“What have South Africans not touched and developed?”, wrote former President Chaim Herzog in 1992.
“This relatively small Aliyah is profoundly influential. And life here, with all its difficulties, has given these one-time Southern Africans an opportunity for self-fulfilment and the stirring sense of participating in history.”
Thirty-one years later in celebration of Telfed’s 75th anniversary, Telfed volunteer leadership and staff were invited to meet with President Isaac Herzog (son of former President Chaim Herzog) at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.
At the onset of the War of Independence in 1948, 800 South Africans volunteered in the newly established Israel Defense Forces (IDF) – bringing skills and experience from the Second World War. Their contribution to the fledgling IDF was invaluable, as was the support they received from a group of South Africans already residing in Israel. And so, Telfed was born. Telfed remains the premier Klita (absorption) organisation – revered by many for the practical services and assistance available to the Olim community.
In his former position as Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, President Herzog met with Telfed leadership at the Telfed offices in Raanana, where he was introduced to the myriad services and support available to new and veteran South African, Southern African and Australian Olim to facilitate their integration.
To mark Telfed’s 75th anniversary, President Herzog spoke about the South African contribution in all sectors of Israel society. 28 Yishuvim (towns), including Kochav Yair, were established by Telfed, in addition to the Afridar neighbourhood of the growing seaside city of Ashkelon. (‘Afridar’ is an abbreviation of Drom Afrika, reversed.)
President Herzog spoke about a personal connection to South Africa through his uncle, Abba Eban. To this day, Eban remains the highest-ranking South African-born government official as a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister. Of course, no South African gathering in Israel would be complete without some Jewish geography. President Herzog’s close affiliation to the South African community runs deep, and, together with former Telfed Chairman, Solly Sacks, he reminisced about his late father – a close friend of Solly’s.
Telfed leadership had the opportunity to share what motivates them to volunteer in the Olim community. Shely Cohen, Telfed Vice Chairman, spoke about her positive interactions with the youth through Telfed’s scholarship programme, and her optimism for the future. President Herzog echoed her optimism.
New Oleh, Daniel Burke, joined the gathering with his twin sons Asher and Gavriel. They were accompanied by their PRAS student, Gavri. PRAS student recipients of Telfed scholarships play an important role in the integration of Olim, especially school-age children and the elderly through weekly meetings over the course of the academic year.
Telfed Chairman Robby Hilkowitz expressed his appreciation to President Herzog for hosting the delegation on the occasion of Telfed’s 75th anniversary.
The South African and Australian Olim community is invited to participate in Telfed’s upcoming 75th birthday celebrations on 7 June at 7pm, in 7 cities across Israel.
Telfed www.telfed.org.il Email: info@telfed.org.il
• Published in the June 2023 issue – Click here to start reading.
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