Bloomberg: Israelis' struggles are lesson to everyone

May. 12, 2005 10:58 | Updated May. 12, 2005 12:00

The struggles of Israelis to defend their lives serves as an important lesson about strength and perseverance for everyone, but especially for the people of New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

"The experience of 9/11 brought out in us the courage to prevail that we admire so much in the Israeli people," Bloomberg said Wednesday at a ceremony to mourn fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror and to celebrate Israel's 57th independence day.

Bloomberg, who led the US delegation to the inauguration of Yad Vashem's new museum in March, said the state of Israel must have unflagging support because "in every corner of that small country - where the threat of violence is a constant - Israelis are determined not only to defend their lives, but to live them to the fullest."

The ceremony began with the wail of a siren. Pictures of people mourning dead loved ones flashed on screens suspended around the room, and two Israeli soldiers who were flown in for the ceremony lit memorial candles.

Israel's consul general in New York, Arye Mekel, said Israel looks forward to continued growth, but said, "we are still missing one element - peace."

The evening was organized by the New York-based group Dor Chadash, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between American Jews and Israeli expatriates. The formal ceremony was followed by what organizers called the largest Israeli independence day celebration in New York City.

The third annual event, sponsored by more than 80 Jewish organizations, was expected to draw around 4,000 people, organizers said.

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Promise Land

May. 4, 2005 0:43 | Updated May. 4, 2005 11:32

Kibbutz movement recruits N. America
By SHEERA CLAIRE FRENKEL


After 16 years in New Jersey, the Milchiker family is turning kibbutznik. The family, which owns a two-story home, car, dog, cat and a horse in New Jersey, is not seeking any right of return or privileges from the Israel.

Instead, the Milchikers are part of 200 Israeli families in the United States and Canada who are returning to live on a kibbutz because they have been attracted by its lifestyle.

The families are being recruited by a new program initiative funded by Ministry of Immigrant Absorption. As part of the program, advertisements were placed on Web sites and at a series of conferences in the US and Canada encouraging people to consider the advantages of kibbutzim over city life. The program is one of many activities that the Department for Returning Citizens conducts in its work with Israelis who have been living abroad for over two years. In addition to the 200 families already enlisted to come, an additional 500 have expressed an interest in the program.

"What is unique about this group is that they are successful families living abroad who are coming back because they are drawn to the social advantages of kibbutz life," said Anat Gera, head of the program. "There is a clear profile. Most of the families have children and have already made their money in the States. This is not a case of charity on the part of the kibbutzim."

Over the Pessah vacation, many of the families came to tour some of the 30 kibbutzim being promoted as part of the program. Although they have toured several kibbutzim, the Milchikers are still weighing the options of where they will settle.

"What is most important to us is the educational system," said Uri Milchiker. "When we looked at the education on the kibbutz, we found that it was one of the best systems in the country."

Gera said that many of the families had already been considering returning to Israel, but were swayed to kibbutz life because of the quality of the educational system there.

"The kibbutzim take pride in the education they can offer," Gera said. "There was a couple that called me from Houston, somewhere we hadn't even promoted the program, who have three young children in private school."

Gera explained that the family, instead of continuing to pay the high prices of a private education in the US, found that a quality, free education could be had at kibbutzim.

The Milchikers, who have a nine-year-old daughter, said that they feel the atmosphere of kibbutz life also contributes to the educational opportunities.

"There is community on a kibbutz," said Uri. "In the States you have a house, a salary, you have everything. But you don't have friends and you don't have family."

He added that although his family would be a part of the kibbutz community, using its facilities and taking part in kibbutz events, they would not be full members who are obliged to work in the kibbutz.

This arrangement has been popular among many who have chosen to move to kibbutzim, says a spokesperson for the Kibbutz Movement.

In April, it was reported that most of the secular families being evacuated from Gaza are expected to move to kibbutzim. In preliminary talks between the kibbutzim and those families, most of the settlers have chosen the option of not becoming full kibbutz members.

The 200 families and evacuated settlers are part of what is being seen as a resurgence of interest in kibbutz movement. The Central Bureau of Statistics released a report earlier this week, which showed that kibbutz population rose by 0.5 percent in 2003, birth rates stabilized, death rates fell, and the out-migration rate slowed significantly.

Continued

Kibbutz industries also rose, although the average household income in kibbutzim of NIS 9,948 is still below the national average. The kibbutzim's aggregate revenue in 2003 was NIS 5.24 billion, and kibbutz agricultural output was one-third of Israel's total output.


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