Idealism may have been a factor among the early pioneers of the Jewish state in the making. Still, a more realistic reason was that the harsh terrain and the grueling climate were preferable to the pogroms of the Baltics and Eastern Europe.
Unfortunately, antisemitism is still a major factor in Diaspora Jews’ decision to make aliyah.
One recent example is Dr. David Adler, the first president of the Australian Jewish Association (AJA), who served in that role for almost a decade.
The AJA is a conservative organization dedicated to advocacy on behalf of the Jewish community and Israel. It is one of several Jewish advocacy groups, with varying political affiliations and attitudes, that operate on the southernmost continent.
A statement released by AJA discussed the organization’s awareness that a growing number of Australian Jews are likewise considering relocating to Israel because they are concerned about the long-term future of Jews in Australia.
'Antisemitism and violence directed at Jews have reached levels under this government that I never expected to see in Australia'
In the statement, Adler was quoted as saying that he was proud of the contribution that he had made to Australia, “but I no longer recognize the country. Antisemitism and violence directed at Jews have reached levels under this government that I never expected to see in Australia.”
“Australia is facing serious challenges,” he added, “with growing hostility not only toward Jews and Israel but also toward Australia itself and the values upon which Western civilization is built.”
“Israeli society is clear about what it stands for. The younger generation has demonstrated extraordinary commitment and sacrifice in defending their country. There is a deep sense of national purpose and pride in Israel’s heritage, together with an understanding that Western civilization is worth defending,” Adler said.
Current AJA president Robert Gregory commented: “It is a deeply troubling reflection on the Australian Government that increasing numbers of Australian Jews believe they will be safer in Israel, a country that has endured almost three years of war, than in Australia.”
“Antisemitism has reached historic highs under the [Anthony] Albanese government, and for many, the Bondi attack was the final catalyst,” he continued.
Gregory also noted that Australia’s Jewish community has been part of the country’s history since the First Fleet of 11 ships arrived in Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788.
The Jewish community has made an enormous contribution to every aspect of Australian life, he said, adding that the government appeared unconcerned that Australian Jews were leaving because they no longer felt safe.
“Perhaps it believes these departures can simply be offset by bringing in even larger numbers of migrants. It’s unclear whether that strategy will be successful,” Gregory said.
Australia is a multicultural society with a large influx of immigrants from the Middle East and Asia, whose presence indicates the extent to which a country’s policies can change.
Whereas the Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 placed severe limits on immigrants from non-European countries, this racist legislation was relaxed from the 1950s onward, and finally abolished in 1975.
Netanyahu sings Golda Meir's praises
In the sphere of political rivalry and bad-mouthing, one wonders what it would take before political rivals acknowledge someone from the opposite side of the aisle’s positive qualities.
Other than Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s best-known politician at home and abroad was Golda Meir, who died in December 1978 at the age of 80.
Had she been active in politics when Netanyahu came to power, he would undoubtedly have cast her in a negative light, as he has done with other left-wing leaders over the years.
But last week, more than a quarter of a century after Golda’s demise, he not only sang her praises, but proposed that her legacy be commemorated by allocating a dedicated budget to establish a statutory corporation in her memory to focus on researching women’s leadership and studying statesmanship as a tool for nation-building and security.
Netanyahu said that Golda had dedicated her life to realizing the Zionist vision, had accompanied the State of Israel from its very beginning, had led it through times of trial, and had acted with determination for its security, resilience, and future.
“Honoring her legacy is a debt of gratitude to a woman who helped shape the character of the state,” the prime minister said.
The life of David Levy
That was not the only better-late-than-never eulogy that Netanyahu delivered last week. Even though three-time foreign minister David Levy, who died in June 2024 at the age of 86, was a member of three different political parties, he spent most of his political career as a member of the Likud.
There was a time when there was bad blood between Levy and Netanyahu, but fences were mended when Netanyahu sought Levy’s support prior to a Knesset election.
Moroccan-born Levy, whose working life in Israel began with digging ditches, became the most highly ranked North African politician and paved the way for other local and national North African representatives to be elected or appointed to prominent leadership positions.
Last week, following a joint proposal by Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, the government approved the renaming of a large sector of Route 443 in Levy’s memory.
In the future, this major traffic artery will be known as the Levites’ Way, not only in tribute to Levy, but also to the Biblical tribe from which he was descended.
Part of the area surrounding the route was home to the ancient Hashmonaim, who were also Levites, descended from the priestly family of Moses’ brother, Aaron.
When Levy died two years ago, Netanyahu, in his eulogy, said: “We did not always agree on everything, but I always admired his sense of mission.”
Levy was a champion of social equality, and even after his status and income improved considerably, he remained in Beit She’an, the peripheral development town he had helped put on the map.
He was the father of 12 children, two of whom, Orly and Jackie, followed him into politics. At some point, each was an MK. Jackie is currently the mayor of Beit She’an, a position that he held previously from 2002 to 2015.
Who was David Zvi Pinkas?
Stop passersby at random and ask them what they know about David Zvi Pinkas. It’s doubtful if many would have a clue as to who he was. For one thing, he was one of the signatories whose name appears on Israel’s Declaration of Independence.
For another, he was a member of the first Knesset and elected again to the second Knesset. He was also the transportation minister, in which capacity he introduced the law whereby public transport does not operate on Shabbat.
Prior to the establishment of the state, Zvi Pinkas was a director of Bank Mizrahi-Tefahot and a member of the Tel Aviv City Council.
In June 1952, a bomb left on his doorstep by Amos Kenan and Shaltiel Ben-Yair exploded, but miraculously, Pinkas was not harmed. However, only two months later, he was dead.
The cause was a heart attack. Why is all this important at the present time? Because Pinkas is the subject of a documentary that will be screened at the Knesset Museum in Jerusalem on the evening of Tisha B’Av, following the reading of the Book of Eicha.
The documentary, Hapinkas Patuah (Open Notebook), was directed by Yair Elazar and Dr. Ayala Shklar, and the two will conduct a conversation with the audience following the screening. This event will be in Hebrew.
Pinkas was laid to rest in Tel Aviv’s famed Trumpeldor Cemetery, where the headstones are like titles on chapters of the city’s history since its establishment in April, 1909. The cemetery is even older than the city, dating back to 1902.
Among well-known figures who are buried there are Israel’s second prime minister, Moshe Sharett, Tel Aviv’s founding mayor, Meir Dizengoff, assassinated Zionist leader Chaim Arlosoroff, and the premier poet, Hayim Nahman Bialik.
Other noteworthy figures include renowned artist Nachum Gutman, popular singer Arik Einstein, best-selling author and filmmaker Ephraim Kishon, shipping magnate and mega philanthropist Sammy Ofer, long-term president of World WIZO – Women’s International Zionist Organization Raya Jaglom, and former mayors Shlomo Lahat, Mordechai Namir, and Yehoshua Rabinowitz.
When he was 97, Walter Bingham, who is now 102 and a half, was recognized as the world’s oldest working journalist. He can still claim that title because he is still working and living independently in his midtown Jerusalem apartment.
But coming close behind him is another Jewish journalist, Eileen Lavine, who, at 101, is slightly younger than Bingham and is both an avid reader and writer.
A native New Yorker, she starts her day by reading The New York Times and The Washington Post, then turns to The New Yorker. After that, she tackles a crossword puzzle.
Lavine has worked in senior positions at various publications, including Moment, where she is now a copy editor. She’s been working in various capacities for this magazine since 2008.
She loves watching quiz shows on television, and her other leisure time activities include playing bridge and poker. At 97, she wrote a semi-autobiographical book. The most important thing for people of advancing age, she advised, is to keep the mind active. It’s a way to stay busy, keep going, and enjoy life.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Jerusalem Post or its affiliates. greerfc@gmail.com