Celebrations for the 80th anniversary of Jewish community life in Gush Etzion commenced with an opening event last night, that resulted in the pouring of emotions, during which the Council head, Shlomo Ne”eman, said to the long-standing community members, “The Gush is developing due to your work establishing the Gush that stands strong, and with G-d”s help, will stand forever.”
Despite the heavy rains yesterday (Thursday), which was surprisingly unseasonable for this time of year, crowds of people came to take part in the opening ceremony to celebrate 80 years living in the Gush Etzion communities.
Over the next month, Gush Etzion will be celebrating 80 years of Jewish life and development with a variety of events marking the heritage of Gush Etzion, titled “80 Years of Gush Etzion – The Story of Israel.”
The opening ceremony was organized with the cooperation of the Regional Council and the Kfar Etzion Field School, and took place on Kibbutz Kfar Etzion, founded on 25 Nissan 5703 (April 1943), five years before the establishment of the State. The kibbutz fell during the War of Independence the day before the establishment of the State, and was a pioneer community in Judea and Samaria when reestablished following the Six Day War.
Among those in attendance were veteran community members from the four kibbutzim: Kfar Etzion, Masuot Yitzchak, Ein Tzurim, and Revadim. They spoke of their memories and the event was honored by the presence of Brigadier General Avi Bluth, commander of the Judea and Samaria regional division.
Earlier, before the commencement of the ceremony, many families arrived for a celebration comprising a performance for children about the founding of Kfar Etzion featuring workshops, and children”s activities. The children of Gush Etzion met with the veterans of the Gush.
The evening concluded with the launch of Yohanan Ben Yaakov”s book, “People of the Rock” (Anshei HaSela), an album edition about the story of the founding of Gush Etzion from Migdal Eder (Tower of Eder) through today.
“For 19 years we were sure that we”d return. We lived it in our thoughts and our dreams, and we knew that we would rebuild it with reinforced and renewed strength,” related Shaya Altman, one of the founders of Kfar Etzion.
“I think that during our 18 months in the Gush, we managed to achieve something. I am proud to be here and to see the continuation of what we began,” said Rivka Nedivi, one of the founders from the 1940s.
Chairman of the Gush Etzion Council and head of the Yesha Council, Shlomo Ne”eman, told those present that at a certain stage, the Council discovered that students in the Gush Etzion education system were unaware of the story of Gush Etzion. According to Ne”eman, it happens a lot “since we are such an integral part of the story that it seems natural to us.”
He detailed the Council”s Gush heritage study program from preschool until high school to the veteran members. “We developed a program that works and changes reality. It is taught to all classes in the Gush from age four to age 17.
This is the best and most important gift we can give to the founding generation. We continue what you started. There is a continuation. The foundations and roots were built on your cornerstone. The Gush is developing due to your work establishing the Gush that stands strong, and with G-d”s help, will stand forever.”
