Page 37 - big friday
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Mordechai Bentov
(48). Previous family name: Gutgeld. Born in Poland. Among the
originators of HaShomer HaTza'ir, and head of the Warsaw branch.
Immigrated in 1920. Among the founders of Kibbutz Mishmar
HaEmek, and a member throughout his life. Among the leaders of the
Kibbutz HaArtzi, the HaShomer HaTza'ir movement, and Mapam.
Editor of the Mishmar newspaper (later Al HaMishmar). Member of
the Provisional State Council and Minister of Labor and Construction
in the Provisional Government. Member of the 1st-5th Knesset. Minister of Development
(1955-1961) and Minister of Housing (1966-1969). Died in 1985.
Y itzhak Ben-Zvi
(64). P revious family name: Shimshelevitch. Born in Ukraine,
and active from his youth in Zionist movements. Immigrated in
1907 and was among the founders of the HaShomer organization.
Among the leaders of Po'alei Tzion, Ahdut HaAvoda, the
Histadrut HaOvdim (Labor Federation), and Mapai. Volunteered
in the British army during the First World War. From 1931 he was
chairman of the Jewish National Council (HaVa'ad HaLeumi),
and became its president in 1945. Member of the Provisional State Council. Served
in the first and second Knesset. Elected President of Israel in 1952, and again in 1957
and in 1962. Died in 1963.
Eliyahu Berlin
(82). The oldest among the 37 signatories. Born in Ukraine. A
delegate at many Zionist Congresses. Immigrated in 1907, and
was among the founders of Tel Aviv. Served in many public and
economic positions. Among the leadership of the Knesset Yisrael
organization and of the Assembly of Representatives (Asefat
HaNivharim). Head of various financial institutions. Member of
the Jewish National Council (HaVa'ad HaLeumi). Died in 1959.
P eretz (Fritz) Bernstein
(58). Born in Germany, served as chairman of the Zionist
Federation in Holland. Immigrated in 1936 and became one of the
leaders of the General Zionists Party and editor of its newspaper,
HaBoker. During the years 1946-1948 he was a member of the
Jewish Agency executive. Minister of Commerce and Industry
in the provisional government. Member of the 1st-5th Knesset.
During the years 1953-1955 he served again as Minister of Trade
and Industry. Died in 1971.
A State is Born 35
(48). Previous family name: Gutgeld. Born in Poland. Among the
originators of HaShomer HaTza'ir, and head of the Warsaw branch.
Immigrated in 1920. Among the founders of Kibbutz Mishmar
HaEmek, and a member throughout his life. Among the leaders of the
Kibbutz HaArtzi, the HaShomer HaTza'ir movement, and Mapam.
Editor of the Mishmar newspaper (later Al HaMishmar). Member of
the Provisional State Council and Minister of Labor and Construction
in the Provisional Government. Member of the 1st-5th Knesset. Minister of Development
(1955-1961) and Minister of Housing (1966-1969). Died in 1985.
Y itzhak Ben-Zvi
(64). P revious family name: Shimshelevitch. Born in Ukraine,
and active from his youth in Zionist movements. Immigrated in
1907 and was among the founders of the HaShomer organization.
Among the leaders of Po'alei Tzion, Ahdut HaAvoda, the
Histadrut HaOvdim (Labor Federation), and Mapai. Volunteered
in the British army during the First World War. From 1931 he was
chairman of the Jewish National Council (HaVa'ad HaLeumi),
and became its president in 1945. Member of the Provisional State Council. Served
in the first and second Knesset. Elected President of Israel in 1952, and again in 1957
and in 1962. Died in 1963.
Eliyahu Berlin
(82). The oldest among the 37 signatories. Born in Ukraine. A
delegate at many Zionist Congresses. Immigrated in 1907, and
was among the founders of Tel Aviv. Served in many public and
economic positions. Among the leadership of the Knesset Yisrael
organization and of the Assembly of Representatives (Asefat
HaNivharim). Head of various financial institutions. Member of
the Jewish National Council (HaVa'ad HaLeumi). Died in 1959.
P eretz (Fritz) Bernstein
(58). Born in Germany, served as chairman of the Zionist
Federation in Holland. Immigrated in 1936 and became one of the
leaders of the General Zionists Party and editor of its newspaper,
HaBoker. During the years 1946-1948 he was a member of the
Jewish Agency executive. Minister of Commerce and Industry
in the provisional government. Member of the 1st-5th Knesset.
During the years 1953-1955 he served again as Minister of Trade
and Industry. Died in 1971.
A State is Born 35
