Gala World Betar Reunion, Updated

When notices of a "World Betar Reunion" in Jerusalem were seen a lot of us signed up. Such events are especially popular  for us now that we have more time to enjoy ourselves, post set work life aka retired. It was in the Jerusalem Theater, and at least speaking for myself I had no idea what type of event it would be. A few months ago, we had gone to something in Netanya, and I expected a similar get-together around tables.

Well, I was wrong. This "World Betar Reunion" was humongous! Even though there had been registration, nobody bothered having us sign in when we got there, or we'd still be on line two days later.

This wasn't a chatty get-together at all. The entire large, at least by Israeli standards, Jerusalem Theater auditorium was full, including the aisles. There were Betarim of all ages and countries. The ceremony performance was well-planned and executed, not taking all that long. We sang the old songs, saw photos of Betar history and activities from all over the world and listened to just a couple of speeches.

The grand finale was young active Betarim marching onto the large stage. They were from lots of countries. The only disappointment was that there didn't seem to be any young Americans, even though in the powerpoint of active sniffim, we did notice one labeled "Brooklyn."

There were quite a few bogrim from the 1960, and possibly earlier, from North America in the audience, although the organizers didn't interview any for the movie, which was part of the event. Also, we caught sight of only one photo of our activities. 

Here's a list of "our crowd" who attended. If I left anyone out, please add in the comments, and I'll correct the list. Steve Adler, Izzy and Sandy Herman, Yonah Ferman, Reuven Genn, Rena Epstein-Genn, Nissan Teman, David Sprung, Reuven and Yehudit Miller, Robert Glick, Batya and Yisrael Medad. Ahron Bashani Braunstein and Zeev Ben-Yoseph. Baruch Krauss, Chaim Fischgrund and Emily Udler.

The ceremony didn't last all that long. Obviously, the auditorium was to be used for something else a bit later in the evening.

Here are some photos I took at the Gala World Betar Reunion:

JPost report.

L-R: Nissan Teman, Yona Ferman, Reuven Miller, Yehudit Miller, Yisrael Medad, Batya Medad, Aharon Bashani, Reuven Genn, Rena Genn, Idit Shiponi, Itta Horol, Chaim Fischgrund, David Sprung, Idit's husband, Baruch Kraus, Robert Glick.

L-R: Nissan Teman, Reuven Miller, Yona Ferman, Yehudit Miller, Yisrael Medad, Batya Medad, Reuven Genn, Rena Genn, Itta Horol, Emily Udler, David Sprung, Baruch Kraus
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David Krakow z"l

Betari Dan Krakow sent us this:

David Krakow was born in NY in 1926.  He served on Netsivut Betar with Moshe Arens and others in the ‘40’s.  He was a member of the Irgun and active in arm shipments, demonstrations, lobbying and more.  He edited the English Etzel news bulletins and assisted in the publication of Triumph on the Gallows.  He spent time at the nascent settlement Mavo Betar.

David was among a small group that began the struggle for Soviet Jewry before it was embraced by the wider community.

A life-long Zionist he leaves behind Miriam, his wife of 67 years, four children in addition to son Jonathan who died at age 25, eight grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. One son and four grandchildren have served or are currently serving in the IDF.

יהיה זכרו ברוך

One of Dave's last projects was contained in a note he sent to the list of American Betarim which I copy below:

Pleased to inform you that our meeting last week with the Herut leaders, Karma Feinstein and Moshe Phillips, went very well. We share the same concerns and can work together.One of the projects proposed was a nationwide essay contest to be conducted among students in Jewish secondary schools focused upon the legacy of Ze’ev Jabotinsky, with monetary awards for the best of them. Originally conceived by Herb Zweibon, and implemented in the secondary schools in Israel, this proved to be a great success. Since some years ago, we put the Lone Wolf into every library in every JCC and Jewish secondary school in the U.S. Perhaps this will assure us of readers.More to follow, Dave Krakow

L-R: Herb Zweibon, Dave Krakow and Misha Arens, Sept. 2008 

Dave z"l was very concerned for the history of North American Betar to be preserved and met with some of us here  and handing over archival documentation and photographs.  In addition, he was on the board of the Nordau Circle and indeed, is buried now there, close to where Jabotinsky was interred between 1940-1964. He was Misha's brother-in-law.

Pictures Dan Krakow sent:

UPDATE

David Krakow, z”l, was born in 1926 to Rose Feurstein and Benny Krakow. He grew up on the lower east side of Manhattan, speaking only Yiddish until he started school. From his teen years until the time of his death at the age of 92 on January 23, David was devoted to the Jewish people and to our homeland, Israel.

As a teen, David became painfully aware of the tragedy unfolding in Europe. He joined Betar, an organization founded by Vladimir Jabotinsky, who sounded the alarm on the threat to Europe’s Jews long before others were aware or concerned. David became a member of the national leadership of Betar and editor of Hadar, the organization’s publication. He devoted himself to educating people about the desperate situation for Jews in Europe and the urgent need to get them out. David joined the Irgun and, as a member, he actively assisted in efforts to rescue Jews and establish the State of Israel. He was editor of the English Etzel news bulletin. In later years, David was one of the founders of the Center for Russian Jewry and its offshoot, the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry. In 1980, Menachem Begin presented David with the Jabotinsky Centennial Citation for his efforts on behalf of the Jewish people and Israel.

He was part of the group of Betarim who made a signifiant ontribution to Ariel University.

The plaque:

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Reunion

Shalom Chaverim and Betarim,

Were you a Betari/Betariah in the 1960’s, or did you attend Camp Betar in good olde Neversink NY during that same period. Well if you did, then it’s time that we got together. It would be nice to see some old faces once again, and to renew old friendships, friendships that never really faded away.

So, what am I talking about? – a Reunion of course – date to be determined. Nothing fancy, nothing big – just some old friends (are we really that old?) talking about great times.

So, if you are interested in getting together once again, drop me an e-mail at telhai@juno.com so we (not telling you who else is in on this) know of your interest and we will get back to you. Please include a contact phone number and the date (s) that you were in Camp or the T’nua.

Tell your friends, spread the word.

Don’t wait too long or you might miss it.  J

Hope the included pictures will jog some great memories.

Bivrachat Shalom v Tel Hai

Chuck “Shachna” Waxman