Page 18 - Kol Bogrei Habonim - Autumn 21
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it was scary. Every rabbit or squirrel became (four times a week,
a rapacious wolf or a wily fox; every twig that mark you). For three
crunched underfoot was our Madricha giving years I was a diligent
chase. So, I gave up that plan too and stuck it student and doing well.
out to the end. Anyway, the three shillings Three years, and every
and sixpence in my pocket wouldn't have summer was spent with
paid for the ticket to Euston. Happily, the last family up in St Annes,
couple of days at camp were better. We sang near Blackpool, where
a lot, played wide games and made up silly my uncle was the rabbi.
verses.
Then came a summer
Back home, Jonny made sure that I when St Annes wasn't an
continued with Habo. Our meetings were option, and I was recovering from mumps.
always fun and our terrific Madrichim led us "What about going to a Habonim camp,"
in games and told us stories about Palestine, suggested my mum. I wasn't keen on that idea
and we sang Hebrew songs, even canons, at all, remembering with near horror my
which I loved. Then, quite suddenly, miserable experience four years previously.
Palestine became Israel. Everyone around, in But mum 'n dad were certain that now that I
Habo, in shul and at home were ecstatic; my was older, I'd enjoy it much more. While I
parents and grandparents tuned into short- was still in quarantine, I had a surprise and
wave radio Kol Tzion Lagolah whenever very welcome visitor: A tanned Jonny came
interference abated. Almost immediately over from Israel and, standing six full feet
afterwards, Jonny announced that he and his from me, persuaded me to go to that Tzofim
family were leaving for Israel. Apart from camp.
losing one of my best friends, Habonim in
West London was never quite the same again.
Our Gedud broke up soon afterwards and
there didn't seem much point in looking for
another group.
At the same time, I began grammar school
and that very radical change made a huge
difference to my life. Till then, I had attended
a Jewish school, but now I had to adjust to an
Anglican, highly disciplined regimen, with
new subjects, new friends and hobbies, along
with a sprinkling of antisemitism.
Isle of Wight 1952.
For three years I was engrossed with Back row: L-R Simon Weinstein, ?, Mike Burk, Len
schoolwork, model aircraft, trainspotting Goodman, Diane Leyserman, Alan Rosenthal.
(yes, you can laugh, but it was serious), Middle row: 2 farm boys, Leon - Aryeh. Front row
friends, attending shul and Hebrew classes Naomi Cohen, Sandra Banks
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