Page Two
JEWISH WESTERN BULLETIN
Friday, November 30, 1962
1
An historic tribute
In the process of creating an independent state, the Jewish people have produced a unique organization that is now functioning not only as one of Israel's most vital socioeconomic organisms, but is also serving as a model for dozens of newly-established Afro-Asian countries.
I refer, of course, to the Histadrut, Israel's Federation of Labour, which this Sunday evening in cur own new Vancouver Jewish Community Centre, is sponsoring a communal reception in honour of Canada's Foreign Minister, the Honourable Howard Green.
Histadrut in Canada and the U.S. has singled out for public honour in recent years a number of famous government and civic leaders.
.The Jewish community of Vancouver, therefore may take the greatest pride and satisfaction in having been chosen for the historic, national honour of paying tribute to a man who has earned a distinguished reputation in national as well as international circles. It will mark the first time in the history of the Jewish community that an honour will have been extended in our midst to so renowned a personage. The magnitude and importance of the occasion can best be gauged by the announcement tais week that Israel's Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Yaacov Herzog is also coming to Vancouver especially to be present for this event.
One who is not acquainted with Histadrut might logically ask the qustion: "What is this
organization and wKat possible reasons does it have for hbnourirrg tlle;se distinguished personalities?"
The answer to the first part provides s solution to the last, for Histadrut is many things and is constantly changing and improvising to meet changing conditions.
To some Histadrut is an apolitical source of national vitality; to others it represents an ideal state within a state with all of its own departments closely patterned after those of the government.
The paradox may be carried still further: Looking at it superficially, unknowing capitalists might give it the dreadful label: "Labour " Seen through the eyes of the unknowing worker, it might receive the equally dreadfu-label: "Employer." The truth of the matter ij
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of course, that Histadrut is both and even more. It is among other things, a labour union and employer! It is also banker, doctor and teacher.
If you analyze it, however, the paradoxical cloak falls swiftly away and it soon becomes obvious that Histadrut cannot be labelled in the terminology of North American or European experience. For as a trade union, Histadrut was not the creation of disgruntled labourers; nor as a vast business enterprise was it established by profit-seeking industrialists. It was and remains an instrument of
for two millenia had been the scapegoats of Tyranny and the vi(*tims of untold oppression.
Patterns of progress
I Three times older than the State of Israel, - Histadrut, first had the task of building the industry ^nd agriculture of the future^ Jewish national homeland; then it aad to create work opportunities for the hundreds of thousands of uprooted Jewish families who sought refuge there.
The early pioneers found that if they were to win the fight against Nature, they would have to combine their strength and intelligence. On sandy wasteland and in malaria-infested swamps they built their collective settlements; where no private investors would dare to tread, Histadrut founded new industries and developed vast utilities. Its Kaput Cholim cared for the settlers' physical health while its trade schools and vocational institutions taught them the technical skills of hand and mind.
Through sacrifices and suffering, through making mistakes and correcting them, the Jewish, settler gradually edged his way towards independence. To solve old problems he experimented; to solve new ones he created new ideas.
In the end, the battle was won and the entire world soon acknowledged the heroic Jewish struggle for survival. For Israel's victory had been meaningful not only for the Jewish people as a w'.iole but in a much broader sense. For the patterns which had been developed by the democratic State of Israel would s(v,;n be u.sed as a model for the young na.scent countries of Africa and Asia. Havinc; won -their jDolitical independence, they were now faced with the enormous problems of wide.spread ignorance in terms of human, social 3nd tec .mulogical development.
Ha\-ing had to solve her own problems of integrating backv.'ard peoples and developing her industries. Israel, with Histadrut as her main instrument, could now serve as a guide for these states. The Afro-Asians in turn, did not have to i'ear possible Israeli ambitions as they did those of the imperialist countries whether of Communist vintage or capitalist. Indeed, many, have accepted the "no-strings-
letter to the Editor
Retarded benefit ' ^''^''^ "'^""^ ^^^-^
Dear Mr. Kaplan: ^^"^^^ giving us such a won-
On behalf of Centennial chap- derful write-up in your paper lor ter, B'nai B'rith Women No. our Hallowe'en party at Wood-
attached" assistance of Histadrut which has despatched its own technicians and sociologists to far off lands to help them. In addition, a growing number of these countries are sending their young men and women to Israel to receive schooling and training in Histadrut educational institutions.
These nations have already found that the Histadrut system, which is free from the possible entrapment of the political extremes of right and left, is adaptable to the particular needs of each individual state. More and more of these new countries are using Israel's blueprint, gratefully accepting her guidance.
But the Afro-Asian assistance is only one of several projects now being conducted by Histadrut. The building of new settlements in Israel, establishing new industries, and teaching new scientific skills are on-going tasks.
A comparatively new area, too, is its public relations program abroad in which Histadrut endeavours to establish a closer, warmer relationship between Israel and the people and governments of friendly countries.
In this latter category belong the communal reception this Sunday night, for an event such as this, besides honouring its famous guest, helps to promote greater understanding and heips to bring these two countries even closer together. In addition, it also helps generate! goodwill and understanding between the Jew-| ish community of Canada and Canadians of all other ethnic origins.
The New York Times recently paid the following tribute: "The Histadrut deserve3; good wishes for all the many-faceted experiments in democracy and economic fulfillment it has undertaken." The Bulletin reiterates i those v/ishes. \ We are also pleased to join the Jewish com- \ munity of Vancouver in extending our congratulations to the recipient of the Histadrut Citation award, the Hon. Mr. Howard Green.: It is our hope that for this historic occasion the entire community will turn out en masse this Sunday to greet him. i
lands School for Retarded Children.
The boys had p. very enjoyable time and because of your lovely article we received so many donations of treats that we certainly did not expect. This enabled us to give these goodies to •j^^l ,rest; of the chilc^ren at the
To help make possible the opening of a new chapter of pioneering through the development and settlement of Israel's vast southern Negev region, an intensified campaign on behalf of State of Israel Bonds was called for in Vancouver by D, Lou Harris, national chairman for State of Israel Bonds.
"The 1962 campaigns, which usher in the 'Decade of the Negev," must see a redoubling of effort if Israel is to succeed in the absorption and integration of the thousands of imrnigrants flocking to her shores," Mr. Harris said.
The development of the Negev is the key to the future of the State of Israel. This is the area in which a large proportion of the present wave of immigrants must be settled. It must be the 111 centre of intensive irrigation self-determmation of an ancient people who ! and industrialization. Mr. Harris
emphasized the importance of helping Israel's new citizens settle as quickly as possible in new homes and jobs, which are being created in the Negev with Israel Bond dollars.
Typical of the new development towns now being built in the Negev is Arad.
Some 3000 years ago, a magician scratched the name of the Israeli fortress of 'Arad" backwards six times on a piece of^ earthenware, presumably to 1 bring down divine wrath upon' the city and its inhabitants. Archaeologists have just unearthed his handiwork, together with other relics of the ancient city! west of the Dead Sea, which was first built more than 4000 years! ago.
Nine different cities have I risen and been destroyed on; this site. Today a tenth is being, built near the spot where the; patriarch Abraham gazed across i at S'dom and Gomorrah on the: Dead Sea. . I
A group of self-sacrificing 'sabras" (native Israelis), together with others who have lived in Israel for some time, are joining their efforts and destinies with a group of newcomers; to become the first permanent! residents of Arad, one of the newj development towns in the Ne-
ple of Israel to give up the com-* fort of their homes and undertake the pioneering tasks which must.be carried through in the Negev.
With the aid of Israel Bonds, Israel has started an unprecedented development program to establish new industrieSi and to promote agriculture and mining in this area.
The building of a new development town in the Negev re-See ARAD (Continued on Page 6)
Thought kr the week
Bad neighbors count a man's income, but not his expenses.
PESIKTA RABBATI, Pes., 31, Talmud.
TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
of .Jewish Organizations located in le Aew .Jewisii Community Centre
Canadian ..'cwisn
Congress ............................ 261-8101
Jewish Community Centre
Jewish Community' Council...................266-9111
Jewish Family Service
Agency ................................ 263-3413
Jewish National Fund ........ 266-5366
Jewish Western
Bulletin ................................ 261-6304
United Jewish Appeal ...... 261-8101
United Res'Jtutions ............ 261-8101
Vounq Judaea ........................ 263-3030
Zionist Organization .......... 266-5366
Prime Minister Ben-Gurion has called upon the young peo-
Endorsations Granted
Comm. Centre Wo. Div.
■"■•usir^l ................................ Dec. 9
B.B. Bond Blitz.................... Dec. 9
Bond Sales Function ............ Dec. 10
Bonds Wo. Div.
Champagne Lunch ............Dec. 11
M.<".. J.W. Israeli Brunch Dec. 12
B.B. Bond Spiel .................. Dec. 12
'one-r Wo. Ann. Bazaar Dec. 16 Wo. Div. Bonds Workers
Seminal* .............................. Dec. 27
B.B. u.Oil's Gate
New Year Party ................ Dec. 31
Had. Y. Aliyah
^-mr-'r.n ............ Jan. 1-.Jan.31
Negev Dinner ...... ............ Jan. 15
. -.z ocn. BIdg.
Fund Cleanup .... Jan. 15-Feb. 15 Israel Bonds Dior-Israel
Fash. Show .............. Jan 22
B.I. Adult Ed. Dr. M.
Waxman Guest Speaker Jan. 27 S. T. Men's "Sam Gross''
Night ...................................... Jan. 27
The Jewish Western Bulletin
Friday, November 30, 1962
Pu.blished weekly eveiy Friday at 950 V/est 41st Ave., Vancouver 13, British Columbia.
SAM KAPLAN
Publisher and Editor
Official Organ of the Vancouver Jewish Ccmrrunity Council
WILLIAM GELMON President DR. J. ZACK Publications Chairman
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school who were unable to par-ticipFte at the party.
It was most gratifying to Centennial chapter as well, I'm sure^ to the people who saw the article and helped -our- members help
these less fortunate children have a good time.
Thank you again for your cooperation.
VIVIENNE ADELSON, Publicity Ghairman