Friday, May 11, i
JEWISH WESTERN BULLETIN
Page 5
By AL POTASHNICK
Israels "Bar-Mitzvah" year, her 14th year of independence, wrtnessed' many events whose impact will be felt, at home and abroad, for years to come. Almost simultaneously with the gala celebrations of Independence Day, which included a stirring military parade through the streets of Jeruisalem, the
I sharply until it reached propor-I tions greater than any previous year in the past decade. Israel's population has now passed the two and one-quarter million mark.
The large numbers of newcomers aroused concern in Government and Jewish Agency circles. A threatened housing
Some encouragement came from the Israel Bond Campaign, which celebrated the completion of its first decade, during which more than $500 million in Israel Bonds were sold to more than one million people, and announced that 1961 was c-. record year for the sale of Israel Bonds.
During its 14th year, the couri-try was ^ jarred by a series of
shortage brought fears of a retrial of Adolf Eichmann opened ' turn to the era of the ma'abarot events: a wave of strikes by its m the nation s capital.
More than 400 Toreign correspondents, among them journalists of international renown, converged on the Beit Ha'am Community Centre court room to cover the trial for the world press, radio and television. After 121 court sessions, during which the awful history of the destruction of European Jewry was carefully detailed, Eichmann was found guilty and, on December 15, was sentenced to death.
While the Eichmann trial \yas in progress, the country welcomed the millionth imniigrant to its shores. Over the past year the rate of immigration, which has been relatively low for a number of years, increased
transient camps. To forestall, Professionals; the discovery, this "giant leap backward," the J trial, and conviction of several Government imposed a compul-i spies; cnti-government demon-sory immigration loan on all i strations by Arab minority
wage earners, and the Keren Hayesod and United Jewish Appeal launched a special emergency fund-raising drive in the United States and elsewhere.
The need for large scale construction of new homes for irn-migrants forced the Government' to take steps to curtail the public building program in order to free building workers for the more essential housing program. The Jewish Agency opened a campaign to enlist the co-operation of citizens in the task of immigrant absorption and integration.
groups; anti-Jev/ish and anti-Israel campaigns launched by the Soviet Union and its satellite countries.
To salute Israel's fourteenth Birthday as an Independent State, we wish to extend our best wishes to all our friends and the entire community.
Mr. arici Mrs. Irving Q. Chertkowand Paul
We are proud.of Israel's achievements in fourteen years. May she grow and prosper from year to year. Sincere greetings to all our friends on the occasion of the Independence Day Anniversary
The Raphael Family
BEST WISHES TO THE VANCOUVER
JEWISH COMMUNITY ON ITS CELEBRATION OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL'S FOURTEENTH ANNIVERSARY
JOH MOTOR CO. LIMIT
7TH AVE. AND MAIN STREET
FIVE SEATS LOST
General elections saw Mr. Ben Gurion and his Mc'.pai party, which had lost five Knesset seats reinstalled in the Government which was formed in coalition with the National Religious Party, Ahdut Avodah, Poalei Agudat Israel, and two Arab parties. The Liberal party, born from the merger of the General Zionist and the Progressive parties, particirated for the first time in this election campaign.
The firing of "Shavit 11", Israel's first locally developed multi-stage meteorological rocket, using an Israel-invented solid fuel propellant, was matched in public interest by the archaeological revelations from the caves in the Judean desert. In addition to the dramatic find by Dr. Yigael Yadin of letters and other documents connected with the Bar-Kochba revolt, a hoard of copper and ivory cult artifacts discovered by Mr. Pe-sach Bai*^'Ad6ti near Ein Gedii ckst importrvnt new light oh the chronology arid extent of Mesor potamian civilization.
Other archaeological activities were carried on at Ramat â– Rachel, where an Iron Age city, I'Tid the citadel of the Judean Kings were cleared, and the site identified as the Beit Hakerem of the Bible and the Ein Kerem of the-New Testament; at Ein Gev, where an extensive Israelite city was uncovered; at Tiberias where a beautiful mosaic floor of fourth century synagogue came to light; and at Caesa-rea where an ancient Roman amphitheatre was cleared.
The amphitheatre wes later used for a concert by Pablo Casals, one of a number of well-known artists who participated in Israel's First Music Festival. The celebration by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestrr. of its 25th anniversary marked another important milestone in Israel's cultural life.
The success of Israel's efforts, to deepen ties of friendship with the members of the international community was indicated by a large number of official visits by leaders of governments in Europe and Africa, and by numerous foreign study missions and delegations. The contact between Israel and other nations was further enhanced by the visits to Europe,,North America and Burms. by Prime Minister j Ben Gurion, to Scandinavia and the Far East by Foreign Minis- j ter Golda Meir, and to North j America and the European Com-' mon Market countries by Finance Minister Levi Eshkol.
DEVALUATION
Israel's fourteenth yeer will also be remembered for the announcement of the government's new economic program which devalued the Israel pound to the rate of three pounds to one United States dollar and abolished the system of multiple exchange rates which had been in effect hitherto. At the same time, the (Continued on Page 6)
See FOURTEENTH YEAR
May Israel grov/ from strength to strength and enjoy Peace and Prosperity.
Dr. and Mrs. Norman B.Hirt and Family
It is our sincere wish that on the occasion of Israel's fourteenth Anniversary, she will be blessed with continuing peace and ever-lasting prosperity.
Mr. and Mrs. Morris Jacobson and Family
A great tribute to Jewry everywhere for contributing In the Building of Israel. May we ail continue our efforts on
behalf of Zion.
Mr. and Mrs. Leon Jampolsky and Family
Congratulations to Israel on her fourteenth Birthday. May Peace and Prosperity always be with her.
Dr. and Mrs. Ben Kanee and Family Dr. Fred Katz and Family
extend greetings to Israel on the occasion of her fourteenth Anniversary.
We feel proud to rejoice on Israel's Fourteenth Birthday. May our many friends everywhere join us on this truly
great festivity.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. LeFohn
Congratulations to the State of Israel on her fourteenth Birthday.
Dr. and Mrs. M. Levine and Family
Congratulations to Israel on the Fourteenth Anniversary.
CONTINENTAL COINS LTD.
517 Howe Street Robert Levy, prop.
We are pleased to extend heartiest greetings and best wishes to all friends on the occasion of Israel's Independence Day.
Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Lipsky and Family
Our felicitations to cheer Israel on her fourteenth Birthday, hoping that Jews everywhere will from now on all participate in the expansion of our homeland^
Mr. and Mrs. A! Mann and Family
This fourteenth Anniversary marks Israel's milestone as an
independent State. On this occasion, we wish to extend our best wishes to our numerous friends In the Community.
Dr. and Mrs. S. Margolese and Family
May Israel truly become a land of mifk and honey. Best wishes to our friends everywhere.
Mr. and Mrs. Alvin J. Narod and Family
May Israel's fourteenth Birthday be another step forward towards Peace and Prosperity.
DR. J. NAROD
We are happy to extend our best wishes to the Community on the occasion of Israel's fourteenth Birthday
Anniversary.
Mr. and Mrs. B. Rogoway
Greetings and best wishes to all our friends on the occasion of Israel's independence celebration festivities.
Mr. and Mrs. Abe Sacks and Family
May Israel Grow from strength to strength and may Peace and Prosperity be with her.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Satanov
May Israel's fourteenth Anniversary be another step towards more prosperous growth, and continued peace.
Dr. and Mrs. John Secter and Son
Best wishes to the State of Israel on the happy occasion of her fourteenth Birthday.
Dr. and Mrs. Allan Smith and Family
Dr. and Mrs. S. Smordin and Family
extend best wishes to the State of Israel on the occasion of her fourteenth Birthday.
To Jewry everywhere who contributed so much to mak^ Israel what she is, we extend our most sincere
felicitations.
Mr. and Mrs. Max Waterman