to tlement's fourth dining - Jerusalem, and children room was constructed. and those women that could Israeli kibutz groups set- be spared were evacuated tled in Ramat Rachel, under heavy fire." and it has become home On May 22 of that year, for young pioneers froni 60 defenders of Ramat all over the country. Rachel were attacked by Youngsters finishing 500 Arab troops. "The Gush their army service have Etzion settlements had fal- married and stayed on len only days before in the the kibutz. south, and the road to Today more than 100 Jerusalem was almost open members and 135 children to enemy forces — only live at Ramat Rachel. The Ramat Rachel stood in their kibutz is still growing. Just path," explains Katz. "In a as Jerusalem apartments massive attack, the Egyp- are edging closer and closer tians were joined by Jorda- to the kibutz so to, the build- nian soldiers from the east ing activities of Ramat and Iraqi troops from the Rachel are increasing all west as they advanced on the time. Ramat Rachel." A swimming pool, open to Ammunition, food and visitors, overlooks the ter- water, already in raced Hebron Hills. dangerously low supply, Tourists of all kinds are ac- were depleted in a 13- commodated at the kibutz. hour battle, and 14 of the Bungalows, a youth hostel kibutz defenders were and a guest house have been killed. Almost all the sur- built out of the original liv- vivors were badly in- ing quarters that were jured. The entire settle- bombed in 1948, and vis- ment was rubble after the itors from many places and arduous battle, but the walks of life flock to this site changed hands six quiet resort in the hills close times as Israeli forces to Jerusalem. time and time again won, Today, if one looks past Henry and Sonia Poslaniec 111 and the LINCOLN BARBER 'SHOP Wish All Their Friends and Customers HAPPY NEW YEAR ... - nzrizn rT ruv5 THE SHERBERG FAMILY OF ARDMORE SHOE REPAIR would like to wish all our family and friends a healthy and happy New Year UNITED 5000 HOUSEKEEPER VACUUM CLEANER SPECIALISTS wishes its customers a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year OAK PARK 28011 COOLIDGE 548.0098 • BIRMINGHAM TELEGRAPH at MAPLE 851-6222 The Greenspan Families Want to wish you and yours A Happy Healthy NEW YEAR Michigan Prescription and Warehouse Emporium 2260 Scott Lake Rd., Pontiac