Reconnections in Israel

by Harry Stuart.

Anyone who lived in Melbourne during the 1950-1960s might remember one name - frequently mentioned in relation to the State Zionist Council: Thelma Cohen. Others may have run into (hopefully not run against) Thelma's husband - Maurice Cohen, LLM.

The Cohens are the parents and in-laws of Jocelyn Goldberg and Jack Goldberg, all of whom are Israelis and living in and around Ramat Gan. Elaine and I re-met the Goldbergs at a BBQ earlier that day and were then invited to a wonderful evening with the Cohens and Jocelyn's sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Yosef Shama.

The Cohens are now both 89 years old and sharp as a tack. Amongst his many accomplishments back in Oz, Maurice may be known to MHSOBA* alums - he was a key player in the building of the school's first swimming pool (on Chapel Street). I remember that well - it was my last year at MHS**.

And, as of November 9, 2004, the Cohens are Great-grandparents again and now have 8 great-grandsons and 7 great-granddaughters.

The thrill of the reunion with those one grew up with after 30, 40 or even 50 years is almost indescribable. As Aaron relates:

"The reunion [at Frida's home] was really fantastic. It was worth coming to Israel just for it. It was great. I love Bish's photos. They came out much better than mine for some reason. Perhaps it's because he is a better photographer.

"We just had an evening with Yosef and Dora. Just chatting and also looking at some of his albums. I didn't realise that Dora had such talent as an artist. Her stuff is great and, of course, so is his. Also present were Leah and later Frida."

Anne (Entenberg) and Rodney Gouttman visit the folks in Israel - Frida Sheiner's photos grace our pages.

Who came? Jack & Rosette, Brian & Ilana Addess, Miriam Golovesky and her partner Alexander, Leah Feder, Dora Steiner (Yosef was under the weather) Rosalie & Solly Goldstein, Sonia Kempler (Rosalie's Mom), Danny Rosing; Theo Balberyszski (without Anat who had the flu). Shim & Perla could not make it. Anne wanted to see my kids so Ami (the smile in the picture with Solly!) and Dorit and the two sets of twins stayed for a little while as well. It was a lovely evening which ended in a very heated discussion about Israeli politics and we found that there was no one to vote for in our forthcoming elections!! Apart from that and as usually happens, we went down memory lane with old pictures that Anne brought me! Lovely evening.

Reconnections in Israel

Some of the photos in this section were taken by Henry Ben Ezra, others by Hedva Sheiner - and at two different events. Thanks to both for the images - June 2013.

2013 June - Avraham & Raymonde Appel

2013 April - Eric & Rachel Aufgang

Photos by Hedva Sheiner - taken on April 6, 2013

2011 April - Ed Adamek and Friends
Herzlia

Left photo: L to r Zvi Berkovic, Arie Regev, Ed Adamek, Henry Ben Ezra, Miriam Barash, Mike Hudson, Roz Williamson, Geoff Williamson, Roz Ben Ezra – taken in Herzliya April 2011.

Right photo: L to r Roz Williamson, Geoff Williamson, Henry Ben Ezra, Ros Ben Ezra, Mike Hudson, Arie Regev, Zvi Berkovic, Miriam Barash, “Cocky” (volunteer coordinator), Ed Adamek. Taken at Kibbutz Kisufim, April 2011, where in 1967, the recaltricants from Betar were sent as volunteers.

2011 January 1 - Brunch at the Rosings

Heather and Danny Rosing hosted a brunch in honour of Avraham and Raymonde Appel and Henry Burstyner on New Years Day.

[Sorry: the links to the website that displayed the photos has expired - Webmaster 6/12/2019]

2009 May - Yom Haatzmaut

Photos by Miriam and Henry Briggs, forwarded by Danny Rosing and Frida Sheiner.

2008 October - Aaron Ninedek and Eve Tauber

2008 May - Yom Haatzmaut

This year's photos of the get together. I don't call it party because It was not so much of a party as a group of people who brought along old photos and videos which we watched to see how good we looked in the past - 10, 15, 20 years ago. Nostalgia at its best.

- Hedva Sheiner.

2007 November 24 - The Bash at the Bishes

2007 May - Yom Haatzmaut

Oy - Frida reports that "the main conversation was about various Medical Specialists, which care is more stable and where we should built our own Senior Citizens Home. No agreement on any of the subjects."

We are all getting older - but we are still here.

2006 October - Mick Price in Israel

In our garden with Mick Price of Wollongong and later Sydney, Leo & Celia Regev ( previously Rogovin), Flap Bomzon and his companion Ilana Spanier, and Betty plus Ros and me.

These pictures were taken at the ancient archaeological site of Shuni near Binyamina dating back to Roman times and earlier. The Romans used the spring water from Shuni to supply water (via the aquaduct they built) to their town of Caesaria. Caesaria today is a popular site for tourism. The water was used for agriculture over the centuries. Shuni was the site of the Etzel training camp for all types of courses and storage in the 1940s.

The lady in white is Sara Yarden (widow of the late shaliach Yerucham Yarden) who we all remember from the 1960s and who manages the museum. She kindly offered to give us alte K's a tremendous guided tour with the most interesting explanations (note some of us still doze during such explanations as we did in the good old days during sichot). The ones with this missive are of Mick Price and me at Massada - notice the hospital let me out for the day tour.

And visiting Heather Rosing ( nee Cohen ) and her Mum Susie Cohen in Omer near Beer Sheva afterwards.

2006 May 27 - Vernon Kronenberg Visits

We had a very nice get together for Vernon here on Saturday evening. As Vernon said, it was like a family get together!

2006 May - Yom Haatzmaut

Hot from the Yom Haatzmaut party at the Mirjam's. One new person whom you guys may remember, (I didn't!) Shoshana Grajover from Melbourne. All the others - well, same as always except that Miriam and Henry Briggs are here and as every year participated in this year's very lively (and slightly crazy) party. It started off nice and quiet but then Jack put too much gin in my tonic (or was that the other way round?) and whatever I had must have been contagious because we all went mad and decided that as we did not get to live in the same shikun (housing project) and couldn't agree on the same old peoples home, we do have a chance on getting into the same nuthouse. - Hedva Sheiner (Frida Goldstein).

2006 April 22 - Hod HaSharon

Today, 22nd May, we had a get together of some of the "old Aussie" Betarim at Solly and Rosalie's place in Hod Hasharon. As usual, we talked about what was, is and will be, about our children and grandchildren, and as always, ate too much!! Our next event is Yom Haatzmaut at the Mirjam's, and on the 27th of May we will all gather again, this time at my place, to welcome Vernon Kronenberg who is coming to Israel for a visit. - - Hedva Sheiner (Frida Goldstein)

2006 March 18 - Joe Melnick visits Hod HaSharon

l to r: Rosalie Goldstein, Jack Jacobi, Solly Goldstein, Joe Melnik, Leo Regev (Rogovin), Henry Ben Ezra (Bish)

2006 February - Vernon Kronenberg: Future Connection

Vernon Kronenberg will be visiting Israel from 16 May to 7June, his third visit. He hopes to have the opportunity to get in touch with old Betari acquaintances. The official events coordinator appointed for this visit is Hedva Sheiner. Enquiries may also be directed to Heather and Danny Rosing, or Sue and Mervyn Doobov.

For those who don't know what he looks like now (and that includes him) here are a couple of photos of him along with Betarniks Pamela Orr (a sometime bridge partner in Canberra) and Irene Winkler (now Harman) who came out on the same boat to Australia as he did, in 1949.

2005 September 17 - David and Helen Leyman

Thanks to Bish for these photos marking the splendid evening spent at the Bishes' residence in Netanya in honor of David and Helen.

2005 March 12 - Theo and Anat's Party

Hedva Sheiner's camera was clicking and here's a sample of the attendees David ben David is in the second photo from the left.

2004 May - Yom Haatzmaut - We Met These Lovely People

Elaine Stuart, Jocelyn Goldberg, Thelma Cohen, Barbara Shama, Jack Goldberg, Yosef Shama and Maurice Cohen, LLM OBE.

* Melbourne High School Old Boys Association
** Melbourne High School.

2004 May - Yom Haatzmaut - Harry & Elaine Stuart Visit

2005 November 19 - Anne and Rodney Gouttman

2005 July 3-15 - Aaron Ninedek in Israel

July 2, visiting Frida Goldstein (Hedva Sheiner) in Ramat Gan, Bish (Henry Ben Ezra) captured these scenes. Nudnik the Shmendrik Camper's director and cameraman Josef E. Steiner and co-star Danny Rosing welcomed the star of the movie..

Here are Aaron's photos:

And here are Frida's photos:

And in Yaffo, Bish's photos:

Silly captions aside -

Israel's 56th anniversary is one Elaine and I will never forget. We were in Israel to celebrate it with twenty-six of the friends I grew up with in Australia - the Olim. The decision to make this eventful journey was not made without coercion - Leah Feder's visit to Philadelphia some two years ago 'greased the skids' and her 'reminders' from time to time finally gained success. Our visit was very short due to travel arrangements and business commitments. But, in those 6 days, with the help of Jack and Rosette Mirjam's annual OzBash (party) and a SnagFest (BBQ) hosted by Effie (Jack) and Felicity Jacobi, we maximized our ability to meet everyone.

On Arrival

On our arrival on Sunday morning, Hedva Sheiner (Frida Goldstein) and Leah picked us up from the airport and whisked us away to Jaffo for coffee and tea - a wonderful way to start our stay.

Yom Hazikaron

This time of year has particular significance for both Elaine and me. The bitter-sweet period of Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut allowed us to mourn together for the thousands that have died - and are still dying - to defend the State of Israel. Our arrival day was on Yom Hazikaron and that evening we attended a remembrance service with Leah at the Miami Beach Community Centre in Ramat Gan. The audience numbered about 1,500 and, even with a significant number of young people in the audience, throughout the next hour you could hear a pin drop. At 8:15 pm with the wail of the air raid sirens, the country stood still for one minute - and the ceremony commenced.

Yom Haatzmaut

The next evening, following the TV broadcast of the State celebrations, Yom Haatzmaut - and the parties - commenced. In all, we made contact with twenty-six of my fellow (ex) Betarim, most of whom are pictured in the Rogues Gallery.

So - who held the record for the people with whom I was separated the longest? There was a couple that I had not seen since I was 14 years old. The last time we saw one another was the year I started high school and attended, the Olympic Games in Melbourne. That was was 48 years ago when Yosef and Dora went on aliyah - 1956! I think the time I last saw Theo Balberyszski and Jack Mirjam would also approach that number. There were occasions in the past 20 years or so when Jack Mirjam and I were 'in the vicinity' of each other. He, Rosette and Shimon Addess, I believe, were wandering around above us (in Canada). Rosette reminded me that Brian Rudzki and I did 'bump into her' in Melbourne some time in the 1980s when our schedules seemed to coincide.

Reconnectees - the complete list

All in all, here's a complete list of our reconnectees, not in any particular order, most appearing the the Rogues Gallery: Leah Feder, Hedva Sheiner (Frida Goldstein), Yosef and Dora Steiner, Jack and Rosette Mirjam, Shim and Pearla Feder, Theo Balberyszski, Henry and Ros Ben Ezra (Bishopverder), Shimon (Brian) Addess, Danny and Heather Rosing, Celia and Leo Regev (Rogovin), Mervyn and Sue Doobov, Solly and Rosalie Goldstein, Leon Kempler (Rosalie's brother), and a few surprises (for me, not for them): Max Oren (Streubel), Lionel Bomzon (Flapper - not his maiden name, by the way), and Miriam (Deston) and Henry Briggs. Although Jack and Jocelyn Goldberg were not in Betar, I knew them socially from the old days in Melbourne. [We spent a wonderful evening with them and Jocelyn's parents and sister - but that's a story for another time - when the pictures arrive.] Also attending the OzBash was Miriam Golovesky, the widow of one of our Shlichim Chaim Golovesky. Effie (Jack) and Felicity Jacobi hosted the next day's SnagFest in their Australian home near Netanya (correct me on the location - the Hebrew directional signs were hard for me - I could never get past the first letter before we saw the next sign).

Yosef and Dora’s Dinner

On Wednesday night of that week we were treated to a wonderful dinner at Yosef and Dora’s home. My last remembrance of them was the one I had in my head captured from the 1955/56 Kinglake West mizdar photos [that appear in Shim's and my collections]. The amazing part of that evening was being able to see, and digitally capture, Yosef’s meticulously created and maintained archives of Betar's history in the years of 1948 through 1956 – six volumes of newspaper articles, photos and artifacts in plastic pages. We spent hours leafing through the pages and talking about the events and politics of that era. The captured material will need a little work but eventually will be published in the The Past section on this site. For those that lived through that era, lots of memories may be unleashed – lots of questions may be answered.

A Day In Netanya

The Bishes invited us out to their home on Thursday. We took the train up to Netanya and followed Bish’s instructions to the letter: “When you get off the train, go up the stairs, turn left and I’ll be waiting in the parking lot”. When our wanderings instead took us through a parking lot with no Bish which then turned into an industrial area, we ultimately decided to try the other side of the station – where we found Bish calmly waiting for us thinking we were on the next train from Tel Aviv. His response: “I meant for you to turn to the other left”. Nevertheless, we saw Netanya for the first time and had a wonderful BBQ lunch at their home. That afternoon we chatted on the phone with Dov Rosenfeld who had just arrived in Israel. A couple of days too late, Dov!

The Dell Test

Since we were traveling and since I am always thinking about technology and how it can be improved, I asked Dell (wink wink) if they would like me to conduct some torture tests on my two-year-old laptop while I was in Israel. I had to think of some unique tests that the computer would not normally be subjected to in the States. So, I chose the following protocols:

1. Six foot train drop test. Place the laptop inside a bag (along with some cameras to give it a little more weight) and place in the luggage rack of a speeding suburban train. The one from Tel Aviv to Beit Shemesh would be perfect. When the train lurches enough, let the bag make a wide arc and drop on to the floor. Open the bag – test the computer and see if the hard disk still operates. First test: successful. The laptop still worked.

2. Canon shot test. Place the same bag inside an x-ray machine at an airport, Ben Gurion being handy. Make sure that it is still loaded with cameras and a few more metal things in it to really give it mass. Stand back while the machine slowly draws the bag into its barrel and then watch it shoot the bag out of the other end into a small wall so that it makes a sudden 6-g stop. Second test: successful. The laptop still worked.

3. Let it stew. Wait 48 hours until after you arrive home. Start the laptop. If the message comes up: ‘Hard disk not found’, then the laptop test failed. The laptop test failed. Report to Michael Dell who will send out a new disk drive - definitely of a totally different configuration to ensure that the restore of the back upped data will fail. Take 10 hours out of your life and reload all operating systems, applications and data and continue computing.

4. Decide not to make the same offer again.

Connections with a family lost

The culmination of our visit was a (re)connection with a family I didn't know I had six weeks before this trip. Through continuing genealogy research on the internet, a not-known-about 2nd cousin and I found each other. By coincidence, our family names are the same - anglicized independently by our fathers when we were at a very young age. Simon Stuart, as we found out, lives in Israel with his family and on this trip we met for the first time - in Beit Shemesh (the site of the Dell computer test #1). Through our meeting we now have contact with several other cousins who live in London, New York and Florida - and we were able to trace our families back through Krackow, Poland, to 1752!

All-in-all, it was a wonderful week - meeting old family and new family - some related by blood, some by life-long friendship.

A Personal Journey...to Reconnect with our Olim

By Harry M. Stuart.

Danny, Yosef, Shim	Henry, Bish, Miriam	Leah, Miriam, Frida	Vernon, Theo	Solly, Frida
Danny, Henry, Heather,	? and Vernon

Miriam Galovesky and Ilana Addess	Jack, Rosette and Shimon	Ami Sheiner and Solly Goldstein	Rodney Gouttman and Danny Rosing	Frida's 4 grandchildren (2 sets of twins) Edan, Tomer, Neta &; Maayan make their presence felt
Leah, Dora, Theo	Frida, Danny, Rodney and Anne Gouttman	Jack, Shimon, Frida	Rosalie, Soria Kempler (Rosalie's mother), Frida	Doriy and Ami Sheiner, daughter Maayan and Anne Gouttman

Eddie Price, Miriam and Henry Briggs	Flapper or Lionel Bomzon and Ilana, Eddie Price	Eddie Price saying Hi	l to r: Leo Regev (Rogovin), Bish (Henry) Ben Ezra (Bishopverder), Ros Ben Ezra, David Leyman(shtein), Helen Leyman, Flapper Bomzon	Celia Regev (Liebhaber)
Miriam and Henry Briggs	Ros and Henry BenEzra - separated by Leo Regev	Ros and Henry Ben Ezra, Miriam Briggs, David and Helen Leyman

Tel Avivs Central Station	Elaine and Harry Stuart	Hedva Sheiner Leah Feder	Celia Regev	Danny Rosing and Theo Balberyszski
Effie Jacob	Elaine Stuart Leah Feder Shimshon and Pearla Feder	Felicity Jacobi	Harry in Netanya	Harry, Shimon, Ros, Henry
Heather Rosing, Miriam Golovesky	Henry Ben Ezra	Henry Briggs and Shimon Addess	Jack Goldberg	Jack Mirjam
Jack x	Jocelyn Goldberg	Leah Feder and Harry Stuart	Leo Regev	Lionel Flapper Bomzon
Max Oren	Mervyn and Sue Doobov	Miriam Briggs Heather Rosing	Pearla and Shimshon Feder Yosef and Dora Steiner	Rosalie Goldstein
Rosette Mirjam Solly Goldstein x Kemper Rosalie Goldstein	Ros Ben Ezra	Theo Balberyszski	Yosef Steiner

Shim & Yosef	Solly, Miriam, Frida & Danny	Ros, Rosalie & Shim	Rosalie & Heather	Danny & Shimon
Frida, Solly, Leah & Aaron	Yosef & Dora	David	Heather, Danny & Aaron	Bish, Shim, Aaron, Shimon
Ros, Rosalie & Heather

Yosef	Aaron and Eve	Aaron and Yosef	Aaron	Anat
Bish	Danny	Eve and Jack	Leah,Ilana,Frida,Heather	Ros,Bish,Eve,Aaron
Hedva and Jack	Henry	Jack	Ilana	Jack,Eve,Rosette
Leah	Miriam	Perla	Rosette	Shim
Shimon	Solly	Theo	Bish	Eve,Aaron,Solly,Shim
Yosef, Danny	Aaron	Aaron, Shim, Bish	Leah and Miriam	Leah,Hedva,Eve
Ros,Bish,Aaron	Rosette,Aaron,Jack	Yosef and Dora

Heather, Rosette, Danny, Jack, Theo	Shim	Theo	Yesef	Rosette
Pearla	Leah	Bish	Solly	Rosalie

Theo & Anat	l to r: Yosef Steiner, Anat Balberyszski, David ben David and his companion (behind), Dora Steiner, Shimshon Feder (cut off)	Yosef	Miriam, Danny * Theo	Rosette
Jack	Leah	Shim	Pearla

Aaron & Frida	Aaron & Yosef	Bish	Danny	David
Dora	Frida & Yosef	Heather & Frida	Heather	Jack
Leah	Miriam	Ros	Rosalie	Rosette
Shim	Shimon, Rosalie & Frida	Solly