Friday September 18, 2009 JEWISH TELEGRAPH 85 EVENTS & COMMENTS

DOUBLE SAMMY: Mancunians Sam Epstein and Sam Greene at JOIN THE FUN: Yigal Levine and his aunt, Renee Cohen of , Habonim’s 80th anniversary join in the celebration Wellesey sent home

to start Habonim ROLE: Youth worker Marc Fink HUNDREDS of for- ✰mer and present Marc is using all members of Habonim Dror gathered at Tel Aviv’s Efal Centre to celebrate 80 years since his experience for Wellesey Aron founded the movement. A Cambridge graduate who good of south made aliya in 1926, Wellesey returned to Britain two years later at the behest of Chaim Weizman, who convinced him Manchester youth to become the future Israeli Prime Minister’s political ✰MARC FINK is hoping to use the skills he secretary. learned as Habonim Dror’s northern fieldworker in his new job. It was during this time that he founded Habonim. The 23-year-old has been appointed South Manchester Jewish Youth Trust’s new youth worker. David Broza, one of ’s most popular singers and for- The trust is due to open its new premises on the mer Carmel College pupil, is Hale/Altrincham border, which will be known as The the grandson of Wellesey. Hub, in November. David described his grand- Marc, of Whitefield, said: “It is the biggest father as a unique man who development in south Manchester’s Jewish youth left a legacy of self-reliance, scene for a long time. independence of spirit, readi- “Because south Manchester has such a dispersed ness to question convention, Jewish community compared with north Manchester, ability to overcome obstacles the community has never had a focus for youth. and integrity in all he did — “I have been involved with Habonim for a long as well as a deep love of time, so I know a lot of members come from south Israel. Manchester. "When he was in his 70s, my “It is the right time to be investing in young grandfather moved to Neve people and, because of my year as northern Shalom/Wahat al-Salam, a fieldworker, I have lots of experience in working with village founded by Jewish and them.” Arab Israelis in the JOINING CELEBRATIONS: Members of Kvutzat Yovel, an Israeli commune founded by Habonim members, at the The trust plans to use The Hub primarily as a Jerusalem Hills,” David told 80th anniversary in Tel Aviv. From left: Shaqed Grant-Rosenhead, Anton Marks (formerly of Manchester), facility for youngsters aged between six and 13. our Israel correspondent James Grant-Rosenhead (formerly of Leeds), Emma Grant-Rosenhead with daughter Kinneret, and Emily Bock For the younger children there will be a number of Lydia Aisenberg. his friendship with organis- encouraged me to make Glasgow, joined Habonim in activities, from educational to sports-related to “He lived in a little house ing committee members aliya, but as it happens I was 1939 and made aliya in 1948. drama. on a wind-swept hill and con- Yigal Levine — originally posted to Washington. She and her late husband, And The Hub will act as a place for social tinued until his death to from Glasgow — and wife Lin- “Now that I am the British Michael, were founder mem- gatherings and structured activities for older believe in his ideals, and a da, a Mancunian. ambassador in Israel, I sup- bers of Kfar Hanassi. teenagers. deep, insatiable passion for pose one could say I am here The aunt of Yigal Levine, Marc, the son of NICKY and SIMON FINK, said he Israel, peace and love.” “I became friendly with hoped Jewish sixth-formers who live in the area will Yigal and Linda when I was under the Right of Return.” Renee today heads an extend- British Ambassador Tom He spoke warmly of the ed family of 52 comprising six volunteer at the centre and bring fresh ideas to the Phillips told the celebrating with the embassy in the 1990s table. at which time Yigal was the strong relationship between children, 28 grandchildren, guests that he was honoured He explained: “Until now, there has not been a director of the British Olim British Jewry and Israel and and six great grandchildren. to bring greetings on behalf dedicated centre for Jewish youth and we want to Society” Mr Phillips said. of how he had seen Habonim Liverpudlian Yoel Verod of the British government as a “form of Boys Scouts (Pink) made aliya in 1947. exploit that fact. and British Embassy. “I am pretty sure that had I with ” until he had Today, 85 year-old computer “Youth from north Manchester can come and use The ambassador spoke of been Jewish he would have met and spoken to some of engineer Yoel, who worked for the facilities too.” those present at the anniver- IBM, was also a founder Marc, who read psychology at Nottingham sary. member of Kfar Hanassi, but University, spent a year in , , “Looking through the exhi- left four years later to settle teaching English in the remote townships. bition of Habonim memora- in a town in central Israel He added: “We do not want teenagers hanging bilia I was really impressed with wife Gertie and their around south Manchester drinking on a Saturday to see that , Jon children. night or any other night. Kimche and Sacha Baron- Yoel is a walking, talking “We want to give them somewhere to go and Cohen had been members of almanac on Habonim mem- something to do.” Habonim,” he said. bers of the older generation, says Frank Farbenbloom, one If you would like to volunteer at The Hub, contact Marc “Zionism is an incredible on 07813 946303. phenomena and many of the of the organisers of the 80th individual stories are very anniversary event whose powerful indeed.” Irish accent hasn’t been lost, A central figure in even after living in Israel for Party in aid of homeless Vatikei Habonim in the UK, most of his life. JNF Manchester’s Future committee holds an Leodensian Phil Margolis and Another Liverpudlian is ✰ wife Cecily joined Jennifer after-fast party on Monday, September 28 Chanita Rodney who nowa- (9.30pm) at Whitefield Golf Club. and Mike Green and Eddie days lives in Kfar Suba. Rivlin of Leeds at the event. All profits from the event will go to Haluzit, a The Manchester contin- “I am certainly happy in Jewish community in the Negev which will be home gent included Habonim-Dror what I have achieved, and to several hundred people who were left homeless trustees Michael Bernstein, that is due to the education when their homes in Gush Katif were dismantled. brother David Bernstein and of years of Habonim, Liver- Tickets are priced £8 in advance and £12 on the his wife Sheila, as well as Sam pool, hachshara (preparation) door. and life,” wrote Greene and camps organiser Chanita in an appreciation of Jo on 0161-795 7565 or visit Sam Epstein, who also led this www.jnf.co.uk/buyonline/unite-after-fast-party FOUNDING GRANDFATHER: Leodensian Phil Margolis and David Broza, summer’s Israel tour. the anniversary event. grandson of Habonim founder Wellesey Aron Renee Cohen, formerly of www.bogreihabonim.com