Volume 4, Issue 5
November 14, 2007
Total Number of Visitors Since October 2004: 339,113
From a Position of Strength
Yoel Marcus, a well-known Israeli journalist, who later this month will receive a life-time achievement award at the Eilat journalists conference, wrote in HaAretz last Friday that when Prime Minister Olmert said that, like Menachem Begin, he preferred the risks of peace to the agonies of war,
"he forgot to mention that when Menachem Begin cooked up Anwar Sadat's visit to Jerusalem in secret and later signed the Camp David Accords, he did so from a position of strength, benefiting from the prestige, power and mythical status of the Israel Defense Forces. That was the same IDF that recovered from the surprise of the Yom Kippur War, deployed its troops within 40 kilometers of Damascus and surrounded Egypt's Third Army, forcing Sadat to face the reality of Israel's indestructibility.
The U.S. administration was not the initiator of peace between Egypt and Israel, but it provided the parties with the tools and formulas to solve the bundle of problems that came with moving from a state of war to peace. It is no accident that the Nobel Prize committee awarded the peace prize to Begin and Sadat but skipped over President Jimmy Carter."
IN ENGLISH
Hot off the Press—Begin's World Outlook
Fifty-six years after the original publication of the booklet in Hebrew containing Menachem Begin's speech at the Herut movements second National Conference which took place on February 26, 1951, the 72-page booklet has now appeared for the first time in English with annotations through the sponsorship of the Samuel Aba and Sisel Klurman Research Institute of the Begin Center and the efforts of many people.
The booklet is now being distributed to present lawmakers in Israel, judges, academia and the media. In his introduction, the Founder and President of the Menachem Begin Heritage Foundation, Harry Hurwitz, records special thanks to Hila Ben-Lulu, Ziv Rubinovitz, Elkana Efrati, Dafna Shkedy, Yuval Bar Or, Moshe Fuksman-Sha'al, Yonatan Silverman, Ilana Brown and Yisrael Medad for their editorial and translation efforts and especially to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wallach for their financial sponsorship of this publication.
IGF Program Featured
The Israel Government Fellows program which is being run by the Menachem Begin Heritage Center has received extensive publicity in Israel and was featured in the magazine of MASA, which is a publication about long-term programs in Israel conducted by the Jewish Agency and the government of Israel.
The last edition highlighted the fact that the program is operating under the auspices of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem established to commemorate the legacy of Israel's 6th Prime Minister. The Israel Government Fellows internships fall in line with the Center's emphasis on ethical government. The program also includes intensive Hebrew language classes and mentoring sessions.
This week the students are participating in a very important day of study of Israel's security problems and outlook. The program is directed for the Center by Tamar Darmon.
How Much More is Possible?
The biggest attendance so far at the Parashat HaShavua program sponsored by the Rohr Family of New York and Florida was on Thursday night, 8 November, when more than 500 people were present. They crowded the Reuben Hecht Auditorium and filled the Izzy Asper Foyer which had been set up to accommodate 200 people who watched a simultaneous broadcast of the lecture by Dr. Micha Goodman. Some were even sitting on the floor. This is indeed one of the most successful Parashat HaShavua programs in the country.
"No More War" Displays "Peace is Great"
After Sunday, when the exhibition marking the historic visit to Jerusalem of President Anwar Sadat of Egypt, visitors will be able to see on display a copy of the specially produced book Peace is Great which was published at that time. The beautiful book is encased in a magnificent olive wood cover and was donated to the Center by Mr. Morris Kahn, who was one of the original sponsors of the book.
Photogenic Center
The Menachem Begin Heritage Center has become a popular venue for brides and grooms to have some of their wedding photographs taken around its walls, on its terraces and facing the walls of the Old City across the Ben Hinnom Valley.
Visitors to the Center may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these happy couples during these memorable moments.
Visitors
Mr. David Rothberg who lives in Toronto and Jerusalem and his sister Laila Rappaport from Toronto visited the Begin Center last week and toured the museum. They came upstairs to greet the Founder, Harry Hurwitz.
* * *
Naomi Pollack of Chicago and a group of friends visited the Center and the Begin Museum on Wednesday morning. They are all here for a wedding which will take place in Jaffa at the beginning of the week.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Exhibit in Progress
Next week, an exhibit dedicated to commemorating the beginning of the Peace Process
between Israel and Egypt will open at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, to run for a half year.
We thought we'd give you a look at what goes into preparing such an exhibit:
between Israel and Egypt will open at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, to run for a half year.
We thought we'd give you a look at what goes into preparing such an exhibit:
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Begin Center - A Venue for Wedding Pictures
In addition to its role of preserving the legacy of Menachem Begin, the Begin Center heads were delighted to discover that the building and immediate vicinity is being used by wedding photographers as a backdrop to pre-Chuppha photogrpahs of young couples, such as this one:-
Sunday, November 11, 2007
A Story about Menachem Begin
From a blog entitled The Spine by Marty Peretz over at The New Republic:-
Which reminds me of a true story about Menahem Begin. The fundamentalist Christian courtship of Israel began about when he became prime minister. One of the early signs that it was meshing was the meeting between Begin and the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Bailey Smith, who had said that God doesn't hear the prayers of a Jew. That's a big theological rift already. But Begin tried to finesse the history. When questioned, he said, "Look, about religious truth, we'll wait and see. When the Messiah comes, we'll ask him, 'Is this your first visit or your second?' He'll surely be honest with us."
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Center Bulletin, Vol. 4, No. 4
Volume 4, Issue 4
November 8, 2007
Total Number of Visitors Since October 2004: 337,364
View from Begin Center is Part of Ad Campaign
The Israel Government Tourist Ministry has placed a special advertisement in the New York Times, the New Yorker Magazine and other publications in the US. It features a close-up shot of the Tower of David and the Citadel which, according to the caption in the advertisement, was taken from the balcony of the restaurant in the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.
The terrace and the restaurant area are favorite spots for photographers to take pictures of the view which the Begin Center faces across the Ben Hinnom Valley. This advertisement has already elicited numerous phone calls and casual visitors who would like to photograph the scene from the building.
A Visit From Israel's Ambassador to the US
Ambassador Sallai Meridor, Israel's Ambassador to the United States, met with the students from six countries who are part of the Israel Government Fellows program. The meeting was held in the Silver Executive Boardroom at the Begin Center. He gave them a general review of the situation as seen from Washington, DC, and answered many questions. The students, who are all doing internships in various government offices, were thrilled at the opportunity to exchange views with such an important representative of the State of Israel.
A Personal Brush with History
In preparation for next week's exhibition opening to commemorate President Anwar Sadat's visit to Jerusalem, the staff of the Begin Center came across remembrances from people who recalled those historic events. One such story belongs to Reuven Gargir, who visited the Begin Center in March 2005 with a group from Yad Sarah.
Reuven Gargir, a former policeman, said that "soon after I joined the police force, one of my assignments was guarding Begin at the time of the visit of Anwar Sadat. This was very exciting for Jerusalemites and many came to greet him when he arrived at the Knesset. I also remember that Sadat's daughter had given birth in Egypt and Begin sent one of his assistants to buy a doll at Mahane Yehuda."
After concluding the museum tour, he said, "I will never forget this visit. Begin was such a simple person and, really, just an ordinary citizen of our nation."
We invite our readers to send their remembrances of this historic visit to us for possible publication in the Bulletin.
Reuben Hecht Autobiography Added to Library
The Begin Center's Hasten Family Library has been enriched by receiving a copy of the newly published autobiography of the late Dr. Reuben Hecht, formerly advisor to Prime Minister Menachem Begin as well as a long-time personal friend and comrade. This autobiography is in Hebrew.
The book of over 300 pages is entitled The Last Gentleman, An Autobiography and is published by the Moledeth Development Company. It covers Hecht's life experiences from early childhood in Antwerp, Belgium; Basel, Switzerland; and Haifa, Israel with many way-stations along the road including meetings with Ze'ev Jabotinsky and activities in the Irgun operations across Europe as well as his personal business successes.
Dr. Hecht, for whom the Begin Center's auditorium is named, served as Prime Minister Begin's personal advisor for six years, accompanying him to meetings with Presidents and other heads of state as well as the United Nations and other international bodies. The book's observations and testimony provide a rich addition to the information resources of the Center and will well serve students and researchers.
In Memoriam
It is with profound regret that we record the death of Mr. Josef Jaglom at the age of 104. He was buried at the Trumpeldor Cemetery in Tel Aviv. We extend deep condolences to his wife Raya, their children, grandchildren and great grandsons. Josef Jaglom was a well-known financier a generous supporter of many causes. His wife Raya was for many years the president of World WIZO and is now the honorary Life President. She is a member of the International Board of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center and serves on its various committees, including the Board that selects the individual or organization who receives the annual Begin Prize.
* * *
We deeply regret to record the death of Ann Roth of Sydney, Australia, and extend our heartfelt sympathy to her sons Stanley and John Roth and their families.
The two brothers established the Avenue of the Heritage in the Menachem Begin Museum at the Begin Center, Jerusalem, in honor of their parents Ann and Henry Roth. Stanley and John are devoted supporters of the Begin Center among all their other prominent activities on behalf of Israel and on behalf of the Jewish community of Australia.
Visitors
Mr. Harry Taubenfeld, a member of the International Board of the Begin Center, and his wife Florence visited the Begin Center on Monday where they met with the founder Harry Hurwitz and the Chairman of the Center, Herzl Makov. They had been to the museum previously, but went back especially to see some of the new developments such as the Jerusalem Elevator and the archeological garden at the back of the building. Mr. Taubenfeld was one of the early supporters of the project and is one of its founders.
* * *
Sixty children from the Menachem Begin School in Beit Shemesh visited the Begin Center and the hi-tech museum at the beginning of the week. They were very enthusiastic about what they saw and heard. The children will receive one of the new Menachem Begin t-shirts selected in a recent public competition.
November 8, 2007
Total Number of Visitors Since October 2004: 337,364
View from Begin Center is Part of Ad Campaign
The Israel Government Tourist Ministry has placed a special advertisement in the New York Times, the New Yorker Magazine and other publications in the US. It features a close-up shot of the Tower of David and the Citadel which, according to the caption in the advertisement, was taken from the balcony of the restaurant in the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.
The terrace and the restaurant area are favorite spots for photographers to take pictures of the view which the Begin Center faces across the Ben Hinnom Valley. This advertisement has already elicited numerous phone calls and casual visitors who would like to photograph the scene from the building.
A Visit From Israel's Ambassador to the US
Ambassador Sallai Meridor, Israel's Ambassador to the United States, met with the students from six countries who are part of the Israel Government Fellows program. The meeting was held in the Silver Executive Boardroom at the Begin Center. He gave them a general review of the situation as seen from Washington, DC, and answered many questions. The students, who are all doing internships in various government offices, were thrilled at the opportunity to exchange views with such an important representative of the State of Israel.
A Personal Brush with History
In preparation for next week's exhibition opening to commemorate President Anwar Sadat's visit to Jerusalem, the staff of the Begin Center came across remembrances from people who recalled those historic events. One such story belongs to Reuven Gargir, who visited the Begin Center in March 2005 with a group from Yad Sarah.
Reuven Gargir, a former policeman, said that "soon after I joined the police force, one of my assignments was guarding Begin at the time of the visit of Anwar Sadat. This was very exciting for Jerusalemites and many came to greet him when he arrived at the Knesset. I also remember that Sadat's daughter had given birth in Egypt and Begin sent one of his assistants to buy a doll at Mahane Yehuda."
After concluding the museum tour, he said, "I will never forget this visit. Begin was such a simple person and, really, just an ordinary citizen of our nation."
We invite our readers to send their remembrances of this historic visit to us for possible publication in the Bulletin.
Reuben Hecht Autobiography Added to Library
The Begin Center's Hasten Family Library has been enriched by receiving a copy of the newly published autobiography of the late Dr. Reuben Hecht, formerly advisor to Prime Minister Menachem Begin as well as a long-time personal friend and comrade. This autobiography is in Hebrew.
The book of over 300 pages is entitled The Last Gentleman, An Autobiography and is published by the Moledeth Development Company. It covers Hecht's life experiences from early childhood in Antwerp, Belgium; Basel, Switzerland; and Haifa, Israel with many way-stations along the road including meetings with Ze'ev Jabotinsky and activities in the Irgun operations across Europe as well as his personal business successes.
Dr. Hecht, for whom the Begin Center's auditorium is named, served as Prime Minister Begin's personal advisor for six years, accompanying him to meetings with Presidents and other heads of state as well as the United Nations and other international bodies. The book's observations and testimony provide a rich addition to the information resources of the Center and will well serve students and researchers.
In Memoriam
It is with profound regret that we record the death of Mr. Josef Jaglom at the age of 104. He was buried at the Trumpeldor Cemetery in Tel Aviv. We extend deep condolences to his wife Raya, their children, grandchildren and great grandsons. Josef Jaglom was a well-known financier a generous supporter of many causes. His wife Raya was for many years the president of World WIZO and is now the honorary Life President. She is a member of the International Board of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center and serves on its various committees, including the Board that selects the individual or organization who receives the annual Begin Prize.
* * *
We deeply regret to record the death of Ann Roth of Sydney, Australia, and extend our heartfelt sympathy to her sons Stanley and John Roth and their families.
The two brothers established the Avenue of the Heritage in the Menachem Begin Museum at the Begin Center, Jerusalem, in honor of their parents Ann and Henry Roth. Stanley and John are devoted supporters of the Begin Center among all their other prominent activities on behalf of Israel and on behalf of the Jewish community of Australia.
Visitors
Mr. Harry Taubenfeld, a member of the International Board of the Begin Center, and his wife Florence visited the Begin Center on Monday where they met with the founder Harry Hurwitz and the Chairman of the Center, Herzl Makov. They had been to the museum previously, but went back especially to see some of the new developments such as the Jerusalem Elevator and the archeological garden at the back of the building. Mr. Taubenfeld was one of the early supporters of the project and is one of its founders.
* * *
Sixty children from the Menachem Begin School in Beit Shemesh visited the Begin Center and the hi-tech museum at the beginning of the week. They were very enthusiastic about what they saw and heard. The children will receive one of the new Menachem Begin t-shirts selected in a recent public competition.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Center Bulletin, Vol. 4, No. 3
Volume 4, Issue 3
October 31, 2007
Total Number of Visitors Since October 2004: 335,704
Exhibition Opening Nov. 18: "No More War"
The Foreign Minister of Israel, Tzipi Livni, will be the main speaker at the opening of an exhibition on Sunday, 18 November, to mark 30 years after the historic visit to Jerusalem of President Anwar Sadat of Egypt at the invitation of Prime Minister Menachem Begin. The exhibition tells the story of that visit and various other milestones in the Peace process which led to the signing of a Peace Tre aty between the two countries.
The Ambassador of Egypt, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Assem Ibrahim, will address the gathering. The proceedings will be introduced by Zvi Harry Hurwitz, the Founder and President of the Menachem Begin Heritage Foundation and the Master of Ceremonies will be Herzl Makov, Chairman of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps, personnel of the Foreign Office, Members of the Knesset and other Israel dignitaries are expected to attend this rare occasion. Admission will be by invitation only—it is not open to the public.
The following day, November 19, the King David Hotel management, in conjunction with the Menachem Begin Heritage Center will host an event of nostalgia for those people who participated in various events during Sadat's visit. He stayed at the King David Hotel, had talks with the Prime Minister there and attended a festive dinner and other formal events at the hotel. This event too is closed to the public.
President Ephraim Katzir, who was in office at the time, has indicated his desire and readiness to be present.
"Our World View and Our National Outlook"
The famous booklet expressing Menachem Begin's Basic Outlines of Our World View and Our National Outlook, which has been translated, for the first time into English, will appear within a week.
The text was first published in Hebrew in 1951 and has been out of print for many years. A copy has been on display in the Begin Museum and has aroused much interest. The heads of the Center announced that they would publish an English version at an early opportunity. This was made possible by a donation from Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wallach of Flushing, NY. The booklet will be distributed to the VIP and academic circles in Israel and abroad and will be on sale at the souvenir store at the Begin Center.
I.G.F. Meet with the Prime Minister
The Israel Government Fellows (IGF) program, a new MASA—an initiative of the Prime Minister's Office and the Jewish Agency—project that is run by the Begin Center, received a boost this week when the 19 Fellows from six countries met with members of the government and the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency and reported on their satisfying experience in their internships in various government offices. On Monday, they were present at the meeting of the Coordinating Committee (between the government and the Jewish Agency) where they were welcomed by the Prime Minister Eh ud Olmert and Chairman of the Jewish Agency Ze'ev Bielsky.
Several hours later a committee of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency visited the Menachem Begin Heritage Center where they were received and welcomed by Harry Hurwitz, the Founder and President, who told them about the Menachem Begin Commemoration Project. He warmly welcomed Mr. Shoel Silver, the newly-elected Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee of the Jewish Agency and wished him grea t success in this important position. Hurwitz said that Silver's parents, Nathan and Lily, were among the founders of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. Herzl Makov afterwards spoke about future programs and the group continued on to visit the museum.
In Memoriam
We deeply regret to record the death of Mrs. Charlotte Rohr of New York and Florida and extend our heartfelt sympathies to her husband Sami, son George and daughter-in-law Pamela, and grandchildren.
The funeral took place at the Mt. of Olives cemetery followed by shiva first in Israel, then in Florida and New York.
The Rohr family is closely connected with the Menachem Begin Heritage Center where they are funding the Rohr Family Parashat HaShavua programs. Last week's lecture, which was attended by 450 people, was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Charolotte Rohr.
* * *
Menachem Malatsky, a high-ranking officer of the Irgun who had special assignments in the Haifa and Netanya areas and participated in major Irgun operations, passed away last week on the very day when there was a commemoration at the former Acre Prison for the Underground fighters who were executed by the British. He was in the Acre jail at the time of the Great Escape and was one of those who escaped.
He and his wife, Aviva, visited the Begin Center three months ago. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to her, their daughters Orilia and Eleanor, their sons-in-law and grandchildren.
Visitors
Mr. Mendel Kaplan, a member of the International Board of the Menachem Begin Heritage Foundation, spent some time at the Center on Monday and had a discussion with its founder Harry Hurwitz on future plans.
* * *
Mr. and Mrs. Pinchas Broder hosted their friend Mrs. Ruth Milichovsky of Brussels on a visit to the Menachem Begin Heritage Center and a tour of the Menachem Begin Museum. They were all very much impressed by what they saw and were especially moved by the museum. Mrs. Milichovsky knew Menachem Begin and said that by creating this Center "you are doing a great service to the nation and its future."
* * *
Mark Regev, the spokesman and director of the Press Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took advantage of the school strike and brought his two secondary school children, Danielle and Yuval, to the Menachem Begin Museum. He was accompanied also by his father-in-law. All three generations appreciated the visit very much.
October 31, 2007
Total Number of Visitors Since October 2004: 335,704
Exhibition Opening Nov. 18: "No More War"
The Foreign Minister of Israel, Tzipi Livni, will be the main speaker at the opening of an exhibition on Sunday, 18 November, to mark 30 years after the historic visit to Jerusalem of President Anwar Sadat of Egypt at the invitation of Prime Minister Menachem Begin. The exhibition tells the story of that visit and various other milestones in the Peace process which led to the signing of a Peace Tre aty between the two countries.
The Ambassador of Egypt, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Assem Ibrahim, will address the gathering. The proceedings will be introduced by Zvi Harry Hurwitz, the Founder and President of the Menachem Begin Heritage Foundation and the Master of Ceremonies will be Herzl Makov, Chairman of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps, personnel of the Foreign Office, Members of the Knesset and other Israel dignitaries are expected to attend this rare occasion. Admission will be by invitation only—it is not open to the public.
The following day, November 19, the King David Hotel management, in conjunction with the Menachem Begin Heritage Center will host an event of nostalgia for those people who participated in various events during Sadat's visit. He stayed at the King David Hotel, had talks with the Prime Minister there and attended a festive dinner and other formal events at the hotel. This event too is closed to the public.
President Ephraim Katzir, who was in office at the time, has indicated his desire and readiness to be present.
"Our World View and Our National Outlook"
The famous booklet expressing Menachem Begin's Basic Outlines of Our World View and Our National Outlook, which has been translated, for the first time into English, will appear within a week.
The text was first published in Hebrew in 1951 and has been out of print for many years. A copy has been on display in the Begin Museum and has aroused much interest. The heads of the Center announced that they would publish an English version at an early opportunity. This was made possible by a donation from Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wallach of Flushing, NY. The booklet will be distributed to the VIP and academic circles in Israel and abroad and will be on sale at the souvenir store at the Begin Center.
I.G.F. Meet with the Prime Minister
The Israel Government Fellows (IGF) program, a new MASA—an initiative of the Prime Minister's Office and the Jewish Agency—project that is run by the Begin Center, received a boost this week when the 19 Fellows from six countries met with members of the government and the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency and reported on their satisfying experience in their internships in various government offices. On Monday, they were present at the meeting of the Coordinating Committee (between the government and the Jewish Agency) where they were welcomed by the Prime Minister Eh ud Olmert and Chairman of the Jewish Agency Ze'ev Bielsky.
Several hours later a committee of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency visited the Menachem Begin Heritage Center where they were received and welcomed by Harry Hurwitz, the Founder and President, who told them about the Menachem Begin Commemoration Project. He warmly welcomed Mr. Shoel Silver, the newly-elected Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee of the Jewish Agency and wished him grea t success in this important position. Hurwitz said that Silver's parents, Nathan and Lily, were among the founders of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. Herzl Makov afterwards spoke about future programs and the group continued on to visit the museum.
In Memoriam
We deeply regret to record the death of Mrs. Charlotte Rohr of New York and Florida and extend our heartfelt sympathies to her husband Sami, son George and daughter-in-law Pamela, and grandchildren.
The funeral took place at the Mt. of Olives cemetery followed by shiva first in Israel, then in Florida and New York.
The Rohr family is closely connected with the Menachem Begin Heritage Center where they are funding the Rohr Family Parashat HaShavua programs. Last week's lecture, which was attended by 450 people, was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Charolotte Rohr.
* * *
Menachem Malatsky, a high-ranking officer of the Irgun who had special assignments in the Haifa and Netanya areas and participated in major Irgun operations, passed away last week on the very day when there was a commemoration at the former Acre Prison for the Underground fighters who were executed by the British. He was in the Acre jail at the time of the Great Escape and was one of those who escaped.
He and his wife, Aviva, visited the Begin Center three months ago. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to her, their daughters Orilia and Eleanor, their sons-in-law and grandchildren.
Visitors
Mr. Mendel Kaplan, a member of the International Board of the Menachem Begin Heritage Foundation, spent some time at the Center on Monday and had a discussion with its founder Harry Hurwitz on future plans.
* * *
Mr. and Mrs. Pinchas Broder hosted their friend Mrs. Ruth Milichovsky of Brussels on a visit to the Menachem Begin Heritage Center and a tour of the Menachem Begin Museum. They were all very much impressed by what they saw and were especially moved by the museum. Mrs. Milichovsky knew Menachem Begin and said that by creating this Center "you are doing a great service to the nation and its future."
* * *
Mark Regev, the spokesman and director of the Press Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took advantage of the school strike and brought his two secondary school children, Danielle and Yuval, to the Menachem Begin Museum. He was accompanied also by his father-in-law. All three generations appreciated the visit very much.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Center Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 2
Volume 4, Issue 2
October 24, 2007
Total Number of Visitors Since October 2004: 332,911
30th Anniversary of Sadat's Visit
The 30th anniversary of the dramatic day in modern Israel history is approaching. It is the day the President of Egypt Anwar Sadat arrived in Jerusalem for his remarkable visit and talks with Prime Minister Menachem Begin. It was an unprecedented event which took the country—and later the world—by storm. The visit led to serious discussions about a Peace Treaty between the two countries that had fought five wars. The opening paragraph of the Treaty declared in the termination of the state of war. The visit was a breakthrough and a turning point in the Middle East.
The Menachem Begin Heritage Center has initiated world-wide events to mark the occasion and here in Jerusalem an exhibition will be opened on Sunday 18 November at the Begin Center.
The following day, special events will be held with the directorate and management of the Kind David Hotel where President Sadat was a very welcome guest and many of the talks with Prime Minister Begin took place.
Details of both these events will be published in the next Bulletin.
90th Anniversary of the Balfour Declaration
Next Friday, 2 November, it will be 90 years since the Balfour Declaration was issued to Lord Rothschild on behalf of the Jewish People.
When Menachem Begin paid an official State visit to London, he was taken to the room in the Foreign Office where Lord Balfour, the Foreign Secretary of Britain in 1917, wrote the famous declaration. Begin was very touched by the moment even though he had led the fight against the British for five years to end their mandate over Palestine.
Much later, he was asked by his friend Dr. Reuben Hecht of Haifa to write on the ramifications and relevance of the Balfour Declaration. Begin wrote that over the years the British had distorted the Balfour Declaration and obstructed the fulfillment of its intentions, "resulting in serious consequences for the Jewish People."
"The Balfour Declaration was doubtless a turning point in the history of the Jewish People. The document was published for various reasons, but over the years, the British falsified its contents, especially by giving it an untrue interpretation based on the phrase 'in Eretz Israel' instead of 'in Eretz Israel as the national home for the Jewish people.'
Against this background, difficult relations developed regarding the declaration between the government of Britain and ourselves until…the State of Israel was established.
We remember the British affectionately for the publication of the Balfour Declaration. We shall also remember…the severe results concerning the Jewish people of the falsification of its contents in the days when millions of Jews cried out for the realization of its promise. They cried in vain.
One must remember the good of the original intention as well as the severity of the closing of the gates of our homeland."
Book Launched About Latrun
The book The Days of Latrun by Capt. Dr. Tal Misgav, head of the History Department of the Border Guards, was launched last week at the Begin Center. Throughout the evening in the full Reuben Hecht Auditorium, the audience heard stories of many of the most famous detainees at the Latrun Detention Camp, including Moshe Sharett, the second Prime Minister of Israel; Dov Gruner, one of the Gallows Martyrs; David Remez, a Minister of Education; Ya'acov Agam, the artist; and Dr. Wolfgang Von Weisel, a leader in the Revisionist movement.< SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> This is one of the few events in the history of the State in which stories about the Latrun detention camp were told. The speakers all emphasized that Latrun was a breeding ground for cooperation between the Underground groups and this cooperation carried over to the early years of the State. The evening opened with remarks by Herzl Makov, Chairman of the Begin Center; Gen. Israel Yitzhak, Cmdr. of the Boarder Guards; Dr. Ya'acov Hadani, Head of Livshitz College; and Yossi Feldman, Director, Society for the Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites. Speakers that evenin g were: Prof. Alon Kadish of the History Dept. of Hebrew University and the History Dept. of the IDF; Prof. Aviva Halomish of the History Dept. of the Open University; and Moshe Brandwein, a former prisoner of the camp at Latrun.
Parashat HaShavua Overflows
The popular Parashat Hashavua program sponsored by the Rohr family of New York and Florida has resumed its work to full capacity with the weekly lecture given by Dr. Micha Goodman. Last week, close to 500 persons attended the lecture—religious and secular; young and older; male and female. This group of attendees represents one of the most successful Parashat Hashavua study groups in the country.
Visitors
Rose Lax, a prominent and devoted supporter of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, and members of her family from Israel and abroad visited the Begin Center and met for a discussion on future plans with Harry Hurwitz, Founder and President. Several years ago she had contributed signif icantly to the Center and especially for naming after her father the section in the Museum highlighting Vilnius (Vilna) and featuring the NKVD interrogation of Menachem Begin.
* * *
Harry Posin, who is a well-known supporter of the Begin Heritage Center and his friend Richard Finkelstein (both from Florida, USA) visited the Begin Museum and were briefed and updated by Harry Hurwitz and Herzl Makov. Harry Posin and his wife Lisa are among the Founders of the Center.
* * *
Malvyn Benjamin, an active Begin supporter from London, visited the Begin Center and held discussions with Harry Hurwitz as well as with his friend Yisrael Medad who had been a Shaliach in London some years back.
October 24, 2007
Total Number of Visitors Since October 2004: 332,911
30th Anniversary of Sadat's Visit
The 30th anniversary of the dramatic day in modern Israel history is approaching. It is the day the President of Egypt Anwar Sadat arrived in Jerusalem for his remarkable visit and talks with Prime Minister Menachem Begin. It was an unprecedented event which took the country—and later the world—by storm. The visit led to serious discussions about a Peace Treaty between the two countries that had fought five wars. The opening paragraph of the Treaty declared in the termination of the state of war. The visit was a breakthrough and a turning point in the Middle East.
The Menachem Begin Heritage Center has initiated world-wide events to mark the occasion and here in Jerusalem an exhibition will be opened on Sunday 18 November at the Begin Center.
The following day, special events will be held with the directorate and management of the Kind David Hotel where President Sadat was a very welcome guest and many of the talks with Prime Minister Begin took place.
Details of both these events will be published in the next Bulletin.
90th Anniversary of the Balfour Declaration
Next Friday, 2 November, it will be 90 years since the Balfour Declaration was issued to Lord Rothschild on behalf of the Jewish People.
When Menachem Begin paid an official State visit to London, he was taken to the room in the Foreign Office where Lord Balfour, the Foreign Secretary of Britain in 1917, wrote the famous declaration. Begin was very touched by the moment even though he had led the fight against the British for five years to end their mandate over Palestine.
Much later, he was asked by his friend Dr. Reuben Hecht of Haifa to write on the ramifications and relevance of the Balfour Declaration. Begin wrote that over the years the British had distorted the Balfour Declaration and obstructed the fulfillment of its intentions, "resulting in serious consequences for the Jewish People."
"The Balfour Declaration was doubtless a turning point in the history of the Jewish People. The document was published for various reasons, but over the years, the British falsified its contents, especially by giving it an untrue interpretation based on the phrase 'in Eretz Israel' instead of 'in Eretz Israel as the national home for the Jewish people.'
Against this background, difficult relations developed regarding the declaration between the government of Britain and ourselves until…the State of Israel was established.
We remember the British affectionately for the publication of the Balfour Declaration. We shall also remember…the severe results concerning the Jewish people of the falsification of its contents in the days when millions of Jews cried out for the realization of its promise. They cried in vain.
One must remember the good of the original intention as well as the severity of the closing of the gates of our homeland."
Book Launched About Latrun
The book The Days of Latrun by Capt. Dr. Tal Misgav, head of the History Department of the Border Guards, was launched last week at the Begin Center. Throughout the evening in the full Reuben Hecht Auditorium, the audience heard stories of many of the most famous detainees at the Latrun Detention Camp, including Moshe Sharett, the second Prime Minister of Israel; Dov Gruner, one of the Gallows Martyrs; David Remez, a Minister of Education; Ya'acov Agam, the artist; and Dr. Wolfgang Von Weisel, a leader in the Revisionist movement.< SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> This is one of the few events in the history of the State in which stories about the Latrun detention camp were told. The speakers all emphasized that Latrun was a breeding ground for cooperation between the Underground groups and this cooperation carried over to the early years of the State. The evening opened with remarks by Herzl Makov, Chairman of the Begin Center; Gen. Israel Yitzhak, Cmdr. of the Boarder Guards; Dr. Ya'acov Hadani, Head of Livshitz College; and Yossi Feldman, Director, Society for the Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites. Speakers that evenin g were: Prof. Alon Kadish of the History Dept. of Hebrew University and the History Dept. of the IDF; Prof. Aviva Halomish of the History Dept. of the Open University; and Moshe Brandwein, a former prisoner of the camp at Latrun.
Parashat HaShavua Overflows
The popular Parashat Hashavua program sponsored by the Rohr family of New York and Florida has resumed its work to full capacity with the weekly lecture given by Dr. Micha Goodman. Last week, close to 500 persons attended the lecture—religious and secular; young and older; male and female. This group of attendees represents one of the most successful Parashat Hashavua study groups in the country.
Visitors
Rose Lax, a prominent and devoted supporter of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, and members of her family from Israel and abroad visited the Begin Center and met for a discussion on future plans with Harry Hurwitz, Founder and President. Several years ago she had contributed signif icantly to the Center and especially for naming after her father the section in the Museum highlighting Vilnius (Vilna) and featuring the NKVD interrogation of Menachem Begin.
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Harry Posin, who is a well-known supporter of the Begin Heritage Center and his friend Richard Finkelstein (both from Florida, USA) visited the Begin Museum and were briefed and updated by Harry Hurwitz and Herzl Makov. Harry Posin and his wife Lisa are among the Founders of the Center.
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Malvyn Benjamin, an active Begin supporter from London, visited the Begin Center and held discussions with Harry Hurwitz as well as with his friend Yisrael Medad who had been a Shaliach in London some years back.
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