V O L U M E t l — N o . 1 FEBRUARY 1976 — SHVAT-ADAR 5786 A J O U R N A L F O R SOUTH AFRICANS IN ISRAEL English-speaking citizen is no exception to this editorial rule. In an effort to do something constructive about F O S i T l V E R E A C T I O N T O improving the quality of life in Israel, the Zionist Federations of South Africa; Britain, Australia and ALIYAH QUESTIONNAIRE New Zealand; the Hitachdut Olei Britannia and the The Federation's project ALIYAH RESEARCH IN Association of Americans end Canadians in Israel SEARCH OF ALIYAH has drawn a very positive decided to convene a Special Conference ur>der reaction to the initial appeal (TELFED, December the title of KOACH KAN at the Pal Hotel, Tel Aviv 1975) for information from former South Africans on March 1st er>d 2nd. This name was chosen as between the ages of 18 and 38. A large number of it is asserted that we have the strength here to replies has been received and it is gratifying to be improve things. able to report that the material supplied in this The Organising Committee decided to establish way is of absorbing interest. It unquestionably four workshops at the Conference aiKl to Invite calls for the urgent pursuance of the project. participants to choose one of them. For this reason, the closing date for replies, to be The four Conference Workshops (or Commissions) recorded on the insert in this issue of TELFED, were: — has been extended to March 25th. In addition, men and women of this age group are invited to Safety and Courtesy on the Roads offer to assist in the compilation of research data Manners and Ethics relating to residents of their area. Their willingness Consumerism to offer this co-operation should also be addressed Environment to "Research Project", S. African Zionist Federation, South Africans can be proud of their initiative in P.O. Box 11556, Tel Aviv. the organisation of this major and historic Con ference. THE QUALITY OF LIFE There is surely not a single person who would IN THIS ISSUE disagree about the importance of the quality of life in Israel. Many, in fact, are quite vocal in their * Letters to the Editor criticism of the aspect that they regard to be most Israel Council Report sadly lacking. The difficulty arises in transforming * Vo l u n t e e r — O ff i c e r — S h a l l a c h dissatisfaction, whether covert or overt, into prac * Returning Home tical action. ** Regional Committees Report There can be no doubt but that every resident Sports Column * Memorial to S. African Fallen sufficiently and positively motivated can contribute to the quality of life in Israel end certainly the * A d v i c e e b o u t W i l l s Published by the Israel office of the South Africen Zionist Federation vfewe and opinions expressed in P.O.B. 11556 Tel Aviv, 5th floor, Beit Clal. 5 Druyenov St. this joumsl ara not neceaaarily the Publication Commmeo; H. Katz (Editor), Mrs, E. Sdhwartz, opiniona of the Publication Commlttaa M. Mlodownik, S. Uabgott, J. Dushansky, H. Blumberg, Y. Shemos or of the Israel Executive Committee. I %ur old iurniture-for new If you are tired of your old in the house. Including kitchen furniture - either Scandinavian and bedroom cupboards, lamps or any other good used and carpets. furniture - Danish will take it Please call at your nearest over at a fair price as part Danish branch to make your payment on your purchase of selection. Your salesmen will Danish furniture. then arrange for Danish's Danish can offer you an exciting valuator to visit you at your range of high quality furniture convenience to value your covering a wide price range old furniture. from inexpensive functional Ramat-Gan -104, Derech furniture at Young Danish to Jabotinsky sophisticated, well known, Jerusalem - Hasoreg St. international designs at Danish Interiors - with a big selection opp. Bank of Israel Haifa - Ahuza, 53, Horev St. In between - for every room Beer Sheba - Passage Unico danish interiors ing of people from other English-speaking coun L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R tries and a few locals. The spectators were welt behaved and this drew comment from the weekly Television Sports Commentator who complimented ENCOURAGEMENT FOR ALIYAH them by saying that while at the stadium he Dear Sir, imagined he was watching a game not in Tel Aviv, I have just completed the Aliyah Research Project but in LondonI questionnaire. I am all for encouraging aliyah to Our side proved to be as rough, tough and cunning Israel by whatever means we all might try, and I as the South Africans. The final score showed would like to add my thoughts on this. that we were competing against an opposition team I feel that by asking ex>South Africans what their of rugby players who are amongst the best In the motivations were for coming here is fine in itself, world. The local team managed to throw one mem but not enough. We need to follow this line of ber of the visiting team out of the game. The only thought by asking how come we all stayed. serious injury to our side was its pride! Two months ago, I had the opportunity of chatting Yours sincerely with a group of South African high school kids, S h u l a m i t S a d o w s k y here on a 3-month study course. The questions they K f a r M o n a s h asked were not only intelligent, but very pertinent. They wanted to know how we manage here both M I N O R S M I N U S M A N N E R S — B A D M A N N E R S economically and socially. This seemed to worry them most: integration and finances. Dear Sir, I also had the opportunity of speaking to South Bus-users to and from work often straphang most Africans, not only whilst I was there last year, but of their journey bepause too many seats are oc also to tourists here. They were also at a loss cupied by school pupils who don't bother to offer to understand how people used to the South a seat to anyone —- with the exception of pregnant African way of life are able to manage to live women or really ancient persons, and then with out grace or charm or a smile. happily in Israel. What we need, perhaps, is a mission of young For years 1 have been fighting a battle — some South Africans, on the same lines as the recent times happily getting moral support from unex UJA "Koach Mission" from the States. An im pected quarters — to try and make school pupils portant part of their schedule would be hosting understand that good manners and kindness are these visitors in our homes and a chat on a per positive qualities and not signs of weakness, and sonal basis. that it is no disgrace to display consideration for others. My efforts have not been crowned with 1 also believe that more ex-South Africans should success. In fact, judging from what 1 see around go to S. Africa to meet families there on a per me, I confess that they may have proved a dismal sonal basis and have informal chats with them, failure. Nevertheless, 1 shall continue to wage my i would be interested to know how your recent private war to try and help eliminate this negative programme on this fares. In any event, I certainly trait in Israeli youth who otherwise, and in so hope that all your efforts bear fruit. We certainly m a n y w a y s , a r e o f t e n f a r s u p e r i o r t o t h e i r c o n need as many olim as we can encourage to come. temporaries In other countries. Yours sincerely. Yours sincerely Cynthia Rotstein E s t h e r A r i e l Jerusalem Ramat Aviv PETTY W0LIBER1SM? BOUQUETS FOR RUGBY SPECTATORS ... GOOD MANNERS Dear Sir, Dear Sir, I have recently received your December issue of We went to the Ramat Gan Stadium to watch the pamphlets and advertising material with a TELFED first rugby match between South Africa and Israel. magazine annexed thereto. An interesting aspect of this match was the audi I feel something must be said in reply to the letter ence, in the main South African settlers, a scatter (Continued on page 14) 3 ISRAEL COUNCIL REPORT As the South African and Rhodesian population in Israel increases in number the work of the Federa A P L A C E T O L I V E tion office correspon,dingly increases in tempo. The Federation is jealous of its reputation as an out and standing example of Zionist endeavour, both in Israel and in the Diaspora. In order to maintain its A P L A C E T O D I E high standard of service, the Federation in Israel, through its Israel Council — on which serve Chair New best-selling novel about an ordinary men of Regional Social Integration Committees Israeli family, caught tip in the shock from all over the country — ensures that S.