Menachem Begin Heritage Center Bulletin 54, Vol. 4

Menachem Begin
Heritage Center, Jerusalem
Volume 4, Issue 54
October 16, 2008

Total Number of Visitors Since October 2004: 441,082

Mark Your Calendars:
Sukkot Events at the Begin Center

As we have traditionally done during the extra Chol HaMoed days of Sukkot, the Begin Center will have extended hours to visit the Museum and special educational and cultural activities.

Sunday, October 19—Symposium: A full day colloquium from 10 o'clock in the morning until 5:30 in the afternoon, under the auspices of the Jerusalem Municipality 'Sha'arayich' initiative, devoted to the subject "In God We Trust" – Religion and State: The American Versus the Israel Model". Participants in the event include Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Prof. Yedidyah Stern, Dr. Micha Goodman, Prof. Avi Diskin, Dr. Ophir Ivri, Prof. Michael Rosenak and others. This event will be in Hebrew.

Sunday-Monday, October 19-20—All Night Learning: The eve of Hoshana Raba program will mark the opening of the fourth year of the Rohr Family Parshat haShavua weekly lectures. The four presenters will also be the lecturers who will give the weekly talks during the year, Dr. Iddo Chevroni, Dr. Shelly Goldberg, Dr. Micha Goodman and Yirmi Stavitzky. The Hoshana Raba program will begin at 9 PM and is also in Hebrew.

Thursday, October 23—Parshat haShavua, B'reisheet: The weekly Parshat HaShavua lectures, sponsored by the Rohr Family will renew as of Thursday evening, Oct. 23rd, at 7 PM. The book of B'reisheet will be dealt with by Dr. Iddo Chevroni, a member of the academic staff of the Mandel Leadership Institute, the Shalem Institute's Biblical Literature studies and of Herzog College. This event is in Hebrew.

Sunday, October 26—Book Launch: The book launch of the memoirs of Prof. Menachem Levin, a Jabotinsky Movement veteran, will be held beginning at 6:30 PM at the Begin Center. The speakers will include Herzl Makov, Center Chairman, Prof. Yaakov Shavit, Yossi Achimeir, Prof. Hillel Weiss, Prof. Moshe Arens. Prof. Levin will respond. The event will be conducted in Hebrew.

In the News: Memories of Begin

Yael Lotan, of Ha'aretz, wrote a reminiscence of her childhood in which Menachem Begin was mentioned. She relates his election as commander of the Irgun:
"When Begin arrived in Mandate Palestine, he was a veteran in the Beitar Movement, and it was only natural for him to be in contact with my father, Binyamin (Benno) Lubotsky, a central figure in the movement at the time.
The commander of the Etzel underground then was Yaakov Meridor, but he … wanted to step down. One night, the heads of the movement met at our house in order to choose whom to appoint in his place. … That night (in August 1942, according to my father's memoirs), they decided to appoint Menachem Begin as commander of Etzel, in place of Meridor. At the end of the meeting, my father accompanied the members as they left. Once outside, someone suggested they go raise a glass (perhaps at Fink's, the legendary bar?)…"
Please visit our blog to read the rest of the article:
http://begincenterdiary.blogspot.com/2008/10/recalling-menachem-begin.html

From the Pages of History

October 6 was the 27th anniversary of President Anwar Sadat's assassination. Menachem Begin held their friendship in great respect and he made an extraordinary effort to be present at the funeral which fell on a Saturday, the Sabbath. Begin made special arrangements to honor both the Sabbath and his friend with whom he signed Israel's first peace treaty with an Arab country. Jehan Sadat, the widow of Anwar Sadat, said of Begin:
"I will never forget how Prime Minister Menachem Begin came to Cairo for the funeral of my husband. It was on Saturday and it was hot, and Menachem Begin insisted on walking the entire way on foot [from the hotel to the funeral] because of the holiness of the Sabbath. That won over my heart."

Sia'h v'Sig Tournament at the Center

Last week, eighteen students of Sia'h v'Sig—Israel's Debate Society—competed before nine judges last week to finalize the team that will be sent by Israel to international debate competitions in the upcoming months. Students came prepared for one debate and were given one hour to prepare their positions for their second debate. The winners will compete against other high-schoolers in international competitions in Canada and Europe, with the most important competition to be held in Athens. The Begin Center, in the past, has cooperated on various projects of the society connected to art of rhetoric, in the spirit of Menachem Begin's well-known eloquence.

Visitor Comments

"Powerful memories of 30 years ago when I was Mr. Begin's close friend and physician at Hadassah Hospital. His words and work toward peace still fill my heart and memories. With this kind of leadership, peace could be ours even today." – Israel

Visit our other blog: http://begincenterdiary.blogspot.com/
The Menachem Begin Heritage Center
6 Nahon Street Jerusalem 94110 ISRAEL
972 (2) 565-2020; Fax: 972 (2) 565-2010

offices@begincenter.org.il www.begincenter.org.il

Menachem Begin Heritage Center Bulletin 53, Vol. 4

Menachem Begin
Heritage Center, Jerusalem
Volume 4, Issue 53
October 7, 2008
Total Number of Visitors Since October 2004: 441,046

Goodbye, Harry

The funeral of the founder of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center and the President of the Menachem Begin Heritage Foundation, Harry Hurwitz, took place on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Har Tamir section of the Har Menuchot Cemetery in the area reserved for members of the Irgun Tzvai Leumi.
In the presence of his family, his wife, Freda, son, Hillel, daughter-in-law Jennifer, grandchildren Nirit, Ilan and Sharon and her husband, Jay, together with hundreds of friends, comrades, admirers and fellow workers, the traditional Jewish service was conducted with decorum and respect.
The ceremony was introduced by Yosef Wittelson, a fomer Irgun fighter imprisoned at British detainee camps in Africa. He recalled Harry’s aid with others of the Revisionist Movement in South Africa on their behalf.
Former Defense Minister and Foreign Minister Moshe Arens, former Speaker of the Knesset MK Reuven Rivlin, Dr. Beny Begin, son of Menachem Begin and MK Benjamin Netanyahu, Likud Chairman and Herzl Makov, Chairman of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center eulogized Harry at the service. In addition, Dr. Hillel Hurwitz and Nirit Hurwitz spoke on behalf of the family. Moshe Arens said that in his work with Harry at the Israel Embassy in Washington DC, Harry was a tremendous help in public diplomacy efforts because of his broad knowledge and excellent speaking skills. MK Binyamin Netanyahu praised Harry's efforts in building the Begin Center and marveled at his fundraising ability. MK Reuven Rivlin said that Harry's life effort was Zionism and the Begin Center was the crowning achievement. He mentioned a conversation they had regarding the fact that he came from a family that immigrated to Israel 200 years ago, but he felt that Harry had an advantage over him, because Harry had to make the decision to leave the land he grew up in—in essence living the dream of Zionism—whereas he was born here, never having had the experience of having to choose Zionist ideals. Dr. Beny Begin said that only a person who had a complete belief in the justice of his cause could speak so convincingly of his cause and that describes Harry's devotion to Zionism and the land of Israel. Herzl Makov talked about his partnership of 10 years with Harry. He quoted the late Shmuel Katz, who wrote in a premature obituary, that "we lost a noble spirit." The Jerusalem Post published an obituary for Harry in 2001 by mistake and asked Shmuel Katz to write a few words. Makov said that the excellent tribute while premature at the time was true then, and is even more true today.
Dr. Hillel Hurwitz and Nirit Hurwitz spoke as representatives of the family. Dr. Hillel Hurwitz outlined Harry's life as a man and spoke of the loss of not only his father, but really of his best friend. Nirit Hurwitz said that as Harry's granddaughter, she knew very little about his work because when Harry was with the family, the family was the only thing that mattered and that today, she had lost the best grandfather.
All the speakers reminded everyone present that Harry lived a full life and gave himself totally to every endeavor. He was an active Zionist leader, a loyal supporter of Menachem Begin, a dynamic public speaker, a tireless fundraiser, a good friend, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Each person that knew him had a special relationship with him feeling that Harry gave him or her the entirety of his attention. Each person counted himself or herself blessed to have known him.
After the traditional graveside ceremony, the members of Betar who were present sang the Betar Anthem.

Thank You to All who Sent Condolences

Thank you very much to all who sent condolences this week. They have been collected and will be presented to the family. Your kind wishes and thoughts are a tribute to Harry Hurwitz and his impact on many people around the world. May his memory be a blessing to us all.
Tributes and condolences can be sent to the Begin Center at 6 Nahon Street, Jerusalem, 94110, ISRAEL, or via email to ilanab@begincenter.org.il. Condolences can be sent to the family at HaNachal 4/2, Givat Tzarfatit, Jerusalem.

Shana Tova and G'mar Hatima Tova

We wish all our readers a Shana Tova, a G'mar Hatima Tova and a meaningful fast over Yom Kippur—a year of success, health and happiness for all of us and for Israel.
We also remind our readers that due to the holiday season the Bulletin may not be published every week.

Events Continue at the Begin Center

Reverend Robert Stearns celebrated his birthday at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. He was received by Herzl Makov, Chairman of the Begin Center. Rev. Stearns expressed his commitment to the heritage of Menachem Begin and the Menachem Begin Heritage Center and promised to send his Israel Experience students, as well as missions from the US to the Begin Center.

In Memoriam

The Begin Center extends its condolences to Dov Shilansky on the passing of his wife Rachel. Mr. Shilansky was a former speaker of the Knesset, an Irgun commander in Italy and Germany, and came to Israel on the Altalena.

Visit our blog: http://begincenterdiary.blogspot.com/

Menachem Begin Heritage Center Bulletin 52, Vol. 4

Menachem Begin
Heritage Center, Jerusalem
Volume 4, Issue 52
October 7, 2008
Total Number of Visitors Since October 2004: 440,625

Begin Center Founder Passes Away

Harry Zvi Hurwitz, Founder and President of the Menachem Begin Heritage Foundation, passed away on October 1. He worked a full day on Sunday and went to celebrate the Rosh Hashana holiday with his family. In the evening, he suffered a massive heart attack. Unfortunately, all attempts at resuscitation failed.
Harry Hurwitz was born in Latvia in 1924 and in 1934 his family arrived in South Africa. He grew up in the Betar Movement and assumed a leadership role having initiated many youth groups and activities, including Betar Camp. He became very active in the leadership of the Zionist Revisionist Organization and was for many years the editor of the Jewish Herald of Johannesburg. He was a well-known figure in the South African Jewish community.
Harry met Menachem Begin in 1946 in Tel Aviv when Begin was still leader of the Irgun and they maintained their personal friendship as well as their professional relationship until Begin's death in 1992. Harry spoke with Menachem Begin about making aliyah, but Begin told him that he still had much work to do in South Africa and that when he would be Prime Minister, he would call Harry to his government. And that was indeed what happened. In 1977, Menachem Begin assumed the premiership and called Harry the same day. On May 18, 1978, Harry and Freda Hurwitz arrived in Israel and three days later, Harry was at the Prime Minister's Office starting work.
During his years of service in Israel's government, he worked in the Prime Minister's Office as an advisor to Begin in External Information and World Jewry and he was stationed in Israel's embassy in the United States as the Minister of Information. After Begin left office, Harry continued to work with Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir as the advisor on World Jewry.
Harry was in South Africa when he heard about Menachem Begin's death. He announced on that very day that there would be established a Menachem Begin Heritage Center to remember the life, words and deeds of Menachem Begin. His vision was to create an institution similar to an American Presidential Library in Israel and he worked non-stop to fulfill that vision. In 1998, the Knesset passed the Begin Commemoration Law paving the way for the creation of a Heritage Center and the following year, the Foundation Stone was laid. The Menachem Begin Heritage Center was officially opened on June 16, 2004. Harry was at his desk every day working to ensure the Menachem Begin Heritage Center's continuation from generation to generation.
Apart from establishing the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, Harry also wrote a book about Menachem Begin, Begin: His Life, Words and Deeds, that is in its third edition.
He is survived by his wife Freda, his son Hillel and his daughter-in-law Jennifer, his grandchildren Nirit, Ilan and Sharon and her husband Jay, and his two great-grandsons, Boaz and Eitan.
The funeral will be in Jerusalem at Har Hamenuchot Cemetery at 11:00AM on Friday October 3. The shiva will be at the Hurwitz home at Hanachal 4/2 in Givat Tzarfatit in Jerusalem. Condolences may be sent there or to the Begin Center.
His guiding hand, his words of wisdom and his tireless work will be deeply missed by everyone at the Center. His generous spirit, his warm laugh and his dedication to his family and everyone he loved will be missed by all.

Herzl Makov
Chairman
Menachem Begin Heritage Center

Visit our blog: http://begincenterdiary.blogspot.com/