SPRING 2011 AMERICAN VETERANS OF ISRAEL VILC LEGACY CORPORATION A PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF AMERICAN AND CANADIAN VOLUNTEERS IN ISRAEL’S WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 136 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016

President’s Corner AJHS Heroes from Abroad: Dear Friends, Machal/Aliyah Bet Legacy Exhibition Opening Welcome to the Spring 2011 AVILC Newsletter and thanks to Newsletter Article from Jerusalem Post, Jan. 29, 2011 Chair, Elizabeth Appley, for putting it together, as well as significant OVERDUE RESPECT contributions from Si Spiegelman and By: Efrem Sigel others. We have had an eventful year high- Recognition in their own countries Galilee. Starting in 1982, he began col- lighted by the transfer of the Machal has been a long time in coming for the lecting memoirs, letters, photos, docu- Archives from the University of Florida nearly 1,500 Americans and Canadians ments and artifacts from many of the to the American Jewish Historical who volunteered in Israel’s Independ- Mahal and Aliya Bet volunteers (Mahal Society (AJHS) in New York City. This ence War in 1948; but thanks largely to is a Hebrew acronym for mitnadvei hutz move and the digital conversion of the efforts of one man, Ralph Lowen- la’aretz, “volunteers from abroad”). materials over time will make the stein, the story of their contributions That archive had been stored at the archives far more accessible to scholars and sacrifices University of and the interested public. Congratulations is about to get Florida-Gaines- to Ralph Lowenstein for serving as the exposed to a ville, where guiding light for this historic move, much larger au- Lowenstein is with the able support of Si Spiegelman dience. dean emeritus and Paul Kaye. Lowen- of the College January 2011 was highlighted by stein was a fea- of Journalism an evening of learning and socializing tured speaker and Commu- with the opening of the Machal exhibit at the official nications. It at AJHS: Heroes from Abroad: The opening on will now have Mahal-Aliya Bet Legacy. Prominently displayed on the first floor, this January 19 a permanent Ralph Lowenstein explaining a part of the display exhibit has been very well received and of an exhibit home at AJHS. called “Heroes at the AJHS Opening Reception in New York City. For at least the is an excellent educational tool. After (Jerusalem Post, Photo by: Courtesy.) welcoming remarks from Ido Aharoni, from Abroad: next year, the Acting Israeli Consul General in New The Mahal-Aliya Bet Legacy.” The ex- Mahal exhibit will occupy a promi- York, we were treated to an excep- hibit, at the American Jewish Historical nent ground-floor space at AJHS, after tional seminar moderated by Deborah Society in New York City, tells the story which it may travel to other locations Dash Moore (Professor of History and – in text, photos and artifacts – of the around the country, says Jonathan Karp, Director of the Frankel Center for Judaic men and women from the US and Can- acting executive director of AJHS. Studies at the University of Michigan). ada who fought in the 1947-49 War of Lowenstein will be honored at a Panelists featured personal perspectives Independence and who served on Aliya dinner on May 4 as the recipient of the from our own Ralph Lowenstein and Bet ships that brought refugees to Pales- AJHS’ Emma Lazarus Statute of Lib- Sam Klausner, with Professor Derek tine from DP camps in Europe between erty award. Penslar of the University of Toronto, an 1946 and 1948. Besides Lowenstein, other speakers outstanding scholar of Jewish military Lowenstein volunteered in Israel in at the January 19 ceremony were Samu- history (and this is one group to whom the summer of 1948 after his freshman el Klausner, an ex-Mahalnik who is pro- that is not an oxymoron). The reviews year at Columbia University, serving as fessor emeritus of sociology, University are in: a half-track driver for the 79th armored of Pennsylvania, and Derek Penslar, “…wonderful spending time with all battalion of the Seventh Brigade in the Samuel Zachs professor of Jewish His-

continued on page 2 continued on page 2 1 American Veterans of Israel President’s Corner continued from page 1 Efrem Sigel article continued from page 1 Legacy Corporation 136 East 39th Street of the AVI members and family who tory, University of Toronto. The moder- New York, N.Y. 10016-0914 came, and seeing AVI honored for all ator was Deborah Dash Moore, profes- Officers and Directors you did….high praise…truly enjoyed sor of history and director of the Frankel President: the day” DP “..A wonderful evening. Center for Judaic Studies, University of Jeff Margolis The display was terrific. The event Michigan. Ido Aharoni, acting Israeli (212) 490-0900 was exciting and interesting. The panel [email protected] consul-general in New York, welcomed discussion was enlightening and attendees and said the Mahalniks had a Vice President: everyone was rapt. The crowd was special place in the hearts of Israelis of Elizabeth Appley - Newsletter Editor amazing. I was sorry to see it end!.. (404) 523-3800 his generation, whose parents fought for [email protected] …very impressed with the priority the creation of the state. About 20 Ma- that AJHS is obviously placing on hal and Aliya Bet volunteers attended Secretary: the achievements of the AVI and its Augusta Gooch the opening The contribution of the Ma- (256) 883-5723 members.” I’ll add my own: “The hal volunteers has long been recognized [email protected] event was first rate in every respect and in Israel, where former prime ministers very favorably reflected all the hard Treasurer: David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir and Donna Parker work that was a key ingredient. A truly others praised their role, especially in (201) 944-1530 memorable evening… ” manning the Israeli air force and navy [email protected] Other highlights of the past year and in organizing the Air Transport Directors: include an exceptional Mickey Marcus Command that ferried planes and arms Sharona Benami – Machal West Liaison memorial event at West Point ably from Czechoslovakia to Israel. But their [email protected] organized by Si Spiegelman and Rafi activities have been little known or cel- Marom. We were honored to have Bryan Feinberg ebrated in the US and Canada. [email protected] Ambassador Gabriela Shalev, Israel’s Americans returning from the fight- Permanent Representative to the Mike Flint ing in Israel in 1948 and 1949 often [email protected] United Nations and Mr. Evan Kingsley, Executive Director, American Jewish did not speak about their activities for Arthur Kiron - Archives Historical Society as featured speakers. fear of being prosecuted for serving in [email protected] Ambassador Shalev’s moving personal a foreign army. It even took a presi- Daphne Klausner reminiscences were indeed inspirational. dential pardon in December 2008 from [email protected] And kudos to Donna Parker for a outgoing president George W. Bush to Rafi Marom wonderful Purim party enjoyed by a erase the stigma of a jail sentence for [email protected] number of Machalniks and families. Charles Winters, who served 18 months in prison for selling three surplus B-17 Ex Officio Directors: As we go to press, we are Art Bernstein commemorating another Mickey Marcus bombers to Israel. Winters, a Christian, Paul Kaye Memorial at West Point, and the AJHS was the only American actually jailed Samuel Klausner Emma Lazarus Dinner Honoring Machal for such activities. Ralph Lowenstein Si Spiegelman and Ralph Lowenstein for his lifelong Fewer than 20 percent of the vol- commitment to Israel, with emcee unteers are still living. Lowenstein esti- Websites: mates. In all, 29 Americans and 12 Ca- www.sas.upenn.edu/~sklausne/aviweb.htm duties anchored by the distinguished American Veterans of Israel Dan Rather. All this and more will be nadians died helping to create the State reported in our next Newsletter, slated of Israel. www.israelvets.com Aliyah Bet & Machal Virtual Museum for Fall 2011. We look forward to an exciting www.machal.org.il year to come and I welcome your World Machal (Israel) suggestions for the growth of the Highlights from this Issue: organization. With good wishes to • President’s Corner...... Page 1 all and with a special expression of • AJHS Exhibit Opening...... Page 1 gratitude to our Machalniks, • Obituaries and Remembrances...... Page 4 • Book Review: Loud and Clear...... Page 13 Jeff Margolis • AVILC Events...... Page 14 President • World Machal Memorial Service...... Page 15 • Marcus Memorial Service at AJHS Exhibit Opening Reception: “Duke” Labaczewski, Si Spiegelman, Ammunition Hill...... Page 16 Naomi Kantey and Art Bernstein • Machal Exhibits Around the World....Page 18 • News You Should Use...... Page 19

2 Machal: Clandestine, Improvised, Disobedient but Battle Worthy

Excerpted Remarks from the Panel Discussion at the AJHS Exhibit Opening in NYC

By Samuel Z. Klausner

During the night of November 29, They operated clandestinely tinians and Americans. Verbal abuse 1947, Jewish Palestinians were intent because their work was in violation and even physical fights could erupt. on the vote broadcast from the United of the United Nation’s embargo on Some confrontations might have been Nations General Assembly at Lake sending war materiel and fighting forestalled had shipboard discipline Success, New York. Hearing authorization personnel to the Middle East. The been unambiguous, though some of the to create a Jewish and an Arab state in Palestinian emissaries, practiced Americans were pugnacious salts. Palestine, Jews pitched themselves into in eluding British intelligence, but They arrived in Palestine (or, after dance and song in front of the Mughrabi strangers to America, were especially May 15, 1948, Israel), and hastily Theatre in Tel Aviv. In Jerusalem, cautious about advertising their assigned to military units. At the outset, David Ben Gurion, then the chief mission. Consequently, large numbers assignments matched the military executive of the Jewish Agency for of potential recruits never learned of specialties which they had practiced in Palestine, brooded over his military Land and Labor. the American and Canadian armed forces. options. He fully expected an uprising Of a pool of 500,000 American Later, the Israeli command discovered by Palestinian Arabs and invasions by Jews who returned from World War it would be more efficient for them to regular Arab armies. He sought counsel II with military experience, only serve in English speaking units. They from American and British field grade some 2,000 recruits for the Jewish served in infantry, artillery and the officers. He believed the Haganah military and for the ships of Aliya armored units and in some that hardly could repel a Palestinian Arab attack Bet were found. That was 0.4% of existed before their arrival such as but would be no match for the regular the veteran pool. Recruits included signals and parachute corps and, most armies of the surrounding states. men and women, Jews and Gentiles. important of all, an Air Force. He directed the initiation of three With less fear of government, it is not Invasion by seven Arab regular projects: The Haganah, as a guerilla unreasonable to assume that perhaps forces followed within days of the force, must be converted into a modern 10,000-20,000 volunteers might have declaration of statehood. The troops of army. The Jewish Agency executive been recruited and, perhaps with each state fought in a different front. No was ordered to organize the national their military training, reduced the central command was established. The conscription of men and women to that 6,000 casualties the Israelis suffered Egyptian Air Force took to the skies army. Business people from Palestine in the War of Independence. with Spitfire attacks on Tel Aviv almost and the Jewish Diaspora were called Land and Labor did not account for immediately after the British lowered upon to purchase arms. And, finally, all of the American volunteers. Some their flag and Ben Gurion declared the military volunteers were to be recruited went directly to Palestine on their own State of Israel. They remained unop- from the Diaspora. Machal was the re- initiative. Others made their way to the posed until the English speaking 101st sult of this last project. Recruits were Paris offices of the Haganah. Typically Fighter Squadron was formed. These enlisted in Europe, especially France though, volunteers were placed on ships pilots defied the Egyptians and took and and Great Britain, South Africa, Latin to France where the Paris office took held command of the skies. America and the United States, among over and dispatched them to a camp in An Air Transport Command was other countries. southern France and then on to ships created and took off in what was dubbed In the United States, an agency carrying Displaced Persons. Transport Operation Balak. Its mix of converted called Land and Labor was established too was improvised since the Paris of- civilian planes flew to a base in Czecho- and staffed by both Americans and fice and the camp were designed to slovakia and returned with armaments Palestinian emissaries. None had move Holocaust survivors to Palestine. or disassembled German Messerschmitt worked in military recruitment but In spite of confused arrangements along in their fuselage. While the planes were they knew something about assisting the way the volunteers accepted the dis- being loaded and inspected some crew Americans who would make aliyah comforts in a good spirit. members would go to Prague for rec- mostly for agricultural service in col- Volunteers with maritime or a naval reation. Some would drink, become in- lective settlements. They improvised background served aboard the less than volved with women and, on one occa- ways of seeking and then processing seaworthy ships of Aliyah Bet. Nine sion, even slipped a woman aboard the volunteers. They distanced their activi- ships were boarded by British marines plane and into Israel. The Czechs and ties from American Zionist political and and the volunteers interned along with Israelis begged them to keep a low pro- fund-raising organizations though the the passengers. Relations were some- file since U.S. intelligence agencies had wall between them was porous. times tense between the Jewish Pales- them under surveillance. Ultimately, the

3 United States demanded that Czechoslo- ted against German, Italian and Spanish vakia close its airport to the Israelis under Nationalist regulars, were slaughtered. the terms of the UN Embargo. The new The principal advantage of Machal Obituary Czech communist government complied. fighters over groups such as the Arab DAVID PANAR 1918-2009 The service of Norman Schutzman Liberation Army and the Lincoln Bri- (MACHAL - CANADA) offers an example of Machal infantry gade was that some 80% were veterans service. Norman had seen fighting in of the Second World War and had first Longtime Mechanical Engineering the South Pacific before he became class military training. This made them Professor, David Panar, passed away commander of the English speaking almost unique in the history of foreign July 9, 2009. David was responsible for Brigade 7. The brigade operated in the fighters and, in the future of Israel, a the reconstruction of the "Black Spit"-- north taking villages around Meron phenomenon not likely to be repeated. the first fighter aircraft produced in Israel. and Safed. While it cannot be claimed The Israeli command deemed the As a young man he enrolled in an that the members of Machal serving in volunteers to have made a significant Engineering program at the University the ground forces were decisive, they contribution to the Israeli victory. of Alberta, but completed his degree at certainly held their own amidst some Their contribution in the air war the University of Michigan. His knowl- 90,000 Israeli fighters. With a lull in this was decisive. Despite the clandestine edge of aircraft engines made him an fighting, the Brigade was assigned to recruitment, the organizational im- excellent candidate for the British Air fixed positions along the Syrian border. provisations and the lack of discipline Commission. He participated in several Eleven men took part in a revolt against when off duty, the volunteers were training courses and developed skills in the command, some went AWOL and determined fighters providing honest airplane manufacture and repair. some flung hand grenades around in the and courageous service. His Machal story began in May buildings, perhaps, out of ennui. 1948 when an Egyptian Spitfire was AJHS Heroes from Abroad: The disciplinary breakdown in both shot down, landing wheels-up on a the case of Brigade 7 and Operation Exhibition Opening Attendees beach just north of Tel Aviv. Other than Balak were facilitated by lack of clear Machal attendees at the AJHS Exhibit a separated right wing, broken propel- authority. In the process of changing a reception and panel discussion in ler, damaged radiators, and bent crank- guerilla force into a modern army, the January 2011 and their affiliations, shaft, the aircraft was in flyable condi- lines of authority were less than clearly tion--at least it seemed so to David and included: established. In Israeli cooperative cul- the fledgling Israeli Air Force! ture the tradition was to achieve con- Prosper Anselm (7th Brigade); Art The immediate concern was to re- sensus, not command authority. In addi- Bernstein (A.B. Haim Arlosoroff); pair that Spit and then to maintain it in tion, authority over foreign volunteers Harry Bieber (Navy Commandos); serviceable condition. With few spare was, in the end, not seriously enforced. Alan Checin (Palmach); Bernard parts, the repair project was soon aban- Every once in a while the Israeli com- Ellman (A.B. Pan York); Dr. Max doned. Instead, the Israeli Air Force, mand would become stringent and hold Goldberg (1st Brigade and Medical under the guidance of David Panar, as- Court Martials. Some volunteers were Corps); Hilde Goldberg (Army Medical sembled the Black Spit. This aircraft was sent home. Notably, there were no dis- Corps); George Goldman (A.B. airborne on its first take-off and flown to ciplinary problems when the volunteer Geula); Lucie Greenhut (Air an operational base near Hadera. were serving professionally in battle. Force); Herbert Hanft (Army Res. & David Panar returned to Canada and Machal may be compared with their Develop.); Roberta Hodes (Air Force continued his studies in Industrial Engi- foreign fighter rivals, the Arab Libera- Radar Operations); Ira Feinberg neering. He accepted a teaching position tion Army, in what may be termed the (Palmach);Naomi Kantey (Army at the University of Alberta where he re- War before the War, from the end of No- Medical Corps); Paul Kaye (A.B. mained for over a quarter of a century. vember 1947 to May 14, 1948. The Arab Hatikvah and Shayetet 13); Sam He is remembered as a teacher, Liberation Army, formed of volunteers Klausner (Air Transport Corps story-teller, entrepreneur, and beloved under the Arab League, was caught in (ATC)); Duke Labaczewski (A.B. family man. He was always busy, but conflicts of interest among the member Hatikvah and Army); Ralph never missed a lecture. Once, he flitted states. Major responsibility for their Lowenstein (7th Brigade, 79th about the province in a small plane, but formation was assigned to Syria. Jordan Battalion); Henry Mandel (A.B. and misjudged the height of a wire fence on and Egypt tried to exploit these volun- Army Res. & Devel.); Nat Nadler a take-off. He made a perfect "wheels- teers in what was a “land grab,” policy (A.B. Exodus 1947); Lee Reinhart up" landing. The next morning, he stag- which seemed to take precedence over (Haganah and Palmach); Robin Rot- gered in to his class with two black Palestinian Arab sovereignty as a war tenberg (A.B. Mala); Norman Schutz- eyes, facial cuts, and a broken nose!! aim. Arab states, as a means of control man (7th Brigade, 72nd Battalion); David is fondly remembered for his over the Arab Liberation Army, were Martin Silver (A.B. Mala); and Simon efforts in 1948 with the Israeli Air Force known to deny requests for materiel. Spiegelman (1st Brigade, 13th Battal- and his use of his engineering talents. Machal may also be compared with vol- ion); Moses Stambler (A.B. Jewish He is survived by his wife, Bea unteers to Republican Spain. Members State and Navy); and Charles Weiss Goldberg, their daughter, grandchil- of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, on the (A.B. Hatikvah and Pans). dren, and even four great grandchildren. whole, lacked military training and pit- u 4 Obituaries & Remembrances

to Ponta Delgada in the Azores, to Mar- to get the passengers to disembark. seilles, La Spezia (Italy), Port de Bouc The result was that all of the (France), where final preparations and people were taken back to Germany. fueling were made, and finally to Sete. Avi continued to Venice and the Avi described the arrival of the passen- Pan Crescent which was in dry dock. gers and the difficult journey that fol- He remained with the ship and once lowed on the Exodus: repairs were completed, sailed down the Adriatic and on to Constanza. The The morning our passengers were Pan York arrived from France a month to arrive was our last opportunity later and both ships sailed together to AVI LIVNEY (LIFSHITZ): to shower and put on clean clothes. Burgas in Bulgaria and began load- EXODUS 1947 It was like preparing for Shabbat. ing refugees. Each ship took approxi- PURSER/PHARMACIST, The truck convoys began mately 7,500 people from Romania, KIBBUTZNIK arriving and as the first refugees Bulgaria, and Transylvania. They sailed got off the trucks, we thought that south, cleared Turkish waters, and were By Si Spiegelman they would be strangers, but they caught by a flotilla of British warships Source: Machal Website weren’t. They were family. and convoyed straight to Cyprus, arriv- (www.machal.org.il) They came bundled up in several ing on New Year's Day, 1948. layers of clothing plus a back The Pans arrived in Israel after the Avi Livney was born in New York pack – all their worldly goods. State was declared. Avi joined an Amer- City in 1927. During World War II Their trek had led them from con- ican group from Hashomer Hatzair at he served in the Hospital Corps of the centration camps to displaced Kibbutz Ein Hashofet. In January 1949 United States Navy from1945-46 and persons camps to us. When all they settled at Sasa, relieving an army served in the Mossad Aliyah Bet from 4,500 were on board, we moved group. He lived on Kibbutz Sasa and January 1947. out to sea and headed east. The engaged in farming. Avi returned to the He joined the President Warfield needs of the community had to be U.S. for a number of years but came (Exodus ‘47) in Baltimore in January taken care of 24-hours a day. back to live in Israel on Kibbutz Barkai as the ship's purser-pharmacist. Two Three infants were born, and the until his death on May 5, 2010. He is weeks later, in a ceremony on the ship's mother of one died and was buried survived by his wife, Batsheva, and deck, the entire crew was sworn into the at sea. British warships followed four children. Haganah by Yaakov Dori (Destrovsky). us each day in numbers which About his life at Kibbutz Sasa, Avi The crew of forty was primarily Jewish increased to six destroyers and a wrote as follows: American volunteers in their early twenties light cruiser. On our last night, who had served in the Army, Navy, or the British ships came in one at a In referring to our beginnings at Merchant Marines during World War time, rammed us, threw tear gas Sasa, we might also say that when II. (The person who ultimately became bombs and stun grenades, and we received our first tractor, we captain was only 23 years old.) succeeded in getting a large part had a celebration, and when we The President Warfield had been an of club-swinging marines on received our first cow we had a overnight ferry that sailed the Chesa- board. Three people were killed, celebration; and when the first peake between Baltimore, Maryland including our second mate, Bill baby was born we had a celebra- and Norfolk, Virginia, carrying up to Bernstein. Over a hundred were tion because it was everybody's 300 passengers at a time. (It was des- injured. By daybreak, we sur- baby; and when the first person tined to carry 4,500 refugees on its his- rendered and were towed into died, we all cried because we had toric trip as the Exodus.) During World Haifa. What had been the lost a member of our family. I have War II it was sent to Europe and used refugees’ crime? That they were truly had a most fortunate life. I've in the transport of Allied troops across trying to go home? The pier always been grateful to those who the English Channel. At war’s end, it (which has since been named the gave us an opportunity to serve in was escorted back to the U.S. and sold Pier of Tears) was where the the Aliyah Bet. We could have to be broken up for scrap when it was Exodus passengers were forced done no less. I am also grateful to acquired by Aliyah Bet. onto three British “prison” ships. those who gave us Sasa and a It took several months of work to The ships ultimately moved out lifetime of comradeship. make the Warfield seaworthy, including to sea, surrounded by warships, a near-sinking in a storm the first time and sailed back to Port de Bouc u out across the Atlantic. The voyage led in France and unsuccessfully tried 5 Obituaries & Remembrances Exodus Revisited: A Larchmont Sailor’s Tale 63 Years On By Mark Schulman

The recent passing of the captain Bernstein. Over a hundred were injured. of the Exodus, the legendary ship that By daybreak, we surrendered and were attempted to bring Holocaust survivors towed into Haifa.” from war-torn Europe to British-man- From the end of World War II un- dated Palestine in the 1940’s, marks the til the establishment of the State of Is- end of an era and a tribute to the found- rael, “illegal” immigration, known by ing of the State of Israel. its code name the Aliya Bet, was the I never met the weather-beaten main way of getting around the strictly skipper, Yitzhak “Ike” Ahronovitch, enforced policy of allowing only sev- but heard stories about him from my fa- eral hundred Jewish refugees a month ther, who was one of Ike’s sailors on the into British-controlled Palestine. From ship made famous by the late American 1946-1948 more than 60 Aliya Bet writer Leon Uris in his 1958 bestseller ships were organized, but only a few book of the same name and the 1960 managed to penetrate the British block- Sam Schulman, on left, was aboard the Exodus, Hollywood film version staring Paul skippered by Yitzhak “Ike” Ahronovitch. ade and bring their passengers ashore. Newman. Most were stopped and sent to deten- “As one of the crew members, I was “That was a tough call and very tion camps in Cyprus — all except the saddened to hear about Ike,” said Sam risky,” Mr. Schulman said. “I don’t passengers on the Exodus, who were Schulman, 81, a long-time Larchmont want to think about what would have forced onto prison ships in Haifa and resident. “We were a bunch of kids back happened if we crashed against a sea- sent back to Europe. then – I was 18 and Ike was 23 – but we wall with all our passengers.” grew up fast trying to get refugees out The passengers had already seen of Europe and bring them to Palestine.” their fair share of hardships; they were “What I remember most about Ike,” all Jewish refugees who had survived he reminisced, “was his ability to grasp the Holocaust. Schulman himself had a situation quickly and make a decision survived the war in hiding in France. with no regrets.” “They came bundled up in several layers of clothing plus a backpack, all The Exodus: Ike Goes It Alone their worldly goods,” remembered Avi Livney, 83, a fellow crewmate of Mr. In particular, Mr. Schulman clearly Schulman from New York who later remembers July 11, 1947, the day when moved to Israel and settled on a kib- Many of the crew members of the the Exodus was sitting in France’s butz, a collective agricultural commu- Exodus disembarked in Palestine with southern port of Sète with its 4,515 pas- nity. “Their trek had led them from con- the aid of the Haganah (the pre-nascent sengers (including 655 children) ready centration camps to displaced persons Israeli Defense Forces), including Cap- to get clearance from the French to em- camps, to us.” tain Ike. Others, like Mr. Schulman, bark on the last leg of their long jour- But it wasn’t smooth sailing after were asked to go undercover and stay ney. When a local pilot failed to come safely leaving France and making it to with the refugees and help with logis- aboard and help steer the ramshackle sea. Waiting for the Exodus was a Brit- tics and coordination. ship through the port’s narrow passage ish cruiser and a convoy of destroyers, “We were under the impression that ways (as a result of British pressure to which trailed the ship for several days we were heading to Cyprus like all the detain the boat), Ike decided to go it before stopping it 20 nautical miles other ships that had not managed to get alone and improvised a series of tricky from the shores of what is today Israel. through the blockade,” Mr. Schulman maneuvers to get out to the Mediterra- “On our last night, the British ships said. “We were shocked to learn that we nean Sea. came in one at a time, rammed us, threw were being taken back to Europe.” tear gas bombs and stun grenades, and The prison ships returned the refu- succeeded in getting a large party of gees to France and then consequently to club-swinging marines on board,” Germany, amid much controversy. The added Mr. Livney. “Three people were plight of the Exodus, followed by the killed, including our second mate Bill international media, became a symbol 6 Obituaries & Remembrances of the struggle for open Jewish emigra- tling with his family in Larchmont in Palestine under the quota system. tion to Palestine. After several months 1976. Saul was one of the American vol- in detention camps, many of them did “I’m proud about the role that I unteers who was asked by the Haganah eventually find their way to Israel. played back then,” said Mr. Schulman to carry explosives taped on their backs As for Sam Schulman, he got off in about his contribution to help Jewish when they blew up the British ship, Em- France and stayed in Europe to continue immigrants get to Israel. “Those were pire Lifeguard, after their passengers helping refugees get to Palestine. Sev- important days of my life.” had left the ship in Haifa harbor. Saul eral months later he reconnected with and his brother Sid, who was Captain Mr. Livney and others on another mis- Mark Schulman, Sam Schulman’s son, of the Hatikvah, were arrested with two sion. grew up in Larchmont and is currently other crew members and imprisoned at a journalist in Israel. This article first Acre prison. Then they were deported, The Pan Ships: Less Fame, appeared in the Jerusalem Post on De- with strict orders never to set foot again More Refugees cember 27, 2009. on British soil. Saul’s burial was at Beit Shemesh, “The Exodus might have been the u in the Jerusalem environs, right near most famous of all the ships, but what the Burma Road and Machal Memo- many people don’t know is that the Pan rial. Saul's lifelong love of Israel made ships brought the largest number of him an active supporter of many Jewish refugees from Europe at one time,” Mr. and Zionist causes. Saul, and his wife, Schulman noted. Harriet (Honey) wrote a book about his The Pan Crescent (also known by experiences, Hatikvah, Song of Hope, its Hebrew name, Atzmaut) and Pan and delivered many lectures and pres- York (Kibbutz Galuyot), nicknamed the entations. On two separate occasions, “Pans,” left from the port of Burgas, survivors came up to him and told Bulgaria, on December 27, 1947, with him that they had been passengers on over 15,000 immigrants. Several days Hatikvah. later they were also stopped by Brit- ish warships, after passing through the By Sharon (Yellin) Winer, daughter. Bosphorus and Dardanelles in Turkey into the Aegean Sea toward the Medi- terranean. The boats were forced to an- chor at Famagusta, today on the Turkish Saul Yellin (First on left)- Cyprus internment side of Cyprus, and passengers placed in detention camps. SAUL YELLIN: Mr. Schulman and Mr. Livney were SS HATIKVAH/TRADEWINDS two of the more than 50,000 interned by the British authorities in Cyprus. Some Saul Yellin was born in Baltimore, were detained for only several months Maryland on June 18, 1924, and died in and entered Palestine on the limited Phoenix, Arizona on October 7, 2010. monthly quota, while others were there After serving for four years in the as long as two years and admitted only U.S. Navy, Saul was asked to "volun- after independence. teer" on the illegal ship, SS Hatikvah, The Haganah got Mr. Schulman which ran the British blockade to bring out on the Jewish passenger liner the 1,500 Holocaust survivors to Palestine Kedmah under the alias of one of the in 1947. He described it as the most immigrants approved by the monthly meaningful experience of his life, be- British quota. The next morning he dis- cause, as he put it, "I will never for- embarked in Haifa and headed south get the thrill when one Jew was able to the Negev Desert to build a kibbutz to reach out and help another Jew, as with friends he knew from his youth they boarded our ship...they kissed our movement days in France, and to fight hands and said that we were sent by the in Israel’s War of Independence. Moshiach." The passengers and crew Several years later, Mr. Schulman were interned in Cyprus by the British emigrated to New York, ultimately set- authorities to await their turn to enter 7 Obituaries & Remembrances

in charge were willing to take, all sur- Editor’s Note: Long time AVI News- vived. letter Editor extraordinaire, Sam Klaus- They arrived in Haifa on July 29, ner, writes of Davey Baum: “Dave and 1946, after about a week at sea, having Ruth lived in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsyl- encountered water in the fuel, as well as vania in the 1970’s and subsequently loss of power. Since the Wedgwood and made aliyah in fulfillment of their Zion- Beria had arrived during the preceding ist vision. They purchased an apartment weeks, the detention camp at Atlit was a block from the beach in Tel Aviv and full. The passengers were divided up over the years welcomed many Ameri- onto several Aliyah Bet ships which had can Machal to their home. They became previously been captured by the British a bridge between the American and DAVID BAUM: and were tied up to the Haifa breakwa- Israeli groups. Dave was an endless SS HAGANAH CREW/ISRAEL ter. David returned to Marseilles for the source of information about our Israeli NAVY Mossad L'Aliyah Bet to check out some colleagues. A review of the AVI News- potential Aliyah Bet ships and then letters over the years will show how David Baum was born in Brook- went to Miami to set up another base many obituaries bear Dave’s signature. lyn, New York in 1924 and was a mem- for preparing Aliyah Bet ships. His death leaves a void, perhaps, a ber of the Zionist youth organization, When the Israeli Navy was organ- distancing between those Machal com- Hashomer Hatzair. He was a graduate ized in March 1948 he enlisted and munities that chose to live in Israel and of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy served till June 1950 when he joined those who remained stateside.” and received a commission as an en- Kibbutz Sasa. He married Rezzie (Ruth) The current Newsletter Editor adds sign in the U.S. Naval Reserve. During in 1951 and returned to the U.S. in Au- her personal note: “Davey Baum will World War II he sailed as third and sec- gust 1952, and lived in the Philadelphia be greatly missed. He was an important ond assistant engineer on Liberty Ships area where he worked as an engineer. liaison for many years between AVI and carrying ammunition to the various the- Davey and Rezzie returned to Israel in Israel, keeping people informed and atres of operations. 1983 and lived in Tel Aviv. connected across distant miles. He was After the war he joined the crew of David Baum passed away on De- respected and admired. Davey was a the Norsyd, which later became the SS cember, 14, 2010 and is buried at Kib- friend of both of my parents for over 70 Haganah. Except for the captain and butz Sasa. He is survived by his wife, years. He and my late father (George the chief and first assistant engineers, Ruth, son, Yonatan, and grandson, Ari- Samuel (Applebaum) Appley) were to- the crew was made up entirely of U.S el. David wrote about his war time ex- gether in Hashomer Hatzair, in the volunteers, many from Habonim and periences: “For me the most important Merchant Marine Academy, the Mer- Hashomer Hatzair. All the remaining and meaningful accomplishment was chant Marines, Aliyah Bet and later at officers were experienced Merchant doing something for the survivors and Kibbutz Sasa, with my mother, Marlene Mariners. The ship sailed from New the Yishuv. All the tons of arms which (Leah) Bondy Appley).” York to Marseilles in 1946 where prep- I had helped to deliver to the former arations began for accommodating the Soviet Union, and to the U.S. Army in passengers including installation of Europe and to the U.S. Navy at Pearl the wooden shelves which served as Harbor may not have saved one Jewish bunks for the olim (immigrants). The life. But the Aliyah Bet operation was Norsyd made two sailings in defiance a positive act. I transported our peo- of the British blockade of Palestine in ple to Eretz Yisrael (a.k.a. Palestine), the summer of 1946. The first carried strengthening both. Personally, it gave 1,000 olim who were interned. The sec- me an opportunity to meet many doers, ond trip brought a larger number of the including most of the 230 American Holocaust survivors to Palestine. The Aliyah Bet volunteers”. olim arrived by rail, and lined up along- side the ship. While the capacity of the By Si Spiegelman ship was calculated to be around 1,000 Source: Machal website passengers, the total number of olim (www.machal.org.il) that boarded was 2,678. The ship was dangerously overloaded and unstable. Despite the enormous risks that those

8 Obituaries & Remembrances

er was Canadian-born Ben Dunkelman and ARNOLD SAMUEL SCHUTZBERG: Marvin’s company commander was Norman MACHAL - PALMACH Schutzman from the U.S. After three days of 1927- 2010 training, his unit went into action with a raid on the town of Meron near the Lebanese bor- der. On the way to Meron they got lost. It was Arnold Samuel Schutzberg was an pitch black, but the Arabs knew something American volunteer for Machal in Isra- was afoot and kept firing in the air which el’s War of Independence, helped start a gave away their positions. Still they arrived kibbutz and enjoyed a successful career on the wrong side of Meron. That was Mar- involving aircraft, remote intelligence vin's initiation into battle. gathering and anti-ballistic missiles. In tandem with other units, the 72nd He devoted his later years to research- MARVIN LIBOW: Battalion went on to liberate the upper Gali- lee during “Operation Hiram” with battles at ing Cambridge, Massachusetts’ Jewish B-COMPANY, 72nd INFANTRY immigrant history. Arnold Schutzberg BATTALION, 7th BRIGADE Meron, Jish, Sasa, Malkiyah and other sites. “B” company engaged in the fire fighting died on March 25, 2010 at the age of 82. on the Tamra Hill that went down in history Mr. Schutzberg was the second child Marvin Libow was born in Los Ange- as the only bayonet charge of the war. Mar- of Russian immigrant parents, Blanche les, California on July 24, 1928, and passed vin liked to tell his war buddies the story of Sternberg and Harry Schutzberg, who away on June 30, 2010. His father died the Machalnik who dryly commented to the after an auto accident when he was only met and married in Cambridge, Mas- other soldiers in Yiddish while under sniper sachusetts. Arnold was born at home. one year old. He grew up the youngest of fire: “Men ken du geharget veren.” English four brothers without a father. His mother translation: “You can get killed around here.” In his own words, “I was born in my moved with the children to New York City Marvin served as a volunteer in Machal mother’s bed on the second floor of our so she could get the help of her family. She because he felt deeply that there was a need three decker five room (three bedrooms, went to work in the garment center to sup- for a Jewish homeland. After a year fighting kitchen and living room) apartment on port herself and her sons. for the new Jewish State, Marvin returned Columbia Street in Cambridge. I was Marvin grew up in Boro Park, Brook- to the U.S. He said "I came home a differ- lyn, where he attended the local public told that the famous Dr. Chalfen was in ent guy than when I left." attendance on July 30, 1927 when I be- schools, Stuyvesant High School, and City He soon met and married Helen Cas- College. He became a member of the cam- sius. They had a loving marriage that lasted came the second Schutzberg child but pus Hillel where he attended a rally agitat- almost 58 years. They were blessed with first male child. I bear the name Shmuel ing for the independence of Palestine spon- three children, Robin, Nancy and Michael in honor of my paternal grandmother’s sored by the Jewish Agency. The agency and seven grandchildren, Mariel, Rayna, father. I was also named Arnold or Aba was covertly recruiting fighters for the Jordan, Miles, Sophie, Isabel and Miriam but don’t know if there was any familial emerging Jewish State. He and his friends (Mimi). Mariel and Rayna are both in Is- began collecting arms, including machine basis for this choice.” rael now. Mariel is working for Physicians In 1935, the family moved to Fay- guns, in -- of all clichéd things -- violin for Human Rights and Rayna is a volunteer cases. in the Israeli army. It looks like the apples ette Street in mid-Cambridge. Mr. The campus recruiter, who was a mem- didn't fall far from the tree. Schutzberg completed his elementary ber of the Jewish Brigade, gave an impas- Marvin worked in the New York gar- education at the Wellington School and sioned speech about Land and Labor for ment center after his return from Israel. then moved to the Longfellow School Palestine, the Haganah recruiting office in Later he became an Industrial Arts teacher and an afterschool Hebrew school. In New York City. Marvin found the address in the New York City School System. He 1945 he graduated from Cambridge (Breslin Hotel) and volunteered. He got always strongly supported Israel and many a passport and made his way to Palestine High and Latin, where he played on the Israeli charities and organizations. He was school chess team. in August 1948. From Le Havre, France, a terrific handyman who did roofing, floor- he reached St. Jerome, a displaced persons ing, papering, electrical work, plumbing, After serving in WWII, Mr. Schutz- camp near Marseille, France. He survived etc. He enjoyed reading, travel, theater, berg went to the Middle East to serve as a difficult voyage on the Pan York. He and playing chess, astronomy and doing cross- a soldier in the Palmach, joining others the other Americans were told to speak only word puzzles. He had a wonderful sense of supporting the creation of the State of Yiddish so the United Nations monitors humor and enjoyed making everyone laugh Israel. He was a founding member of would think they were refugees. Upon ar- with his jokes. Marvin was an unselfish, rival, he found himself immediately in the Kibbutz Gesher Haziv, established in dedicated man who wanted to help medical 1948. He began engineering studies at army. (He had been rejected as 4-F by the science by donating his brain for research to American army, but if you could breathe, help other Parkinson’s disease sufferers. He Northeastern University in Boston and you were in the Israeli Army). surely did! later completed them at UMASS Am- Marvin served in the 7th Brigade-72nd herst (class of 1953). He was awarded Battalion, an English speaking unit made up By Helen Libow two Masters degrees from the Universi- mostly of U.S, Canadian, English and South ty of Michigan in 1957 and 1958. Dur- African Machalniks. The Brigade command- u 9 Obituaries & Remembrances ing this time, Mr. Schutzberg also did some coursework at Notre Dame. Mr. Schutzberg began his profes- sional career working on the develop- ment of the B-52 bomber, the KC-135 aircraft and the Chinook helicopter while working at Boeing Vertol and Bendix Corporation. He spent most of his career at AVCO Everett Research Laboratory (now part of Textron) involved in remote intelligence gathering and the Star Wars anti-ballistic missile programs. In June 1957, Arnold married Frances Poger Leve, whom he had known as a member of the Zionist youth Ben Ocopnick group Habonim (“The Builders”) since their teens. The young couple started a BENJAMIN (BEN) OCOPNICK: family in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania SERVED IN ALIYAH BET, IDF, and later moved to Winchester, Massa- IAF AND ISRAELI NAVY chusetts to be closer to both sets of the children’s grandparents. Benjamin S. Ocopnick, the legendary Ben Ocopnick as a gunner in the Israeli navy “man of all seasons,” whose variety of du- In Winchester, the Schutzbergs ties in both the Canadian and Israeli armed were founding members of a Jewish British marines being flung into the sea and forces exceeded that of all other volunteers, 30 of the Ulua’s passengers being injured. community, which later evolved into the died in Toronto on Feb. 15, 2011, at the age current synagogue. In the early 1980s, The Ulua, now renamed Haim Arlosoroff, of 86. His death followed a long illness. scraped ground near Haifa. The immigrants Mr. Schutzberg began renovating his Ben served in both the Royal Canadian were transferred to British vessels and de- Cambridge family home to “move back Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force ported to Cyprus. Three months later, the to the city” in retirement. during World War II. He volunteered for immigrants with Ocopnick and other crew Upon retirement, he joined the Har- Aliyah Bet, was imprisoned in Cyprus, and members among them, were released and later sent back to Canada by Israeli forces vard Institute for Learning in Retire- sailed to Haifa. to recruit volunteers. He returned to Israel Ben arrived in Palestine for the sec- ment (HILR), where he actively pur- with the first contingent of Canadians and sued interests in political science, and ond time in April 1948 and served with the served in the Israeli Army, Navy and Air 5th Brigade (Givati). He then served on the Jewish and Middle Eastern history. He Force. He was credited with shooting down Egyptian front and later transferred to the performed his historic research with an Egyptian airplane bombing Tel Aviv. Navy, manning heavy-caliber guns. He sub- Frances at his side and contributed a He was born in Montreal on Oct. 29, sequently served in the Israeli Air Force as an chapter on the history of Jewish immi- 1924, and raised in Toronto, where he was assistant flight controller. a member of Habonim Zionist Youth. Af- gration to Cambridge for a Cambridge After his return to Canada, Ben spent ter his discharge from the Canadian armed four decades working on behalf of Jewish Historical Society book. The couple forces, he sailed as a deckhand on the Ulua/ hosted regular visits from their grand- causes. He retired as Executive Director of Haim Arlosoroff, which left Baltimore in the United Israel Appeal – Ontario Division. children Rose, Arthur, Hugo, Victoire October, 1946. The small vessel was built Surviving are his wife, Sheila, children and and Scarlett. in 1912, had served as a revenue cutter dur- their spouses, Susan, Elliott, Sherry, Melis- Mr. Schutzberg was laid to rest next ing the Prohibition era, and an anti-submarine sa and Wayne, and three grandchildren. to his wife of 50 years on March 28, vessel during World War II. In Aliyah Bet, About the contribution of Machal to she was staffed with a crew of 20 Americans, the war effort, Ben commented: “Without 2010 in the Ashkenaz cemetery of Tem- two Canadians and two Palestinian Jews ple Beth Shalom in Everett, Massachu- us, the casualties would have been much (members of Palyam). More Palyam mem- heavier, and without our expertise we could setts. He is survived by a brother, Ber- bers would join the crew in Europe. nard Schutzberg, of Nevada and New have had a much smaller Israel.” About how The vessel was refitted in Marseilles serving affected his own life, he said, “I will Jersey and a sister, Mildred Schutzberg and sailed in January 1947 from Stockholm never forget the experience until the day I Katz, of Jerusalem, Israel. He is also with 660 Holocaust survivors aboard. The die. It gave my life so much more mean- survived by two children, Adena of ship picked up an additional 724 passengers ing.” Somerville and Daniel of Cambridge, in Italy and headed for Palestinian waters. As they approached land on February 27, four grandchildren, nieces and nephews. By Ralph Lowenstein five Royal Navy craft closed in and sent boarding parties onto the Ulua deck. Hand u u to hand combat ensued, with some of the 10 Obituaries & Remembrances

from the front lines. burgh with her husband Daniel Burston, Mickey's older brother, Jack Olf- Chair of the Department of Psychology man, who was serving in the Israeli at Duquesne University and their chil- army during the same period, liked to dren, Adam 17 and Gavriela 14. tell this story. He was intent on visit- About his service in Israel, Mickey ing Mickey who was stationed about commented: “I had the personal satisfaction 15 miles east of Safed. Jack found his of having contributed to one of the great- brother about 100 yards from the Syr- est achievements of the Jewish people.” ian guns that were pointed at Israel and at Mickey's post. In order to reach him, By Bess Olfman and Jack had to climb up a steep hill which Sharna Olfman Burston did not have a path beyond its first 40 u feet of elevation at which point it was Mickey and brother Jack Olfman just a tangle of weeds and hidden land HARRY ISAAC DINKIN: mines. When Jack got to the top of the 69 (HAMMER) SQUADRON MITCHELL (MICKEY) OLFMAN: hill, (where the Syrian guns pointed to- B-COMPANY, 72ND BATTALION, B-17 RADIO TH ward Israel were visible) he saw Mick- 7 BRIGADE, (MEDIC) ey riding on his donkey, transporting OPERATOR/GUNNER water. The only other person stationed Mitchell (Mickey) Olfman was born there was a young American soldier Harry Isaac Dinkin, a radio opera- in 1926 and raised in Kamsack, Sas- reading a comic book with a rifle across tor/gunner on one of Israel’s three B-17 katchewan as the youngest of eight chil- his knee. Mickey and his young com- bombers, died February 12, 2011. Born dren. His parents immigrated to Canada panion were Israel's first line of defense in August 4, 1917, in Toronto, he joined in the late 1800’s soon after his father against a Syrian assault on Safed. This the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving narrowly escaped from the Russian anecdote captures the combination of from 1941 to 1945. He volunteered for Army where he was serving in the Cav- youth and bravery that epitomized the the fledgling Israeli Air Force in 1948, alry. In 1947, while pursuing a Bachelor Machal. During his year in Israel, he and was assigned to the 69 (Hammer) of Science Degree at the University of was stationed at several camps through- Squadron, serving until 1950. The flight British Columbia, Mickey was willingly out the Galil where he helped to secure of three B-17s bombed Cairo on its recruited to join the Machal. Inspired by land that was later occupied by the Kib- maiden trip from Czechoslovakia to Is- his six older brothers who had all served butzim. rael, and during the war compiled some in the Canadian Armed Forces during In 1949 Mickey was asked to re- 200 bombing missions. WWII, he wanted to be a part of the for- turn home to Canada because his father Harry was a lifelong bachelor. mation of a Jewish Homeland. was ill. He enrolled in the University of Upon his return from Israel, he followed In April 1948 Mickey traveled from Manitoba where he resumed his stud- a career with the Canadian federal gov- Vancouver to New York and from there, ies. He joined Electroline, Inc. (a manu- ernment, retiring in 1981 as a Customs he took a ship to Marseilles, France facturer of equipment for the cable TV officer. He is remembered by his ex- where he joined recruits from around and telephone industries.) Within a few tended family and friends for his strong the world as well as several hundred years he became President and CEO. A moral code, independent spirit and displaced persons. After a week's train- lifelong athlete, he took up running in dedication to many charitable causes. ing, 150 recruits and displaced persons his 40’s – completing two marathons. He was a dedicated volunteer, assisting boarded an Italian fishing boat headed Mickey died on February 26, 2008, heart patients at Toronto General Hos- for Palestine under the cover of darkness at the age of 82. A beloved husband, pital and was an inspiration to all who in a clandestine operation because the father and grandfather, he is survived knew him. Before his death at age 94, British were still occupying the country. by his wife Bess Olfman, a former pub- his message to family and friends was Within days of his arrival, Israel declared lic relations consultant who resides in not to mourn his death, but to celebrate itself a nation and the second phase of Montreal, his daughter Lisa Olfman, the rich life he lived. the War of Independence began. co-founder and President of Portfolio Harry said he had a “greater sense With only a few weeks of training, Entertainment, and his daughter Sharna of personal and ethnic pride” as a result Mickey and his fellow recruits were Olfman, a clinical psychologist and au- of his service with the Israel Air Force inducted into the Haganah and thrown thor/editor of the Childhood In America and always had a feeling “of propriety” into the fray. Mickey was assigned to book series. Lisa resides in Toronto with in relation to Israel. He added that he nd th the 72 Battalion of the 7 Brigade as her husband David Wolfe, Professor of had a more purposeful attitude toward a medic. His duties were varied and Political Science at the University of life because of his association with Is- included traversing minefields on his Toronto, and their children, Michael 26 rael and considered his military service donkey to rescue wounded soldiers and Rachel 17. Sharna resides in Pitts- there his “destiny fulfilled.” 11 Obituaries & Remembrances

ceremony, held in conjunction with the Thus, it took all three men to oper- opening of the Machal exhibit in New ate the vehicle at maximum efficiency, York City. His son, Jonathan wrote of and they probably had interchangeable his father, “May the memory of Jack jobs. In the days before air condition- Gold be a blessing and an inspiration to ing, the inside of the armored car was all of us. He proved that the efforts of a as hot and humid as a steam bath in the few can have a dramatic effect. Zaydie summer, and the noise of two machine- Jack will be dearly missed.” guns firing at the same time had to bring Jack will be remembered as a lov- on early deafness for all three men. ing father, grandfather, brother, and a fa- The armored cars were the closest vorite uncle to many nieces and nephews. thing we had to tanks. The one Sherman He is survived by his wife of 56 years, and two Cromwell tanks, and a dozen Jack Gold and valiant Machal compatriots. The armored car crew in the 79th Armored Battalion: Sylvia Myers Gold, his three children tiny light French tanks (virtually use- top to bottom, Jack Gold, Frank Perlman, and their spouses, Franceen Pernikoff less) were Israel’s entire inventory of and Solly Ossin. and her husband Dr. Barry Pernikoff, Dr. tanks of any kind All were all assigned Photo courtesy Frank Perlman family Jonathan Gold and wife Paula Gold, and to the 82nd Armored Battalion, facing Wendy Basch and her husband Sheldon the Egyptians in the Negev. Even so, all JACK ISADORE GOLD Basch, as well as 12 beloved grandchil- of us in the motorized infantry units of ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCE 79TH dren and one great-grandchild. the 79th were happy to have Jack, Frank, BATTALION Solly and their cohorts leading us into Ralph Lowenstein, who served in battle in the armored cars, spraying the Jack Isadore Gold, 91, passed away a halftrack company of the 79th Ar- Arab troops and villages with machi- Monday, January 3, 2011. He was born mored Battalion of the 7th Brigade, negun fire before the infantry troops and grew up in Montreal, Canada, a son gave this remembrance of Jack and dismounted from their vehicles and to the late Hyman and Fannie (Feld- his two armored car comrades: charged into the fray. man) Gold. Exhibiting bravery and Jack returned to Canada. Frank idealism at a young age, he was drafted “The three-man crew of Jack’s ar- eventually made his home in New Jer- and served in the Royal Canadian Army, mored car really represented the inter- sey. Shortly after returning to the U.S., where he received officer’s training. In national flavor of the two armored car he and Walter (Tex) Cohen, another ar- 1947 he volunteered to join Machal in companies in the 79th. Jack, 29, from mored car crewman in the 79th, decided the fight for Israel's War of Independ- Canada, Frank Perlman, 28, from Pitts- they would become song writers. They ence. When he left Montreal, he did not burgh, and Solly Ossin, 26, from South wrote a tune in 1950 with the longest tell his parents where he was going, not Africa had a collective age that set a re- word in the history of lyrics, “The Lake wanting to worry them. Once in Israel, cord for the 79th, where almost all per- Song – Chargoggagoggmanchauggag- he sent postcards to the family telling sonnel ranged in age from 18 to 26. ogchaubunagungamaugg.” It’s a Na- them that he was “taking care of some The three men shared a vehicle pe- tive American word meaning “You fish business,” and hoped to be back soon. culiar to the Israeli army. The armored on your side, I’ll fish on my side and Zaydie Jack, as he was affection- car was built in Israel on the chassis no one fishes in the middle.” They got ately known by his family, fought in the and lower body of either a World War Ethel Merman to record it, and thought IDF Armored Corp Division. He was II American M3 scout car or Ameri- their riches were assured. Alas, it was a member of the 79th Battalion, 7th can ¾-ton weapons carrier. The upper not issued as a single or in an album. Brigade. He wrote postcards home to armor and turret were fabricated from Strangely enough, in 2005, long after Canada, mentioning the places he saw steel plate in Israel, making the vehicle Frank was dead (but when Tex was still across Israel, including Latrun, Metulla too heavy for the frame upon which it alive), a memorial album called “Ethel and Hadera. was mounted. To say the least, it was Merman – the World is Your Balloon” Jack returned to Canada after 1948 an unsafe vehicle, top-heavy and ex- was issued by Decca Broadway, and and was diligent and dedicated to his tremely hazardous to its crew on the that song is included, as a duet between work. He started a successful shoe rare occasions when it was driven off- Merman and Ray Bolger. Frank and business in Ottawa. He always had a road. The turret itself was not motor Tex taught me the song when I was a smile and a pleasant word. Jack was an driven, and could only be rotated by the junior at Columbia, and I can still sing avid sportsman and enjoyed spending gunner using brute strength while shov- it. Frank’s daughter, Julia, is a Ph.D. quality time with his family. ing his feet on the floor of the vehicle. living in England, and stays in touch. The Gold family made a dedication The rotary turret mounted a German- Tex never married, and died a few years at The American Jewish Historical So- model heavy machinegun or German ago in Austin, Texas. ciety in his honor, and in honor of the light machinegun called a ‘Spandau,’ Solly Ossin stayed in Israel, and was other heroic Machalniks who selflessly both manufactured in Czechoslovakia one of the founders of Moshav Habonim volunteered to fight for Israel in her time at the Skoda arms works. The fixed ma- in 1949. He was still living in Israel 20 of great need. Unfortunately, Zaydie chinegun port above the right front pas- years later, when he decided to return to Jack passed away on January 3, 2011, a senger seat of the armored car mounted South Africa. As far as I know, he is the few short weeks prior to the dedication a Spandau. only one of the three still alive.” 12 BOOK REVIEW laid the groundwork of the Air Force sidered guilty. The report was rejected not to have any of their work recalled. It at higher command levels. Loud and Clear by Iftach Spector is not unusual in the Israeli literature on For a number of years he resisted the War of Independence to find the role attacking targets where be believed ci- Machal veterans of the Israel Air of the foreign volunteers minimized, if vilians would be harmed. In one con- Force will recall colleagues lodging not completely absent. The only men- versation with Dan Halutz, then the Air complaints against “higher ups” and may tion of Machal by Spector has to wait Force chief of Staff, he expressed his even have witnessed a threat not to fly until page 339 when he was sent to a concerns. Halutz, Spector reports, said if their complaints went unheeded. Iftach course in Los Angeles. There, at a public he loses no sleep over it. In September, Spector was a decorated and high ranking event, he met members of Machal. He 2003, Spector and several comrades Air Force officer who, along with 27 fel- describes them as “wearing a red cap wrote a letter to him: low officers, refused to bomb a target if with the words ‘The First Battler’ on it. We, Air Force, pilots, educated they believed civilians were endangered. They spoke to me of the comparison be- in the Zionist spirit, sacrificing and These fliers, including Spector were ex- tween the Messerschmitt and the Spitfire contributing to the State of Israel pelled from the service and roundly criti- forgetting that I was then but eight years in the front lines, oppose carrying cized in the wider community. old. They were lovers of Israel and crazy out aggressive, illegal and unethical The phrase “loud and clear” is about the Air Force. When we left they missions such as those we are recognized as a response in air radio presented us with a silver tray (magash asked to carry out in the occupied communication affirming an order was hakesef) and I wondered whether they territories. Despite the fact that understood and would be executed. knew the poem by Alterman. They were Israel and the Air force are a core This book is about military commands the Magash Hakesef.” The reference commitment for us, we refuse to carried out and those not carried out. is to a poem by the Israeli poet, Natan continue and harm innocent Iftach Spector was a child of Kibbutz Alterman, who likened the first young civilians…Such operations are a Giv’at Brenner who joined the Israel fighters in 1948, those who delivered the direct result of the extended Air force in 1960 and was trained as a State, by their sacrifice, to an offering on occupation and are completely fighter pilot. He served in the 1967 and a silver platter to the Jewish people. destructive of Israeli society. 1973 wars. Flying the American F-4 Long before his final confrontation, The signatories declared their will- Phantom and the French Mirage III he he suffered doubts about the manage- ingness to continue to serve in the Air is credited with 12 “kills.” Serving as a ment skills of his superiors. He criticizes Force. Before long they were all out career officer he rose through the ranks confusion among the commanders. Dur- of uniform. In some national air forces to Brigadier General. Loud and Clear is ing the 1973 war, air combat units were they would have been shot for insubor- an autobiography with a particular and told to be ready to fly at night, an order dination. In the American system they personal perspective on history. which never came, and this prevented would have been severely disciplined. Spector’s autobiography is his de- them from sleeping as the battle loomed. The usual procedure would be to first fense against charges of treason. He On another occasion he received an or- resign from the armed forces and then presents himself as daring and depicts der to bomb bridges over the Suez Ca- release the complaint. Much of the Is- himself and his comrades as strong silent nal. He did not believe there were bridg- raeli press depicted the signers as dis- types who were rational problem solvers. es and his men did not know how to loyal. He was attacked for introducing Spector was also a military bomb them anyway. This being a waste his political stance into his military role. innovator stymied by his self-assured of air power he argued for its redeploy- His Air Force colleagues, after an initial superiors. In 1977, as head of Air Force ment to the Golan to assist infantry re- period of withdrawing, continued to in- Operations, he had the opportunity to treating before Syrian attacks. His pleas vite him to events, though not during meet with officers of other branches were unsuccessful. He was weighed the tenure of General Halutz. On some of the Air Force. He describes a “new, down by guilt for mission failures. Be- occasions, he lectured before American shining and successful Air Force, so- ing detailed to bomb a base in Damas- military personnel. Some of the offic- phisticated, scientific, dynamic and in- cus he describes a flight over Lebanon ers in the audience recalled his partici- teresting.” In the course of planning, he winding through the mountains and pation in the attack on the American realized the potential of helicopters for clouds. When near Damascus he could communications vessel which resulted flying commandos deep within enemy not find an opening in the clouds for the in the loss of 34 American sailors. Oth- territory. He proposed creating a heli- attack and returned to base bitter about ers saw him as a hero of the raid on the copter based Air Force commando unit his failure to drop his bombs. At the end Iraqi Osiris nuclear reactor. but was blocked by turf wars with the of the 1973 war, Spector wrote a report Loud and Clear is a well-written land forces and parachute groups. blaming the great losses in personnel in analysis of life in the Israel Air Force. Machal veterans may be surprised the Israel armed forces on confusion at Unfortunately, is not accessible to many to read an analysis of Israel Air Force the staff level. There were contradictory Anglophones. battles and management written by one orders. Tactical aims were not clear. He who joined only twelve years after they mentioned the names of those he con- By Samuel Klausner 13 AVILC EVENTS MICKEY MARCUS MEMORIAL- MAY 2010 By Sharona Benami

It was our first time at West Point. The beauty of the gray stone buildings, flowering trees, and historic importance of the place struck us as we entered the front gate. Views of the Hudson River were breathtaking, and we learned that during the Revo- lutionary War George Washington had called this site “the most important post in America.” The Jewish Chapel there shares the same dignified strength and beauty as the other buildings but elicits a special pride.

Yehuda Bock and Sharona Benami

Jeff Margolis, Sharona Benami, Rafi Marom, Paul Kaye, and Si Spiegelman Both the chapel and gravesite ceremonies were moving and meaningful. Having volunteered in the IDF, my (l to r seated) Marcel Berkowitz, Naomi Kantey, husband Yehuda and I felt a kinship with the soldiers Si Spielgman, Shalom Schiff and Paul Kaye; and veterans present. We were happy to finally be able (l to r standing) Russ Poker, Norman Winer, Rabbi (Maj.) Shmuel Felzenberg, David Borowich, to attend, and happy to represent our fellow West Coast CDT Ryan Schubert and Jake Bennett. Machal volunteers.

PURIM PARTY 2010

(l to r standing) Harold Kraushar, Mervyn Senick, Moses Stambler, Prosper (l to r) Si Spiegelman, Naomi Kantey, Donna Parker, Anselm, Harry Bieber, George Goldman, Sam Klausner, Naomi Kantey and Paul Kaye, Jeffrey Margolis and Rafi Marom. Bernie Ellman, (l to r seated) Si Spiegelman, Paul Kaye and Ira Feinberg. 14 WORLD MACHAL MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD AT SHA’AR HAGAI ON YOM HAZICHARON 2010 By Doreen Bliss

Over 120 people attended the World Machal memorial service which was held at the Machal Memorial at Sha’ar Hagai on Yom Hazicha- ron, Monday April 19, 2010. Before the sounding of the siren to indicate the commencement of the ceremony nationwide, Machalniks were able to purchase the books by Zipporah Porath (“Letters from Jerusalem 1947-48” and her new book “David “Mickey” Marcus – A Soldier for All Humanity”), and David Shachar’s books, in Hebrew and Italian “From the Holocaust to the New Dawn”. In addition, the participants were notified of Ira Feinberg’s new DVD “My Brother’s Keeper”. Despite many of our Machalnik comrades who have passed on, Machalniks came with their children and grandchildren to pay homage to the 123 Fallen Machal. In the past year two more Fallen Machal have been added to the Names of the Fallen – Raymond “Lofty” Dodge (a non-Jew who was serving in the British Mandate Forces and deserted to serve with the Machalniks in the 9th Battalion of the Palmach Hanegev and Benjamin Stein (a Machalnik from the USA who served as a flight engineer in the Israel Air Force. A group of 100 guests from a Zionist mission organized by the Keren Kayemet was to have joined us, but unfortunately as a result of the outcome of the volcano in Iceland, their flight from Hungary to Israel was cancelled and they were thus unable to participate in our service. The service this year was particularly moving. Joe Woolf (South Africa) raised the flag accompanied by a 16 year old bugler. Sheila Barak (U.K.) and Mike Amir (Australia) lit the eternal flame and Ruth Stern (South Africa) and Meir Haberman (Argentina) laid the wreath. Stanley Medicks read the Names of the Fallen and their countries of origin. Rabbi Ephraim Shach gave a most moving sermon and prayed for all the 22,682 Fallen Soldiers of Israel’s Wars from 1948 to this day. The Rabbi recited a poem by Israeli poet, Uri Zvi Greenberg (Hachaim B’Zchutam Omrim”, and also read Psalm 124. Zippy Porath (USA), who was M.C. along with Rafi Seroussi (Uruguay), read Psalms 124 and 144 in English. The religious aspect of the service concluded with El Rachamim and Kaddish. David Angel of the Keren Kayemet relayed the news to the attendees which had appeared that very day in the Hebrew newspaper “Ha’Aretz” concerning the Israel Air Force’s search for relatives of George “Buzz” Beurling, a non-Jew and a famous World War II fighter pilot who lost his life when his plane crashed in Rome while he was serving as a Machalnik in 101 Squadron. George’s younger brother Richard had finally been traced after 62 years and was brought to Israel with his family to receive an award from the IAF on behalf of his deceased brother. (A copy of the article is given below) The ceremony was concluded with the rendition of the Hatikvah by U.S. Machalnik Leon Silverman. The participants were invited to join the Jewish War Veterans memorial service for Col. David (Mickey) Marcus which will take place at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem on Thursday, 10th June, 2010 at 14.00 hours. As a surprise to World Machal Chairman Smoky Simon, the members of the World Machal Committee were invited up to the Podium to congratulate Smoky on his forthcoming 90th birthday which he will celebrate on Shabbat 24th April, and to thank him for his contribution to World Machal over the years. He was given the gift of a book on this auspicious occasion and reminded to “keep pedaling” which is his own pet phrase quoted by him in his correspondence with Machalniks worldwide.

Article appearing in the Ha’aretz English Newspaper April 19, 2010 AFTER 62-YEAR WAIT, ISRAEL FINALLY HONORS FAMILY OF FALLEN CANADIAN FIGHTER PILOT, GEORGE BEURLING By Yuval Azoulay It has been a 62 year journey for For over six decades, IDF officers who its most advanced fighter jets. the Israel Air Force to finally bestow an represent bereaved families did not know of “There’s no doubt that he would have honor in memory of George Beurling, the any relatives left behind by the celebrated been a bigger hero here than he could legendary World War II pilot who volun- pilot whose name was uttered in every re- have been in Canada”. Richard Beurling, teered to fly during the War of Independ- membrance ceremony held by the transport who professes a deep affinity for Israel, ence and died in a plane crash in Italy. squadron to which he belonged. said. Beurling was a living legend by dint Yet the long-awaited ceremony, which The turning point in the case occurred of his heroic exploits as a fighter pilot dur- was put on hold due to the absence of avail- two years ago, when Beurling’s file came ing World War II. Yet a mysterious plane able family members, finally took place across the desk of Lieutenant Colonel Dan- crash in Italy in 1948 took his life before yesterday at Sde Dov Airport in Tel Aviv. ny Shneidman, the officer in charge of the he could come to the aid of the fledgling Beurling’s younger brother, Richard IAF’s Casualty and Loss Unit. Shneidman Jewish state. Though he never set foot in Beurlilng, his wife Jean, and their two found out that the IDF had never contacted Israel, he enlisted in the air force of the daughters - Kristen and Janice – were Beurling’s family. “I decided to locate his newborn state just days after David Ben- honored by the commander of an IAF family myself”, he said, “So I randomly Gurion declared its independence. transport squadron. During the ceremo- started calling families all over Canada with Beurling, a devout Catholic, was a ny, the Beurlings heard praise for a man the last name “Beurling”. I asked them if fighter pilot who wanted to fly. Israel was whom they had never met. they had any connection to George Beurl- a nascent country that was looking for Richard Beurling, a 78 year old ing, who died many years ago. “I finally got fighter pilots. After he was killed, Beurl- Catholic from Canada, arrived in Israel at hold of a family in Toronto”, he said “A man ing was interred in Rome. In 1950 his the invitation of the IAF and the Defense by the name of Richard answered the phone. body was brought to Israel and he was Ministry on the occasion of Memorial He told me he was (George’s) brother”. buried in a military cemetery in Haifa. Day. Yet, more importantly, Beurling ar- Once the relatives were identified, “I have no doubt that he didn’t die for rived in Israel in search of closure to the the Defense Ministry paid for the family’s something not worth dying for. His death tragic saga that unfolded just days after plane tickets to Israel and the IAF arranged was not in vain”, his brother Richard, 78, the State’s founding. for the family to tour its bases and behold said. “He died for a proper cause”. 15 MARCUS MEMORIAL SERVICE AMMUNITION HILL, JERUSALEM By Petra van der Zande

Colonel David (Mickey) Marcus said Brigade; Armored Brigade; Paratrooper Ben-Gurion wished to honour Mickey’s he didn’t think he was the best man for Brigade and Air Force. During the four- memory in an English publication. Zip- the job, but agreed to go because, as it hour battle for Ammunition Hill, 36 Is- porah Porath interviewed those who had turned out, he was the only one willing to raeli soldiers lost their lives. served with Mickey, but, regrettably, the go. According to Mickey, “You gotta help Established in 1972, the north Jeru- project never saw the light of day. Now, your brother out in a fight!” salem neighborhood of Ma’alot Dafna 61 years later, she decided it was time to Marcus, nom de guerre “Michael is surrounded by Ramat Eshkol, Shmuel reveal the well-kept military secret about Stone,” was recruited initially to be mili- haNavi, Sheikh Jarrah and Ammuni- the role of Mickey Marcus during Israel’s tary advisor to David Ben-Gurion and the tion Hill. “Ma’alot Dafna” (Bay Laurel struggle for survival and independence. underground Hagana, and eventually be- Heights) commemorated Israel’s victory Also part of the memorial program came the Israel Defense Forces first Aluf during the Six Day War in 1967. was the screening of clips from the begin- (major general). Two weeks after this In 1975, Ammunition Hill not only ning and end of the movie “Cast a Giant appointment, on June 11, 1948 he was became a memorial site for those who Shadow.” Dan Nadel, the Commander of killed in tragic mishap. But in the short fell in the battle for Jerusalem, but also JWV Post 180 and master of ceremonies, time of his service (about 200 days), and a major museum. Built on a slope dotted noted that this typical Hollywood version thanks to his wide-ranging military expe- with pine trees, the arched roof resem- of Marcus’s life was a far cry from the rience and personal leadership qualities, bles the Nissin huts that once stood on larger than life real man he had been. Kirk he managed to accomplish amazing feats the site. The 182 olive trees are symbolic Douglas, featuring in the role of Mickey that turned the tide of the war. of the 182 men who fell in the campaign Marcus, confided to Dan Nadel that Mar- On the 50th anniversary of Mickey’s for Jerusalem – life out of grief. Their cus’ character had changed him: it brought death a memorial service was held near sacrifice made it possible for the IDF to him back to his Jewish roots and religion. the place where he was killed – Abu forge ahead and reconquer the Old City Following a musical interlude – a vi- Gosh, the monument at Telshe Stone. On of Jerusalem. In 1987, the site was de- olin solo played by an IDF soldier - Col. the 62nd anniversary of his death, the Jew- clared a national memorial site, and it is Eliezer Ben-Horash lit the memorial can- ish War Veterans of the USA, Jerusalem here that the annual main ceremony of dle. Sixteen honorees were then asked to Post 180 sponsored another memorial Yom Yerushalayim – Jerusalem Day is complete a photo-puzzle portrait of Mick- service, held in another historic spot – Gi- traditionally held. Prior to their induction ey Marcus, after which everyone stood at vat HaTachmoshet - Ammunition Hill. into the IDF, Israeli youngsters from the attention for the playing of taps. Cantor In the 1930’s, under their Mandate of Jerusalem area assemble at Ammunition Max Epstein, past Commander of JWV Palestine, the British established a police Hill before they are bussed to their bases Post 180 sang the El Mole Rachamim training school in Jerusalem and stored to begin their 2 or 3-year army stints. prayer, and the audience joined in with their ammunition in a nearby hill – Ammu- A stone path leads into the under- the singing of Hatikvah. A plaque was nition Hill. When the British left in 1948, ground museum which consists of a wind- unveiled in honor and memory of Colo- the IDF seized the police school but un- ing corridor with a low ceiling. The stone nel Marcus, after which the audience was fortunately, had to withdraw under attack walls, partially of stone and concrete, dis- invited to view a sound and light show from the Arab Legion. The Jordanians for- play pictures of divided Jerusalem before depicting the battle for Jerusalem. tified the western edge of the compound, 1967. A large assortment of arms, stacks of The memorial ceremony ended with which became “Tel al Maduar” – the rucksacks and parachutes are also on exhib- the placement of the name of Colonel Mar- Round Hill. It severed the link between it near the bunker (now auditorium) where cus on the Wall of Honor, followed by re- Mount Scopus and West Jerusalem and the 2010 JWV memorial service honoring freshments in the Social Hall and a chance became a symbol of a wounded city, cut in Colonel Marcus was held. Present were for old friends and comrades to socialize. half, with a wall through its heart. For 19 prominent American and local dignitaries. long years, until the Six Day War, this hill The program began with the invoca- was part of the Jordanian-Israeli border. tion by Chaplain Alan Greenspan, fol- On June 6, 1967, after conquering the lowed by a welcome speech from Col. Police School, IDF troops fought a fierce Shimon Cohaner (Katcha), Chairman of and bloody battle against the Legion- Ammunition Hill. On behalf of Ambas- naires who retreated to Ammunition Hill. sador Cunningham of the US Embassy, The site consists of a series of bunkers Mr. Mark Sievers addressed the audience and firing positions that were construct- of about sixty, which included US Jewish ed of reinforced concrete and connected war veterans and local Machalniks. by well covered trenches. The Jordanian The keynote speaker was Zipporah central command post was located in an Porath, author of a booklet titled, “Col. extension of a Second Temple period bur- David (Mickey) Marcus – A Soldier for ial cave, its walls 40 cms thick. All Humanity,” based on original source Four Israeli brigades fought against material, never before published. On the the Jordanian Legionnaires: Jerusalem first anniversary of Marcus’ death, David Zipporah Porath 16 Machal Volunteers in Israel’s War of Independence Finally Get the Honor They Deserve in Israeli Exhibit By Jason Fenton

It’s been a long time coming, but final- heard, a 2000-year-old dream had come of Honor reserved for Machalniks at ly Machal’s important contributions to true – the reunification of Jerusalem un- Ammunition Hill. His answer was clear the establishment of the State of Israel der Jewish sovereignty. and to the point as only an IDF colonel will become far better known to present could make it: Raise $50,000! and future generations in Israel! Let In February 2009, I met with Col. me explain: A permanent Machal ex- “Katcha” Cahaner, a former member So for the next two years I raised hibit is now on display as part money: I had meetings, gave of the new Education Center at talks about Machal and Am- Ammunition Hill on Rechov munition Hill, printed bro- Machal in Jerusalem. Today, chures, sent letters, and spoke many thousands visit Ammu- to Machal families about hon- nition Hill every year, but with oring their loved ones with a the addition of the state-of-the- plaque at Ammunition Hill. art Education Center, superb It was hard work, but it was Machal Exhibit, and the special also a labor of love. Now the Wall of Honor, it will become Machal Exhibit, for which we the place to visit for Israelis all owe Ralph Lowenstein a and visitors alike. huge vote of thanks for its creation and donation of those The Center has created a Students learning about the role of Machal volunteers in historic panels, and the spe- dedicated section of the Wall 1948 at the Machal Exhibit at Ammunition Hill cial Machal Wall of Honor are of Honor for those plaques do- a reality and already attracting nated in honor or memory of many new visitors. Machal volunteers from the War of Independence. This Each Machalnik went to Is- Machal Wall of Honor already rael with a very personal has a number of plaques with mission: to help the new Jew- the names of our comrades, ish State survive the onslaught and with the support of Machal of five professionally-trained members and their loved ones, and well-equipped Arab armies we hope this section of the bent on Israel’s destruction. Wall of Honor will continue to Now there is an opportunity grow. Col. Mickey Marcus on the Wall of Honor at Ammunition Hill for the children and grand- children of those Machal Ammunition Hill holds great signifi- of General Sharon’s famous Unit 101 Volunteers to recognize the courage, cance in the formation of the modern and now the General Manager of Am- heroism, and sacrifice that their par- Jewish State. In 1948, the Jordanians munition Hill, and JNF Area Director, ents and grandparents made to the took over the site from the British army Dr. “Cookie” Segal. At that meeting, I establishment of the State of Israel by splitting Jewish Jerusalem in two. In learned about an exciting plan to build purchasing a plaque on the Machal spite of all our efforts, Ammunition a world-class Education Center at Am- Wall of Honor. Each plaque will list Hill, like Latrun, remained under the munition Hill with a special wall to the soldier's name, country, rank, dates control of the Arab Legion for the next honor Jewish servicemen. I explained of service, and IDF unit. And now JNF 19 years with access to the Hadassah to Katcha that it was an enormous shan- has set up a computer system by the Hospital, the Hebrew University Cam- da that not even the Israelis were aware Wall of Honor which is planned to have pus, and our holiest site –– the Kotel of who the Machal were, let alone each veteran’s story with photos, so vis- (the Western Wall) barred to us. When Machal’s contributions to Israel’s vic- itors can learn more about each one of the Six Day War broke out on June 5, tory in the War of Independence. How- them. The funds raised through the sale 1967, a heavily reinforced Jordanian ever, with that new Education Center in of the plaques support the creation and company defended Ammunition Hill. place, I explained, we had an incredible maintenance of the Education Center at Fierce hand-to-hand fighting ensued opportunity to inform a much larger Ammunition Hill and its programs. and the IDF suffered heavy losses, Jewish public about Machal. I asked but by 8 a.m. on June 6, Ammunition Katcha what it would take to have a Information on purchasing a plaque is Hill was Israel's. When on June 7 the Machal Exhibit on permanent display, available at the JNF Web site at www. words “Har Habayit Beyadenu,” "The as well as a special section of the Wall jnf.org/ammunitionhill or e-mail me at Temple Mount Is In Our Hands," were [email protected]. 17 THE MACHAL AND ALIYAH BET Permanent Machal Exhibit at the American Jewish University EXHIBITS AROUND THE WORLD in Los Angeles On January 19, 2011, the Ameri- also on display at the Ammunition Hill By Sharona Benami can Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) memorial in Jerusalem. The text of that As we celebrate the new Machal opened its display on Machal and Aliyah display is in both English and Hebrew, Exhibit in New York, I’m reminded of Bet in the great hall of the Center for Jew- with an introductory panel by Machal- the many months of preparation for the ish History in New York City. The origi- nik Jason Fenton. Jason facilitated the West Coast exhibit at the American Jew- nal exhibit was created in 2005 by Ralph addition of this display to other displays ish University (formerly the University Lowen- already of Judaism). Ralph Lowenstein and Si Spiegelman were extremely helpful after stein and is on view at I was asked by the University Director of on display Ammuni- Communications to be the Machal West at the Hil- tion Hill. contact person. Together we worked on lel House In- the framing and placement of the panels of the Uni- cluding that Ralph had created in Florida, and versity of still anoth- with a graphic artist we created a Machal Florida er “trave- West panel and a UJ Connection panel. The opening ceremony was in Sep- (UF) in ling” mu- tember 2006. Ralph was the keynote Gaines- seum of speaker. The Israel Consulate sent its ville. seven pan- Deputy Consul General who noted that The els, there the Machal spirit of 1948 was revived AJHS are now during recent battles in Lebanon, when display, five Ali- his office received many calls from vol- largely pro- Naomi Kantey, Si Spiegelman, yah Bet and unteers seeking to help Israel. During Acting Consul General Ido Aharoni, the ceremony musicians played and sang duced and Machal dis- nostalgic Israeli songs, and brunch was expanded by Art Bernstein and Donna Parker at plays in the AJHS reception, Jan. 2011. provided by the University. Ralph and U.S. and Is- Machalnik and journalist Tom Tu- two museum professionals at the Uni- rael. (Addresses for each may be found gend later wrote in the LA Jewish Jour- versity of Florida, is based on the 2005 in the News You Should Use section of nal, “Grandfathers and grandmothers Florida Hillel panels. The display area this Newsletter.) looked at the photos on the wall and at the Center for Jewish History is al- The reaction of the viewers at each saw themselves again as young strap- most three times as large as the one at venue has been absolute astonishment ping soldiers, sailors and pilots, far from home and close to the face of history.” the UF Hillel, and this display includes at learning about the North American UJ President Robert Wexler said that the additional panels and artifacts. contribution to the creation of the State exhibit will remind future generations A copy of the original seven panels of Israel, a part of Jewish history that of the linked destiny between Israel and from the UF Hillel is on permanent dis- has remained relatively unknown. This American Jewry. play at the American Jewish University work will go a long way in preserving Recently I was told that students of- in the Bel Air area of Los Angeles. It the legacy of those who served and the ten marvel at the fact that the young sol- has one additional panel, concentrat- ones who gave their lives. diers pictured are around the same age as they, and talk about the courage needed ing on the experiences of Machalniks A reminder: The mobile version of to leave their homes and families to vol- now living on the West Coast. Sharona the panels is available for display by unteer to fight for Israel. Benami and other Machal West mem- synagogues and community centers in The Machal Exhibit can be viewed bers conceived and worked on the pro- the U.S and Canada. For details con- in the second story lobby of the American ject with the American Jewish Univer- tact the American Veterans of Israel Jewish University in Los Angeles. sity. Legacy Corporation. With the start of this year, copies of six of the UF Hillel panels are now By Ralph Lowenstein and Si Spiegelman

18 NEWS YOU SHOULD USE

VIEWING THE MACHAL AND NEW MACHAL DVD’s ALUF STONE CALLS - PLEASE ALIYAH BET EXHIBITS PASS THE MESSAGE ALONG My Brother’s Keeper Visit the following locations: Interviews of Machalniks with poignant Did you serve in the IDF as a lone sol- New York City, New York documentary footage of the War of Independence. dier and/or as a volunteer from abroad? We American Jewish Historical Society To order, contact: Ira Feinberg- deano- would love to have you as a member. Check 15 West 16th Street [email protected] out: Los Angeles, California • Linkedin Group: Aluf Stone – University of Judaism Waves of Freedom The IDF Lone Soldier 15600 Mulholland Dr. The story of the Aliyah Bet ship “Hatikvah/ • Association Facebook Group: ---- Jerusalem, Israel Tradewinds” Documentary footage with in- https://www.facebook.com/group. Ammunition Hill Museum terviews of crew members. To order, con- php?gid=7207992307 Rechov Machal tact: Paul Kaye- [email protected] • Website: www.alufstone.org Gainesville, Florida University of Florida at Gainesville Amos Cohen Air Force DVD Aluf Stone - The IDF Lone Soldier As- Hillel House Machal’s Role in the ATC and IAF sociation is a network of men and women To order contact: Amutat Chel Ha’avir, who were born outside of Israel, share a AVI MOBILE EXHIBITION P.O.Box 303, Herzliya, Israel 446103 love of Israel, and a tremendous pride in having voluntarily served in the Israel De- A replica of the Gainesville exhibit is fense Forces. Based on this unique shared available mounted on eight light-weight REACHING OUT FOR ARCHIVAL experience, we are committed to assisting styrofoam panels 39” by 42” that can be MATERIAL each other in any way possible. Our mem- readily displayed on standard easels. Their bership spans generations, ranging from story spans the history of the clandestine All the Machal photographs and docu- volunteers who fought in 1948 to people immigration of Holocaust survivors to ments have been transferred from the Uni- serving in the IDF today. For more infor- Palestine, the struggle of the Haganah be- versity of Florida at Gainesville to the cli- mation please contact Marc Leibowitz at: fore Israel was founded, followed by the mate-controlled AJHS stacks in New York [email protected] battles of the ground forces, Navy and Air City. Yet we know that much archival mate- Force in the War of Independence. We offer rial is still out there, stored in bureau draw- AVILC – MACHAL CONTINUITY the panels on loan and can have speakers ers, shoe boxes, etc. Some of it is already available at the opening event. The exhibit lost and more will be as the grim reaper The transition of AVI to the American has been successfully displayed at Jewish makes his rounds. This is the time to do- Veterans of Israel Legacy Corporation be- community centers throughout the coun- nate such materials for permanent storage came effective in June 2008 and allowed try. A selection of the AVI mobile exhibi- at the AJHS archive. The items of interest AVILC to assume the responsibilities of the include photographs (originals), log books, tion is posted on www.israelvets.com. For retiring AVI Board of Directors. more information contact Art Bernstein at newspaper clippings, letters, diaries, dis- [email protected]. charge papers, etc. relating to Israel’s War of Independence that are in your posses- Responsibilities transferred to AVILC include: MACHAL PUBLICATIONS sion. This is another reminder to our vet- - Treasury and management of AVI erans, widows and children of comrades to members’ bequests; The booklet “Machal: Overseas Vol- act NOW. Please mail your material to Dr. - Continuity of AVI Newsletter; unteers in Israel’s War of Independence” Ralph Lowenstein, Aliyah Bet and Machal - Members’ Records and “Information published in 2003 by World Machal but can Archives, University of Florida, P.O. Box Central” (AVI Database); be accessed on Machal’s website: www. 118400, Gainesville, FL 32611-8400 or - Annual Mickey Marcus Memorial machal.org.il. Click “About Machal.” [email protected]. Service at West Point ; - Special Events (Purim, Hanukkah) and Zippy Porath’s booklet about Col. Da- YOUR PERSONAL STORY ON Machal Reunions; vid (Mickey) Marcus; “A Soldier for All THE MACHAL WEBSITE - Coordination of Archives and Exhibitions; Humanity” sponsored by AVILC and AJHS, - Liaison with World Machal, AJHS, can be obtained by contacting Zippy Porath Want to capture your narrative about at [email protected] or Si Spiegelman at your service experiences in Israel’s War of Machal West, Aluf Stone, JWV, etc. [email protected]. Independence on the Machal website?...It’s easy. Write it, mail it to Smoky Simon with The AVILC Board of Directors holds a photograph (1948) and after it gets posted monthly teleconferences and is seeking on the Machal website www.machal.org.il to expand membership on the Board to your family and friends can read all about interested persons. For more information, it. E-mail the story to [email protected] or please contact Jeffrey Margolis, AVILC mail it to Smoky Simon, World Machal, 32 President, at: (212) 490-0900 or jamargo- Ben Yehuda Rd., Tel Aviv, Israel, 63805. [email protected]

19 YOU CAN HELP TO KEEP THE NEWSLETTER GOING!

If you would like to help keep this Newsletter going and support other AVILC activities, please send your contribution, payable to AVILC, to: AVILC c/o Donna Parker 1530 Palisade Ave. Apt 2E Fort Lee, NJ 07024 Thank you!

LEGACY GIFTS TO AVILC FUTHER THE GOALS OF AVI AND PRESERVE THE MACHAL AND ALIYA BET STORY

Our members and friends are reminded that the most common planned gift is a simple bequest made through your Will. A bequest naming American Veterans of Israel Legacy Corporation (AVILC) as a beneficiary is a method of leaving a legacy gift that will further the work of the American Veterans of Israel (AVI) and continue to preserve and share the Machal and Aliyah Bet story for generations to come. To learn more, please contact AVILC Presi- dent Jeffrey Margolis, Esq. at (212) 490-0900 or write to [email protected], or

American Veterans of Israel Legacy Corp. c/o Margolis 11 East 44 Street (Suite 1505) New York, NY 10017 or

Contact Si Spiegelman, former Executive Director of American Veterans of Israel (AVI) and Member of the Board of Directors of AVILC: [email protected] or (646-298-8147).

UPCOMING: PLEASE JOIN US

SALUTE TO ISRAEL PARADE IN NYC SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2011 Assembly area: Fifth Avenue between 55th and 56th Streets in New York City Assembly time: 10:15 am; Step-off time: 11:00 am AVI stalwarts, AVILC and the younger veterans of ALUF STONE are reminded to join the parade and express your support for Israel marching or riding up Fifth Avenue. Children, grandchildren and even great-grand- children are more than welcome.

20