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JEWISH W EST E B N BULLETIN
Friday^ January 13, 1967
Youth Aliyah to the times
By ARYEH RUBENSTEIN
THIRTY YEARS AGO, Youth Aliyah children formed a rather homogeneous group. They generally came front middle-class homes in Germany or elsewhere in central Europe, they generally were brought here in youth transport without their parents and their parents were generally still in Europe.
Today, 60 per cent of Youth Aliyah wards come from Afro-Asian countries and in most cases they are culturally dis-advantaged.
Yohanan Ginat, educational director of Youth Aliyah, points out that while children from Europe today in most cases have had good schooling, they have a disadvantage of their own. For the most part, they are completely ignorant of things Jewish. "With them the problem is not of raising standards, but a question of values—religion or Zionism—or whatever you want to call it."
But there are some exceptions, he notes. Some families remained religious through 20 years of Communism, and when they get to Israel their sons go straight to a yeshiva.
OF THE OVER 9,000 CHILDREN cared for by Youth Aliyah (this does not include those in day centres), only 10 per cent were brought here without their parents. Another 50 per cent are the children of new immigrants, and the remaining 40 per cent are the children of "veteran immigrants"—^whose parents have been in the country between 10 and 25 years.
It is only in the past 10 years that Youth Aliyah has given major attention to this group. These are children, says Mr. Ginat, who have not been absorbed in Israel society — even though they were bom here and attended Israel schools from kindergarten on. ,
"We may get a boy at the age of 14, who in educational achievement is, only of third or fourth grade level. He has sat in school, but he hasn't learned."
The boy is not necessarily organically retarded, Mr. Ginat explains. Youth Aliyah takes him in the hope that a change of environment and more intensive education activity will effect an improvement—even at that late stage. "Of course, we won't get him into a university. But we will give him basic knowledge and enable him to be self-supporting."
While Youth Aliyah does not accept deeply-disturbed children, it does have a fair share of problem children who suffer from more than school failure. They require individual treat-
ment, which cannot be provided by the teacher, but which calls for the services of a psychologist or psychological sopial worker.
In short, says Mr. Ginat, "we cannot work with these children as we did 30 years ago. We must provide integrated educational, psychological, and social services. The main challenge for us today is the raising of cultural and educational standards.
APART FROM THE CHANGE in the nature of the children, there has been a change in the original agricultural orientation of Youth Aliyah, which, of course, is only a reflection of the changed values in Israel society. In its first period. Youth Aliyah was entirely directed towards the kibbutz and -agricultural training, and most of its wards identified themselves with this goal. But this is no more. As a result, Youth Aliyah in the past few years has converted some agricultural schools into vocational or technical schools, or to academic high schools which prepare for matriculation.
It is not generally realized that, with a few exceptions. Youth Aliyah does not run. its own institutions. Instead, it farms out its wards to kibbutzim or to institutions run by public bodies, retaining a large degree of control over their education. About one-third of the. ^,000, wards are in Mbbut2dm,.and~the r^es^^
One great advantage of the kibbutz, over the mossad, Mr. Ginat thinks, is that it is a social cell, where the child is influenced not only by his counsellor but by all the kibbutz hiembers. In addition, education as a mission, still characterizes kibbutz teachers.
THE STORY WOULD BE INCOMPLETE
without a word about the 16 day centra which are jointly managed by Yputh^Aliyah,J;he. Jewish Agency, and the Ministries of Education and Labor.
More than 2,000 teenagers attend these centres, which are all located in development towns (e.g. Beit Shemesh, Ofakim, Hatzor). They were created for young people 14 and over, who have a low level of education and who have not found their way to any secondary school.
The children stay in the.youth centre from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the aim is to give them a general education and to teach them at least the beginnings of a vocation. The children, one might say are smiilar in nature to many of the real Youth Aliyah wards. The big difference is that their parents do not want them to live away from home.
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statc^ment by Prime Minister ^likol tiiat '^yria Is nist ini-miuie to treatment in kind.V.He said Isorael' was trying to limit her military "measures to self-
(Continued from Page I)
The Premier cited the fact that of theinany tens of thousands-of Jewish students, only about 2,000 Aave reached IsraeL He e^cprJess-ed the opinion that ev^^ this smaU number of students we^e not always influenced by the Zionist movement in the countries from where they came. He also charged leaders of the Zionist movement with "doing little" to expand the network of Jewish day schools and to further Jewr :sh education in their countries^ *'If Zionist leaders would devote heir energy to implemeriiting their own resolutions, theii there might be moral force in the ad«^ vices they are dispensing freely," Mr. Eshkol said.
hears about Niddle-East
BY HENRY LEONARD
*Siwce Pa gave her rtiaf Ronson, if*s the only way Bobe will light them."
C0pr. f9«0« Dayeitu Productions
Evergreen slates education eve Sun.
"The Nineteen Letters of Ben ITziel" will be examined and discussed this Sunday, Jan. 15, 8 p.m., during the next Evergreen lodge B.B. adult education evening scheduled at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Marvin Hier, 661 West 26th Ave. The series is part of a diploma credit arrangement with Yeshiva University of New York.
The book's author, one of the most distinguished leaders of the 19th century in Orthodox Judaism, is Samson Rapahel Hirsch. A Chief Rabbi in Germany, he v/as renowned for his written commentaries on the Bible as well as his writings on Jewish emancipation. "The Nineteen Let-ers of Ben Uziel" is the most popular of the works he wrote when he was younger.
Examination of Hirsch's early writing will be given Sunday evening by Mr. and Mrs. Alfred A. Joseph. Couples discussion will follow led by Evergreen member and host for the evening, Rabbi Marvin Hier, spiritual leader of Congregation Schara Tzedeck.
The - capacity^ vaudience which turned: out :iaSt ;Stinctey :to; hear; a report on -present Middle Extern tensions provided tangible proof hat the Vancouver Jewish, com-mxmity is vitally concerned with srael's welfare, and that there is unity of purpose felt in the struggle of the State for survival.
Dut to illness, Israel Ambassador Gershon Avner was unable make* Jiis sch^eduled appeSr^; ance, but was represented by irst Counsellor of the Embassy in Ottawa, Matityahu Dagan.
Limitations of diplomatic protocol and jargon did not permit Mr. Dagan to prognosticate on the present crisis, nor did it allow him to be overly specific with respect to naming those countries contributing to present Middle Eastern tension. The Israel Counsellor did, however, convey a message of deep concern for Israel's security, and en-numerated incidents which culminated in the U.N. vote of censure after Israel's reprisal raid on the Jordanian village of Samua.
The speaker made it clear that Israel has no international allies or assurance in the cause of her ultimate survival, but must rely largely on her own ability for self-defense as well as on the support which she receives from Western Jewry.
It is gratifying that the Z.O.C. and the Israel Embassy moved speedily to acquaint the Com-mimity with a crisis situation as it is occurring. It is to be hoped that His Excellency, the Ambassador, will still have the opportunity to continue this dialogue and visit our Community soon.
P.T.
defense "but I cannot exclude the poissibility that we may have no other, recourse but de terrent measures."
In the first <)f the weekend a tacks, the Syrians moved, ta into positions at two places on th Israel border and fired at an raeli tractor worlang on a fiel near.Tel Katzir settlement sbut east of Lake Tiberias. The hers then opened machinegim f* at; the tractor diriver but he m aged to escape safely.
In a second incident, three Sy ian; tanks fired simultaneously a Israeli positions in the On area, north- of Lake Tiberias, raeli officials said that the S" ians hiad sent field workers int the Israeli ai:ea to draw an Is raeli; respptise, but opened fir v/ith the tank guns before th Israelis were able to take an action to expel the field workers Last Sunday, Syrian tanks again went into operation, fir-' inir at an Israeli tractor and at an Israeli patrol in the Huleh area. The Israel Army spokefii-man said il^t the Syrian positions directed automatic fire at the Israeli tractor moving along a road inside Israeli territory, and parallel to the border. A half hour later, an lisraeli patrol moving towards the tractor was fired on from - the same Syrian position. Thii patrol returned the fire after the Syrians used tank guns resulting in a fire at the former site, of Notera settlement... . ;.• : • . V The two Israelis were :wounde atei: after both $ides had agreed to a call for a cease fu:e by U.N. observers. The Syrians opened :ire again, hitting two of five Israelis who were riding in two eeps while enroute to meet with [J.N. obsei^.vers.: .
jswisii_____
(iitrAcH)
Candle tijgrliting JANUARY 13, 4:20'
ru B'Shyat ^_:^-^_Jan. 26
Purim. L^^- :.-Max. 26 Pesach ■ ......LL^J^__.-Apr. 2Sl
Israel JhAep, Diay..-May 15
LagB'-omeir:_____^_May 28
All holidays begin the preceding . eve ct sundown.
Endorsafms Grmtei
Beth Israel Men's Breakfast ^____________Jan. 15
Yoiith Aiiyah Men's
Drive____-.—Jan. 15 - Feb. 15
joint Adult iSducation
Lecture __-------.Jan. 17
Pioneer Women Child
Rescue Dinner-Jan. 18
Beth Israel Father Child Brunch_______________Jan. 22
Schara Tzedeck Special Event_______Jan. 23
Beth Israel Cavalcade Lecture ____Jan. 24
National Council Jewish .Women Panel-:Jan. 25
Beth Israel Men's Club Dinner__.....____Jan.25
Golden Age Party__Jan. 31
mmim
Official Organ of the Vancouver Jewish Csmmunlty Council
Friday, January 13, 1967
Published weekly every Friday at 12tS Meisther Street, Vancouver 9* British Columbia.
SAM KAPLAN Editor and Publisher
WILLIAM^ GELMON President
ALEC BECKER Publleations Chairman
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